Exciting Opportunities This Spring Term

We are looking forward to a positive and enriching Spring Term, with many exciting opportunities planned to support our pupils and families.

This term, we will continue to strengthen our connections with parents, the wider community, and key partnership agencies, ensuring we are working together in the best interests of our children’s growth and development. Strong collaboration remains central to everything we do.

We are delighted to share that we have formed an exciting new partnership with Lucy Bates, Occupational Therapist, who has joined us to work collaboratively with staff. This work will focus on helping us better understand our children’s interoceptive needs and supporting the development of environments that are safe, happy, and understanding, enabling pupils to feel regulated and ready to learn.

We also have a number of parent engagement sessions and workshops planned this term. These will include sessions focused on e-safety and sleep hygiene, offering practical guidance to support learning and wellbeing at home. Please keep an eye out for dates and further information.

Our PTA Coffee Morning will take place on Tuesday 21st January. Please do come along for a cup of tea and an informal chat, where we can share ideas about how to further support our children and provide additional enrichment opportunities.

Due to their popularity, our Silent Discos will also be returning this term — further dates will be shared soon.

In addition, workshops delivered by LOUDmouth and PC Katie Russell will be running again, helping to strengthen our children’s awareness and supporting the delivery of our PSHE and wider curriculum.

We are excited about what the Spring Term has to offer and look forward to working closely with you to ensure every child continues to feel safe, happy, and supported in their learning.

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BoxClever Mentoring Programme – A Successful Start

We are delighted to share that BoxClever delivered their full mentoring programme in school, and it has already proven to be a great success. The intervention left pupils feeling revitalised, motivated, and ready to engage with learning. Even in the short time the programme has been running, it is clear that positive relationships are being formed — not only between the mentees and their mentors but across the wider phases as pupils support and encourage one another.

BoxClever uses boxing as a unique approach to develop personal skills that extend beyond the gym. For our SEN pupils, the programme offers a range of benefits:

• Thoughtfulness and self-awareness: Pupils learn to think before acting, reflecting on their movements and decisions.

• Accountability and resilience: Boxing encourages pupils to take responsibility for their actions and to keep trying even when tasks are challenging.

• Focus and concentration: The structured nature of boxing drills helps pupils to improve attention and persistence.

• Emotional regulation: Controlled physical activity provides a safe outlet for emotions, helping pupils to manage stress and anxiety.

• Confidence and self-esteem: Achieving small goals in boxing helps pupils to feel proud of themselves, building confidence that transfers to the classroom.

We are excited to see how the programme continues to support our pupils throughout the Spring Term, fostering growth, resilience, and positive relationships that will benefit them both in school and beyond.

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Celebrating International Day of Education – 24th January

On 24th January, schools around the world celebrate International Day of Education, highlighting the power of learning to transform lives and communities. At our SEN school in Dudley, this day is especially meaningful as we work every day to ensure that all children, regardless of their needs, have access to a rich and inclusive education.

For our pupils, education is about more than academic learning – it’s about developing confidence, independence, and resilience, and creating opportunities for personal growth and meaningful connections. We demonstrate this through:

• Individualised support and interventions, designed to help every child achieve their potential.

• Hands-on learning experiences and enrichment activities that engage curiosity and creativity.

• Strong partnerships with parents and community agencies, ensuring children are supported both in school and at home.

• Fostering social skills and emotional wellbeing, helping pupils feel safe, valued, and understood.

Parents can support this special day by:

• Celebrating learning at home, talking to your child about what they enjoy learning and what they’ve achieved.

• Sharing skills and experiences, whether it’s reading together, exploring hobbies, or trying a new activity.

• Encouraging curiosity and questions, reinforcing that learning happens both inside and outside the classroom.

Together, we can make every day a celebration of learning, and help our pupils grow into confident, capable, and happy learners.

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Supporting Families and Wellbeing This January

As we start the new year, January brings several important dates that give us the chance to reflect on wellbeing – not just for our pupils, but for families too. At our SEN school in Dudley, we know that children thrive when their families are supported, and that home and school work together to create stability and opportunity.

Parent Mental Health Day – 30th January

Parent Mental Health Day - 30th January 2026 - St. Johns Way Medical Centre

This is a perfect opportunity to recognise the importance of parent and carer wellbeing. Supporting parents helps children feel safe, happy, and ready to learn. We will be sharing tips and guidance to help families look after themselves, manage stress, and access support where needed. Together, we can ensure that every child’s learning environment is nurturing and supportive both at home and in school.

Blue Monday – 19th January

Often referred to as the “most difficult day of the year,” Blue Monday reminds us to focus on emotional wellbeing. In school, we help pupils manage their emotions through pastoral support, structured interventions, and mindfulness activities. At home, small acts like shared routines, conversation, and healthy habits can help boost everyone’s mood.

 

Veganuary – Healthy Eating and Lifestyle

January also marks Veganuary, encouraging us to reflect on healthy eating and lifestyle choices. At our school, we are proud to promote a healthy eating culture through our meals and snacks, alongside lessons about nutrition and wellbeing. Through our home-to-school pastoral links, we share guidance with families so that healthy routines and wellbeing are supported at home as well. We understand that children’s overall stability and ability to thrive relies on strong connections between home and school.

By celebrating these events, we aim to support the whole family, recognising that the wellbeing of parents, carers, and pupils is interconnected. Together, we can foster a safe, happy, and healthy environment where every child can flourish.