Specialist Classes
Specialist Classes for Children with Autism at Elizabeth Selby Infant School
At Elizabeth Selby Infant School, we have two specialist classes for children with autism: Chestnut Class and Hazel Class. These classes are designed to meet the individual needs of pupils, ensuring they receive highly tailored support, specialist teaching, and the highest level of care.
Our provision is developed in partnership with Phoenix School, and is supported by additional funding from Tower Hamlets, enabling us to deliver a highly skilled and responsive approach to autism education.
Chestnut Class
Chestnut Class supports children with autism who are working between Steps 1–14 on the Phoenix Steps and are Social Partners on the SCERTS Model.
The class benefits from specialist expertise through our partnership with Phoenix School, which is recognised for its excellence in autism education. Staff are highly trained and deliver personalised interventions through a wide range of approaches, including:
- Sensory Stories
- Attention Bucket activities
- Sensory Circuits
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Music Therapy
- Swimming and Water Therapy
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- TEACCH approaches
- Adapted English and Maths sessions
- Sensory play
- Fun with food activities
Chestnut Class is regularly supported by the Phoenix Outreach Team, ensuring high-quality practice and continuous development of provision. This collaborative approach, alongside targeted funding, helps ensure strong progress for all pupils.
Hazel Class
Hazel Class supports children with autism who are working between Steps 15–24 on the Phoenix Steps and are Language Partners on the SCERTS Model.
Building on the foundations developed in Chestnut Class, Hazel Class provides continued specialist teaching and targeted interventions to support children’s communication, independence, and learning development as their needs progress.
Our Partnership and Achievements
Our close partnership with Phoenix School, along with additional funding from Tower Hamlets, is essential in enabling us to maintain and develop this specialist provision.
We are proud of the progress our pupils make within both Chestnut and Hazel Classes and remain committed to providing an inclusive, nurturing, and ambitious learning environment where every child can thrive.
