At SJBC we are immensely proud of the fact that since October 2018, we have provided a targeted specialist resource base provision for young people who have an EHCP specifying ASD or Social Communication Disorder needs as a prime need and who have complex mental health needs including high levels of anxiety, eating disorders, phobias or self-harming behaviours. The strong, caring and inclusive ethos of our Catholic school as well as its relatively small size provides robust pastoral care and support for students with such needs. This fits into the schools wider vision in terms of inclusivity, pastoral care and working closely with the local Wandsworth community.
Although the Devereux Centre curriculum is delivered largely in 1-1 or small group settings, young people have the learning potential to follow a broadly age-appropriate curriculum. It is intended that these young people, with significant adjustments over time, will be able to access aspects of a mainstream school environment with additional specialist support.
General Overview
The Devereux Centre offers up to 9 high needs places (with a maximum of 2% per year group cohort) in addition to the 45 Savio places. The numbers of places in Devereux is planned to increase to 18 by 2025. Students are taught by subject teachers from the mainstream, with additional support coming from a specialist teacher and trained support staff. Students from Devereux receive a range of therapies and interventions, in addition to their academic curriculum with the aim to build their confidence and resilience ultimately enabling them to access more of the mainstream offer and to integrate as far as possible with children in the mainstream or in the Savio ASD base.
