The Russett School

A warm welcome back to school after our Summer break, and the new school year!

In Pine class, our primary focus is building independence along with functional skills to ensure that all of the students leave us as independent, and as ready as possible for their next adventures in life. 

We will continue to ensure that students are preparing for their transition into the adult services sector.  All students will have support and opportunities to be as independent as possible during the day; extending communication and engagement within well rehearsed routines and life skills activities.

We continue to follow the Moving On curriculum that is appropriate for our older students. This links to the relevent coursework with accreditation through Open Awards and Asdan. This work is student focused and integrates their interests, wishes and aspirations. Students also have the opportunity to prepare for functional skills examinations if they are deemed ready to.

Curriculum links this term include:

• Maths linked to work related learning and independent living - Money, Shopping, time management.
• Literacy linked to poetry plays and songs, independent living including form filling and personal details and using leisure facilities / therapies.
• Humanities & citizenship - Notable loccal people / people who help us within the community, foreign cultures.
• Science & PSHE - The human body, Anti-bullying and friendships, advocacy & self-expression.

Pupils accessing our City pathway will be engaging in work linked to Open Awards comprising of a number of units developing their independence and preparing them for adulthood and the world of work.

P.E will be on a Thursday affternoon, please could you ensure that your child has appropriate footwear and a coat as we head into colder months.

Names of staff- Katie - Class Teacher  (Mon – Fri), Sandra; Amanda; Sonia

 We welcome Bex– our Careers lead and Peggy – our Job coach; who will both work closely with staff and students during the week.

This term our students will be working in small groups, with indiviudual support as appropriate.  We will be using facilities in the community; including our local shops; leisure facilities and getting out and about to develop confidence and practice social skills in the local community. 

Please see our class timetable below for more information.

Pine class Autumn 1 timetable.docx

Reading in Pine: The students undertake reading every morning and throughout the curriculum, whether it be to read their work or to gather information to be used within sessions such as for recipes or instructions. Students are encouraged to extend their reading at home in a functional way reading newspapers, the television planner or even bus and train timetables.

‘HORIZONS’ THE ACADEMY‘S CAREERS PROGRAMME

As part of ‘Horizons’ the Academy Careers Programme, the students will each get comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance from a Careers Advisor both in small group sessions and in 1:1 sessions to help support them with their Transition and Career choices.  During organised ‘Careers Days’ and during National Careers Week, the students will get the opportunity to meet with different employers and employees from local businesses to learn all about the skills needed to do many different jobs.  They will also get the opportunity to visit local colleges such as Cheshire Colleges, Coleg Cambria, Riverside College, Reaseheath and Pettypool Colleges as well as participating in taster courses at Cloughwood Academy.

In addition, identified students from years 11 upwards will take part in both internal and external work experience placements.  These are tailored to match the interests and strengths of individual students.  Some recent external placements have been at: Pets at Home; Mere Brow Permaculture Project; Jane Mullen Speech Therapy Ltd; The Hub Café; The Food Hub (Northwich Community Support) and GroZone.  This experience is invaluable in the development of essential skills, confidence building and preparation for Adulthood.  Students are given their own personal targets to work towards and are fully supported by our Job Coach throughout the placement.

In Pine, we capture evidence of our learning through Evisense. Please check your child’s page to see what we have been doing.