At King’s Ford Academy we have an Autism Support Centre (ASC), called The Lighthouse, which is an enhanced provision for 8 pupils. The ASC supports autistic pupils with an Educational Health Care Plan (where the primary need is Autism) in accessing mainstream school.  We opened in January 2026.

What is the Autism Support Centre (ASC)?

Some mainstream schools across Essex have extra support available for pupils with special needs and disabilities.  These are called ‘Enhanced Provisions’.  These are not the same as special schools: Enhanced Provisions provide a safe space for pupils to overcome their barriers to learning within a mainstream school. The dedicated ASC teams support pupils to build their attendance in mainstream lessons over time. When in the ASC, pupils can access their work and complete timetabled interventions that meet their specific needs.

Across Essex, there are eight primary Autism Support Centres and four secondary Autism Support Centres.

To have a placement in one of the Autism Support Centres a child must have:

• a diagnosis of autism
• a finalised Education Health and Care Plan for children or young people with autism as the primary need
• The cognitive ability to access the mainstream academic curriculum with appropriate support from the autism support centre to overcome their barriers to learning.

Places within the ASCs are requested via the annual review process. All requests are carefully considered by the Essex Autism Panel.

The purpose of the ASC is to ensure that the pupils attending the centre make progress as detailed within their Education Health and Care Plan.  The ASC provides enhanced support using evidence-based strategies, to enable the pupil to spend increasing amounts of time accessing the classroom and engaging with their peers in a mainstream setting.

Please note that pupils who are currently educated within King’s Ford Academy mainstream setting must follow the same process, to ensure equity for all students in the county.

What does a day in the ASC look like for our pupils?

ASC pupils are greeted every morning by the ASC team. Pupils who are not yet able to attend morning class time remain in the ASC to complete structured activities.

Throughout the day, pupils are encouraged to complete their individualised timetables. These visual timetables are created with the pupil’s input and are tailored to meet the pupil’s particular interests and provisions set out in their EHCP/One Plan. Most pupils will attend core subjects, or complete the work set in the ASC. All pupils have the option to return to the ASC should they become dysregulated- the ASC is a supervised safe space where they can regulate with access to the right resources. To help avoid dysregulation, pupils have timetabled regulation time built into their timetable.

ASC pupils can attend break and lunchtime in our reflection room. Some pupils prefer to be accompanied to the hall to collect their food. Some use mainstream areas to socialise with their peers. During social time, pupils are encouraged to engage in Social and Communication activities.

The amount of time spent in the ASC will vary for each child, depending on their needs.  The overall aim is to support each child to overcome any barriers they face in attending the mainstream classroom.  Therefore, the amount of time spent in the ASC will reduce overtime, as the child is more able to spend increasing amounts of time in their mainstream classroom.

If you have followed the Admissions application process and you have further enquiries, these must be made directly with the Admissions Service on telephone number: 0345 603 2200.   

If you would like to make an appointment to visit or chat about the ASC and discuss its suitability for your child please email adminkfa@inspiresmat.co.uk .

 

Head of School: Mrs K Jackson

Head of Inclusion (SENDco and ASC Lead): Mrs L Harris

HLTA/Advanced Autism Practitioner: Miss K Lamont 

Autism Hub LSA: Miss Z Steadman

SEND LSA: TBC

  

   

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lighthouse provides a calm, supportive and flexible learning environment designed to meet a range of sensory and emotional needs. The space includes:

• Versatile seating options to promote comfort and choice.
• A dedicated sensory room equipped with a variety of alerting, organising, and calming resources.
• A dark den with optional soft lighting to support regulation and focus.
• Individual workstations for quiet, structured learning.
• A cosy reading nook to encourage relaxation and a love of reading.
• An outdoor area featuring gym equipment (installation scheduled for 9th March 2026) to support movement and wellbeing.
• Personalised timetables to help pupils navigate their day with confidence.
• And, of course, the most comfortable sofa for moments of rest and reset.