New autism resource provision 'Athena' opens at Hermitage Primary School

KEY INFORMATION:

• A new specialist autism resource provision named ‘Athena’ has opened at Hermitage Primary School.
• The facility was developed using £2.37 million from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation grant.
• It provides a dedicated, sensory-informed space for up to 12 primary-aged pupils.
• Features include adjustable lighting, sensory rooms, and specialized communication tools.
• The council has also allocated £1.4 million toward transition support for older SEND residents.

A new specialist resource provision for children with autism has officially opened at Hermitage Primary School this week.

The facility, named ‘Athena’, was developed to meet a documented requirement for high-quality specialist placements within Tower Hamlets. It is designed to provide tailored support specifically for primary school-aged children with autism.

The project was funded through a £2.37 million investment from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA) grant. This purpose-built unit allows up to 12 pupils to remain within a mainstream school community while accessing a sensory-informed environment. The facility follows a phased opening schedule that began at the end of 2025.

Specialist facilities and environmental design

The Athena unit includes classrooms equipped with lighting that can be adjusted in both colour and brightness. These modifications are intended to assist children who have specific sensory sensitivities. The site also features sensory rooms containing tactile play areas and various visual stimuli to encourage interaction.

Beyond the physical environment, the unit provides tools to help pupils communicate their needs to teaching staff. The curriculum within the unit focuses on both academic progress and essential life skills. This includes teaching practical tasks such as personal hygiene and navigating the local community.

Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, said: “It’s a privilege to see this specialist autism resource provision open at Hermitage Primary School. This is a significant investment built around understanding, inclusion, and high-quality support. Our aim with this additional school resource has been to create a space where pupils can learn and thrive in an environment designed around their needs.”

Impact on local families

For residents, the opening represents an alternative to isolated mainstream learning or out-of-borough placements. Rahena Begum, whose son attends the provision, said: “Having this unit means everything to me. It means Waseem’s future will be bright just like every other child. I felt he was isolated in a mainstream class as he didn’t access the learning. Now he has grown in confidence, and his sensory needs are met.”

Broader SEND investment in Tower Hamlets

The Athena unit is part of a wider council commitment to supporting individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Alongside this project, the local authority has invested £900,000 to assist transitions for 16-25-year-olds with SEN.

A further £500,000 has been allocated for residents aged 18-30 with SEND. This funding is directed toward life-skills programmes and initiatives that facilitate the transition into employment. These combined investments seek to build long-term independence for young people across the borough.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from Council / Local Authority. Document: Having this unit means everything – New autism resource provision opens at Hermitage Primary School Source Link: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_events/2026/March/Having-this-unit-means-everything-%E2%80%93-New-autism-resource-provision-opens-at-Hermitage-Primary-School.aspx

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