Case studies
Read about the impact that our funding has made on the learning, mental health and well-being of autistic students.
Raising attainment
SCF funding helped Emma take her exams and make a successful transition to college.
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Because of her autism, Year 11 student Emma was experiencing acute difficulties in preparing and sitting her GCSEs. She had found the return to school after the pandemic hugely challenging. With SCF funding, the school bought in six sessions from an outreach worker to support Emma with her anxiety and perfectionism in the lead up to exams in the summer term.
Emma gained levels 7 and 8, and made a successful transition to sixth form college where she is now studying 3 A levels. We are delighted for her.
Mainstream secondary school, Greater London
More engaged
College students make better use of time-out and spend more time in lessons.
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SCF funding helped a college work with
specialists for advice that they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to access. Students were
supported to choose and use sensory equipment to help focus and regulation. As a result,
students start the school day in a more positive mindset, and during the day make more
effective use of time-out so they can refocus much quicker and are able to continue with
their work.
One student in particular made significant changes to her outlook and engagement in college. Staff noticed she was more engaged in her learning, more organised and generally finding college life more positive.
Sixth Form College, West Midlands
Stronger relationships
Students formed genuine friendships based on mutual interests.
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Autistic young people set up lunch and after school clubs, based on their own interests
such as Lego robotics and Dungeons & Dragons. SCF funded specialist resources and staff
to support.
Students have formed genuine friendships with other students based on mutual interests, and as the clubs were also open to neurotypical students these friendships are wide-ranging. As well as this staff have built stronger relationships with the students, enhancing the support given in lessons.
One sixth form student with ASC has decided to continue to run one of the clubs by herself to ensure they continue.
Village college East of England
Reduced anxiety
College is a much more comfortable place to be and attendance has improved.
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SCF funded staff training with a really practical focus, exploring students’ anxiety, their
energy levels and well being. It gave staff strategies so they could identify signs of
overloading and quickly put support in place. Funded ‘calm boxes’ were equipped with
resources to lower anxiety such as mindful colouring, stress balls, essential oils. A calm
box in each classroom made sure resources and support tools were easily at hand.
This has affected students’ behaviour and mood. Two students in particular now find
college a much more comfortable place to be; their ratings on the SCF well-being tool
show much lower levels of anxiety. Better still, they feel much more confident in knowing
how to stay calm, and how to deal with stress.
FE college, North East
