Welcome to Beech

Teacher - Oak Colin Heinink
Photo of Colin Heinink

Welcome to Beech class!

Beech is a class of 10 students with diverse needs and abilities. They are supported by five 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 allows them to readily build their confidence in many areas.

 

Beech Timetable – Autumn 2 – 2025

Curriculum Information for Parents. Autumn Term 2 25/26
Strand and ProfileProfiles in ClassIdeas for home
Communication and Literacy We are continuing to study the book ‘Eric.’ This half term we will be focussing on writing our own versions of the story. We will continue our weekly 1:1 reading and regular phonics/spelling sessions. Reading the book ‘Eric.’ Reading other books by Shaun Tan. Comparing and contrasting. Segmenting and blending with Rhino Readers. Summarising and predicting with any text you read. It also helps to relate events in stories to the children’s own lives. Visiting the library and enjoying chapter books together.
Mathematics and Problem SolvingMaths is addition and subtraction. We will use con concrete and visual resources before moving onto abstract methods. We will use songs to help us remember patterns in numbers. In Computing we are continuing looking at PowerPoint and also going over some of the basics of using the internet and Windows. Everyday adding and subtracting, including money. Perhaps printing off number lines and hundred squares to support with this. Relating addition and subtraction to more/less. Making a PowerPoint about an interest.
Personal DevelopmentIn PSHE we are considering relationships. We will be looking at different relationships in our lives. We will be discussing relationship issues based on stories. We will consider different scenarios we might encounter and how to problem solve positively. Rereading books we read in class. Just discussing different choices and possible outcomes when the children face challenges… “If you do this… what will happen… how will everyone feel.” “Is there a happier way of sorting this out?”
Physical DevelopmentPE is Health and Fitness. We will be teaching the children a number of exercises to keep fit and healthy. We will also be having regular yoga and mindfulness sessions for wellbeing. Exercising at home and in the local area. Using your local leisure centre. Yoga and mindfulness videos from YouTube.
Understanding the WorldHistory is learning about inequality in Victorian England. We will use different sources to find out about their lives and then compare and contrast. Science is looking at chemical reactions. We will be making predictions and comparing them to results. We will also be considering fair tests and safety. Beech Class will be considering acids and alkalis. Watch the films ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘The Water Babies.’ What were the character’s lives like? Talk about whether different sources such as pictures and films and decide whether they are reliable. Look at safety labels on household products and talk about what they mean. Think about the acidity and alkalinity of different products… sour foods… antacid tablets.
Expression and CreativityDesign Technology – Food moulds. We will be looking at foods where a moulds is used in their production and why? We will be designing, making and using our own moulds.Try some cooking at home e.g. decorated cakes, biscuits, how uniformed can you make their presentation. Experiment with using ice cube moulds, biscuit cutters, cake moulds etc.
Personalised LearningWe will be having twice weekly sessions to work on individual broken down EHCP targets.