Additionally Resourced Provision (ARPs)

Atkinson Road Primary Academy ARPs

At Atkinson Road Primary Academy, we are proud to have two specialist units which we manage on behalf of the Local Authority. We are the only Primary school in Newcastle with 2 ARPs. The first Additionally Resourced Provision is an eight-place unit for children with communication and interaction difficulties, typically ASD. The second is a sixteen-place unit for children with speech and language difficulties.  The ARPs provide a setting for children who often have an education, health and care plan (EHCP), however, having an EHCP is not a prerequisite to securing a place in an ARP. A request for a place is made by the pupil’s school, in consultation with parents, and placement will be subject to a decision made by the local authority who assess pupil need and follow a strict set of admission criteria. Children from our academy do not have any greater chance of receiving a place than children from other schools.

Within our ARPs we employ specialist teachers with the knowledge, skills and expertise in the 2 named areas of need and Speech and Language Therapists. We specifically cater for children with special educational needs who require a higher level of support than can typically be provided in a mainstream school, but who can access, and make progress within, a mainstream learning environment, given the right level of support.  

The ARPs at Atkinson Road Academy, strive to aid every child’s progress in academic and social skills and this is achieved by putting plans in place that are tailored to individual needs. Our specialist teachers and support staff work alongside our speech and language therapists who work together to assess, plan and deliver appropriate targets for each child.

​The ARP classrooms are situated amongst mainstream classrooms to ensure that the children who learn in these classrooms feel part of the school community. Whenever possible the ARP children spend some time in mainstream. Plans for integration are based upon individual abilities and needs ARP staff receive the same training and support as all academy staff so they remain UpToDate in their understanding of teaching, learning and curriculum development. They are highly valued and fully integrated into our staff team, playing an active part in school life beyond the ARPs.