Specialist Bases – Sunnyside Academy | Sunnyside Academy
School/ Provision Name: d/Deaf resource base
Provision (including base, if applicable):
Nursery-Y6 Additionally Resourced Provision for pupils who are d/Deaf or those who have a significant communication need and require access to an environment with Signed Supported English/British Sign Language. (Up to 40 places across both sensory bases)
SEND Offer: We have a regional provision for pupils across the Tees Valley who are d/Deaf or require a signing environment as a result of other communication needs.
Do children need to have a plan to attend?
Pupils will have at least a SEN Support Plan in place; many will have an EHCP.
Do children need a diagnosis to attend?
Pupils will have been assessed by an appropriately qualified professional as having a permanent hearing loss, ranging from moderate to profound (NatSIP criteria), which has a significant ongoing effect on speech, language, communication, social/emotional development and access to the curriculum. Pupils may have Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder.
Where will they be educated?
Most pupils will be educated within small base classes with full-time access to a Qualified Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People, as well as Specialist Teaching Assistants. Some pupils will be taught within mainstream classes with dedicated Qualified Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People time and Specialist Teaching Assistant support within the class. Pupils are likely to integrate with mainstream pupils during playtimes, lunchtimes, assembly times, PE and for some whole school sporting activities or events.
Curriculum Offer:
Quality First Teaching is supplemented by additional specialist deaf support/intervention with close monitoring of success and progress in place. Base classes allow pupils to be taught in groups of 6 to 10 pupils, with access to a range of adapted teaching methods including: specialist pre and post teaching, fully modified and adapted curriculum according to the needs of the pupil/pupils, visual teaching strategies, Colourful Semantics, Smile Therapy , Deaf Studies and a Personal Understanding of Deafness. Resource provision pupils regularly meet for assemblies and group sessions across all age ranges, and they are provided with the opportunities to meet other D/deaf pupils at various regional events. Resource base pupils have access to a Specialist Emotional Support Literacy Assistant (ELSA) as and when required.
Sunnyside Vision Resource Base
School/ Provision Name: Sunnyside Academy Vision Resource Base
Provision (including base, if applicable):
Nursery-Y6 Additionally Resourced Provision for pupils who have a Vision Impairment. (Up to 40 places across both sensory bases)
SEND Offer: We have a regional provision for Pupils across the Tees Valley who have a Vision Impairment.
Do children need to have a plan to attend?
Pupils will have at least a SEN Support Plan in place; many will have an EHCP.
Do children need a diagnosis to attend?
Pupils must have been assessed by an appropriately qualified professional as having a moderate to profound vision loss in near vision, distance vision, or both, in line with NatSIP criteria. Some pupils may also have Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI). These pupils may present with typical or near-typical visual acuity but experience moderate to significant visual processing difficulties. Pupils may be registered as Sight Impaired (partially sighted) or Severely Sight Impaired (blind).
Where will they be educated?
Pupils will be educated within mainstream classes with assigned access to a Qualified Teacher of the Vision Impaired (QTVI) and Specialist Teaching Assistants for Vision Impairment. Pupils are likely to integrate with mainstream pupils during playtimes, lunchtimes, assembly times and for some whole-school sporting activities or events.
Curriculum Offer:
Quality-first teaching is enhanced through specialist support, with careful monitoring of pupil progress and outcomes. Specialist staff adapt teaching approaches, curriculum delivery, and learning materials to ensure full access for pupils who are Sight Impaired or Severely Sight Impaired, under the guidance of the QTVI. A personalised curriculum is provided where appropriate, addressing individual needs across areas such as cognitive development, language and communication, social and emotional development, tactile skills, assistive technology, and habilitation and independence. This support is typically delivered on an individual basis and overseen by the QTVI or specialist staff. An emphasis on inclusion ensures pupils have frequent opportunities to learn and socialise with both peers who are sighted and peers with a vision impairment, alongside access to specialist visits and visiting professionals.
Sunnyside Higher Learning Needs Bases and Communication and Interaction Bases
School/ Provision Name: Sunnyside Academy Communication and Interaction Bases (CI1 and CI2)
Provision: There are 16 places for pupils in R-Y6 in our Additionally Resourced Base Provision for pupils with identified developmental delays or those who present with significant and persistent difficulties in the acquisition of communication, language, Literacy and Numeracy skills. Pupils will have difficulties that are likely to be lifelong and could be an element of a wider diagnosis e.g. a chromosomal difference. Pupils will be working at a level significantly below their peers and significantly (if not severely) delayed in learning across the academic and social curriculum despite differentiated learning opportunities and concentrated supported through quality first teaching and interventions. Pupils are likely are classed as ‘vulnerable’ due to social and emotional immaturity.
SEND Offer: We have a local provision for pupils across Middlesbrough who have developmental delays, learning difficulties and other associated needs.
Do children need to have a plan to attend?
Pupils will have at least a SEN Support Plan in place; many will have an EHCP.
Do children need a diagnosis to attend?
No diagnosis is required. However, it is likely the pupil will have been assessed by an appropriately qualified professional such as and Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Specialist Teacher, Speech and Language Therapist, CAMHS professional or Paediatrician.
Where will they be educated:
Pupils will be educated either within a small base class, supported by a Specialist Higher Level Teaching Assistant and additional Specialist Teaching Assistants under the oversight and support of a Qualified Teacher, or within a base class led by a Qualified Teacher and supported by Specialist Teaching Assistants.
They are likely to integrate with mainstream pupils during playtimes, lunchtimes, assembly, and, where appropriate, for some whole school sporting activities and events.
Curriculum Offer:
Quality First Teaching is supplemented by additional specialist support, with progress and outcomes carefully monitored. Pupils access a highly differentiated, multi-sensory curriculum that is adapted to meet individual needs and builds on their starting points, enabling pupils to experience success.
There is a strong emphasis placed on developing language and communication skills, with visual cues used to support understanding and promote language development. Sessions are play based, providing opportunities for exploration, repetition, and practice, so that skills can be securely developed and generalised across contexts.
School/ Provision Name: Sunnyside Academy Higher Needs Learning Base (HNB1 & 2)
Provision:
There are 18 places for pupils in Y3-Y6 within our Additionally Resourced Base Provision for pupils with identified Learning Difficulties, or those who present with significant and persistent difficulties in the acquisition of language, literacy, and numeracy skills.
Pupils typically experience difficulties that are likely to be lifelong and may be associated with a wider diagnosis, such as a chromosomal difference. Pupils will be working at a level significantly below their peers and significantly (if not severely) delayed in learning across both the academic and social curriculum, despite access to differentiated learning, Quality First Teaching, and targeted interventions.
Pupils may also be considered vulnerable due to social and emotional immaturity.
SEND Offer: We have a local provision for pupils across Middlesbrough who have learning difficulties and other associated needs.
Do children need to have a plan to attend?
Pupils will have at least a SEN Support Plan in place; many will have an EHCP.
Do children need a diagnosis to attend?
No diagnosis is required. However, it is likely the pupil will have been assessed by an appropriately qualified professional such as and Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Specialist Teacher, Speech and Language Therapist, CAMHS professional or Paediatrician.
Where will they be educated:
Pupils will be educated within one of two small base classes supported by specialist teachers and teaching assistants. They are likely to integrate with mainstream pupils during playtimes, lunchtimes, assembly times and for some whole school sporting activities or events.
Curriculum Offer:
Quality First Teaching is supplemented by additional specialist support with close monitoring of success and progress in place. Pupils access a highly differentiated, multi-sensory curriculum tailored to their individual starting points, enabling them to develop knowledge and skills and experience success.
Lessons are adapted in pace, delivery, literacy level and methods of recording, ensuring accessibility for all learners. Visual supports are used to aid communication and understanding. There is a strong emphasis on practical learning, alongside opportunities for overlearning and consolidation through frequent repetition, supporting the transfer and generalisation of skills.
The base class benefits from a high staff-to-pupil ratio, enabling targeted support for overall development. Pupils also access an enrichment curriculum designed to build practical life skills, including activities such as gardening, cooking, and road and cycle safety.