Resource Base

Cantell School is delighted to have now opened a Special Educational Needs resourced provision mainly for children with autism spectrum disorder, moderate learning difficulties and speech language and communication needs. This is called THE THRIVE HUB. The local council are working very closely with us, and together we have opened the thrive hub in response to an increase in demand for such a provision.

The Thrive Hub has the capacity of 10 children per year group. Those who attend this unit are those who have previously applied to Great Oaks or other SEN settings across the city at NCY 6. Thrive has been created to bridge the gap for those students who do not get into a special educational setting and those not fit for a mainstream placement. These pupils all have an educational health care plan.

These pupils are accessing a specially designed curriculum different from current mainstream students and in an environment that is best suited to their needs and current learning levels. The curriculum still includes the same subjects as mainstream but with the addition of life skills and speech and language offerings. The students do have access to all of the same facilities however the majority of their learning takes place in the same room. This eases transitions and allows a clear routine to be established, with teachers coming to the thrive room.

The students have access to two specially designed sensory rooms. This includes a more active space and then a dark room. These are accessible at all times and are used for when students need to regulate or to simply have a brain break or time out. Students also have access to technology including ipads and laptops which are consistently used within lessons.

Pupils are fully integrated into the Cantell family and receive the same opportunities as the rest of the school.  Numerous trips are incorporated into the curriculum, enriching the students’ educational experiences and providing them with hands on and long-lasting memories. 

Visiting the Resource Base

Visits to have a look around by parents and prospective pupils are encouraged and welcomed. However, Cantell School cannot allocate spaces in this provision. This remains with the Southampton City Council and they allocate to us based on the admissions and applications to special educational needs settings such as Great Oaks.

If you would like to arrange a visit, please either phone main reception on 02380 323111 or contact Matt Taylor, the Thrive Hub leader by email on matthew.taylor@cantell.co.uk.