Autism Acceptance Week 2025

Next week marks Autism Acceptance Week, and we are pleased to share a brochure of activities happening throughout the week. These events, developed in partnership with various organisations, aim to support and celebrate autistic individuals, parents/carers, and staff.

Autism is part of everyday life, and whether we realise it or not, we all work alongside and support autistic colleagues, pupils, and community members. These activities promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for everyone.

^{Makaton Training Sessions for Parents}

New Makaton Training Dates for parents. 

Katie from Keep Singing will deliver two separate training sessions at TBXH Sunley House, 4 Bedford Park, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 2AP:

• Level 1 Makaton Training – Monday, 31st March, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Full-day session)
• Level 2 Makaton Training – Thursday, 27th March, and Friday, 28th March, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Two-part training; attendees must complete both sessions to receive certification)

About the Training:

• Level 1 provides a practical introduction to the Makaton Language Programme. Sessions include discussing commonly asked questions, hints and tips for effective signing and symbol use and how to start using Makaton in everyday situations at home or work. You will also learn the signs and symbols from Stages 1 and 2 (145 concepts) which is every day, functional communicative words.
• Level 2 provides a follow on from Level 1 and requires participants to bring their Level 1 certificate.

You will receive a Participant's Manual which includes the Makaton symbols and line drawings of the signs that you learn in the workshop.

You will also be given a certificate of attendance. Please remember to keep your Level 1 and Level 2 training certificate in case you want to attend further Makaton training.

For more information, please email FamilyHubs@croydon.gov.uk. You can also visit Katie's website here: Keep Signing | Online and Face to Face Makaton courses

The deadline for the applications for children transferring to secondary school is 18 April 2025. The deadline for children starting reception is 13 June 2025.    

Ideally we would like parents/carers to apply online at the following address:  Apply for travel assistance 5-16 | Croydon Council Or alternatively complete a copy of the attached application form and email to transport.eligiblity@croydon.gov.uk Unfortunately we cannot accept screenshots of applications. 

Unfortunately, eligible applications received after the deadline dates will not receive travel entitlement until after the October half term. 

Entry Criteria for the Enhanced Learning Provision (ELP) for DLD

Our ELP is a specialist provision specifically for children with a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder. These are specially funded placements which are offered to identified children from across the borough. Entry is decided via a specialist admissions panel and, occasionally, EHCP consultations (if we are not full and the child meets the entry criteria). We are strictly limited to 20 places and children from our mainstream school do not access this provision or the speech therapy within it. 

If you are interested in applying for a place at our ELP, you must discuss this with your current SENCo or SEN caseworker. Please note that the ELP is a provision for children with Developmental Language Disorder. Applicants must meet the Catalise criteria for DLD which is:

‘Developmental Language Disorder’ (DLD) for when the language disorder is NOT associated with a known biomedical condition such as:

 brain injury,

 acquired epileptic aphasia in childhood,

 certain neurodegenerative conditions,

 genetic conditions such as Down syndrome,

 cerebral palsy

 sensori-neural hearing loss.

 autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

 intellectual disability

Pupil Learning Plans (PLP) for children with SEND

Some children will receive a PLP with personal targets for them to achieve.

With this in mind, the class teacher will set and review targets three times a year and share them with parents at parents evening.

Autumn Term

We allow for a handover between classes and for the teachers to get to know the children in their class. For Autumn term parents evening, the teachers will review the targets that were set in the Summer term and set new targets. These targets will last until the Spring term and will be reviewed in time for parents evening.

Spring Term

The Autumn targets will be reviewed by the teachers and new targets will be set. This happens after the February half term and the new and reviewed targets are shared with parents at parents evening.

Summer Term

The Spring targets will be reviewed by the teachers and new targets will be set. This happens after the May half term and the new and reviewed targets are shared with parents at the report feedback parents evening or sent home. These targets are carried over until the Autumn term parents evening.