Whole school events

MFL Day – A Taste of Italy!

This term, we celebrated Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Day with a wonderful Italian theme! The school was buzzing with excitement as pupils immersed themselves in the sights, sounds, and—most importantly—the flavours of Italy.

Throughout the day, children took part in a variety of fun and educational activities that explored Italian language, culture, and traditions. One of the highlights was the opportunity to sample some traditional Italian culinary delights, including garlic bread, pasta, and delicious sweet treats. This hands-on experience not only delighted their taste buds but also sparked rich conversations about international cuisine and customs.

Celebrating MFL Day in this way plays an important role in broadening our pupils' cultural awareness and deepening their understanding of the wider world. By engaging with a new language and culture, children gain valuable insights and develop greater curiosity, empathy, and appreciation for diversity.

Grazie to everyone who made the day so special!

Beyond Sutton

Deaf Awareness Week-Supporting Inclusive Communication Across Our School

Deaf Awareness Week which is on 5th-11th May 2025, is an important opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of the Deaf community, while reflecting on how we can continue to break down communication barriers and promote inclusion for all.

As a SEN school, we are committed to creating an environment where every pupil can communicate, connect, and feel understood. Communication is at the heart of everything we do, and we actively support a wide range of needs through the consistent use of Aided Language Displays and Makaton across the school.

Our Aided Language Displays (ALDs) are used in classrooms, corridors, and shared spaces to support visual learning and reinforce key vocabulary. These displays are essential tools that provide pupils with clear, consistent language prompts, helping to reduce anxiety and support understanding—especially for those with speech and language difficulties.

In addition, Makaton is embedded into daily routines, signage, and staff-pupil interactions. By using Makaton consistently, we ensure that communication is accessible to all learners, whether they are non-verbal, developing speech, or simply benefit from visual reinforcement.

Deaf Awareness Week reminds us that communication comes in many forms, and by working together to make our school inclusive and accessible, we empower every child to thrive.

Building Confidence: Supporting Teenage Self-Esteem at Our SEN School

At our school, we believe that positive self-esteem is the foundation for a happy, healthy, and successful life—especially for teenagers with additional needs.

Self-esteem is about how much a young person feels valued, respected, and confident in their own abilities. When self-esteem is strong, pupils are more likely to take on challenges, form healthy relationships, and cope with life’s ups and downs.

That’s why we work hard to ensure that supporting self-esteem is embedded into everything we do, including:
✅ ELSA sessions (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants), offering emotional support and space to talk
✅ Positive language and daily affirmations, encouraging pupils to focus on what they can do
✅ Celebrating small wins, helping every child feel recognised and successful

We want every pupil to leave our school believing they are capable, unique, and important. These foundations help build lifelong confidence and resilience.

🟢 Want to help boost your child’s self-esteem at home?
Check out this practical guide from Mind with tips and advice:
👉 Confidence and Self-Esteem – Mind

National Children's Day UK.

At our school, we are proud to recognise National Children’s Day UK, taking place on Sunday 18th May 2025. This special day is all about celebrating the rights and well-being of children, and raising awareness of the importance of creating healthy, supportive environments for them to grow, learn, and thrive.

As a SEN school, we are deeply committed to ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and valued. National Children’s Day is a powerful reminder of how vital it is to nurture children’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being—especially for those with additional needs.

We are sharing this with our parents and carers because we believe that, by working in partnership, we can continue to build a caring and inclusive community that uplifts every child.

There are many ways families can get involved and support the cause:

Visit the official website: www.nationalchildrensdayuk.com for ideas, resources, and activities.

Spend some time engaging in child-led play or creative activities at home.

Talk with your child about their rights, feelings, and dreams.

Join in on local or online events promoting children's voices and well-being.

Let’s celebrate our children—exactly as they are—and continue to champion a world that listens to them.