Turning it around – going from failing pupils on the autism spectrum to 'outstanding progress': case study of a special school

Yo Dunn

Consult Yo Ltd.

Yo is a trainer and consultant who works across the public sector (primarily in social care and education) with a specialism in autism. She creates bespoke training and consults on: autism for public services; and the legal framework underpinning public services for the autism world. She is experienced in working closely with professionals in schools, local authorities and providers. As part of Belinda Schwehr’s Care and Health Law training team, she delivers high level training on the legal framework of social care to a broad cross section of English local authorities and other clients (including training on the Care Act, safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act and other issues). She has a thorough working knowledge of public law and professional practice issues in both adult and children’s services and is well placed to provide a clear overview of a range of issues affecting autistic people.Yo has an academic background in social policy analysis and her doctorate is in educational research. She is an experienced and well-reviewed public speaker known for her ability to make ‘dry’ topics engaging and accessible. She is autistic, a self-confessed legal geek and deeply involved in the adult self-advocate community.

Toni Macartney

St. Clement's School

This presenter did not provide a biography.

Abstract

In 2014, inspectors visiting St. Clement's special school in Highland, Scotland felt that the needs of autistic pupils were “not being well met”. The school needed to “Identify learning needs accurately and implement appropriate strategies to overcome barriers to learning, especially for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders.”

In 2015, inspectors highlighted “outstanding progress” – particularly for autistic pupils. “Children and young people now have much better learning experiences” and “Those with autism spectrum disorders feel less anxious as a result of the increased expertise of staff and more appropriate programmes of learning.”. Full report: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/inspectionandreview/reports/school/primsec/StClementsSchoolHighland.asp

This paper will discuss how this progress was achieved by:
• Working collaboratively with staff to build a professional development culture
• Embedding autism development within wider school improvement
• Extending the change beyond school out into the community
• Ensuring training and consultancy focussed on practical strategies
• Moving beyond one off training to embed autism knowledge in classroom practice

The paper will set out the main changes and their impact for autistic pupils:
• Staff empowered as skilled professionals able to match strategies to positive and achievable goals
• Reduction of use of physical restraint to zero
• Sensory profiles regularly reviewed and used to inform curriculum delivery
• Every child accessing their full curriculum entitlement with coherent pathways, progress tracking, appropriate differentiation and range of accreditation
• Positive, inclusive, capability-focused school culture

Written paper available at: http://network.autism.org.uk/good-practice/case-studies/transforming-educational-provision-autistic-pupils
We wish to thank the Scottish Government (Scottish Strategy for Autism) for grant funding phase 2 of the project.

Ethics and permissions statement and / or disclosure of potential conflict of interest (if relevant)

Phase 2 of the project described was grant funded by the Scottish Government (Scottish Strategy for Autism). Yo Dunn (trading as Consult Yo Ltd.) declares a commercial interest as a provider of training and educational... [ view full abstract ]

Authors

Yo Dunn (Consult Yo Ltd.)
Toni Macartney (St. Clement's School)

Topic Area

Topics: Practice

Session

S8 » Symposia: Education (09:00 - Saturday, 17th September, Fintry Auditorium)

Presentation Files

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