Welcome to Turtles

Teacher Andrew Webb
Photo of Andrew Webb

Turtles is a class of 12 active boys and girls with a range of needs and abilities whom are supported by 4 members of staff, we use a total communication approach communicate our needs, choices and feelings.

Routine and consistency is important to us to help us reach our full potential each day. Turtles are working on our writing, number, communication and
independence skills along with developing our skills and knowledge in a range of subjects. We work hard every day and celebrate our work at the end of each day with golden time.

Turtles visual timetable – Autumn 1 – 2025

Autumn Term 1 25/26
Strand and ProfileProfiles in ClassIdeas for Home
Communication and LiteracyIn English we will be focusing on a character using the story Old Hat. We will do lots of immersion into the book looking at a wide range of hats and hat based activities before moving towards working on description of a character by using lots of descriptive vocabulary. At home you could explore different hats, different types of hats or even objects that could become a hat. You can try describing a hat and seeing how creative you can be.
Mathematics and Problem SolvingIn maths we are going to start the half term by exploring place value within 50 including representing different numbers, comparing groups as well as looking at the terms less than, greater than, fewer and more. We will then move on to looking at addition and subtraction by looking at part whole models and number bonds. You could begin to sort and group different objects such as clothes, foods or toys. Begin to use the words less, more, fewer and greater. Begin to practise simple addition and subtractions using numbers up to 50.
Personal DevelopmentIn PSHE we will be looking at our emotions, this will include recognising them, talking about them and thinking about how we can manage them and what strategies we can use. We will use lots of games and activities to help with this as well as role-playing different situations. At home you could talk about how you are feeling, you could name your emotions at different points throughout the day. You may also want to think about what your emotions look like and what you do when you feel a certain way.
Physical DevelopmentPE will focus on multi-skills where we will use games to help practise a wide range of skills including throwing, catching, hitting, kicking and running. Each game will have a key focus for a skill but will also provide opportunities to practise some of the other skills learnt. At home you could practise the different skills, this could be in the garden or on a trip to the park, you can use different objects to practise hitting, kicking, running, throwing and catching.
Understanding the World History: History will focus on the changes that have happened since 1948- the children will explore the different changes and see if and how these have been significant. RE: RE will have the focus on the variety of symbols and religious expression in Hinduism. We will look at different aspects such as meditation; karma - what is right and wrong; and shrines - what they include and what the children would include in their own shrine. Science: Science will involve exploring different living things and where they live. We will go on a hunt to find different habitats, think about different animal life cycles as well as looking at different animal eggs. MFL: Spain will be the focus for MFL, we will look at different aspects of Spanish life including the language, food and cultureAt home you can think about any changes such as transport, games or household chores- you may wish to try doing household chores the old way i.e. hand washing clothes. At home you could do some yoga or meditation and appreciate the stillness and quiet. You may also wish to create a shrine out of different art materials or junk modelling. At home you can watch and look out for different animals within your local area as well as exploring different habitats you come across either in the garden or out on a walk. You may wish to practice different words or phrases in Spanish or you may have a Spanish themed dinner where you cook different Spanish foods.
Expression and CreativityArt: Art is all about exploring colour, texture and shape by using food as a stimulus, we will use different techniques such as food printing, clay modelling and creating edible art out of different foods. DT: DT uses fairgrounds as a driving force to look at belts and pulleys; we will look at how the rides work, as well as examining and exploring different machines that have moving parts. Children will design their own fairground rides. Music: Music focuses on the song ‘Lean on Me’, we will listen to that song as well as other gospel songs before taking part in different musical activities to find the beat and pulses. Children will then have a chance to play instruments along with the song. At home you could begin to look at different things and how they work, you could research roller-coasters and different funfair rides such as Ferris wheels and discover how they work. At home you could listen to the song "Lean on Me" as well as other gospel songs, you could discuss if you like the song or not and why you feel that way.
Personalised Learning Throughout the half term we each child will have a chance to focus on their PLG’s which will take place at various points throughout the day. We will also have the opportunity to practise different skills to help promote independence and boost self-esteem. At home you could encourage your child to be more independent by getting them to do tasks like making their own drink or finding their school clothes. You may also wish to focus on some of their EHCP outcomes in small chunks.