Curriculum and facilities

At Inscape House Salford we offer a broad range of subjects, including the National Curriculum, but we emphasise the development of communication, social and life skills.

Our pupils are taught in small class groups of between four and eight young people. The size of the group depends upon age and level and style of communication. Each group has a key teacher who usually works with two educational assistants. Some pupils work for most of the time with their key teacher and team while others work with a range of specialist staff as well as the key teacher. Our speech therapists and occupational therapist work closely with teaching and support staff so that tailored communication and sensory approaches are integrated into teaching and learning.

The curriculum is highly differentiated and each young person has their own Individual Educational Programme. These contain targets that address specific aspects of autism as well as targets in curriculum subjects. Older pupils also engage in work-related learning programmes.

To deliver the curriculum we use a range of effective autism-specific approaches which support our young people and enable them to learn. The particular approaches used depend upon the young person’s pattern of need. Some of our pupils have individualised timetables and may receive tuition on an individual basis. This is balanced with small group or whole group activities at a level that is appropriate for the young person. 

The school has a set of general classrooms and a range of specialist rooms for particular areas of the curriculum (science, ICT, art and food technology). There is also a multi-sensory room, a soft play area and a number of individual learning environments. We have invested heavily in technology to support the curriculum and every classroom has an electronic whiteboard and computers for pupils to use. 

We appreciate that physical activity has a role to play in every young person’s education and it is particularly important for young people with an ASC. The school has a variety of play areas which are suited to different kinds of activity, including an adventure playground.

Older pupils also engage in accredited work-related learning and life skills programmes. In addition, we offer a range of nationally recognised qualifications including GCSEs, entry level courses and unit awards, and Duke of Edinburgh Awards. We are preparing to introduce Foundation Learning from September 2010.The school has programme of enrichment activities to provide pupils with a wide range of experiences and opportunities.

Post 16

As pupils reach Year 10, they make choices about which curriculum courses to follow. These qualifications and awards are then built upon within the Post 16 department either through gaining more advanced qualifications in subjects previously studied or in following new courses of study, extending the breadth of learning. A further aim for the Post 16 department is to support young people to be as independent as possible in their adult life. This is achieved through the extension of the social, personal and life skills programme.

The Russell Centre

The Russell Centre is Inscape’s provision for 16 to 19 year olds with autism or related social communication difficulties. Based in Manchester, the Russell Centre aims to provide a stepping stone between school, college or work for young people who cannot for educational, social or emotional reasons access other forms of education and who need autism specific environments and approaches.

The curriculum builds on the skills and knowledge already acquired through Key Stage 4. Particular emphasis is given to increasing communication, life and independence skills, including work-related skills.