Lead teacher: Mr Pohl

Support staff: Mrs Havercroft,  Miss Moore,  Miss Antonsen,   Mrs Hunter,   Miss Harpin

SENCo: Ms Bima

Our Dandelion Resource Unit which opened in September 2024, offers a maximum of ten places for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan where Speech, language and Communication is named as a primary need.  This need may sit alongside a diagnosis of autism.  The Dandelion lead teacher works closely with the SENCo to plan the curriculum, ensuring that the detail within children's EHCPs feeds into the daily provision. 

The unit consists of two main learning rooms, a sensory room and a dedicated eating room.  There is a small fenced-off outdoor area attached to the unit.  The school day is built around consistent routines of short adult-led group and individual learning sessions and more child-led explore times.  Termly topics provide a context for learning, but the essential curriculum is tailored around the development levels of the children and their individual 'next steps'.

A total communication approach is followed.  Makaton and Widget symbols are used throughout the day and children are encouraged to communicate in a way that is right for them.  Staff receive regular advice and continued professional development from a private Speech and Language therapist and the school's link Educational Psychologist.  Staff follow therapy plans provided by CYPTS.

Places in Dandelion are allocated through the RBWM SEND team and children accessing this provision must already have an EHCP.  Prospective parents are encouraged to discuss the possibility of a placement at Hilltop with their child's local authority EHCP coordinator before contacting the school.

Once a child has been offered a place in the Dandeion Unit, our staff team will work closely with parents to plan a positive transition package for the child.  Usually, this includes a flexible soft start with a few short days before the child joins fulltime.