A very warm welcome:

At the Whiteoak Academies of Hannah More Infants and Grove Juniors, we are proud of our inclusive ethos, vision and values and have exciting plans for the future, including developing our new Speech and Language Resource Base provision.

Our Resource Base - "The Whiteoak Woodlands" - will aim to provide the highest quality provision and outcomes for a small group of children whose primary need is Speech, Language and Communication (SLCN).

Artist's impression

Opening on a phased basis from September 2024, our Resource Base is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to learn in a language-rich environment, designed to develop speech, language, communication and interaction.  A high adult to pupil ratio will enable pupils to thrive and work towards full integration into a mainstream setting.

We rise to great heights by a winding staircase of small steps. 

~ Francis Bacon ~

All pupils attending Woodlands, will have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and are admitted to us via North Somerset Local Authority. Our Resource Base has a capacity of 12 children.  Each Resource Base pupil will be on roll in a mainstream class, and we will work towards including pupils according to their needs and abilities. Wherever possible, our pupils will participate in the full life of the school during the school day and will be invited to participate in trips, activities and experiences with their mainstream peers.

The curriculum will be carefully planned to allow the pupils to engage in the core subjects alongside developing their life skills. Each pupil’s curriculum will consist of both educational and therapeutic Speech and Language work. Woodlands will incorporate a range of evidenced-based teaching and learning strategies, which have been shown to be effective for children and young people with Speech and Language communication disorders.  The curriculum will inspire and encourage learning through rich experiences both in and outside the classroom. For example, outdoor learning, afternoons in other provisions and learning essential life skills.

Our aim is to create a calm, structured and language-rich environment in which the pupils feel safe and secure and can learn and develop both their academic skills alongside their speech, language and communication skills, supported by an experienced staff team.

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. 

~ Benjamin Franklin ~

Admissions process to enter the Resource Base:

North Somerset Local Authority is the placing authority. All applications must be made via an EHCP annual review and sent to the North Somerset SEND team.

The application will be considered by the Local Authority at a dedicated special school placement admissions panel held every January. Requests for places 'in year' will be managed via the SEND assessment panel and will follow the normal EHC consultation process.

The Panel will consider available places and whether the entry criteria for the provision are met, alongside the needs of other pupils attending the Resource Base, before deciding if a placement can be made.

Following agreement, a transition package will be determined between the team around the child to ensure successful transition into the Resource Base.

As the Resource Base is linked to infant and junior schools, an application to transfer to the junior-aged base will be required for those wanting entry from Year 2 to Year 3.

 It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. 

~ Confucius ~