Our School

Baskerville is a day and residential school for 149 secondary age students between 11 and 19 with autism and additional disability. We admit about 12 students each year into the main school. Admission into the resource base for students with autism and severe developmental delay varies from year to year depending on the number of places available.

Our School Grounds

We have a very large site that offers our students an exceptional environment in which to learn. We have a Forest School area, a horticulture area, an ancient orchard, a nature trail, a large playing field, a wild meadow, an outdoor cycle track, three play areas with climbing equipment and an outdoor gym.

Teaching and Learning

The teaching and learning environment is designed to aid the learning of students with autism spectrum condition.

We focus on developing students' skills in literacy, numeracy, communication and life skills. Our fundamental aim is to ensure that students are given the skills to communicate and learn effectively throughout their lives to prepare them for life beyond school. All students follow a broad and balanced secondary curriculum that is adapted to their individual needs.

Underpinning the curriculum is consistent teaching of social skills and understanding and guidance to help students develop their personal and social skills so they become confident young people able to take their place in the world.

When students enter the school they will be placed in a Key Stage 3 class. Students are grouped according to their age, language and learning skills. There are up to seven students in each class, with one tutor and two teaching assistants. Students are taught by specialist subject teachers but the two teaching assistants remain with the class throughout the day. Students progress to Key Stage 4 when they are 14+ where they follow accredited courses.

On reaching 16, students progress either to the Post 16 classes on the school site or the resource base we have at Bournville College.

In Post 16 the focus is on preparation for life beyond school. The courses contain an emphasis on independence and life skills as well as offering vocational training such as horticulture, hospitality, sports leadership and art-based subjects. Students are able to develop their work skills and gain an understanding of the world of work.

The students at our resource base at Bournville College are grouped into two groups and taught by Baskerville School staff. Some join mainstream classes while others follow a life skills curriculum. Most students remain at school until the age of 19.

The school has a resource base for students with severe developmental delay. Students follow a developmental curriculum that is designed to meet their individual needs.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to take part in a range of leisure activities, games, sports and hobbies in school. At the age of 15 upwards, they have work experience and can access courses provided by outside organisations with the support of Baskerville staff, in areas such as engineering, sports education, construction and art-based subjects. All students who are assessed to be suitable are encouraged to undergo formal travel training to enhance their independence and their chances of access to community leisure facilities.

Residential Provision

The school has 16 residential places for students who require access to a consistent 24-hour curriculum to learn how to look after themselves, live together and become members of the local community. Read more about our Residential Provision.

Inclusion

Baskerville School is an inclusive school that promotes equality of opportunities for students and staff. There is an Inclusion Manager who works with parents and students to identify and track students' wider needs. She facilitates the collection of parents' and students' views about their aspirations, needs and satisfaction with what the school provides.

Some Parents' Comments

The following are some of the comments made by parents in our 2018 Parents Questionnaire:

• "I always feel as though I can contact the school..."

• "I cannot praise Baskerville enough. My son enjoys coming to school and has made friends, something which seemed impossible before starting at Baskerville. The staff communicate with me and I feel comfortable discussing his needs/emotions etc with them. I really worried about my son's future, now I don't worry. I know the staff do everything they can to meet his needs."

• "As a mother I am really happy with my child's progress. All staff is really good and friendly. My son is really happy in his school."

• "We are really so happy and have seen a big change in our son since he started Baskerville School. He has made progress for his education in school."