Specialist Base (DSP) Provision Statement

Babington Academy Specialist Base (DSP) Provision Statement

Our School

Babington Academy is an inclusive secondary school serving students aged 11–16 years. We are committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of need, are supported to achieve their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

As an IQM Flagship School and Champions for Inclusion, we celebrate neurodiversity and promote a culture where all students feel valued, respected, and included within the wider school community.

Specialist Base (DSP) Provision

The Specialist Base (DSP) at Babington Academy provides specialist support for a maximum of 30 students aged 11–16 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) whose primary area of need is Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

The Specialist Base (DSP) offers specialist teaching, targeted interventions and access to mainstream education, enabling students to develop their communication skills while participating in the life of the wider school community.

Staff work closely with families, students and experts at hand to ensure a coordinated approach to supporting each student's individual needs.

Our Expertise

Students are placed within the Specialist Base (DSP) when their primary need is Speech, Language and Communication Needs.

This may include students with:

Receptive language difficulties
Expressive language difficulties
Social communication difficulties
Semantic language difficulties
Pragmatic language difficulties
Speech sound difficulties
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

The Specialist Base (DSP) team includes:

Specialist Base (DSP) Lead Teacher
Specialist Base SEND Teachers
Specialist Base Assistant Teachers
ELKLAN-trained staff
Speech and Language Therapy support (as specified within EHCP provision)

Staff receive ongoing professional development in communication-friendly practice and specialist SEND approaches.

Our Facilities

The Specialist Base (DSP) provides:

Dedicated Specialist Base (DSP) classrooms
Small class teaching groups
Intervention and therapy spaces
Access to sensory and regulation support
Communication-friendly learning environments
Visual supports and adapted resources
Access to mainstream facilities including:

Science laboratories
Food technology rooms
Art rooms
Sports facilities

Students may access learning within:

Specialist Base (DSP) classrooms
Mainstream lessons
A combination of Specialist Base (DSP) and mainstream provision

The balance of provision is determined by individual need and reviewed regularly.

Students require an EHCP to be considered for placement in the Specialist Base (DSP).
Students are placed by Leicester City Council.

What Your Child Will Study

Students within the Specialist Base (DSP) follow a broad and balanced curriculum.

Learning is adapted to ensure accessibility whilst maintaining high expectations and ambition for all learners.

Alongside National Curriculum subjects, students receive support to develop:

Speech and language skills
Functional communication skills
Social communication skills
Emotional regulation
Independence
Preparation for adulthood skills

Additional enrichment opportunities include:

Weekly Forest School and outdoor learning sessions
Swimming as part of the PE curriculum
Educational visits
Careers education
Extra-curricular clubs and activities

Students are encouraged to participate fully in the wider life of the school.

Setting Targets and Monitoring Progress

All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

EHCP outcomes are broken down into achievable targets which are reviewed regularly throughout the year.

Progress is monitored through:

Academic assessment
Speech and language targets
Social communication targets
Independence and preparation for adulthood outcomes
Annual Reviews

Parents, students and professionals contribute to the review process to ensure provision remains appropriate and effective.

Experts at Hand

Experts at Hand may include:

LCI Team Teachers
Quality Inclusion Teachers (LCI)
Speech and Language Therapists
Educational Psychologists

Speech and Language Therapy provision is delivered in accordance with individual EHCP requirements.

This may include:

Direct Speech and Language Therapy
Indirect programmes delivered by trained staff
Small group interventions
Individual interventions
Classroom-based support and strategies

Specialist Base (DSP) staff work closely with therapists to ensure targets and recommendations are embedded throughout the school day.

How We Work in Partnership with Parents and Carers

We believe that positive partnerships between home and school are essential.

Parents and carers are kept informed through:

Telephone calls and emails
Parents' evenings
Annual Reviews
Progress reports
Meetings with Specialist Base (DSP) staff
School communication systems

We value parental views and encourage families to work alongside us in supporting their child's development.

Behaviour and Wellbeing Support

Students follow Babington Academy's behaviour expectations, with reasonable adjustments made where appropriate to meet individual needs.

Support may include:

Communication-friendly approaches
Emotional regulation strategies
Pastoral support
Social and emotional interventions
Individual support plans where required

Our aim is to help students develop confidence, resilience and independence.

Inclusion

Students within the Specialist Base (DSP) are valued members of the Babington Academy community.

They participate in all aspects of school life, including:

Tutor groups
Assemblies
Educational visits
Sporting activities
Enrichment opportunities
Lunch and social times
Whole-school events and celebrations

Where appropriate, students access mainstream lessons with support from Specialist Base (DSP) staff.

Inclusion decisions are based on individual need and are regularly reviewed to ensure students experience both success and belonging.