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SEND Practice Spotlight - Classrooms Designed to Meet Mainstream Autistic Students Needs

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:02:52 Z

Specialist Classroom Provision Supporting Autistic Pupils in Mainstream Schools | SEND Practice Spotlight

At Axcis, we aim to share practical, real-world examples of SEND provision that schools, SEND professionals, and the wider education community may find useful to explore, adapt, or take inspiration from.

This SEND Practice Spotlight highlights an initiative focused on strengthening support for autistic pupils within mainstream settings. It is shared as an example of inclusive practice to inform discussion and reflection, rather than as a prescriptive or comparative model.

Specialist Classroom Provision for Autistic Pupils: An Overview

Phoenix School in Tower Hamlets is an all-through specialist school supporting autistic children and young people aged 3–19.

Through its Specialist Classroom Provision (SCP) project, the school has partnered with 22 mainstream schools to support the development of structured, calm classroom environments designed to better meet the needs of autistic pupils within their local school communities.

These specialist classrooms typically support smaller groups of pupils (up to 10) and aim to provide tailored teaching and support that may not always be consistently achievable within a full mainstream classroom environment. Where appropriate, pupils may also access wider school life flexibly, depending on individual needs, preferences, and readiness.

Phoenix School reports that the project currently supports over 200 pupils, including pupils with a formal autism diagnosis and those on the diagnostic pathway.

How Specialist Classroom Provision Supports Autistic Pupils in Mainstream Schools

From Phoenix School's published project summaries, the SCP approach places a strong emphasis on workforce development, consistency, and ongoing specialist input, rather than focusing solely on physical classroom design.

Key elements described within the model include:

Buddy system: SCP teachers are paired with experienced Phoenix “buddy” teachers for modelling, advice, and follow-up support, including reciprocal visits.

Outreach support: Dedicated outreach input supports planning, teaching, and behaviour, with regular visits embedded into the model.

Training and shared practice: Ongoing training and structured collaboration help build staff confidence and promote consistent approaches across participating schools.

Assessment approach: Use of Phoenix Steps, a bespoke assessment framework designed to recognise progress below National Curriculum levels, supporting more meaningful target-setting and planning.

Together, these elements are intended to support schools in developing specialist provision while maintaining strong links with mainstream settings.

What School Leaders Are Exploring in Support for Autistic Pupils

Many school leaders and SEND teams are currently exploring ways to strengthen support for autistic pupils, build staff confidence, and create environments that reduce stress and improve engagement.

This initiative offers one example of how specialist expertise can be shared across a network of schools, supported by structured systems designed to promote consistency and professional development. It is shared to contribute to wider conversations around inclusive practice and local collaboration.

Would You Like to Share a SEND Model, Practice or Approach from Your Setting?

This is a practice spotlight, not a “best of” feature. Every school context is different, and there are many SEND initiatives taking place across the UK.

If your setting is running an initiative that is helping to strengthen support for autistic pupils or wider SEND provision, for example, autism-inclusive classroom models, sensory regulation approaches, communication-first practice, reintegration pathways, or workforce development, then we would welcome hearing about it for consideration in a future spotlight.

Submit an initiative or suggest a future feature:
Email: info@axcis.co.uk

Considering SEND Staffing to Support Autistic Pupils

If your school is exploring ways to strengthen SEND provision and would like to discuss specialist staffing to support autistic pupils, additional needs, SEND classroom support, or longer-term placements, you can contact your Axcis consultant or email info@axcis.co.uk

Further Information and Source Material

This spotlight is based on information shared directly by Phoenix School, including published project and evaluation materials.

For readers who would like to explore the initiative in more detail, Phoenix has published an interim evaluation and report for the Specialist Classroom Provision, which outlines the project context, implementation approach, and early findings.

This material is shared for transparency and contextual reference only.

Disclaimer

This spotlight is shared for general interest purposes and does not constitute formal guidance or endorsement. Approaches and outcomes vary by setting, and schools should consider their own context, resources, and statutory responsibilities when reviewing or developing SEND provision.

