Inclusion Bases
Inclusion bases are dedicated, flexible spaces within mainstream schools that provide targeted teaching and specialist support for children with special educational needs, disabilities (SEND), or pastoral barriers. At wilbury, we have two Inclusion Bases:
- A Support Base: Funded and run directly by our school to deliver targeted intervention, for children who are able to spend some time in their mainstream classes
- A Specialist Base: To support children with more complex needs, such as sensory or communication impairments
Admission to our bases is determined by 'stage' (the levels of need/learning) rather than 'age' (a child's chronological age).
Our Inclusion Bases deliver a bespoke, holistic curriculum tailored to the individual learning needs of our pupils. Aligned with our mainstream curriculum, this ambitious, text-based curriculum balances academic and non-academic development through purposeful teaching approaches. While both provisions focus on foundational skills, the Support Base places a targeted emphasis on language, phonics, writing, and number. Our specialist base provides key sensory experiences. Both bases have outdoor spaces to give opportunities to give opportunities for children to develop their gross motor skills and explore a range of activities. Core life skills are embedded into daily routines in both provisions, ensuring pupils have continuous opportunities to develop independence.
Inclusion Bases - more information
Support Base
At Wilbury, we are committed to providing a truly inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive. To ensure all pupils receive the right care at the right time, we operate an on-site Support Base - a dedicated, nurturing space designed to offer flexible, targeted support.
Following the latest Department for Education (DfE) frameworks, our Support Base provides "Targeted Plus" interventions. This means we offer specialised, in-house support for children who need a little extra help to overcome barriers to learning, without isolating them from the wider school community.
Key Features of Our Support Base
- Qualified Educator-Led: The base is fully staffed and led by qualified educators, ensuring your child’s academic progress and curriculum continuity are strictly maintained.
- A Supportive Environment: This is a positive, nurturing space. It is strictly never used as a disciplinary isolation room or for internal exclusions.
- Flexible & Fluid Timetables: Pupils visit the base on a part-time, flexible basis. This ensures they remain a core part of their mainstream classes and stay connected with their peers.
- Holistic Support: We focus on the whole child, offering tailored help for emotional well-being, social skills, attendance barriers, and focused academic catch-ups.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the Support Base for?
The base is designed for any student experiencing temporary or ongoing barriers to learning. This includes children facing pastoral or emotional challenges, those struggling with school attendance, or pupils who just need a quieter, structured space to refocus. - Does my child need an EHCP to use the base?
No. Unlike local authority 'Specialist Bases', our Support Base is funded and managed directly by the school. It is specifically designed to catch and support children before or instead of them needing formal, statutory local authority intervention. - How is a child referred to the Support Base?
Our internal pastoral and SEND teams continuously monitor pupil progress and well-being. If we feel your child would benefit from spending time in the base, our team will always talk to you first to discuss a personalised plan.
Specialist Base
We are incredibly proud to be opening an on-site Specialist Base, established in partnership with our Local Authority. This dedicated facility will allow us to provide an exceptional, highly tailored education for children with more complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), allowing them to thrive within a mainstream school community.
Our Specialist Base is a formally commissioned provision designed to deliver intensive, specialist, and therapeutic support. It serves as a bridge, offering the expert care of a special school alongside the rich social and academic opportunities of mainstream school life.
Key Features of Our Specialist Base
- Expert Staffing: The base is led by specialist staff with expertise in meeting complex learning, communication, or sensory needs.
- Therapeutic Integration: We work with external professionals—such as Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Educational Psychologists.
- Dual-Track Learning: Pupils have a "home" in the Specialist Base but follow an individualised timetable. This ensures they join mainstream classes and school activities whenever it benefits their learning and social development.
- High Needs Funding: The base is fully funded and regulated by the Local Authority, ensuring access to specialised learning resources, sensory equipment, and low distraction environments
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the Specialist Base for?
The base is specifically designed for pupils with complex, long-term SEND who require a level of specialist teaching and environmental adjustment that goes beyond what a standard mainstream classroom can provide. - Does my child need an EHCP to attend the Specialist Base?
Yes. Places within our Specialist Base are funded directly by the Local Authority. Admissions require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that formally names this specific specialist provision as the most appropriate setting for the child. - How do children secure a place in the Specialist Base?
Because places are limited and regulated by the Local Authority, the school cannot directly admit pupils to the base. Admissions are managed entirely through the Local Authority's SEND panel during the EHCP consultation or annual review process.