Welcome to Oak

Teacher Iwona Litwiniec
Photo of Iwona Litwiniec

Welcome to Oak class!

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Oak is a class of 10 students with diverse needs and abilities. They are supported by three members of staff. We use a total communication approach; this includes SingAlong, symbols and verbal, to communicate our wishes, needs, feelings and knowledge.
We follow a broad curriculum which consists of formal learning in a wide range of subjects (English, Maths, Science, PSHE, Art, Computing, DT, Humanities, MFL, Music, PE) alongside an informal curriculum which includes various therapies (hydro, music, sensory) and support around our EHCP outcomes.
We also follow a PfAL (Preparing for Adult Life) curriculum, which encourages independence and competency in a wide range of life skills. This is supported by our weekly visits to the Patch and our regular visits around the local community.
All class activities are differentiated and tailored to meet individual needs and interests, meaning the pupils are happy to learn, they have lots of fun and build their confidence in many areas.

Oak visual timetable – Autumn 1 – 2025

Autumn Term 1 25/26
Strand and Profile Profiles in ClassIdeas for home
Communication and LiteracyCommunication: we will work/practise student’s individual communication needs and skills using alternative methods of communications: iPads, symbols, switches, Signalong. 1:1 reading: we will continue weekly individual sessions focusing on reading for pleasure and the student's individual communication skills. Literacy: Eric Our topic is the story book Eric by Shaun Tan. We will be using our new school approach Talk for Writing to explore the story. Try to read/look at/browse through the books every night before bedtime. Can you make it into a routine? Share a book with your siblings; make a scenery to your story using objects from your room/kitchen.
Mathematics and Problem SolvingNumeracy: We will be matching, sorting and comparing different objects and place values to 10 or beyond. Functional Numeracy: We will transfer skills learnt in our maths lessons in a functional way by cooking/ shopping/ each week. Have an experiment with cooking at home, discuss the volume and weight of your ingredients. Can you compare the weight of some items when shopping? Can you recognise which one is heavy, which light? Try to access free websites to practise maths skills: https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/fun-games www.topmarks.co.uk www.twinkl.co.uk https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/
Personal DevelopmentTaking part in weekly Signalong sessions with Signalong tutor (Iwona Litwiniec), attending trips and accessing the local community. We will learn to recognise changes in our body while we become teenagers, talk about how our moods and emotions can change and while sometimes we can feel a bit different: tired or grumpy. Practise signing at home through singing and play. Talking about times when we can be happy or sad. What can we do when we feel sad? Listen to the song about emotions: Everybody's Feelings Can Change https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uzend67vKc
Physical DevelopmentWe will be accessing our local parks for walks, runs and playtime in nature. Some students will be working towards their physical and mobility outcomes using specialist equipment. Have you tried cycling? Swimming? Trampolining? Bouncing on a peanut ball? Go and have fun together on the playground!
Understanding the World Community: we will visit different venues in our local community; shopping for snack The Patch: we will explore our school garden using our senses; or/and completing some tasks: planting, watering, clearing etc. Woodland Area: we will explore our school’s woodland area using elements of Forest School; being healthy and enjoying being outside.Practise safe road crossing when out and about. Walk around where you live.
Expression and Creativityrt & Music: We will be listening to different pieces of music and talking about how it makes us feel using different methods of communication. We will also explore and use different materials and textures creating pieces of art and craft. Developing Hobbies: Students will get to experience different creative activities, such as drawing, colouring, painting etc., and will have the opportunity to express their opinions. Music: Students will attend weekly Signalong choir to learn singing and socialise with other students. They will also be able to express their opinions about it, helping them to develop their hobbies. Try sensory or experimental painting at home. Have fun mixing colours and creating new ones. Enjoy your child’s creativity.
Personalised LearningEach student in Oak class will be working towards their individual outcomes; Personal Learning Goals (PLGs), Therapeutic plans and communication needs. Try to incorporate your child’s PLGs in daily activities.