During the Summer Term 2016, the school participated in the “Learning with Autism” award programme. This is a national award from ASD Info Wales & it was launched in Powys in the Spring Term 2016.
Ysgol Bro Tawe is the first primary school in Powys to complete the whole training programme and receive the “Learning with Autism award. The aim is for practitioners from education to cascade the training throughout their cluster area. The programme is aimed at all staff, teaching & non-teaching along with governors & KS2 pupils to raise awareness of ASD.
The training was delivered by Ms C Long, Teacher-in-Charge of the ASD Primary Centre at Ysgol Bro Tawe, with all staff and governors at the school receiving a certificate once they completed the training. All pupils in KS2 received an “Autism Superhero” award on completion of their training.
Working collaboratively
An audit also had to be carried out to ensure that teachers had adapted classroom layouts or used strategies to support any pupils with ASD who integrate into the mainstream classroom.
Once the full training was delivered, the school submitted the relevant information to ASD Info Wales and the “Learning with Autism award” was given to the school.
“Collaborative working is being carried out with other ASD Centres and schools working towards achieving the ASD award,” said headteacher Mr Rees.
Outreach advice can be requested from the Teacher-in-Charge of the ASD Centre. As part of this Outreach service, the Learning with Autism award is promoted & training to staff offered.
Current PGCE students from University of Wales Trinity St. David’s have received an overview of this award by Ms C Long at a recent ALN seminar held on October 13th 2016.
On January 19th 2017, the Teacher-in-Charge will be delivering county training with the Principal Educational Psychologist and a member of the LIST team.
Training
In addition to the Learning with Autism award this year, and as part of the ASD.
Centre staff CPD, three members of staff completed the Behaviour Technician’s Practical Skills course carried out by the Behaviour Analysis Clinic at the University of South Wales, Pontypridd.
This training was done by the Centre staff so that pupils currently receiving a home programme of Applied Behaviour Analysis could be accomodated in the ASD Centre.
Headteachers and other staff from neigbouring LEAs have also visited the ASD Centre to observe good practice & have advice from the staff at the Centre. The Teacher-in-Charge has also given advice to schools from other LEAs.
These include:
Abbey Primary, Awel y Mor & YGG Pontardawe – NPT
Llanfaes & Llangynidr – Powys
“This term, an ASD Parent Support group has been established in the school. Parents of children with ASD in the cluster area can access this group on a monthly basis and it will enable the parents to help each other to manage their children’s needs in school and at home,” said Mr Rees.
“Guest speakers will also be invited in to speak to the group. This will have a very positive impact on the well-being of the pupils.”
