Blue Star Hub

The hub is called the Blue Star Hub because in the language of flowers, Blue Stars symbolize strength. They are also associated with qualities related to strength, such as endurance, resilience, perseverance, persistence, the force of will, and determination.

The SEND hub in St Matthew’s is a provision for up to 12 pupils who have Social Communication and Interaction difficulties (Autism Spectrum Condition or Speech and Language needs) that severely impact their access to a full-time main stream classroom. These children will have or be on the pathway to getting an Education Health and Care plan. Whilst the aim within St Matthew’s is to provide access for all children to the full national curriculum within the main stream classroom, this may not be possible for the full school day. Some pupils may find the busyness of the classroom too demanding and may need some time away in a low arousal environment. Other pupils may benefit from the teaching of speech and language or social skills.

All of the children accessing the hub will:

Have the potential for inclusive academic learning with mainstream peers
Have the potential to learn appropriate social behaviours from mainstream peers but struggle to maintain this throughout the school day
Require access to a high adult: pupil ratio.
Require access to a specialist resourced classroom with specially trained teaching and skilled support staff
Require ASC/SLCN specific strategies such as Intensive Interaction and Attention Autism
Need a modified and controlled social/ language environment with supporting interventions.
Benefit from an individualised specific curriculum delivered alongside the National Curriculum, with differentiation and personalisation as required with direct teaching of social skills.
Need a quiet, low stimulation environment
Require small group and 1:1 teaching
Need a sanctuary/ safe space for key periods of the day
Require support to manage behaviour relating to sensory needs, communication and theory of mind difficulties

You can find out about our Hub offer here.