Enhanced Resource Base

Who we are

The ERB at Saint Benedict is a department within the school which facilitates inclusion into the mainstream activities for students with Vision Impairment and/ or Physical Disability. All students supported by the department have an EHCP.

Statement of Intent

All students supported by the ERB will have equitable access to all aspects of school life including activities that take place in non curriculum times. Students’ individual needs, as outlined by their EHCP, will be supported through the delivery of the ‘additional curriculum’, specialist IT and individualised support. The outcome of this framework of support will develop their independence skills and prepare them for life after school.

The department will enable the students to have emotional wellbeing and feel part of both the school community and the wider community. This reflects the Catholic values of compassion, care and acceptance of others leading to a fully inclusive environment.

How we support students

The students supported by the ERB all attend lessons in the mainstream school. They are supported in a number of ways as outlined in their EHCP such as modified resources, specialist equipment or support from a department Learning Support Assistant (LSA). We work closely with Directors of Learning (DoL) and teachers to ensure we have knowledge of lessons to be delivered and any adaptations, modifications or equipment that might be needed. All students have a Pupil Passport detailing their individual needs which is shared with all their teachers.

Some students may be withdrawn from lessons to have 1:1 tuition in the areas of Braille, specialist IT, Mobility, Independent Living Skills, social skills, physiotherapy, or to have pre or post teaching in lesson content to ensure they understand concepts being taught or have additional time to complete learning or assessments.

The work we carry out is designed to meet the following eight Learner Outcomes:

  1. Learning to access: providing the students with the skills to access information independently.
  2. Use of equipment: able to use a range of equipment efficiently and to choose which equipment to use and when to use it.
  3. Independence and negotiation skills: able to explain their VI/PD to others, to self-advocate, and to know how to find solutions when things don’t go according to plan.
  4. Participation: able to take part in all aspects of school life and to feel socially and emotionally included.
  5. Meeting others: given opportunities to meet with other students with VI/PD, to experience a range of recreational and leisure activities and has the skills to participate in the activities that interest them.
  6. Getting around: has independent mobility skills that are appropriate to the child’s age.
  7. Looking after him/herself: has the skills to look after him/herself and to carry out everyday living activities that are appropriate to his/her age. This may include appropriate instruction to adults supporting.
  8. Life after school: approaches transition knowing what support is available to enable the student to succeed at college/university or in getting a job, and how to access this support.

Staff who work within the ERB

  • We have a number of specialist staff including a teacher who holds the Mandatory Qualification for Teaching Children with Vision Impairment and so is a Qualified Teachers of Vision Impairment (QTVI). The Director of Learning for the Enhanced Resource Base also has skills and experience of meeting the needs of children with Physical Disabilities.
  • We have 2 qualified Manual Handling of Children and Young people trainers who carry out Risk assessments of Children who need support with physical moving and handling and ensure staff always have up to date training in this area.
  • We have several staff who have had additional training in the areas of Vision Impairment (VI), Physical Disabilities (PD), Specialist IT and delivery of physiotherapy.
  • We have a number of experienced LSAs (Learning Support Assistant) within the department who support students both within lessons and in the ERB. They are all Manual Handling trained and are trained by Physiotherapists to deliver physiotherapy programs for identified students. Many of the LSAs have Braille qualifications and all have experience of working with students both with Vision impairment and Physical Disabilities.
  • We have a Resource technician who is skilled at carrying out modification and adaptation of resources to meet the needs of students with vision impairment.
  • We work closely with outside professionals such as Visiting Teachers, Educational Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Social Care to ensure that the students’ needs are appropriately met within school.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit to the School and the Resource Base please contact:

Tessa Astill (Director of Learning ERB)

or

Gail Maskalick (Administrator, ERB)

Tel: 01332 557032 ext 209

Email: gmaskalick@ben.srscmat.co.uk