Education

Introduction

New Options (Barton) School provides an innovative educational package for pupils and students, aged 8 – 19 with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs). 

This specialist autism school opened in September 2006 and is registered with the Department for Education and Skills (DCSF) as an Independent Special School, integrated with the New Options Children's Home.

New Options (Barton) School offers National Curriculum subjects for Key Stages 2, 3 & 4 pupils and a vocational based curriculum for Post 16 students.  However, we believe a curriculum for children and young people with ASDs must take into account their particular strengths and difficulties in learning to learn.  We believe a curriculum for pupils and students with autism should;

• be determined by the needs of the child or young person,

• give priority to communication and interpersonal skills,

• involve appropriate life skills throughout,

• include regular physical activity.

Staff at the New Options (Barton) School use a range of approaches to teaching, but all approaches involve the use of structure (usually visual) in order to minimise stress and promote learning. 

Parents and carers are seen as important partners in all aspects of learning.
New pupils and students have a comprehensive initial educational assessment, which forms the basis of an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

The assessment identifies current skills and highlights areas for future development. An IEP informs both teaching and care staff of broad objectives to give the pupils the best possible opportunity to achieve their potential and succeed.

New Options (Barton) Autism School is divided into Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Post 16.  Pupils are placed according to their chronological age but their class group may be based on their age, attainment and/or individual specific needs.

Key Stage 2

Key Stage 2 offers a primary curriculum for children from Year 4. The curriculum offers a child-centred approach concentrating on early skills and educational approaches.

Key Stage 3

Pupils in Years 7 - 9 follow the National Curriculum, broadly following the range of subjects offered in mainstream establishments at Key Stage 3.  By creatively adapting and planning schemes of work appropriate to the needs of pupils with autism, differentiated lessons are delivered allowing for success, progress and achievement of educational objectives.  Lessons are made meaningful allowing for tangible experiences within realistic contextual situations and environments.

Key Stage 4

From year 10 pupils follow a range of subjects outlined in the DCSF’ 14 – 19 Curriculum document.  Core subjects are offered as indicated in the document and complemented by a range of both academic and enrichment subjects.  Pupils have the opportunity to sample the full range of subjects within Key Stage 4 which offer breadth and diversity to motivate, develop and provide aspirations for adulthood and a basis for lifelong learning.

Enrichment subjects offered include horticulture, catering, retail, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, sports studies, community access and a wide range of independence and self help skills to help prepare our students with autism for later life.

Post 16

The New Options Barton Autism School’s Post 16 Department offers a modular programme for students between the ages of 16 and 19.  The department’s overall aim is to ‘prepare students with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder for adulthood, giving each individual appropriate skills to live in society’.  The emphasis in Post 16 is to continue development of basis skills (Numeracy, Literacy, ICT), Life and Leisure and Vocational experiences.

Additional Resources

The following facilities can be found on-site.

Sports Hall / Fitness suite / Several games rooms / All weather games pitch / Large recreational field / Hydrotherapy pool / Horticulture facilities / Library / Sensory room / Bistro café / Cinema / Music room / Visitors accommodation / Landscaped gardens / Climbing wall

In the near future an exciting adventure playground will be an additional new facility on-site.