Work-related learning is an important component of the Rowden House School post sixteen curriculum and promotes key skills in preparation for adulthood. Our post sixteen provision includes a very successful work experience program managed by our own work experience co-ordinator, who goes to great lengths to ensure the suitability of each young person to their work placement. We currently have six local businesses supporting us including two farms, a café, an elderly care home, a mail order company and a medical equipment supplier, all of whom provide outstanding opportunities for our young people to benefit from the experience of a real working environment.
Those students deemed not ‘Work ready’ have accessed our on-site work facilities with our maintenance team and health and safety officer. Each participating student has a tailor made program including information packs, any communication aids, equipment or clothing necessary, regular feedback sessions with both students and placement providers and is supported at the placement by a member of the Rowden education team. Our work experience scheme has proved over the years to have enhanced our young people’s confidence, communication and development of teamwork skills and has created awareness within the community of what the young people at Rowden House School can achieve.
This years Summer Fayre at Alderwasley Hall School has raised a magnificent £2075 which, considering we had a very wet day, is more than we’d expected! Visitor numbers were down because of the weather, so we’re really happy with this result. Thank you to all those who took part and those who came along to support us.
The money raised goes into the School Trust Fund which supports young people who may need extra financial support. Each year we send one student on the ski trip and provide a year’s worth of music lessons. Funds will also help finance the renovation of the play area and help purchase some new eco-friendly outdoor furniture to help our eco-club.
Young adults from OneNineFive went in search of the sun this week with a trip to Skegness.
Although the sun was a bit elusive a good time was had by all and the young adults got the opportunity to practice lots of independent living skills including shopping and paying for items, waiting in line for rides and in shop queues and coping with crowds of people.
Two students from Alderwasley Hall Sixth Form Centre shared their experience of their recent School trip to Auschwitz, with fellow students, teachers and parents. As well as informative PowerPoint slides the presentation involved lots of audience participation, which made it extremely interesting and really brought the subject to life.
Twenty volunteers were asked to stand in a square that the presenters had marked out on the floor. The square represented the size of the train trucks that victims would have travelled to the camps in for days on end (see photo below). Another group of volunteers were asked to read out quotes from some of the victims and survivors of the camps.
Well done to the students who were presenting to an audience for the very first time.
Many thanks to everyone who supported the Summer Fun Day and Open Day on Saturday 25th June. Despite the occasional shower, it was a success and everyone enjoyed themselves.
A particular thank you to all the volunteers who made the day for the young people and residents we support – without you – Saturday wouldn’t of been the success it was
Bromyard Scarecrow Festival takes place every Spring in the unspoilt Herefordshire market town of Bromyard. It includes a scarecrow parade, prizes for best children’s and adults exhibits, a scarecrow trail for the public with cryptic clues and a special supper on Bromyard Town Green.
Each year there is a specific theme, such as “Nursery Rhymes” or “Fairy Tales”, and those individuals and businesses entering the Scarecrow Competition build their scarecrows to match that year’s theme. The theme this year was songs and students from Rowden House School produced a scarecrow of their favourite character, Postman Pat, who has a very distinctive theme tune.
Staff from Pegasus School volunteered at the award winning Bearded Theory family festival to enable familiies with children with additional needs to take advantage of the OFSTED approved festival school. The festival takes place at the end of May at Catton Hall in South Derbyshire.
Twenty four of the 300 children who attended the festival school needed the extra support that our SEN experts could offer. The education day started with a work out led by Mr Motivator. The Pegasus team were lucky enough to meet Mr Motivator at the festival…
Thursday 26th May saw West Midland Learning Campus host their first Dignitea Party to raise awareness of the importance of dignity in the care setting and to celebrate Dignity in Action Day.
Staff ,residents, students, parents and the Herefordshire satellite homes were all invited to come along enjoy a drink, homemade cakes and share what being treated with dignity meant to them.
There was a fantastic turn out of residents and staff from the West Midlands Learning Campus- Winslow Court, Cedar Lodge, Rowden House and the local satellite homes. Who all spent time relaxing, chatting, indulging in homemade cakes and enjoying a cuppa.
There was a donation box with all monies collected going to Autism Awareness. Everyone was invited to write on a leaf what dignity meant to them and to attach the leaf to our Dignitree.
Yesterday two young adults from OneNineFive attended Derby University Enterprise Centre to study for Level 1 CIEH Food Safety in Catering.
Both have a love of cooking and completed the course with a view to them using thier skills in a job role.
The Trainer was confident that they both completed the Level 1 CIEH syllabus successfully and thier papers have been sent away for marking. Certificates should follow shortly.
Well done to them both and a big thank you to the staff that supported them for the day.
Post 16 students at Pegasus School are involved in a Youth Club Committee. The Youth Club Committee started two years ago and who meet every Monday.
The long term aim of the committee for students is too:
Promote and encourage their participation in decision making and becoming actively involved in their life choices.
Be listened to and valued to as an individual
Consider the needs of the whole community
Encourage working cooperatively as a group
Use appropriate social communications skills within a group situation
Encourage self-reflection
In September 2015 the committee set up a Friday enterprise hot dog business. They had a loan of £40 from Therapy which they were able to pay back in 6 weeks. Now each member earns a small weekly wage. Students have discussions in the Monday morning committee meeting about topics such as the prices to charge, advertising, resources, dietary choices, profits, and wages when they were in profit, researching best prices for produce and the responsibility of each role within the team. Practical jobs like making posters and research are then carried out by students in college the next day.
The committee are now planning a Music Festival for all students and their families in July 2016. During the day there are plans to have a bouncy castle, various musical activities that students and their families can join in with, different summer games such as rounder’s and a Disco.
There will also be a sensory tent will include hand/foot massage and sensory toys and outdoor water play. There will be marquees for arts and crafts, nail and face painting and cake, sweet and plant stalls.
Tents will be put up by students on the Thursday in readiness for camping and the young people will also help to decorate the field.
The committee members are planning the following fundraising events to finance the festival:
Sponsored Swim
Sponsored walk
Cake/biscuit stall
Loose change collection
And are involved in planning the following:
Making posters
Researching ideas
Designing a map of the festival
Making invitations for friends and family
Fundraising ideas
Generating ideas
For more information or to offer you help to the committee please contact Julie Bailey or Peta Denney on Tel: 01283 761352
