Somerset Progressive School
April 2016
Issue:3
Head Teacher Welcome
WELCOME summer term, for those students
parents and guardians who have not
experienced a summer at Somerset Progressive
School before you have missed out.
Summer Term Dates:
Tue 12th April – Fri 27th May
Mon 30th May – Wed 20th July
nd
Bank Holidays: Monday 2 May
Inset Days: 11th April & 6th June
Assessment Data Days:
13th May & 1stJuly
Dates for the diary:
29th April:
International Dance Day
4th May:
Star Wars Day
3rd June:
Go Canoeing Day
19th July:
SPS Open Day
Head Teacher
Awards:
st
1 – Stephen
nd
2 – Jaydon
rd
3 – Matty
This is the time of year when the school comes
alive. The Horticulture area will see massive
changes and our first harvest, which is very
tasty. We will have new arrivals in the farm and a
lot of opportunity to engage in learning outside
the classroom through activities and awareness
days.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all
the students and staff for all their hard work and
efforts last term and a special mention goes to
Stephen, Jaydon, Matty and not to forget our
staff member of the term Georgie Chedzoy. A
massive well done to you all.
Over the summer term we will see the arrival of
four new teaching staff, Len Maxton, Chris
Silverton who have joined us in and April and
Julie Jennings and John Confrey who will be
joining us later in the term. Welcome to you all
and I hope you enjoy and get as much reward
from working at SPS as I do.
Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to some
unforgettable characters as Corri, Shona and
Matty leave us. We will all be sad to see them
leave and wish them all the best in their futures.
Last term saw the introduction of the student star
chart which highlighted positive behaviour during
unstructured time
I was so please to see so many
students interact positively with
each other which led to a
fantastic atmosphere around
the school.
WELL DONE EVERYONE.
Neil Gage, Head Teacher
Embrace Group, Somerset Progressive School
Bath House Farm, West Hatch, Taunton.Somerset.TA3 5RH.
T: 01823 481 902
E: [email protected]
Somerset Progressive School
The RAP (Respect and Protect) Project…It’s a RAP!
Our tenth and final session of RAP has come around far too quickly. The peer
educators are just doing the finishing touches to their assessments before leaving
Exeter University as drama graduates. Our students from Somerset Progressive
School are thinking about the next stages in their lives and relationships. So,
there was some sadness in the room for our final session.
But the learners still organised the warm-up and
theatre games without any prompting from the adults
and there was no shortage of pranks and laughter.
Eventually, though, it was time to reveal the ‘Case
Studies’. Each Case Study is a set of observations
which have been built up as a collaboration between
the RAP project leader, David Evans, and the peer
educators. These are carefully read through with the
learners who can make changes and add comments,
so that the final document has been agreed as a fair
account by all the parties involved.
There is a great deal to feel proud of. All of the learners have made remarkable
progress. Typically, they have shown increased confidence and trust in themselves
and the rest of group. The physical theatre games and exercises requires
sensitivity to others through eye contact, touch, movement and balance and these
qualities are then displayed in the way they set about their improvisations.
Improvisations take the form of negotiations around tricky personal issues, for
example a couple agreeing that they don’t want to take the physical side of their
relationship any further, or one friend supporting another in their decision to insist
on consenting to have protected sex only.
It is impossible to invent practice scenes for every situation
people will encounter in their personal lives, but the important
thing is that through the RAP programme learners should
believe in their ability to take control and perform whatever
behaviours are necessary to keep their relationships fulfilling
and safe.
Most exciting of all is the moment when a learner agrees with
the progress recorded in their Case Study and they go on to
add how RAP has proved useful in their daily lives.
Job done!! Congratulations everyone!! A huge ‘Thank you’ must to go the staff,
Sarah and Steve who contributed to the work with sensitivity and insight.
To round off the session one of the learners led the whole group in one last game
which I will always remember as “Cat in a washing machine.”
By David Evans Project Coordinator of RAP - [email protected]
Somerset Progressive School
Positive Behaviour Board
Last term we introduced a positive behaviour board where students
could earn stars for showing kind and thoughtful behaviour towards
others.
Some examples of stars earned include;
Dealing with a difficult situation in a mature and sensible way
Being polite and helpful to a member of the public
Brilliant teamwork
For showing thoughtfulness towards staff
Great sportsmanship
Being a good role model to other students
Apologising to another student
For helping to wash and maintain the school vehicles
A target was set at the start of term. Students had to earn 8 stars to go on the end of
term trip which was go karting.
Five students came along and had a fantastic time! We travelled to Cheddar and the
students had timed laps around the course. Luckily they were all very good drivers and
there were no crashes!! Their behaviour was impeccable and they were great
ambassadors for the school.
We aim to run the positive board again in the summer term and students will be invited
to put forward their ideas for the next trip.
So where will we go???
The beach, Airhop, Brean Leisure Park?
We will have to wait and see!!!
Georgie Chedzoy, Learning Support Assistant
Somerset Progressive School
SPS New Recruits
Christopher Silverton, Teacher
“I have taught English, Drama, Multi-sports and Film in
a variety of sectors and locations in the past. I have
also had experience in the voluntary sector, working
for the Dogs Trust, RSPCA, National Trust and
coaching students hoping to take part in the Special
Olympics”
Len Maxton, Learning Support Assistant
“I have previously worked at an outdoor education
centre and love being outside. My favourite sports are
climbing and swimming. I will be working as an Learning
Support Assistant, and especially enjoy PE and Maths”
Staff Achievements
Our world autism day event in Liverpool explored the most important things to know
about autism. We heard from a professor, a parent and a number of people with autism.
Good quality training to aid understanding was cited as being really important so it was
with pleasure we saw Sarah Ambrose and Faye Teague from Somerset Progressive
School receive their awards from Coventry University on successful completion of their
continuing professional development Certificate in Good Autism Practice. Also to achieve
an award was Gavin Smith – Sue Hatton, Embrace Autism Advisor
‘Fantastic news for SPS, having another three Autism
Champions!
Faye and Sarah have already led the staff team in a
training session which was received very positively, and
actions are currently being implemented.
Learning and teaching is central to improving the
outcomes for our young people and autism awareness
plays a vital strategy in our school’
Jason Goddard, Head of Education