The John Roan Centre for Autism (CFA)

The CFA is a nurturing environment which is outward facing. We spend time getting to know our students very well, so that we can help them make a successful transition into the mainstream.

We believe that teaching students with autism enables teachers to question and perfect their communications skills with all students. Subject specialists with an interest in teaching children with autism are encouraged to spend some of their time teaching in the CFA. .

We advise all mainstream teachers on best practice when teaching students with autism and work closely with the mainstream teachers of our particular students.

All non-teaching staff are given detailed information about how to support our students. 

Our aim is to ensure that The John Roan School is an autism friendly school, since an autism friendly school is friendly for everyone. We were one of the first schools in the borough to be awarded The Autistic Education Trust’s Standards, which gives us recognition as an autism-friendly school and we continue to monitor our support for students with autism against these standards.

There are 4 full time members of staff, with additional support from the wider Inclusion Team. All CFA students will have access and support through the whole school Inclusion Team and its resources. In addition to the mainstream curriculum, the team make time for each student’s special interests. The frequent CFA trips incorporate the interests of the students.

The CFA Team encourage all their students to join in with social opportunities in school and facilitate this where necessary. The CFA Team work very closely with families and encourage parents and carers to contact them very regularly.

Parents interested in applying for a CFA place should first consult the SENCo at their child’s primary school and read the information on the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s website to find out about the applications process.

Head of Centre - Ms Kate Ling Email: Kate.Ling@thejohnroanschool.org.u

 

Key Contacts

The Inclusion Office: 020 8516 7541

Student Support Manager
Ashleigh France - ashleigh.france@thejohnroanschool.org.uk

Lead Teacher of the DSP
Kate Ling - Kate.Ling@thejohnroanschool.org.uk

SENCO
Rosie Masson - Rosie.masson@thejohnroanschool.org.uk

Admissions

CFA students must have a diagnosis of autism (but not necessarily an EHCP).

CFA students have the potential to access 50% of their lessons in mainstream and to achieve at the same level as their peers, given the right level of support. CFA students follow individual timetables which reflect their needs. They are taught both in the mainstream and in the CFA. CFA staff deliver the mainstream curriculum. Some mainstream staff come to the DSP to deliver their subject specialism.

Admissions to the CFA are made through the Royal Borough of Greenwich SEN department. The CFA has capacity for 16 students. 

Facilities

The CFA provision is comprised of an Autism friendly classroom and a sensory room. Small breakout spaces are also available when needed by individuals dependant on their needs. The CFA offers a quiet space away from mainstream; skilled staff who are trained in autism; learning support; social and emotional support and access to outside agencies, such as speech and language services.

We use the libraries, canteens and playgrounds on both school sites. 

From the beginning of September students attend registration with their mainstream tutor groups and attend their year group assembly once a week.

Provision is made for CFA students who might find the canteen and playground overwhelming. CFA students go into lunch early and are gradually introduced to busier periods in the dining hall at a speed which suits the individual student. 

The First Half Term

For the first half term, students are taught in the CFA. The CFA curriculum is the same as the mainstream curriculum, and is adapted according to the needs of our students. Some subject specialists deliver lessons in the CFA, and the CFA team deliver all other subjects.

The focus is on preparing for a successful transition into the mainstream.

Joining The Mainstream

Students join mainstream lesson one subject at a time. Student progress is continually monitored and support is adapted as necessary.

We continue to monitor our CFA students as they progress through school and adapt our support for each student as needs change. We remain flexible, so that students can withdraw from mainstream or join mainstream classes at any time. Students study as many GCSE subjects as is appropriate for them. We not offer alternative pathways. Our aim is that by the end of Year 11 all CFA students have achieved their full potential in all aspects of their learning, both socially and academically.