How Rosebank Primary became Scotland’s first autism accredited mainstream school

By Sheanne Mulholland

November 30 2022, 11:56am

Rosebank Primary is the first school in Scotland to be awarded autism accreditation. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

Rosebank Primary School, in Dundee, has become the first mainstream school in Scotland to be autism accredited.

The Autism Inclusion Award – presented by the UK’s leading charity for autistic people, the National Autistic Society (NAS) – recognises the school’s good practice.

And it celebrates how staff work positively with pupils and families to create a supportive and inclusive environment for autistic children.

Teachers at the school have undergone thorough training to understand autism and follow a ‘behaviour is communication’ approach.

Adaptations have been made in the school, such as sensory areas in all classrooms and zoning of the playground to include quiet areas.

Children are also encouraged to talk about their needs and ask for time out if they need it.

Rosebank Primary School celebrate their Autism Accreditation. Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

And the abilities of autistic children within the school are celebrated – as all children’s abilities are – and some are encouraged to use their talents as coping mechanisms.

Jennifer Heffell, the school’s head teacher, said: “We celebrate diversity and the gifts of children and champion them, so that they have something to hold on to.”

A universal approach

Jennifer, who has worked with autistic children since she was aged 16, says that consistency is extremely important and staff ensure they follow the same script.

Positive language is used to encourage and reward positive behaviour and staff place importance on availability when support is needed.

Rosebank primary pupil Lucca Johnson with enhance support teacher Shannon Sinclair. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson,

The school has many universal support measures in place for autistic children – meaning all children can access them.

These include tactile areas in all classrooms with calming measures and techniques on the wall and a box full of sensory items and fidget toys.

Visual aids such as a written timetable help autistic children know what to expect next and bilingual children with their language skills.

In the playground, zones separate quite areas, reading areas and a board game section from the loud, busy, traditional playground.

There is also a buddy bench for children where children can sit if they need a bit of extra support and playground supervisors will join them.

Jennifer said: “We look at children as individuals, talk to them and their families about their needs and check that we have that in place.

Head Teacher Jennifer Heffell (left) and Ethan Hastie (centre) are very happy with their award. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

“It’s about the physical element and the emotional – we try to make them feel like they’ve got someone who supports them and champions them.

“We take every chunk of every day and take their lead on how they are to be supported.

“But it’s also about having constant and high expectations and not making it an excuse.”

First mainstream Scottish school to receive autism accreditation

Rosebank Primary School was required to meet a standard of excellence and follow a framework for continuous self-examination and development in order to gain the accreditation.

It’s not the only Dundee school to have done so – Kingspark School for children and young people with additional support needs – has advanced accreditation.

Christine Flintoft-Smith, head of Autism Accreditation at NAS, said: “Rosebank Primary School should be proud of their achievement and in leading the way for hopefully other Scottish schools to also work towards and obtain the award.”