The Hive – Priory CE Academy - Organisations

Ungraded individually – click here to view the Ofsted rating for Priory CE Academy

At Priory CE Academy, our vision for The Hive is to create a calm, nurturing, and specialist resource provision for pupils with medium‑range Communication and Interaction needs. We hope to offer a safe, purpose‑built environment where every child can feel valued, supported, and able to make progress in their own way.

We plan to work with a group of up to 15 children, supported by a team of three to four staff members. The space will be designed to remain steady and quiet, with routines that help children feel secure and ready to learn.

Our curriculum will align with the National Curriculum, but it will be adapted to meet each child’s needs as outlined in their Education, Health and Care Plan. This will include:

• Teaching in small groups and individual sessions
• A focus on communication development, social interaction, and emotional regulation
• Multi‑sensory learning and practical life skills activities
• Opportunities for inclusion in mainstream lessons where appropriate
• Ongoing assessment to track small‑step progress and inform planning
• A safe, calm and nurturing space for children with similar needs to thrive together as a family

We hope for The Hive to be a place where children can access meaningful learning, develop independence, and experience a sense of belonging — both within the provision and the wider school community.

Resource Provision for Communication and Interaction Needs

Overview

The Hive is a purpose-built resource provision within Priory CE Academy, developed in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent Local Authority to meet the needs of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) identifying Communication and Interaction (C&I) as the primary area of need.

Our vision is to provide a calm, nurturing, and structured learning environment where pupils can access high-quality teaching tailored to their individual profiles, while remaining part of the wider school community.

Who is the provision for?

• Pupils in Years 1 to 3 with an EHCP identifying Communication and Interaction as their primary need
• Needs in line with Range 5 (Medium) on the Stoke-on-Trent High Needs Banding Matrix
• Pupils who:
  • May have found full-time mainstream settings difficult to access or sustain
  • Are able to access a differentiated mainstream curriculum with appropriate adaptation and support
  • Will benefit from a specialist, smaller-scale setting to support their communication, regulation, and engagement

All placements are made via the Local Authority SEND Panel in consultation with the school and family.

What does The Hive offer?

The Hive offers an adapted curriculum and tailored support to meet the communication, social, emotional, and learning needs of the pupils. The provision includes:

• A calm, low-stimulation environment, designed to support regulation and reduce anxiety
• A strong emphasis on nurture, with a focus on relationships, emotional wellbeing, and individual care
• An EYFS-inspired approach to learning that values sensory exploration, practical skills, and play-based engagement
• A curriculum aligned to the National Curriculum, but adapted to individual needs and delivered through:
  • Small group and 1:1 teaching
  • Multi-sensory and visual approaches
  • Individualised timetables
  • Specialist resources to support language, communication and interaction
• Regular, structured opportunities for inclusion in mainstream activities where appropriate
• Ongoing assessment of progress towards EHCP outcomes using specialist tracking tools (e.g. B Squared)
• Access to a large, open-plan classroom space, designed with an early years ethos and resourced for sensory, communication, and play-based learning
• Dedicated additional facilities, including a sensory room, secure outdoor area, and personal care spaces

Staffing

The provision is supported by a team of three to four school staff and ran day-t0-day by the Hive Leader. Provision, education and legalities is overseen by the SENCO.

Admissions

Admission to The Hive is through the Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s SEN Panel. It is not open to general applications or direct referrals from families. Placement is based on:

• A full review of the child’s EHCP and supporting professional reports
• Agreement that The Hive can meet the child’s needs as outlined in Section F
• Consideration of group dynamics, current capacity, and maintaining a balanced provision

Further Information

If you would like more information about The Hive or wish to discuss whether it may be suitable for your child as part of an EHCP review, please contact:

Emily Woodroffe – SENCO
Priory CE Academy
01782 234953