Key Stage 3 Classes
3F
3F is one of our four KS3 classes. There are six students within the class – all six boys are aged between 11-14. We are part of Pathway 1 within the Academy. There are 4 members of staff in 3F: Daniel Lee (Class Teacher), Helen Hadley (Class Teacher), Joe Barlow (TA), Beverley Verney (TA: Tues, Fri) and Angie Potter (TA: Mon, Wed, Thurs).
All learners within the class have a range of needs including, ASD, ADHD, and other learning needs, which may inhibit their social, personal, and independent development skills. Some of the students have limited verbal communication skills and find social interactions difficult, in this case we may liaise with the speech and language therapist to support this. Some students in 3F also have sensory needs and we liaise with the occupational therapist to support this where necessary. We also liaise with other professionals where appropriate such as physiotherapists.
The children access most of the curriculum in their own classroom space, but full advantage is also taken of the Academy facilities including the sensory studio, kitchen, hall, soft play, and the sensory room. We follow a bespoke curriculum which is adapted to suit each of our varied individual needs. Wherever possible we participate in group activities but much of our learning is completed on an individual basis with support from our staff. We love the outdoors and wherever possible we take our learning outside the classroom. It is hoped that through the range of skills we learn through our individualised curriculum, we will be able to transfer these skills to a variety of environments both in and outside of the Academy.
A creative and multi-sensory approach to learning is adopted across all subjects supported using signs and symbols. The class particularly enjoy our stories in English and lots of interactive Maths where we make great use of our interactive whiteboard. 3F focuses on developing reading and communication skills in a way that suits our individual needs, this is reinforced by the use of visual and interactive methods. We are now two years into our academy wide phonics scheme which is delivered daily and is proving to be very effective throughout the academy.
We follow a Preparing for Adulthood curriculum which develops skills, knowledge and understanding within Employment, Community, Independence and Health. It is hoped that through the range of skills we learn through our curriculum that we will be able to again transfer these skills to a variety of environments both in and outside of the Academy.
Communication between home and the Academy is especially important. Students’ planners are checked each morning and a note written from the Academy every day. If a parent requests a phone call about an issue, then we endeavour to make that the same day, where possible. We also like to use class Dojo for communication and to celebrate what the students are working on.
In 3F we have high expectations but we enjoy using a sensory approach using concrete resources and providing opportunities for self-explorative learning in order to make our experience at school as engaging as possible.
3O
3O is one of the four KS3 classes and is part of Pathway 2 within the Academy.
3O are a vibrant group of 7 students, who are playful and inquisitive. They enjoy learning through hands-on experiences and exploration. All learners within the class have a range of learning needs related to communication, interpersonal, and emotional needs; most of the class have a diagnosis of ASC or ADHD.
The teacher Nicole Lindley is supported by three welcoming and highly skilled Teaching Assistants - Cheryl Stubbs (Tuesday to Friday), Justus Sin (Monday to Friday), and Marnie Shell (Monday's).
The children access most of the curriculum in their own classroom space which is a calming and stimulating environment that celebrates their achievements. Full advantage is also taken of the Academy facilities including the kitchen, hall, forest area, talking cabin, ICT suite, and sensory room. The students study English and Maths three times a week with daily reading and phonics sessions taking place across the Academy. They also learn about Science, Art, Computing, PE, and E-Safety. The students explore their creative sides through art, cooking, music, and drama.
Our Preparation for Adulthood curriculum supports the student's in developing the skills and knowledge to become successful members of the community. This includes learning based on Health, Employment, Independence and Community. Opportunities are taken to explore the wider community and local area, through community visits in the minibus.
We communicate with home daily through the use of planners, Class Dojo and Email as we love to share the great work our students complete and celebrate their success.
3X
3X is one of four KS3 classes and is part of the Pathway 2 progression route across the Academy. This year there are 9 students in the class, whose ages range from 11 to 14 years of age.
Each student in 3X is unique and each bring their own special character which is celebrated in the class. There are a range of diagnoses in the class including ADHD, ASD, selective mutism, physical disability and a selection of sensory needs.
There are 3 members of staff in 3X: Nicole Smith (tutor), Kerry Riley (teaching assistant) and Grace Morley (teaching assistant).
Students in 3X move between classrooms for different subjects. They go to the computer suite, science lab and art room and will be taught by specialist teachers in these subjects. PE is either in the hall or in the school grounds and again is taught by a specialist teacher. Reading books that are sent home are in line with the phonics knowledge displayed in school, students are encouraged to read at least 3 times a week at home.
Students are welcomed each morning by the team and use the first 20 minutes of the day to settle in, do some quiet reading and complete an emotions check in using our zones of regulation board. Everyone then moves to either phonics or functional skills for 20 minutes. After phonics they start their first lesson of the day before break time at 10.40. After break time it is their second lesson before lunch time. There are two more lessons in the afternoon before the day finishes at 3.30 (3.10 on a Wednesday).
All students access the core, non-core and preparing for adulthood curriculum. Within the PfA curriculum they will develop skills, knowledge and understanding within the 4 strands (Health, Community, Employment & Independence). Students will spend time out in the community, building their independence when accessing different facilities and in the later part of the year will have TITAN lessons to encourage independent travel. All students will also have access to extra-curricular groups after school, these change each term but may include computing club, sports club, games club and cycling club.
Communication is key between home and school and staff welcome the opportunity to speak with parents/carers. Students have a planner where information is communicated between home and school and parents/carers are advised to look at these daily. Email is another form of communication between staff and home and emails will always be answered when staff are able to.
Staff are keen for our young students to benefit from all aspects of school life and a safe and happy environment is what staff strive towards. Students in 3X know what the expectations are in school, and we nurture this as well as the academic side of school life. We celebrate achievements of students and have our Worth a Mention each week for students who we feel have worked above and beyond what is expected from them and who has shown the character strength of that week.
3S
3S is one of the four KS3 classes and is a Pathway 3 class within the Academy. There are 10 students in the group, all boys whose ages range from 11 to 14 years old.
Students in the class have a range of learning needs. These include needs relating to communication, social interaction, self-regulation and anxiety. Many of the class have a diagnosis of ASD and some of the students have medical needs. The students in 3S have lovely mix of personalities and a variety of interests which include, history, animals, transport, gaming, and books. They like to share their experiences and knowledge with each other.
There are 3 members of staff in 3S. They are Alice Humphrys (teacher), Anna Douglas, and Justus Sin (Teaching Assistants).
The students access the curriculum in various areas of the Academy. The timetabled lessons include Maths, English, Science, Computing, P.E., History and PSD. In addition, they also access a Preparing for Adulthood curriculum which develops skills, knowledge and understanding within Employment, Community, Independence and Health.
Our reward system is a very encouraging tool for our students and helps them engage with their work and improve their behaviour. Reward points are given for students demonstrating character strengths and one student is given a certificate and mention in assembly for demonstrating the character strength of the week.
The first 20 minutes of every day is tutor time. As students arrive in class they hand in their planners and complete a check-in using the zones of regulation board. We also use this time to regulate emotions using sensory strategies, look at news around the world and develop social skills.
We work closely with a range of other professionals, including an Occupational Therapist, a Speech and Language Therapist and our physiotherapist who visit Foxwood. Communication between home and the Academy is encouraged. Students’ planners are checked each morning for parental messages and, at times, a note is written in by staff to inform parents of any important or interesting issues. Staff are always available for parents to talk to about any concerns relating to their child.