We work with a range of students with a range of needs with the aim to enable and empower them to be the best they can be. Everyone at some point needs a bit of extra support and the skilled and experienced staff at The BASE provide that personalised support. The Inclusion Team is made up of non-teaching staff, allowing us to deal with concerns and problems quickly and efficiently. We use preventative measures and early interventions to promote good mental health, emotional well-being and a positive attitude so that our students achieve their full potential. We offer support to the parents/carers of our students through signposting to a range of external agencies including PPP (positive parenting programme) and the Citizens Advice Bureau. We can also provide support to families through CAF’s (Common Assessment Framework) and our in-house Counselling service is available to parents/carers as well as students.

We provide support to our students through one-to-one mentoring, counselling, Circle Time and group work. Some of the groups we deliver include:

• Anger management
• Social skills
• Health and well-being
• Raising attendance
• Raising self-esteem and confidence
• Staying safe
• Appropriate behaviour and raising attitude to learning

Other provisions at The BASE includes extraction groups, where students are able to work in smaller groups with a member of staff to complete outstanding coursework for core subjects. This enables them to receive more one-to-one support than they would be able to access in a classroom environment and therefore helps them to gain the results they are capable of.

The Sensory Room

The Sensory Room is situated at The BASE within Whitley Academy, and has been praised by many external agencies including OFSTED who deemed it to be a ‘very positive initiative’. The Sensory room is used for a wide range of activities and interventions which include; reward sessions, circle time, mentoring and counselling, to name but a few. As well as these interventions the Sensory room is particularly significant in supporting pupils with sensory impairment. The sensory room gives students the opportunity for relaxation and down time, as well as providing them with a stimulating space for creativity and personal reflection.

The Sensory room is currently equipped with a sensory tent, various light resources including a wall of fairy lights, a projector which displays soothing images, a black board for students to write or draw their feelings, as well as objects to hold, squeeze or take anger out on.

The Inclusion Team organise family events every half term where parents/carers are invited to take part in some of the activities on offer and meet the staff who are supporting their son/daughter. The main purpose of holding these events is to build positive relationships with the families of our students as well as providing a fun and enjoyable experience for the children to enjoy with their parents/carers. These events are well attended and we have received lots of positive feedback. If you would like more information on when /what the next event will be, or have any other questions about the support on offer at The BASE please call and ask to speak to Miss McCann.