In Science, pupils in 9H1 have completed a STEM activity where they looked at common games and created their own version linked to Animals. Pupils created ‘Guess Who’ games using cardboard. They also created their own game boards and cards and tested them out with each other. 

10H1 have made dog biscuits as part of our Careers Pathway after completing our research and design process. We have researched safe and unsafe food for dogs, ingredients and brands we can buy. Our biscuits were tested by staff dogs, who loved them! 

We have also visited Pets At Home and The Range to look at different dog food and biscuits to see whether ours matched up to the real thing! We were impressed with the range of products and different packaging. We also fed the fish and small animals which we very much enjoyed. 

11H1 have been preparing for their Duke of Edinburgh expedition by spending time outside and walking around the field, as well as building tents. The class worked extremely hard as a team to build two successful tents and also packed them away neatly. Also, 11H1 recently impressed us during MFL day and took part in Italian food tasting, practicing language and crafting activities. They were able to build various monuments using day to day resources such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa made from cups, and the Colosseum made from toilet paper rolls. Well done for your effort and enthusiasm! 

9 and 10H2 thoroughly enjoyed participating in a sensory circuit last week. They experienced alerting, organising and calming activities that encouraged them to regulate and concentrate throughout the rest of the day. In maths, 10H2 have been collecting data from around the school to help them practice and perfect their skills in creating tally charts and pictograms. We are so proud of you for showcasing your excellent maths skills! 

Pupils across the phase have enjoyed taking part in a range of extra-curricular activities such as MFL day where they explored Italian food, culture and language. We loved seeing their amazing creations! In PE, pupils have been working on their cricket skills and will hopefully get to show off their skills outside of school next half term. Hills will also be participating in a kick rounders event involving all pupils across the phase. We can’t wait to see how you all get on and who will be crowned the winner... 

 Finally, pupils have also been putting their knowledge into practice in Hair & Beauty and Motor Vehicle Studies by setting up The Salon and car washing businesses. These are proving to be very popular with staff and pupils, and we look forward to seeing some gleaming results from both! 

Internet Safety & Friendship Workshop with PC Katie Russell

This week, we were pleased to welcome PC Katie Russell, our Young Persons Officer from West Midlands Police, into school to deliver an important workshop to pupils in 7T1 and 7T2.

The session focused on internet safety, friendship issues, the risks of social media, and the criminal laws surrounding online behaviour. These are crucial topics for our young people, especially as social media becomes an increasingly prominent part of their daily lives.

The pupils were incredibly engaged, asking thoughtful questions and showing a real interest in how to stay safe online and treat others with kindness and respect – both in person and on digital platforms.

As a school, we know that social media is here to stay, and that’s why we are committed to teaching our pupils how to navigate these platforms safely and responsibly. Workshops like these support our wider work on safeguarding, emotional wellbeing, and respectful relationships.

A big thank you to PC Katie Russell for her time, and to our pupils for participating so positively.

Tourette’s Awareness Month – 15th May to 15th June

This month marks the start of Tourette’s Awareness Month, and as a proud SEN school, we stand in support of every child and family in our community living with Tourette Syndrome and other neurodiverse conditions.

Tourette’s is a neurological condition that can affect both children and adults, often involving involuntary movements or sounds called tics. While it is not always visible, its impact can be significant – and sadly, it’s a condition that is still often misunderstood or met with judgement in wider society.

At our school, we recognise that not all disabilities are visible, and we are committed to building a culture of understanding, acceptance, and kindness. Many of our children live with a range of additional needs, and each one is a valued and unique part of our school family.

This Tourette’s Awareness Month, we want to encourage everyone to learn more, listen without judgement, and show support. By raising awareness, we can help break down stigma and ensure that children with Tourette’s are seen, heard, and included – not just in school, but in every part of life.

Together, let’s celebrate neurodiversity and promote a world where everyone is accepted just as they are.

Mental Health Awareness Week – 12th to 18th May

At our SEN school, mental health is at the heart of everything we do. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re proud to highlight how we support the emotional wellbeing of every pupil and family in our community.

This year’s theme is “Movement: Moving More for Our Mental Health,” which is something we strongly believe in. Whether it’s through fresh air, physical activity, or time outdoors, we know that movement – alongside good sleep hygiene, a balanced diet, and healthy routines – can make a big difference to how we feel each day.

As a school, we are passionate about promoting positive mental health and emotional regulation. Our dedicated Safe and Wellbeing Hub offers a calm, supportive space where pupils can access tailored support, and our team provides class-based interventions and targeted programmes through ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant).

We also embed mindfulness and meditation into the school week, helping pupils develop the tools they need to manage big feelings and reduce anxiety in a safe and structured way.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder that mental health matters every day – and by talking, listening, moving, and supporting one another, we can make a real difference.

Together, let’s keep championing a school culture where every child feels safe, supported, and understood.

National Epilepsy Week

National Epilepsy Week 19th May-26th May, a vital opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of epilepsy, a condition that affects many individuals across the UK – including some of the pupils and families within our school community.

As a specialist SEN school, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all of our learners. We recognise that epilepsy is not just a medical condition, but one that can affect many aspects of a young person's life – from learning and independence to confidence and social interaction.

Our staff are trained in recognising and responding to seizures and we work closely with families, healthcare professionals, and pupils to ensure individual health care plans are in place and followed. For those living with epilepsy, consistency, understanding, and reassurance are key – and we pride ourselves on taking a person-centred approach to each child’s unique needs.

National Epilepsy Week is also a reminder to celebrate the resilience of those in our community living with the condition. We want to use this week not just to educate, but to empower – helping everyone in our school to understand epilepsy better, reduce stigma, and foster empathy and kindness.

If you’d like more information about epilepsy or how we support pupils in school, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit the Epilepsy Action website: www.epilepsy.org.uk.

Together, we can make a difference – through awareness, compassion, and care.