'They deserve high standards' The London school where special needs pupils thrive

The classroom within All Saints Catholic college, west London, looks much like almost any other. But this one offers a solution to England's crisis in special needs education.

- Richard Adams

On one recent summer day the class is doing creative writing. Yet with every pupil having special needs in speech and communication, writing is just one part of the lesson. "Remember to reply to me," the teacher gently reminds one pupil after discussing their work. "When I say something, you need to reply."

Later a pupil starts "stimming" - self-stimulating by repetitive movements, common among people with autism - but is quickly interrupted by the teacher. "Do you need time out?" she asks quietly.

The classroom, known as the Bethlehem unit, has the desks and whiteboard of a typical school but only eight pupils, who all have education, health and care plans (EHCPs), agreements between families and local authorities that detail each child's needs.

The fate of EHCPs has been thrust into the political spotlight, after ministers refused to confirm reports that they will be curtailed or abolished. Although its official title is a "specialist resource provision", the Bethlehem unit is, in effect, a mini special school inside a mainstream secondary - a model that ministers are pinning their hopes on as they prepare a schools white paper for October.

Ria Dhillon, whose son Kai has attended the unit, said the school had been "wonderful", nudging him to reach his potential in subjects such as maths in which he'd previously lacked confidence.