The Launchpad

All children deserve a high quality education in which their unique strengths are celebrated, and their unique needs are met. Whilst the majority of children can do this in the mainstream classroom, there are some for whom a different learning environment is needed for part or all of their timetable. At Cotmanhay Junior School, the Launchpad is a classroom where more specialist support is provided for children on our semi-formal curriculum pathway. 

Children learn to communicate and socialise well in a smaller group in the Launchpad, being able to re-join the larger mainstream class when they are ready to do so with increased confidence, skill and resilience. Occasionally, children need to be based in the Launchpad for the majority of their time at Cotmanhay Junior School. Wellbeing is paramount, and children thrive with the additional nurture we offer in this setting, accessing a curriculum that is matched to their level of development.

Learning takes place through adult-led tasks and child-initiated play sessions. Children grow in their confidence to choose and to express their views with this approach. With advice from external agencies, including Educational Psychology, the Inclusion Support Advisory Service and Speech and Language Therapists, we plan a different pace and pitch of learning underpinned by our semi-formal pathway. We provide hands-on, sequential learning with a spiral approach so that children revisit new knowledge frequently in order to apply and secure it. We use some whole-school schemes, including White-Rose Maths, Little Wandle Phonics and Jigsaw PSHE, where they are relevant to a child’s developmental level and their needs. We use interventions such as Attention Autism, precision teaching and Lego Therapy where they are required. Assessment takes place daily, through teacher and TA observation, using the Engagement Model, the Autism Education Trust Progression Framework, and Derbyshire's Formative Footprints for core skills. Children in this room are not assessed using the National Curriculum as they are not yet developmentally ready for it. 

We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to make sure that children progress in all areas, develop a love of learning and get ready for an exciting and fulfilling future. We take account of the Preparing for Adulthood pathways noted in Education, Health and Care Plans so that children with more complex needs are taking steps to increase their independence and develop vital life-skills. 

The Launchpad is taught by Mrs Gotheridge and Mrs Marshall with support from a range of teaching assistants. Staff use enhanced communication, including some Makaton, Gestalt Language and picture exchange on a daily basis. If able to, children come together to learn in a small group. Children with more complex social communication needs and limited functional language access 1:1 teaching instead. The Launchpad garden provides an outdoor learning environment to complement the indoor space, offering enriched play experiences and lots of room to move! 

Access to the Launchpad is considered on an individual basis. We take into account Section F within a child's Education, Health and Care Plan, assessment information provided on entry to our school, parent/carer and pupil views, and advice provided by external partner agencies, such as an Educational Psychologist report. The decision for a child to learn in the Launchpad remains with the school. Due to increased adult ratios and the alternative provision offered in this room, it is likely that the children using this space will be in receipt of additional funding via an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or Inclusion Panel (IP) funding from the LA.  

For more information about the Launchpad, please contact Mrs Pearson, the SENDCO.