The Matthew Arnold School in Staines has been awarded £5,000 by the Sheila Coates Foundation - an independent charity supporting projects that enhance the education and mental health of young people with Autism.
The foundation encourages secondary schools and colleges in England to think creatively and go beyond standard provision to make a meaningful impact on the lives of autistic students. To secure the funding, The Matthew Arnold School had to meet strict criteria and provide detailed information about the barriers autistic students face, the proposed intervention and the intended impact.
The project was kick-started by staff observations and research into the experiences of SEND students - particularly girls with autism and ADHD - and a desire to better understand and support them in a meaningful way. Staff recognised that existing one-page profiles, often used to summarise students' needs, tend to offer only surface-level insights. In response, the school proposed replacing these with personalised ‘talking head’ videos created by the students themselves.
These short videos will allow students to explain, in their own words, how they learn best, what makes them feel comfortable or uncomfortable and what a typical school day looks like for them. For those less comfortable on camera, the videos might focus on their voice, surroundings or specific school environments that trigger or support them.
The aim is to give every SEND student greater ownership of their narrative while equipping all staff - not just those who teach them - with the insights needed to better support them. The videos will be linked to each student’s profile on Arbor, making them easily accessible and more impactful than traditional documents.
‘We believe that every member of staff has a role to play in supporting SEND students,’ said a member of the school’s SEND team. ‘If not you, then who?’
Initially, the project will focus on girls, with a longer-term goal to replace all one-page profiles across the school. An appropriate member of staff will help guide the video process, asking base questions while ensuring each student retains control over what and how they choose to share. Some may speak while walking around the school; others may prefer to stay off-camera entirely. The flexibility of the format allows for true student voice and autonomy.
To assess the impact, students will be surveyed before creating their video, shortly after and again later in the year to determine whether they feel more recognised, understood and supported across the school community. With over 40 EHCP students and others on the SEND register, the school sees this as a key step toward a more inclusive environment.
The funding will be used to purchase video and digital editing equipment - with plans to extend its use beyond the initial project. When not in use for SEND work, the equipment will be made available to other departments, offering students opportunities to participate in school life in new ways. For example, autistic students who may not wish to perform in the school production could instead film or edit it, contributing meaningfully behind the scenes.
As part of the funding agreement, the school will submit a case study to the Sheila Coates Foundation within the first year, documenting progress, insights and measurable outcomes.
If the approach proves successful, The Matthew Arnold School hopes to share the model across Bourne Education Trust schools - opening the door to a new way of understanding and supporting our SEND students.