The St Christopher Young People’s Trust – raising the profile
of, and sharing good practice in autistic spectrum disorder/
Asperger's syndrome and ADHD in the community
This single school trust opened in November 2007. St
Christopher School is
a special school, with
specialist status in communication and interaction, serving
Southend and SE Essex. The school also provides respite care for a
small number of young people with special needs in Christopher's
Cottage. This facility is also open to other pupils with a
statement of special educational need in the area. The school
provides outreach services to local schools and colleges and is a
recognised centre for training.
Partners: Prospects Learning Foundation; South East Essex
College and Southend Mencap.
The partners were chosen to build on and extend existing
relationships. They are all important stakeholders in local
educational and support networks.
Examples of trust impact include:
- Two very successful conferences on ADHD/ ASD which attracted
large numbers of delegates and speakers
- A parents group and network for ADHD has been established.
- The school has a six bed centre which offers overnight respite
care for young people with special needs, some of which are funded
by the trust.
- The trust has provided funding for extended after school
activities
Plans for the future include further development in establishing
the identity of the trust and, applying for grants to support the
work of the trust. ‘
The development of specialist school and trust status has led to
further improvements in high quality provision for pupils such as
the development of respite care and the Communication and
Interaction Centre.’
Ofsted January 2008.