Nov 30, 2022, Dundee Courier: How Rosebank Primary became Scotland’s first autism accredited mainstream school https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/education/3917917/rosebank-primary-autism/
Rosebank Primary School, in Dundee, has become the first mainstream school in Scotland to be autism accredited.
The Autism Inclusion Award – presented by the UK’s leading charity for autistic people, the National Autistic Society (NAS) – recognises the school’s good practice.
And it celebrates how staff work positively with pupils and families to create a supportive and inclusive environment for autistic children.
Teachers at the school have undergone thorough training to understand autism and follow a ‘behaviour is communication’ approach.
Adaptations have been made in the school, such as sensory areas in all classrooms and zoning of the playground to include quiet areas….
And the abilities of autistic children within the school are celebrated – as all children’s abilities are – and some are encouraged to use their talents as coping mechanisms.
Jennifer Heffell, the school’s head teacher, said: “We celebrate diversity and the gifts of children and champion them, so that they have something to hold on to.”…
Rosebank primary pupil Lucca Johnson with enhance support teacher Shannon Sinclair. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson,