Meet the team

How we learn

 

Each morning we do our individual programmes linked to our English and Maths rainbows/gemstones and our individual targets.

Bucket time! A programme designed on the principles of ‘Attention Autism’ which uses practical approaches to increase and sustain attention, focus, and communication and group learning and interaction skills. We love bucket (Attention Building) time. Being able to hold and share attention is vital.  

Maths and English are taught linked to the story. We normally start off with a whole class circle activity before doing individual programmes linked to our learning levels. 

We have a daily phonics session after lunch using the Twinkl Phonics programme. Like our other sessions we combine a mix of whole class activities and individual programmes.

 

Many opportunities are set up throughout the school day to ensure that the pupils are working on their communication and interaction targets and some sessions have a communication and interaction focus. All of our students are encouraged to regularly interact and communicate throughout the day, which could be choosing their activity, or choosing who they want to say hello to in the morning.  

 

We enjoy a calm and structured environment where everyone knows what is expected of them and when. Throughout the day opportunities for sharing, turn taking and working together are set up on a regular basis. We enjoy social games in Squirrels and are working on our play skills so we can have fun safely with our friends. We also provide opportunities for sensory play, calm relaxation time and for some of our student’s intensive interaction. 

 

Each morning we start our day with Sensory circuits which helps to ground us so we are ready to learn. We also have regular intervention sessions intertwined throughout the day to promote our fine and gross motor skills such as clever fingers and rebound therapy. Every week we have a P.E, forest school and swimming sessions. 

We promote independence in all aspects of our day. We encourage students to complete their personal hygiene regularly such as handwashing, tidying their own belongings and getting changed for lessons such as PE, swimming and horse riding as independently as possible. 

Our topic

Timetabled activities

Area	When is this the main focus?	How is this delivered in your class?
Individual Programmes /Key skills	Tray work every morning  Interventions	Each morning we do our individual programmes linked to our English and Maths rainbows/gemstones and our individual targets,
Reading and Phonics	Taught phonics session every afternoon  Library visit once a week  Story time	We have a daily phonics session after lunch using the Twinkl Phonics programme. Like our other sessions we combine a mix of whole class activities and individual programmes  In addition to this reading is encouraged throughout the day. We have a book corner in our classroom and children are encouraged to choose a book.  Once a week we visit our school library where we can explore the different types of books and read individually, with an adult or share a book with our friends.
	Individual programmes  Story + writing  Reading and Phonics  Attention Autism  Maths  Our world	See areas above
	Circle time (Hello song, how are we feeling)  Playtime  Snack time  Social games	See areas above
	Attention Autism  Playtime  Relaxation time  Forest School  Social games  Choir  Intensive interaction	See areas above
	Playtime  Personal care  Bikes  Swimming  Forest School  Community visit  Cooking  Horse riding	See areas above
Creativity	Carousel each week  (music, dance, art)  Choir  Art	In Squirrels class we encourage creativity by encourage students to think. In our social and play skills we encourage imaginative play and creating new games and ideas. Each week our students take part in choir and either music, dance or art where they have opportunities to be creative and explore and experiment with new things.
Our World	Forest School  Community Visit  Our world	In Squirrels we want to build on student’s experiences of the world around them. We really enjoy exploring in Forest School and looking at the nature around us. Once a week we go on our community outing where we can widen our students experiences and also develop familiarity with the community in which our school is based.