Meet the Axcis Team - HR

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:03:05 Z

Behind the Scenes at Axcis: Meet Our HR and Training Director

At Axcis, we know that delivering high-quality SEND staffing support to schools starts behind the scenes. That’s why we’re pulling back the curtain with a new series that introduces some of the senior leaders shaping how we support our staff, consultants, and most importantly, your school.

Our clients often ask us how we maintain such a high level of consultancy quality and consistency. The answer? It starts with leadership, training, and HR processes that underpin every school placement we make, ensuring that the right people are supported to deliver the right outcomes for your setting.

In this Q&A, we speak with Sara Wills, our HR and Training Director, about her Axcis journey, the values driving her leadership, and the internal strategies that help us deliver on our promise to schools.

1. Tell us a little about your journey at Axcis – how did you get started, and what brought you into the world of SEND recruitment?

I had been in recruitment for 14 years before joining Axcis, so I was already familiar with the company through my work with schools. I joined in 2010 as a Senior Recruitment Consultant and immediately liked the way the consultants supported each other. It felt very different from what I was used to.

I quickly found myself learning new terminology and stepping into a world where what we do genuinely matters. The idea that a child could benefit from the right candidate placement really resonated with me. Visiting schools gave me a much better understanding of their needs and introduced me to tools like Makaton and PECS; things I’d never encountered before in recruitment.

On a personal note, I have friends who are parents of children with SEND, and I’ve seen their struggles. It’s so important that children with SEND are given the same opportunities as anyone else to succeed in life.

2. What does your role as HR and Training Director involve, and how does it help ensure schools receive high-quality service from Axcis?

My role covers two main areas: HR and training. On the HR side, I oversee internal staff processes, policies, and procedures. On the training side, I support both new and existing team members to help them thrive within those processes.

I’m deeply passionate about customer service, and I believe that if our consultants are well-trained and confident in their roles, they’re more capable of supporting the needs of our schools. Our training ensures that consultants really listen to their clients and work collaboratively with them to find effective, long-term solutions.

3. What do you believe makes Axcis different from other SEND recruitment agencies?

I’ve asked clients this question many times, and the feedback is almost always the same: Axcis stands out because of the quality of our candidates and the commitment of our internal staff to get it right.

Our consultants have a deep understanding of SEND and know exactly what to look for in potential staff. Every Axcis branch has ex-educational professionals on hand to provide insight, which strengthens our service even more. Many of our school partners have worked with us for years because they trust our values, our experience, and our commitment to delivering high-quality, specialist support.

4. How does Axcis support its consultants to ensure they give their best to schools, pupils, and candidates?

Axcis provides a robust training programme for both new and existing staff. This includes everything from understanding systems and policies to in-depth training on compliance and SEND.

We bring in internal and external trainers depending on the content, and we actively encourage the sharing of best practices across the company. In addition, our candidates have access to a wide range of CPD training opportunities to help support their own professional development.

5. Where do you see the biggest opportunities or challenges for SEND recruitment in 2026 and beyond?

The growing awareness of SEND both in schools and in wider society is hugely positive. I’ve seen a lot of changes since I started in recruitment, and while we’ve come a long way, there’s still more to do.

We need to stay focused on continuous improvement so that we can keep driving better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

6. Tell us something that people might not know about you?

I love singing out loud even though I’m completely out of tune! But don’t worry, I only do it at home!

What to Expect From Axcis

We’ll be continuing this series in future newsletters and blogs, featuring more members of the Axcis senior leadership team. It’s all part of our commitment to transparency, integrity, and continuous improvement because we know that the right people behind the scenes make all the difference in the classroom.

Interested in working with Axcis?

Whether you’re a school or alternative provision in need of specialist staffing or an education professional looking for a new opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Fill in this form or reach out to your Axcis consultant

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this blog is intended for general interest and background only. Any opinions expressed reflect the views of the contributor at the time of publishing and may not represent the views of Axcis Education Recruitment or its partner organisations. Please note that staff roles, locations and responsibilities may evolve over time.