Da Vinci Centre
Introduction
The Da Vinci team support students who have the Specialist SEND Facility named on their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The Da Vinci Centre is a mainstream facility specialising in supporting students with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and those with a specific learning difficulty (SpLD - dyslexia). Students in the facility are supported to attend mainstream lessons, with the facility building acting as a hub where students have access to quiet space for regulation, the support of specialised interventions and a familiar team supporting their needs and learning. Da Vinci students also have form time as one tutor group in the facility to ensure a calm ending to each day. Moreover, facility students also attend year group assemblies with a teaching assistant from the facility once a week.
'It was lovely to be welcomed to Robertsbridge Community College for their Facility QA visit and to see the school in action. We had not visited the school in person recently, so it was lovely to see the progress the school has made.'
7th of July 2025
Curriculum Overview
The Da Vinci Centre provides students with access to a blended and balanced curriculum which is ambitious, inclusive and progressive. A curriculum that facilitates life transforming learning for students in the facility. It is a curriculum where excellence is inspired and students can unlock their learning potential. Staff within the centre support and encourage students to uphold the school values of Ambition, Pride and Respect and will oversee the student’s development into powerful communicators, critical thinkers and caring and responsible citizens.
The curriculum has three parts:
- The Embracive Curriculum (Universal Offer)
Da Vinci Centre students access the mainstream curriculum offer. This includes core and option subjects. Teachers in the mainstream provision will ensure that their teaching is adaptive using a range of SEND recognised approaches. They will also be aware of student’s needs through their Educational Healthcare Plans and Pupil Passports. These plans also indicate relevant adaptations and classroom strategies that can be of assistance for students. Facility students will also have access to teaching assistant support in some lessons where this is appropriate to the students’ needs and plans.
- Enhanced Curriculum
The enhanced curriculum follows the principles of the graduated response model. It emphasises a cycle of assessment, planning, implementation and review to effectively address a range of diverse learning needs. Specialist assessments will help to identify where targeted interventions are required. During this phase of the curriculum there could also be collaboration with outside agencies such as CLASS and CITES for more specialist support.
- Explore Curriculum
The explore curriculum supports the aims of the college for pupils to become confident and independent learners especially as they move onto post 16 education. It focuses on enrichment activities, transition support, PSHE, employability skills and careers. It’s designed to cover the four areas of need as set out in the SEND Code of Practice. Specifically, each Da Vinci pupil’s development in terms of their communication, social, emotional and physical needs. Furthermore, based on accurate and ongoing assessment students in the facility may be identified to pursue alternative qualifications such as entry level English and Maths certificates, Functional Skills, ASDAN and the AQA Unit Award Scheme.
'The intervention observed was well paced, targeted and moved on the pupils learning within the session. A member of staff talked through the Rapid reader intervention, and the interventions are planned to be engaging, active and focused using the baseline. The APDR linked to the intervention was relevant, SMART and effective.'
7th of July 2025
Da Vinci Provision and Resources
The Da Vinci centre offers two large classroom spaces where lessons and interventions take place. It also has designated ICT banks of desktop computers in both classrooms. Students are also provided with their own laptops to use in the facility and mainstream lessons. These laptops provide access to assisted technology. Finally, the centre also has a large sensory room space with several available modifications.
'The facility is welcoming and calm. It is a separate building to the school. The spaces are light and inviting. There are toilet facilities for pupils and two main learning spaces. There are purposeful and inspiring displays including links to people with additional needs who have been successful. Pupils responded well to visitors; when we entered the learning spaces pupils were engaged in purposeful activities and were keen for us to see their learning.'
7th of July 2025
Addional Feedback from East Sussex Quality Assurance
'Pupils who are based in the facility were observed both in the facility and in the mainstream. All presented as engaged and well supported. The needs, views, and wishes of the pupils are the drivers in terms of their next steps in learning and development. The facility is accessible to facility pupils as needed, and mainstream pupils can access it at social times such as playtime.'
7th of July 2025