ACE - Opens for Students

A new Additional Resource Provision (ARP) will welcome pupils in January to enhance local access to specialist education.

As featured here New classrooms to support autistic children will open at Biggleswade's Stratton School (and below)

Commissioned as part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s Special School Places Plan, this new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) development, called The Stratton School Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE), will initially offer eight places, eventually expanding to accommodate 24 young people.

A Central Bedfordshire Council spokeswoman, said: "The council, working closely with the school - which is part of the Meridian Trust - aims is to provide high quality, inclusive, educational opportunities [for students] to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

"Pupils will be able to easily transition between these spaces, designed for their specific learning needs, and the rest of the school to help them integrate into the mainstream school."

Councillor Steve Owen, executive member for education and families, said: “We are delighted that this important provision will be coming to Stratton School in the new year.

"By working in partnership with the Meridian Trust, we are ensuring that autistic children in our community can access the tailored support and personalised care they need in a nurturing and inclusive environment designed to help them thrive. This is a fantastic step forward in delivering our commitment to supporting every child’s educational journey.”

Every element of the new facilities has been "meticulously planned and designed" with sensory awareness in mind, such as using autism-friendly colour schemes and layouts to foster a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for learning.

The former sixth-form space has been transformed into three classrooms that can each accommodate eight pupils and designed in calming greens and blues were to encourage focus and minimise overstimulation.

A group room has been designed in soft pinks and lilacs to provide "a serene and tranquil space".

There is also a sensory room, accessible toilets, and changing facilities, while a dedicated breakout space was also created to allow students to choose where to spend their breaks.

Stratton School Principal, Sam Farmer, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Central Bedfordshire Council to provide this much-needed facility for families in our community.

"The Stratton School Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE) will provide a safe, secure and inclusive environment for those who need it, and every individual will be known, valued and supported to achieve their full potential.

“Earlier in the year, we transitioned into a full 11-18 secondary school and a significant amount of work went into preparing high-quality learning environments for our students over the summer, including the creation of our bespoke ACE classrooms.

"We are very grateful for the support of Meridian Trust, Central Bedfordshire Council, Concertus Design and Property Consultants and Borras Construction in delivering these transformations.”

March 2024

I am writing to inform you of an upcoming consultation period regarding the establishment of an Enhanced Resource Provision (ERP) for autistic children and young people at Stratton School, working in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council. We are excited to take this step towards fostering an inclusive environment and providing tailored support for students with autism within our secondary school community. Over the course of the next four weeks, we will be engaging in a thorough consultation process to gather insights, feedback, and suggestions from various stakeholders including parents, caregivers, educators, and members of the community.

This consultation period aims to ensure that the establishment of the ERP aligns with the diverse needs of our students and reflects our commitment to providing high-quality education for all. The ERP will offer specialized support, classroom spaces and resources tailored to the unique needs of autistic children, providing them with opportunities to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally within this setting and integrating into the mainstream school. With a focus on inclusive practices and collaboration, we aim to create an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We value the input and perspectives of all stakeholders involved and encourage active participation throughout the consultation process. Your feedback will be instrumental in shaping the development and implementation of the ERP, ensuring that it meets the needs of our students and aligns with our school's vision and values. Below is an outline of the consultation timeline:

29th February Consultation launched with information shared with all key stakeholders through Stratton Upper School, Central Bedfordshire LA and local partner schools.

Voice your thoughts here: Stratton Upper School - Enhanced Resource Provision Consultation (office.com) 

4th March – Academy Council Meeting

11th March – Online Consultation Event 5-6pm Consultation Event for Enhanced Resource Provision ERP for Autistic Children and Young People at Stratton School.mp4 (sharepoint.com) if the SharePoint does not load, please try this link Consultation Event for ERP for Autistic Children and Young People at Stratton Upper School (youtube.com) 

4th March –24th March – opportunity to contact leaders at Stratton and Meridian Trust to arrange a conversation or discuss feedback.

24th March – Consultation closes including Final review of feedback, compilation of recommendations, and preparation for next steps.

We invite you to join us in this important endeavour as we work together to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students at Stratton School. Your involvement and contributions are essential to the success of this initiative, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. 

MS Form - Stratton Upper School - Enhanced Resource Provision Consultation (office.com) 

Email: Principalspa@stratton.school