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The Aquinas Centre

The Aquinas Centre welcomed its first students in September 2025 based in temporary accommodation. We anticipate the new building to be open by September 2026 when we will be able to take 6 students into the Year 7 cohort.

The Aquinas Centre is a SEN Unit for students who have an EHCP with a primary diagnosis of autism. Students placed within the Aquinas Centre will spend the majority of their time in mainstream lessons whilst also receiving specialist support from trained staff. They will also have access to some small group learning and therapy sessions, as well as a calm setting to which they can retreat. Aquinas Centre will have the academic potential to achieve at least seven GCSEs or equivalent Level 2 qualifications.

From September 2026 Surrey SEN will offers places to six students with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with a primary diagnosis of autism and who are suitable for a unit placement within a mainstream secondary school. Places in the Aquinas Centre are allocated by Surrey LA after consideration by a multi-professional team and in consultation with the school. Places in the Aquinas Centre are limited and will only be considered through SEN case workers or educational psychologists in conjunction with families.

Admissions

If you are considering the Aquinas Centre for your child, please have a conversation with your case worker and your primary school SENCo about suitability. Surrey SEND will have to agree to consult for a centre placement.

We have clear entry requirements for the Aquinas Centre, to ensure that we are the most appropriate in which your child can thrive. During the consultation stage with Surrey, we will be using the following criteria to determine suitability.

  • Currently have an EHCP 
  • The CYP’s priority need is currently identified as Autism 
  • The CYP has a level of anxiety that means they require additional autism specific support   
  • The cognitive ability to access the mainstream curriculum is broadly in line with their peers – must be working at NC Year 5 or higher (particularly in English, Reading, Maths and Science) with the expectation they will sit at least 7 GCSEs or equivalent level 2 qualifications. 
  • The student has the capacity to benefit from a mainstream environment (with an expectation of 70% or better in mainstream classes, following significant targeted support) 
  • Historic success of working alongside peers in a classroom environment. 
  • Support needs would normally be no more than 1:3 (staff to student - on average) in all mainstream sessions (in classes of 30-33 students). 
  • Can take full responsibility for their own personal care and hygiene (ie. does not require support with toileting / getting changed for PE etc.) 
  • Does not pose a risk to any other students or themselves and has no history of violent outbursts against students and staff. 

Once the consultations have been returned, we will work with the Surrey SEND Admissions team to finalise the places offered. St John the Baptist School is not the Admissions Authority for places in the Aquinas Centre.  For all details, information and advice on the admissions process please visit the Surrey County Council website:

Surrey SEND Information for ParentsSurrey SEND Admissions.

We strongly advise any parents of a child with an EHCP considering SEN Unit provision at the secondary phase to talk to their SEN case worker, and to come and meet with the SENCO at SJB to discuss their child’s individual needs and whether they can be met within the Aquinas Centre.

To arrange a meeting with our SENCO about the Aquinas Centre, please get in touch via email.

 

Additional Information

Students in the Aquinas Centre start slightly earlier each morning and end the day slightly later compared to the rest of our students. This enables staff to greet the students in the morning, discuss the day ahead and ensure the students start the day in the best possible way. At the end of the day, students meet again to discuss how their day has been, address any concerns and ensure that they leave school positively.  Aquinas students have the opportunity to spend their break and lunch time in the centre should they need support during unstructured times.

Students will spend the majority of their time in mainstream classes, following the same curriculum as the rest of their year group. Initially, Aquinas students will not study languages, computing or take part in whole class reading lessons. This will allow flexibility in their timetable for interventions to take place. We are blessed to have a highly skilled and experienced team working at SJB and we can deliver the majority of interventions in house. Where this isn’t possible, we work with Surrey who provide EP, SALT and OT services if required.