The Springfields Academy Earns Rare National Autism Award for the Second Time

The Springfields Academy, part of Reach South Academy Trust, have recently been accredited with the National Autistic Society (NAS) Advanced Specialist Award for the second time, a rare achievement for a school. The Springfields Academy is a specialist provision for autistic pupils, currently supporting 222 autistic learners aged 4 to 19, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The NAS’s Autism Accreditation Programme is the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance programme of support and development for all those providing services to autistic people.  The Autism Specialist Award is tailored to specialist providers in the education sector. 

Before receiving the award, The Springfields Academy was subject to rigorous Ofsted style inspections, which saw their practice in four key areas examined: social communication, functional skills, sensory experiences and emotional wellbeing.

The Autism Accreditation Committee found that staff at The Springfields Academy demonstrate strong expertise in autism practice, consistently applying personalised and inclusive approaches. They also concluded that children and young people are supported through their preferred communication methods and meaningful social opportunities, fostering confidence, secure relationships, and active engagement throughout the school day.

Their report included the feedback that the Academy offers a highly structured and nurturing environment where children and young people develop independence, self-regulation, and emotional resilience through tailored learning and adaptive communication strategies. With a clear emphasis on vocational preparation, wellbeing, and inclusive practice, the Academy enriches education through staff development, family support, and a progressive residential programme designed to build life skills and personal growth.

Inspectors also noted that:

• Survey responses from families and stakeholders were overwhelmingly positive.
• One case study describes the development of the HEARD Strategy, designed to ensure all pupils—regardless of how they communicate—feel heard and respected. This whole-school approach has led to improved pupil engagement and inclusivity, highlighting the importance of recognising and valuing diverse communication styles.
• During playtime, pupils were frequently seen playing together on the pirate ship, participating in football games, or engaging in smaller group interactions. No pupil was observed alone; when a pupil was not actively engaging with peers, a staff member was present to offer support. 
• Pupils interviewed were able to describe the social activities they enjoyed at school and the clubs they attended outside of school. All pupils interviewed mentioned friendships or peers they got along with, indicating that the school environment had successfully supported the development of social confidence.

The school is currently on a journey of growth to provide more specialist places for pupils in partnership with Wiltshire Local Authority and are developing their estates and staffing models to accommodate this. Staff also continue to contribute positively to promoting inclusive practices in the wider education system and are holding a free Neurodiversity Network event, which is free and open to all on the 7th of October. You can find out more about the event here.

Tom Leverage, CEO of Reach South Academy Trust said:

“We are immensely proud of The Springfields Academy for once again achieving the National Autistic Society Advanced Specialist Award. This recognition reflects the deep expertise, dedication and compassion of staff, who go above and beyond every day to ensure autistic young people are supported to thrive. To receive this award twice is a rare honour and underlines the academy’s role as a leader in inclusive education, both locally and nationally.”

Nicola Whitcombe, Headteacher at The Springfields Academy said:

“At The Springfields Academy, we are proud not only of the support we provide for our pupils but also of our role in championing the national inclusion agenda. Our commitment extends beyond our own academy and Reach South, as we work with schools and partners across the wider education system. This recognition reflects our dedication to creating inclusive environments where every child can flourish. I am immensely proud of all our staff for their hard work and dedication to ensuring our pupils have the best possible educational experience and our pupils for achieving aspirational outcomes.”