Enhanced Learning Provision offers a child with additional needs the curriculum, support, intervention, health and pastoral care of a specialist provision in an environment where access to mainstream curriculum, teaching and peers is still available. It is a blended model of education which delivers specialist support above and beyond Quality First Teaching and the offer in an mainstream setting so that children can develop and maintain age appropriate relationships with their community peer group whilst accessing an educational offer which is bespoke and alternative to the typical mainstream. It is a holistic model of education and inclusion.  Each child has an individual timetable based on their age and ability to ensure that their academic potential is achieved.

A student would usually require an EHCP to access the provision and placement decisions would be determined through discussion between the LA Sen Casework team and family, in consultation with the school. This is in line with the requirements for specialist placement outlined in the SEND Code of practice. 

There must be clear evidence of assessed needs with support from appropriate specialists of what additional needs there are that can not be met in a local mainstream school, and the nature of provision that is required to meet these needs to ensure that the placement is suitable and appropriate value for money. 

Durham Federation offers an enhanced learning provision across key stage 3 and 4. With a curriculum taught in blocks to avoid cognitive overload and to allow pace and challenge at an appropriate level, this model runs parallel with the mainstream timetable for the rest of the school making access to mainstream seamless. This model provides  increased opportunities for staff and student relationship building and removes transition time between lessons which can be a trigger point for anxiety in large mainstream environments. The curriculum model includes the full complement of GCSE courses in Key stage 4 alongside specific preparation for adulthood, health and wellbeing and vocational pathways. 

Our ELP has been designed with safety, sensory elements, zoning and wellbeing in mind and comprises of a mixture of classrooms, small group rooms and intervention rooms decorated in therapeutic colours. We also have a sensory room which is available to students.

We believe that all children should leave school prepared for adult life. In line with the SEND Code of Practice we teach explicit lessons on adulthood including financial management, health and wellbeing, safety, careers, travel, nutrition and diet, exercise and rest, communication and citizenship. We deliver this using the ASDAN Cope and key skills curriculum. Students achieve a range of qualifications from certificates of completion. We have our own preparation for adulthood learning environment which contains a home space so practical home management can be taught and experienced.

Unlike an enhanced mainstream secondary school we do not have a singular specialism. Our enhanced learning provision (ELP) aims to meet the needs of all children in a fully inclusive environment. All ELP staff are trained in all four areas of need in addition to their subject specialism:

• Social & Emotional Mental Health

• Cognition & Learning

• Communication & Interaction

• Physical and Sensory