Welcome to Joyce Class at Ryton-on-Dunsmore Provost Williams CE Academy. We are a specialist resource provision (SRP) for children with identified social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs as their primary area of need. Joyce class opened in September 2026 with capacity for up to eight pupils with 3 full-time members of staff. 

Aims and principles 

Everything we do in Joyce class centres around 3 core principles that guide all day-to-day aspects of the SRP as well as underpin the teaching and learning: belong, build and bridge. These principles reflect our school's Christian vision of "Let Your Light Shine", supporting every pupil to recognise their own value, develop their strengths and make a positive contribution to the world around them. This means alongside aiming to embody our school values we support pupils to: 

Belong - instil a sense of belonging in their own identities, our space, our relationships and our school 

Build – build secure relationships, emotional literacy, regulation strategies as well as core curriculum knowledge 

Bridge – bridge the learning from Joyce class to their home lives, wider school participation, the wider communities we live in and their individual next steps 

The setting 

Joyce class has its own dedicated space within the building with secured access. The space consists of one main classroom with a separate break out zone as well as its own set of toilets. Pupils have access to two main sensory areas: one a calming area and a second designed for bigger body movements. The class has a regular timetabled slot in the creative hub where there is access to cooking facilities and a music area. 

Staff in Joyce class 

Miss Ortega – Lead teacher 

Mrs Hopkins – Learning support assistant 

Miss Kelly – Learning support assistant 

How we do things 

The SRP adapts the typical school environment, routines and expectations around the needs of the pupil, rather than expecting the pupil to adapt. These adaptations are purposeful and progressive, to provide a bridge rather than a barrier, enabling pupils to build the skills and confidence required to increasingly access whole school routines. 

 Our staff focus on a relational approach that supports pupils to build healthy models of interaction. We strive for our pupils to feel heard and able to express themselves. We know being ready for learning looks different for each child and we do not try to conform to one strict routine.  

Each child follows individual learning plans that focus on small steps built around their EHCP targets and their appropriate corresponding National Curriculum expectations. Learning may sometimes be on a 1-1 basis or in a group.  

Wider school integration 

Pupils within the SRP have the unique opportunity to access a specialised provision within a mainstream setting. This means pupils can access education in a bespoke way that adapts to them whilst still providing meaningful integration with peers and the wider school experience. This will be adapted and reviewed to meet the needs of each individual pupil in the provision.  

In Joyce class, this may look like: 

• Participating in collective worship through assemblies 

• Joining in break and lunch time routines with the whole school 

• Taking part in extra-curricular activities and trips with their mainstream class  

• Joining in with swimming lessons 

• Small group interventions with peer groups across school 

• Taking part in whole school celebration events such as harvest festival, Christmas festivities etc 

• Participating in cultural capital opportunities such as activities with external visitors 

• Joining the appropriate class for some subject lessons 

Admissions 

Entry to the provision is via Warwickshire County Council, who will assess the child’s suitability and decide whether the provision can meet the child’s needs.