Our ARC Provision

At Churchfields, we are incredibly proud of our Additionally Resourced Classes (ARC). We provide specialist provision for 18 children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), across two class groups, organised according to individual need. Consultations for a place in the ARC should be made through your child’s EHCP coordinator. 

The ARC is an important part of our school community. Our children receive specialist PE lessons and benefit from a weekly Forest School session, led by our Forest School Leader. They also attend weekly swimming lessons at Beckenham Spa for two terms each year.

Each ARC class is staffed by qualified teachers and Learning Support Assistants. To encourage children to develop independence and become confident learners, we do not provide full-time 1:1 support. Instead, our curriculum, environment and timetable are carefully designed to encourage and nurture growing independence.

Children are placed on learning pathways that are best suited to their developmental stage and individual needs. These pathways help to determine the focus of learning and support throughout their time in the ARC.

Strong, trusting relationships are at the heart of our work in the ARC. Our teachers and Learning Support Assistants take the time to get to know each child as an individual, understanding their personality, interests, strengths, communication style and needs. These positive and nurturing relationships help children to feel safe, valued and understood, supporting their emotional wellbeing, confidence, independence and engagement in learning. All adults know the children exceptionally well and use this understanding to celebrate their achievements and help each child to thrive as part of the ARC and wider school community.

Our Learning Environment

The ARC has a dedicated Calm Space and a sheltered outdoor area, which children can access during timetabled sessions and throughout the school day whenever they need a quieter or more regulated environment.

Our ARC curriculum is bespoke and engaging, designed to meet the individual needs of every child. A range of specialist approaches and provision are embedded into the daily timetable, including sensory circuits and sensory diets, Zones of Regulation, visual resources, Makaton, Widgit symbols, regular sensory breaks, Attention time sessions, fine motor activities and TEACCH stations. These approaches support children’s communication, emotional regulation, independence and learning.

Developing Independence and Life Skills

Life skills are an important part of the children’s regular learning. Both ARC classes have cooking and/or ‘Fun with Food’ sessions, providing valuable opportunities for children to develop independence, practise practical skills and build confidence in everyday tasks.

We also organise a range of trips and visits throughout the year, both within our local community and across London, which enhance and bring our learning to life. These experiences provide valuable opportunities for children to practise communication, independence and life skills in real-world settings.For example, children may visit a local café to buy a snack or post a letter at the local post box. We also enjoy exploring further afield, with visits to places such as the London Eye and the London Aquarium.

Inclusion and Belonging 

The ARC is an integral part of the wider Churchfields community, and we promote inclusion in mainstream classes wherever this is appropriate for the individual child.

Depending on their needs and interests, some children may enjoy playtimes with their mainstream peers, while others may join mainstream classes for particular lessons or activities. These opportunities are carefully considered to ensure that children are supported to participate successfully and develop positive relationships with their peers.

Specialist Support

We work closely with a range of specialist professionals to ensure our children receive the support they need. Our Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT) visits the ARC weekly and works closely alongside our staff, providing guidance and training to ensure children’s communication and language needs are supported consistently throughout the week.

Occupational Therapy visits are also arranged for children who have Occupational Therapy support identified as part of their EHCP provision. We also benefit from visits from our Music Therapist and have strong links with the Special Needs and Disability Advisory Team (SENDAT), as well as other professionals who regularly visit the school.

Staff Training and Development

Our ARC staff receive comprehensive training throughout the year, ensuring they are well equipped to meet the individual needs of our children. This includes specialist training such as Makaton, alongside ongoing professional development to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding.

Assessment and Celebrating Progress

Assessment in the ARC is an ongoing process, with staff continually monitoring and assessing children’s progress towards their EHCP outcomes. Progress is formally reviewed each year through the EHCP Annual Review process.

Each child has an individual Personal Learning Plan (PLP), with their EHCP outcomes broken down into achievable short-term targets. These targets are reviewed each term by teachers, professionals and parents, ensuring that everyone works together to support each child’s progress and development.

Children’s progress is carefully tracked in small steps throughout the year, either in line with the National Curriculum or through the Engagement Model, using B Squared. We believe it is important to recognise and celebrate every child’s progress and achievement.

Working in Partnership with Families

Parents and carers are an important part of our ARC community, and we value the strong partnerships we build with families. The ARC uses the Seesaw app to share regular updates, photographs and information with families, helping parents and carers gain a greater understanding of the learning, experiences and fun that take place throughout the school day.

We see parents and carers as vital partners in their children’s educational journey. We offer a range of opportunities for families to engage with the ARC, including extended parent meeting slots, ARC newsletters, parent coffee afternoons and parent workshops.

We also hold an ARC Café, where the children have the opportunity to welcome and serve their parents and carers, giving them a chance to showcase their skills and independence in a fun and meaningful way.