What other opportunities exist to support my child’s learning?
At Sidestrand Hall School there are a range of opportunities for children to apply their learning and gain other skills. The extensive facilities and expertise on the staff team contribute to the breadth of learning opportunities on offer. The School uses the 15 acre site to its full potential, outdoor learning includes Nature Learning, gardening, nature trails, mountain bike trail, Go-Kart Track, outdoor play equipment. Specialist areas include a science lab, food technology room, gym, hair and beauty salon, construction and mechanics workshop, art/technology room, ICT suite.
Interventions
There is a range of support offered within each class to support students’ individual learning. A number of our staff are trained to deliver interventions in speech and language, behaviour, THRIVE, emotional literacy and nurture. Education Learning Mentors are available to all children for social, emotional and behavioural support.
Teaching Assistants are allocated to class groups according to their experience and expertise and the needs of the pupils within a group.
We also have a service level agreement with CEPP who provide us with Education Psychologises who at times work directly with our pupils but also supports staff training.
The School’s extended curriculum particularly focuses on emotional and social development and independence. On Theme Days pupils are provided with opportunities to work with other pupils that may be outside of their own class and area of the School.
An independent travel programme is delivered from Year 12. It includes finding your way around the school, the local area and training in reading bus time tables and catching local buses to the School’s charity shop ‘Strands’ in Cromer.
The School also runs a House System which provides pupils with the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities such as representing the House in sporting events, it also is linked to our rewards system with pupils earning house points for a wide variety of reasons.
The School has four Phase Leaders who are responsible for pastoral welfare for the pupils within their Phase. Line Managed by the Assistant Teacher for Safeguarding and Welfare, they will monitor the attendance, progress and welfare.
We have a zero tolerance approach to bullying. The School holds an annual Friendship Week when pupils take part in activities that focus on building positive relationships.
Student Voice is also important to us at Sidestrand and we have an active Student Council, with representatives across the school, who meet regularly with a Senior Leader to discuss issues and feedback on ideas to develop the school.
The school’s approach to teaching pupils with special educational needs
The school has differing learning pathways which will see them following a curriculum path suitable to them. The majority of students will follow a subject specific curriculum in line with National Curriculum objectives. Pupils are grouped according to age and ability. Students within our Dragonfly phase follow a pre and semi-formal provision of learning. Curriculum leads oversee the curriculum intent and teachers plan lessons and deliver to support the needs of the students within the classes they are teaching. Classes are supported by Teaching Assistants and more specific support will be personalised to support transition and understanding of learning activities by the use of visual timetables, and the use of additional resources or teaching aids.
Students are supported with technology and where identified will have access to tablets/laptops to support the recording of work.
Support available for improving the emotional, mental and social development of pupils with special educational needs
Through the schools vision and values the ethos and culture of our setting is about celebrating difference, supporting and identifying individuals’ strengths and nurturing these. Within all members of the school community there are positive relationships fostered with a mutual respect for one another with a main value of showing kindness. We encourage independence and encourage positive mental health. Our School Council meet regularly and support in recruitment of staff, whole school events and providing suggestions to improve the school, which are explore and implemented when possible. The whole school supports Zone of Regulations and within our KS2/3 curriculum and we support the teaching of relaxation.