The North Kirklees Resourced Provision for complex communication and interaction (CCI) needs is based in the Thorn Centre at Thornhill Community Academy. The Thorn Centre supports students with complex communication and interaction needs, including autism. The resourced provision aims to ensure the integration of students within the main academy. With specialist support and teaching, students are able to access the majority of their mainstream lessons. Students also have access to a personalised ‘communication and interaction’ curriculum, which will enable them to access the mainstream curriculum and wider community.

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Like all people, autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Below is a list of struggles autistic people may share:

• Social communication and social interaction challenges
• Repetitive and restrictive behaviour
• Over or under sensitivity to light, sound, touch and taste
• Highly focused interests or hobbies
• Extreme anxiety
• Meltdowns and shutdowns

Our Resourced Provision caters for students with EHCPs, who can access a broad and balanced curriculum, but have struggles accessing mainstream lessons for reasons related to their specific needs (such as sensory needs, restrictive or repetitive behaviours, social interaction and communication or their degree of developmental language disorder). 

Parents and carers can discuss referrals to resourced provision with Kirklees SENACT, or can seek information from Debbie Fraser (Teacher in Charge of Provision).

Further information can be found via the link below: