Llanishen Autism Base

What is the Llanishen Autism Base?

Our Autism Base provides bespoke support for students to help them thrive in a mainstream school environment. In addition to helping students to fulfil their academic potential, we support individuals in developing their social skills, the ability to make connections with others and managing emotions. 

If you are allocated a place at our autism base you will also have access to our special buildings next to the main school. These buildings have a minimalistic sensorial environment that will give you an optimal environment to work in when you are not in mainstream lessons. 

We can also support you with your work from your lessons and help adapt it to meet your particular learning needs. We regularly communicate with teachers in the main school to ensure a seamless experience for students. 

What qualifications does the base support? 

Our Autism Base provides support across all GCSE and A-level subjects that the main school offers, and this is appropriately supported by various members of our staff who specialise in a number of areas across the curriculum. This level of support is enhanced through regular communication between staff in the base and the subject specific teachers in the main school. To help our learners achieve both GCSE and A-Level qualifications, coursework is completed within the Base in which it is appropriately differentiated to ensure that pupils are able access the work. Periods of revision are also supported in ‘Base Lessons’ to ensure that pupils are thoroughly prepared for their formal assessments.

For students who wish to study vocational qualifications in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5, we offer a variety of options such as ASDAN level 2 & 3 qualifications. These include Equality and Diversity, Effective Thinking Skills and Essential Skills for Life and Work. These qualifications are effective in developing student knowledge of the wider world and equips them with skills for life post-education. 

What else do I need to know?

We work with external agencies such as ‘Careers Wales’ to support our students in achieving their learning and career aspirations. We also actively collaborate with outside services our students might be engaged with, such as Occupational Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Paediatricians, Clinical Psychologists and Speech and Language specialists. 

The head of our Autism Base also works with the autism support team within Cardiff and through this collaborates as part of a wider network of autism professionals.

The Autism Base has a limited capacity and places are considered and allocated through the Local Authority. Pupils who access the base have a statement of Special Educational Needs or, a funded IDP with a primary need of Autism.

Curriculum

Entry Level – English

Entry Level – Maths

Entry Level – Science

Vocational Qualifications

Agored – ‘Learning in the Outdoors’ & ‘Essential Skills for Life and Work’ (Levels 2 & 3)

Pearson – ‘SWEET: Succeeding with Education, Employment & Training’ (Levels 1 & 2)

NCFE – ‘Effective Thinking’ & ‘Creative Craft’ (Level 2)

ASDAN – ‘Certificate of Personal Effectiveness ‘(Levels 1, 2 & 3)

Life Skills

Cooking sessions

Gardening

Travel Training

Enterprises (Base Café & Base Bakery)