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The Griffin Centre - Specialist Resource Base

The Griffin Centre – Specialist Resource Base at Ralph Allen School

The Griffin Centre is a dedicated secondary school resource base within Ralph Allen School, providing high-quality, tailored education for students in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Our provision is designed for students working at a level that enables them to access the KS4 GCSE curriculum, with the right support and structure. Lessons are carefully adapted and differentiated to meet the individual learning needs of each student, ensuring both academic progress and personal development.

Our Team

Day-to-day provision at the Griffin Centre is led by Mrs Jacquelyn Key, our experienced Lead Teacher, supported by Scott Wheatley, Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). Each student also has an assigned Key Worker who provides regular check-ins, monitors progress, and ensures the right support is in place.

The Griffin Centre is managed by Sarah Warr, Assistant Headteacher- Director of Inclusion and Safeguarding Lead

The Griffin Centre team works collaboratively with all staff across Ralph Allen School to support inclusive practice and ensure that students in the base are fully integrated into the wider school community. This partnership approach helps us provide continuity, build strong relationships, and create a positive, inclusive learning environment for every student.

Our Environment and Facilities

The Griffin Centre offers a calm, structured and inclusive environment with access to:

  • Dedicated classrooms for KS3 and KS4

  • Breakout areas for individual or small group work

  • A cookery room to support life skills development

  • A rooftop garden providing a peaceful, sensory-friendly space

We also offer pupil-led downtime, giving students time each week to explore their own interests in a supportive, low-pressure setting.

Curriculum and Inclusive Practice

We operate two small classes, each supporting up to 10 students, across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Students follow a personalised timetable created in collaboration with:

  • The student

  • Parents or carers

  • Teaching staff

  • Relevant external professionals

This flexible approach offers a mix of base provision and supported access to mainstream classes, depending on each student's needs and readiness. Our goal is to help students access KS4 subject-specialist teaching, achieve academic success, and develop confidence and independence.

Students are encouraged to take part in:

  • School enrichment clubs and activities

  • School trips and events

  • Social times with their peers

Where needed, this participation is supported by staff, resources, or carefully planned transitions to ensure students feel safe, included, and confident.

Admissions and Visits

The Griffin Centre is a specialist resource base for up to 20 students with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). Due to the high demand for places and the limited capacity of the provision, the Griffin Centre is currently full. We anticipate that only a very small number of places may become available over the coming years, primarily when students leave at the end of Key Stage 4.

Families interested in learning more about the provision are welcome to visit the Griffin Centre during Ralph Allen School's Open Day in September, when the Centre will be open and Griffin Centre staff will be available to answer questions about the provision and support on offer.

To support families, professionals and local authorities considering the Griffin Centre as part of the consultation process, we also offer a programme of group information and tour sessions throughout the year. These visits provide an opportunity to learn more about the provision, meet members of the team and view the facilities. In order to minimise disruption to learning and maintain a calm environment for our students, we are unable to facilitate individual tours outside of these sessions.

Tour dates for 2026-27 are:

  • Wednesday 11 November, 9:30am-10:30am
  • Wednesday 20 January, 9:30am-10:30am
  • Wednesday 10 March, 9:30am-10:30am
  • Wednesday 5 May, 9:30am-10:30am
  • Wednesday 23 June, 9:30am-10:30am

Places on each tour are limited and must be booked in advance through the school. Attendance at a tour does not form part of the admissions decision-making process and does not guarantee a place within the Griffin Centre. Families should continue to work with their Local Authority SEND Team regarding consultations and placement requests.