Evergreen Class
We are delighted to announce the opening of our brand-new Key Stage 2 ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) SEN Class at St Paul’s CofE Primary School & Nursery in September 2025. The new provision is an exciting new chapter in our school’s commitment to nurturing every child and supporting diverse learning needs.
A Nurturing Environment
At St Paul’s, we pride ourselves on being a caring, inclusive school where every pupil is valued as an individual. Our dedicated staff are passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment. We believe that all children should have the opportunity to thrive, and our nurturing ethos is at the heart of everything we do.
Expertise in Special Educational Needs
Our school has a proven track record of supporting children with a wide range of special educational needs (SEN), including ASD. The new KS2 ASD SEN Class will be staffed by a qualified Teacher, supported by Teaching Assistants and our SENCo. Our experienced team receives ongoing training to ensure we provide the highest standard of tailored support.
Integration with Mainstream School Life
We want all our pupils to feel part of the wider St Paul’s community. Children in our ASD SEN Class will have opportunities to access mainstream aspects of school life, including joining assemblies, playing with peers at lunchtime and break times, and participating in lessons where appropriate. This inclusive approach supports social development and helps every child build meaningful friendships and experiences.
A Classroom Designed for ASD Needs
The ASD SEN Class features a classroom specifically designed to meet the needs of children on the autism spectrum. The environment is calm, structured, and flexible, with clear visual supports, sensory-friendly resources, and quiet breakout spaces to help pupils feel secure and ready to learn. Our set-up is regularly reviewed and adapted to ensure that every child’s individual needs are met.
Exciting Relocation to a Purpose-Built Space and Official ASD Unit
In September 2025, the statutory education consultation process will commence to turn the ASD SEN class into an official ASD SEN Unit for up to 16 places in KS2, growing each year by 4 pupils in line with the primary school expansion. This will be subject to Cabinet Member approval and agreement for the building work.
If approved, we are pleased to share that, in March 2026, the ASD SEN Class will relocate to a brand-new, purpose-built classroom within the school building. This new space is being designed with input from specialists and will feature dedicated outside space, allowing children to benefit from safe, structured outdoor play and learning opportunities.
If the ASD SEN Unit is not approved, then the children starting in September 2025, will remain at the school, receiving the same level of specialist support, until the end of KS2, with no further growth to the ASD SEN Class.
Specialist Outreach from Freemantles Special School
We are proud to work in partnership with Freemantles School, a local centre of excellence for autism education. Through this specialist outreach, we benefit from expert guidance, regular staff training, and collaborative planning to ensure our provision is always informed by the latest best practice. This partnership further strengthens our capacity to offer a nurturing and highly effective learning environment for every pupil in our ASD SEN Class.
Your Child’s Journey
We know that starting a new SEN Class can be a big step for children and families. We will work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition, with individualised plans and opportunities for you to visit, meet the team, and ask questions.
If you would like more information or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact us.