Keeping busy, Having Fun, Learning and Relaxing are all incorporated into the day.
We are very fortunate to be based on a large beautiful rural site. It is perfect for walking, bike riding, go karting, sports and exploring safely. Other onsite activities include ball pool, trampolines, multi gym, sensory rooms, craft, cookery, music and dancing, reading, film nights, discos, snooker, and computer games.
The school has a fleet of vehicles including people carriers and minibuses. These are well used to accommodate a variety of outings locally and further afield including parks, forests, wildlife centres, coastal visits, shops, London venues, restaurants, local community events, cinema, ten pin bowling, outdoor activity centres and karaoke evenings. All outings are carefully risk assessed and well staffed.
We have very active and inclusive Scout and Explorer Scout groups. Each group meets weekly and have often shared their activities with a local scouting group. Summer camp is a fantastic off site experience visiting a local Scouting Activity Centre.
Alongside Care Plans, every pupil and student has an individual learning plan. Realistic targets, carefully tailored to the individual, are designed to promote maximum independence, inclusion and participation throughout the waking day. Using the Essential Skills framework, targets are set in collaboration with the multi disciplinary teams, families and where appropriate the young person themselves. These are regularly reviewed to ensure all our pupils are achieving to the very best of their abilities.
Life Skills are a fundamental part of the school curriculum and is delivered in the residential houses supported by our Occupational Therapist. Every pupil and student has a Life Skills profile and is supported to develop their skills throughout their daily routine. Profiles and tasks are designed to be meaningful to the pupil / student and motivating to complete. Post 16 students have a weekly half day Life Skills session as part of their timetable. Sessions focus on looking after self, belongings and living areas; communication and correspondence; meal time preparation; accessing the community; money management, development of hobbies and using a telephone. Every half term, students work towards at least one AQA unit award so that their progress is externally recognised and celebrated.
Home School Challenges are an imaginative set of homework challenges for all pupils and students to complete at evening and weekends. Challenges are varied and set at a level that everyone can take part. Challenges may include visiting off site venues, collecting items in a supermarket, finding nature items outdoors, art work, star finding, cookery, organising an event, sensory experiences among others. Half termly celebrations of challenge achievements take place as a whole school event with many young people receiving Gold certificates.
