Emmaus Student Support

St Paul's has a thriving and successful Learning Support Department, Emmaus Student Support, which supports a range of difficulties from specific learning difficulties to moderate learning difficulties, physical difficulties and behaviour. There are also three specialist provisions, delivered in partnership with the local authority, within the Emmaus Student Support Department and mainstream setting. If you'd like to see who works in Emmaus and have a look at our facilities please take a look at our photo booklet here. All requests for admissions for children with an EHCP should come from the Local Authority. Local Authority requests should be sent to EHCPAdmissions@st-pauls.org.uk.

Parent Tours

We are offering tours of our Emmaus Student Support Department from 9 - 10.30am on the following dates:

Tuesday 1st April 2025

To book your place or for further information please contact Joanne Miller by email here.

The Communication Department

Is a mainstream provision for pupils with an EHC Plan and a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition, and where their primary need is with communication and interaction.

All pupils in the Communication Department are included in the everyday life of the school. Students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum within the mainstream classroom environment.

There is an expectation that students will attend the majority of lessons but can be offered intervention sessions as part of their timetable. These sessions are for the implementation of specialist intervention such as Speech and Language Therapy.

Admission is via the Local Authority.

VI Department

Is a mainstream provision for pupils with an EHC Plan with vision impairment as their primary need. Pupils are also those who have or are assessed to need NATSIP support categories A1or A2 (‘Support Plus’ or ‘Support’).

All pupils that have a place in The VI Department are fully included in the everyday life of the school. Students undertake a broad and balanced curriculum within the mainstream classroom environment.

All students have interventions included in their weekly timetables that form part of an ‘additional curriculum’ for students with vision impairment. These might include Braille literacy lessons, Habilitation lessons (mobility, orientation and independent living skills); use of assistive technology; developing touch-typing and word-processing skills and SEMH interventions.

In lessons, most students are supported by or given practical assistance from an ESA. For Braillists this is with an ESA who has reached (or is studying for) a recognised qualification in Braille.

All students have varying levels of specialist teaching of aspects of the additional curriculum from a QTVI (Qualified Teacher of Children with Vision Impairment) or TVI (Teacher of Children with Vision Impairment) and ongoing access to advice and support.

Admission is via the Local Authority

HI Department

Is a mainstream provision for pupils with an EHC Plan and a hearing loss, and where their primary need is associated with their hearing loss.

All pupils in the Hearing Impaired Department are included in the everyday life of the school. Students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum within the mainstream classroom environment.

All students will attend the majority of lessons but can be offered intervention sessions as part of their timetable. These sessions are for specialist intervention such as work with a qualified Teacher of the Deaf and Speech and Language Therapists or for pre and post support where required. Students may be supported in class through a Communication Support Worker (CSW) who will support their access to classwork through sign support through BSL, SSE or orally.

Admission is via the Local Authority.

Mainstream Support

Is provision for those pupils with an EHC Plan who don’t require the specialist intervention or support offered through the departments.

All pupils in the mainstream provision are included in the everyday life of the school. Students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum within the mainstream classroom environment.

All students will attend the majority of lessons but can be offered intervention sessions as part of their timetable. These can include, depending on level of need: phonics intervention, numeracy support, SEMH interventions or when in KS4 access to ASDAN qualifications.

Admission is via the Local Authority.

The Emmanuel Centre

Is a new provision for pupils with an EHC Plan, a diagnosis of ASC who are academically able to access a mainstream curriculum but find the environment of a mainstream school challenging. The Centre will be housed in a new building, purpose built for students with ASC. This is separated from the main school site and has its own entrance. There will eventually be three classes for 24 pupils, by September 2025.

Admission is via the Local Authority. You can find out more about the Emmanuel Centre here.