The importance of rhythm and routines and the role played by the class teacher underpin the structure of each school day.
The day starts at 08.45 when students and staff meet in their classrooms for a “community meeting” at which students have an opportunity to describe how they are feeling, set goals for the day and are encouraged to ask for help if they need it. This is followed by a whole school themed assembly. Assembly themes include the celebration of festivals and traditions drawn from different cultures, as well as topics such as the environment, topical news stories, national events and personal development.
There is a short break between lessons from 10.15 to 10.45 and a lunch period from 12.45 to 13.30, during which residential students return to their houses for lunch and day students have lunch on the school site. The school day finishes at 15.30 except on Friday when we finish at 12.45.
We teach PSHE daily and end the school day with Reflection Time using our positive planners. We aim to finish everyday with a celebration and recognition of what we has been achieved.
Formal lessons are taught during the first part of the school day when students are most alert and receptive. From break-time onwards, we focus on more practical subjects such as design and technology, music, woodwork, pottery and art. These practical lessons continue after the lunch break, with the addition of physical education activities and ‘enrichment curriculum’ activities.
Staff utilise their expertise to get to know pupils extremely well. Pupils’ behaviour improves dramatically. Pupils reengage and develop a love of learning
Ofsted – 2022
Home Studies (homework)
We expect all students to complete one home study task each week and we encourage reading at home in order to build literacy skills.
The amount of reading will vary between pupils, but we generally expect pupils to read for 5 minutes at least three times a week. At Key Stages 2 and 3, all students have a weekly home study reading task and their progress is recorded in a personal reading log.
Key Stage 4 and Post-16 students are assigned a weekly home study task to support progress towards achieving their personal education outcomes (EHCP objectives). Each student has an individualised termly homework chart and can choose which task to complete each week. We recognise that homework at Key Stage 4 and Post-16 may take many different forms and could include reading, written work, research tasks or practice of other skills as appropriate.
Regular drop-in sessions for the Key Workers of our residential students are arranged to ensure collaboration between the education and care teams to support individual student’s outcomes. Students have a personal homework record to record progress and to provide an opportunity for parents and carers to give feedback.
Students who complete all their home study tasks each half term receive a certificate and a £5 Amazon voucher to recognise and reward their achievements. Certificates and vouchers are presented as part of a special class assembly.