Our Aspire Provision

Kates Hill Primary is fortunate to have a bespoke, on-site, alternative provision that caters our children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Aspire aims to help children develop strategies to manage their SEMH needs. In the first instance, children spend a 6 – 8 week block in Aspire working alongside staff to develop skills to manage the challenges they face on a day to day basis. Children are placed in Aspire to develop an understanding of their own emotions.

How do we assess children’s SEMH development?

In Aspire, staff utilise an assessment system called Motional. Staff are able to closely monitor children’s SEMH development through bi-weekly assessments. Each assessment is broken down into the core areas of a child’s SEMH needs. The assessment tool is able to clearly identify to staff which needs are more pressing and need to be addressed. Staff will then utilise these assessments to plan future SEMH sessions.

Do children still have access to an academic curriculum?

Timetabled reading sessions take place every morning. Those accessing Phonics and Early Reading attend a Phonics session. Adapted writing opportunities are utilised to ensure children enjoy the opportunity to write and aims to remove the stigma some children attach to writing at length. Children continue their maths learning from their original class, enabling children to maintain the pace of progress with their peers. If this is not possible, Aspire sessions focus on mathematical skills that can be applied in the real world, such as money and time.

Children’s curriculum entitlement

Alongside core academic learning, children have timetabled PE and Forest School sessions. This gives children an opportunity to broaden their curriculum whilst accessing the provision. To ensure inclusion, children return to their original class groups following lunchtime. This allows children to have full access to a broad curriculum alongside their peers.

If you would like a copy of our Aspire policy, please contact Mr Hinton (Aspire Lead, Assistant Headteacher).