Complex Communication Needs Base

Welcome to Sky Base at Gillingham Primary School

What is Sky Base?

Sky Base is special resourced provision for pupils with complex communication needs (CCN). We are a special needs unit within a mainstream school that has space for up to 14 pupils with complex communication needs. Sky Base has one full-time lead teacher (who is a trained SENCO) and an experienced part-time teacher. There is also a strong team of experienced teaching assistants including one HLTA. Mrs Shanks, the SENCO has oversight for the Base.

Which pupils can attend Sky Base?

Places in Sky Base are only available to pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Schools, parents and/or professionals may recommend that a child with an EHCP is considered for a place in the provision.  They are then referred to the Consultations Panel which meets each half-term.

During the panel, each child is considered on a case by case basis against the agreed criteria for complex communication needs: children will always have a significant need in social communication and, sometimes, a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).  The child will also need to have the potential to access the mainstream school and curriculum for more  than 50% of their school day.

By sharing knowledge and views about each child, the panel is able to make a well-informed decision as to whether the support from Sky Base would help that child be able to access and thrive in a mainstream setting. 

What are our aims in Sky Base?

In Sky Base, we endeavour to provide an inclusive environment in which every child feels safe, confident and happy to learn; enabling them to grow in confidence and self-esteem and make progress both socially and academically.  Our aim is for every child to interact successfully with their families, friends and teachers and contribute as independent, confident, happy members of the school community.

In order to achieve this, Sky Base staff liaise closely with specialist professionals such as;

• Educational Psychologists,
• Specialist Teacher, 
• Occupational Therapists, and
• Speech and Language Therapists,

to deliver highly specialist programmes that are integral to the appropriately differentiated curriculum.

How do we provide for individuals in Sky Base?

Sky Base staff ensure that every child’s needs are individually planned for during their learning time within the base. Where a child also attends mainstream lessons the teaching team work closely together to ensure the best provision possible. Targeted, specialist teaching is delivered in order to develop key skills; with a particular focus on social communication and social understanding. For example, developing language skills for a range of uses including how to; ask for something, question, negotiate, express emotions and converse.  Staffing and support levels and differentiation of resources and activities are planned to encourage maximum independence for each child

Each child has at least one key adult who builds a trusting relationship with them. This is an important part of providing a supportive and bespoke curriculum.

Within Sky Base our sensory room enables staff to support children with sensory needs, both through regular activities and with sensory interventions designed to meet their own individual needs. Our aim is to help the children to develop an understanding of themselves, and to feel understood by the adults working with them. We work individually with children to support their emotional understanding and build their skills in emotional regulation.

Specialist teaching assistants support children as required in their mainstream classes and during unstructured activities, such as during play time. They also help to deliver individual programmes under the guidance of the base leader and the appropriate specialist professionals.

We organise trips into the local community when appropriate, for children in Base to develop their confidence and understanding of the world around them.  For example; climbing at the local secondary school, going to the library, local church, park and attending cycling proficiency. We fully support the children to access mainstream curriculum trips as well as residential opportunities and a member of Base staff will accompany them.

How do we work with parents and carers?

Staff in Sky Base work closely with parents and carers and every child has a home school communication book.  Adults at home and staff at school use the book to send messages, ask questions, voice concerns and give positive feedback. Where children are local, staff can speak with carers at drop-off or pick up times- this usually happens on a daily basis. Some children in Sky Base come to school by taxi or mini-bus and their parents may not be able to meet with the Sky Base teachers on a regular basis. Therefore, parents can phone the school office at any time and leave a message - one of the Sky Base team will return their call as soon as they can.

Parents are actively encouraged to engage with the Sky Base staff to ensure that all relevant information is shared so that individual provision can be tailored to meet the needs of each child.

How do we review the placement in Sky Base?

The continued suitability of placement will be considered at each annual review of Education Health Care Plans (EHCP) and if necessary during interim reviews.  Tamar Shanks, as SENCO, will attend all reviews and where possible, their key worker.