Designated Specialist Provision (DSP)
Exceptional Support for Speech, Language, and Communication Needs at Babington Academy
At Babington Academy, our vision is clear: to empower every student with the tools, confidence, and values they need to thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing world.
At Babington Academy, our vision is clear: to empower every student with the tools, confidence, and values they need to thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing world. We are proud to offer an outstanding Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) for students with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN), where we expertly combine compassion, innovation, and expertise to ensure every child can shine.
Why Choose Babington's DSP?
Transformative Core Values
At the heart of our academy are the values of Respect, Ambition, and Resilience. These qualities underpin everything we do, inspiring our students to embrace personal responsibility, foster resilience, and dare to dream big. Guided by the Babington DNA - gratitude, understanding, respect, and ambition - our students become well-rounded individuals, prepared to achieve academically, socially, and emotionally.
Unrivalled Expertise and Specialist Support
Our DSP is a beacon of excellence, staffed by a highly skilled and passionate team dedicated to meeting the unique needs of every child:
- Expert Leadership: Our DSP Lead, a primary education specialist, is ELKLAN trained and brings deep experience to guiding our provision.
- Tailored Teaching: Our specialist DSP and SEND teachers, alongside our highly trained teaching assistants, deliver bespoke curriculums in small, focused groups, ensuring every child’s specific needs are addressed.
- Enhanced Speech and Language Therapy: Beyond NHS services, Babington Academy employs a speech and language therapist to provide any extra, emergency assessments.
- Integrated Educational Psychology: With access to both local authority and private educational psychology services, we ensure comprehensive, proactive support for every student.
- Skilled Support Staff: Our DSP teaching assistants, trained in SLCN strategies, work closely with students to promote independence and success.
A Nurturing Environment with Exceptional Facilities
Our DSP classrooms are purpose-built to foster learning and development in a secure, welcoming space. From morning meet-and-greet sessions designed to encourage communication, to smaller class sizes where individual attention thrives, we provide an environment that nurtures both confidence and academic growth.
Students benefit from access to mainstream facilities for subjects like art, food technology, and PE, while our Learning Support Department - complete with SENCo offices, mental health first aiders, and intervention spaces - serves as a hub for inclusion and care.
We also prioritize social development through lunch clubs and break-time support, ensuring students feel included and valued throughout the day.
A Seamless Partnership with Families
We know that collaboration with parents and carers is the key to unlocking every child’s potential. From the moment your child joins our DSP, we establish open and regular communication:
- Tailored Transitions: Before starting, we gather detailed insights from primary schools, teachers, and parents to craft an individualized plan.
- Dedicated Support: You’ll have access to regular updates, termly meetings, and parent drop-in events to stay connected with your child’s progress.
- Safe and Secure Transport Management: If your child accesses transport to school, our DSP team ensure a smooth and stress-free experience on arrival at school and at the end of the day.
An Enriching Curriculum and Pathway to Mainstream Success
At Babington Academy’s DSP, we believe in unlocking every child’s potential and empowering them to achieve their personal best. Our bespoke curriculum is designed not only to address individual learning needs but also to serve as a stepping stone into mainstream education wherever possible.
A Stepping Stone to Mainstream
The ultimate goal for our DSP students is to transition successfully into mainstream classes. Once a child has closed key knowledge gaps, can access the curriculum, and demonstrates the speech and language skills necessary to thrive in a mainstream setting, they will begin this transition.
We carefully support this process, tailoring it to each child’s readiness. For those able to make this leap, the journey represents a significant milestone in their development. While some students may continue to benefit from the nurturing environment of the DSP throughout their time at Babington, the majority will achieve mainstream integration—an outcome we work towards with pride and dedication.
Laying the Foundations for Success
Our curriculum prioritizes not only academic achievement in core areas like reading, writing, and mathematics but also the social and emotional skills essential for navigating a larger classroom environment. With interventions tailored to individual needs and access to mainstream facilities in subjects such as art, food technology, and PE, our students gain the confidence and competence to thrive.
By focusing on each child’s unique journey, we ensure that the DSP isn’t just a place of learning—it’s a launchpad for broader success.
Celebrating Success, Championing Inclusion
Inclusion is more than a principle at Babington; it’s a way of life. Every decision we make is guided by the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. Alongside access to the full school calendar, DSP students enjoy exclusive events that celebrate their unique achievements, fostering pride and belonging.
Join Our Journey of Excellence
As an IQM Flagship School, Babington Academy is proud to celebrate neurodiversity and champion positive attitudes toward SEND. With our exceptional DSP provision, we’re not just supporting students—we’re shaping compassionate, resilient, and capable global citizens.
At Babington, we don’t just meet needs. We unlock potential, ignite ambitions, and inspire futures.
Join us and discover the difference our expert team and unparalleled support can make for your child.
DSP Map
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