From Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th March 2018 we had a review of our school-day provision from the Challenge Partners Team. Challenge Partners defines itself as a “practitioner-led Education charity”. We agree as a partner school, to go out and review at least two other schools across the country along with hosting our own school’s review each year. The review is similar to an inspection and the team from Challenge Partners scrutinise our practice in many areas of the school day and, just as we would need to do if it were an Ofsted inspection, we have to provide evidence to show our practice in each area.
The outcome of this year’s review is that we have been graded as outstanding in all areas assessed (Outcomes for pupils, School Improvement Strategies and Quality of Teaching and Learning). In addition, we have been awarded An Area of Excellence in “engaging pupils” (this is in relation to our work with anxious young people and those who find it challenging to get into classrooms). This is a real boost for us as we await our full Education-Day inspection from the team at Ofsted and the report is well-worth you spending a few minutes reading.
This term we have been working on developing our Work Experience programme. Which is now being offered to all young people in Year 11 and above. We have some students working around site in the kitchen, on the farm, with the maintenance team and in the front office.
Our aim for next term for young people who are able, to head out into the local community and complete a work placement. We have already have some placements in place schools and hope this continues and we have as many young people as possible out gaining experience and life skills.
Here’s what students think:
“I’m glad I get to work with dogs as I can see the different jobs they have to do in kennels, it will give me the experience I need for when I leave school and get a job.”
“It’s good working with maintenance because I can use the tools and learn experience about working. I also get wages every week which is good. The maintenance team are friendly and help me to learn new skills. I really enjoy working with the maintenance team on site.”
For this years Sport Relief, the PE department arranged for Burton Albion Football Club to attend our open day and Billy Brewer (the club’s mascot) made a surprise visit, much to the delight of the students and staff. The club very kindly donated a signed football shirt which was raffled off to raise money for Sport Relief. Hoop for Hope was also set up by the PE department, the aim was to raise money by offering everyone the chance to come and score basketball hoops. Every successful attempt was recorded and over 1000 hoops were scored.
Bladon House School held their Easter open day in March. The day began with Bladon’s very first Parent Forum, where parents and carers were given the opportunity to meet to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences. Two of Bladon’s students had designed a logo for the Forum, one of which was chosen by the parents and carers on the day. Students had even made cakes to show off their culinary skills to the Forum!
At the beginning of this academic year, the School began its enrichment programme to broaden the experiences of the young people at Bladon. Initially these activities were only offered to our residential students, as the provision was in its infancy. Since the start of the Spring Term our enrichment programme has expanded, with members of the staff team offering their vast skills and unique talents to allow young people explore, develop and nurture new and existing interests. This term our diverse offer has included, African Drumming, Bangra Dancing, Circus Skills, Textiles, Skateboarding, Multimedia and many more… These new activities have run seamlessly alongside our already established activities that include Art, Cookery, Swimming, Trampolining, Computing and Sensory Play.
In addition to the increase of activities we have also extended the programme to some of our day pupils. The enrichment coordinators have worked closely with class teams to identify day pupils that would benefit from these additional learning experiences, ensuring that individual young people have a personalised enrichment timetable that supports their engagement in learning and their overall development.
Alderwasley Hall Sixth Form Student, William is a very talented artist and is opening up his artwork to the public at this year’s Derbyshire Open Arts Festival, which takes place Sat 26th to Monday 28th of May.
Isabel Campbell of SENAD Community was awarded a tankard by NAPPI UK at the NAPPI Training meeting earlier this month for being one of the two longest serving NAPPI Trainers. Isabel and Wayne Price at Park House were part of the first Group of SENAD trainers trained by NAPPI UK, five years ago. Wayne received his tankard a few months ago. Both trainers remain actively involved as NAPPI Trainers and continue to promote the Psychological approach of NAPPI. They have witnessed the excellent achievements of staff through the use of the NAPPI philosophy.
The Group Health and Safety Manager, Martin Bradder said “I often sit in NAPPI Trainer Training sessions for an hour or so. It is great to see how the Trainers develop over the years. We have examples of NAPPI Trainers going on to be Registered Managers and it is my firm belief that NAPPI Trainers develop confidence through the excellent training provided by the NAPPI UK Trainers. I am immensely proud of Wayne, Isabel and the other NAPPI Trainers and I look forward to seeing what these guys will achieve over the next five years.”
Alderwasley Hall Sixth Form Centre have achieved an overall ‘outstanding’ grade in their recent Ofsted Care inspection. The inspection, which took place in October evaluated the overall experiences and progress of children and young people, taking into account how well children and young people are helped and protected and the effectiveness of leaders and managers.
Some of the key findings of the report are:
Young people are empowered to make decisions and choices in all aspects of their lives
Young people make exceptional progress in their education, confidence, self confidence, self esteem, emotional health and independent living skills
Young people are prepared very well for independent living
As part of our programme to explore and share different cultural experiences from around the world, early in October of this year, our residential young people from Devonshire and Cavendish House enjoyed various different flavours of Dim Sum and lemon chicken noodles that they all attempted to eat with chopsticks as well as home fried multi coloured prawn crackers.
We found out our fortunes through fortune cookies and sampled several different Chinese Teas in a traditional Chinese Tea ceremony…with the highlight being the ‘tea pet’ (in this case a dragon who you sacrifice the first part of the tea to for good luck) and the ‘Pee boys’ to ensure the water is the correct temperature for brewing the tea leaves!
Everyone also took part in traditional children’s rice bag game (with much hilarity) as well as competing in a true or false quiz where the victors achieved 11/15 correct answers. Who knew for example, that it was true that Geese are used by some Police forces in China instead of police dogs due to their aggressive nature and that eggs soaked in urine are considered a delicacy!
The young people and our team members finished the night by watching The Great British Bake Off as a celebration, continuing the theme of food and competition!
All the young people had a great evening socialising and some have asked for the same evening to be repeated in the future. Where on Earth will we head next????
