Integrated Resource
Integrated Resource Vision:
At Brigantia Hill Fort Academy, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, feel valued, and be an integral part of a nurturing and inclusive community. Our new Integrated Resource for pupils with communication and interaction needs is built on this belief, aiming to provide specialist support within the welcoming environment of our mainstream school.
The provision reflects our commitment to inclusion and meeting the diverse needs of our pupils. It provides a supportive, low arousal, tailored space designed to help pupils with communication and interaction needs flourish both academically and socially within the mainstream environment. The provision strengthens our whole-school community by promoting understanding, acceptance, and belonging for all.
Our vision is to:
- Empower every child with the tools, strategies, and confidence they need to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.
- Celebrate individual strengths and embrace diverse ways of communicating, interacting, and experiencing the world.
- Foster a true sense of belonging by building meaningful relationships and ensuring pupils in the provision are included, respected, and actively involved in the wider life of the academy.
- Collaborate closely with families, professionals, and the wider school team to provide tailored support that evolves to meet the needs of each pupil throughout their academic journey.
- Champion inclusivity across the school, embedding a culture of care, understanding, empathy, and acceptance that benefits all learners.
Together, we are creating a space where pupils with communication and interaction needs are not only supported—but seen, heard, and celebrated as vital members of the Brigantia Hill Fort community.
As a split site academy, our KS1 Integrated Resource is based at our Newman Road site. The Den is an eight place provision for children in years 1 and 2.
Our KS2 Integrated Resource is based at our Fife Street site. The Loft is a sixteen place provision for pupils in years 3-6.
We offer a bespoke education that meets the unique communication and interaction needs of pupils as identified in their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). It aims to enable pupils to develop the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive both academically and socially, within the resource setting and the wider mainstream school community.
Our environments have been adapted following the low arousal approach. The spaces are calm and ordered in order to reduce anxiety, aid concentration and promote independence.
Each provision consists of:
Learning Zone: Designed to be used flexibly to facilitate focused group teaching and learning activities while allowing for personalised approaches using individual workstations.
Regulation Zone: Equipped with seating and sensory resources to support regulation.
Social Zone, including food 
preparation area: Supports snack times and practical life skills activities, promoting independence.
Sensory Zone: Equipped with sensory resources to support regulation, engagement and intervention including sensory circuits 
Secure outdoor green space: Provides opportunities for outdoor learning, play, and safe exploration in a calming natural environment.
Decisions regarding a pupil’s access to mainstream lessons will be made through a collaborative, child-centred process that balances individual need with opportunities for inclusion and academic challenge.
The Integrated Resource has been developed on the following underlying principles:
- The Den and The Loft will be seen by all stakeholders as integral parts of the whole school
- Leaders have a clear vision and strategic intent
- An inclusive and positive school ethos will underpin the effectiveness of the provision
- Leaders will be committed to developing, implementing and monitoring high quality provision
- Leaders will allocate appropriate funding to ensure that the needs of pupils are met through appropriate staffing and support
- There will be a culture of high aspiration for pupils
- Staff will strive to develop positive relationships with pupils
- Pupils accessing the provision will be included within the life of the school
- Class teachers will remain responsible for the progress of any pupil in their class accessing the provision
- Positive partnerships with parents / carers and other professionals will be prioritised
All applications to our Integrated Resource come through the Local Authority SENDSARS team.
In order to meet our admissions criteria:
- Communication and Interaction (including Autism) must be the primary need stated within your child’s EHC Plan.
- Your child may also have a range of secondary needs, such as cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, specific learning difficulty, or sensory needs.
- All children accessing the Integrated Resource must have the underlying cognitive ability to access a mainstream school curriculum once barriers to learning have been addressed.
Once a place has been allocated, a carefully planned programme will be developed to support your child’s transition. The process will remain flexible and responsive, with regular reviews to ensure the pupil continues to thrive in their new arrangement. This approach ensures that all decisions are made in line with statutory processes, are person-centred, and prioritise the pupil’s long-term wellbeing and success.
Contact Information:
Nicola Naylor, SENCO
Nicola Sherwood, Director of Learning – SEND