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 – Spring 2 – 25/26

Curriculum Information for Parents. Spring Term 2 25/26
Strand and ProfileProfiles in ClassIdeas for home
Communication and Literacy This half term we are looking at a new story called ‘The Dark.’ We will begin by immersing ourselves in the book, focussing on our understanding of the plot and key themes. We will consider characters and settings before writing our own version of the story. Beech Class will try to improve their work. We will also continue our weekly 1:1 reading and regular phonics/spelling sessions. Reading the book. Reading other books by Lemony Snicket, Perhaps the Series of Unfortunate Events which we might read as our next class book. Discussing the order of events in the book, the theme and the characters 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 learning about money at the start of half term before moving on to looking at Multiplication and Division in the last few weeks. We will look at equivalent amounts, counting out cash and the idea of change. We will use songs and visuals such as hundred squares to help with times tables and we will also look at the relationship between addition and subtraction. We will continue to use the White Rose Maths materials as well as having more practical sessions. In Computing we are using electronic devices to create sounds. This will link with music. Every half term we check in with issues around internet safety too. We will probably continue to look at email to follow on from last half term as well as relationships online. Paying for items in shops with cash. Talking about what the coins are and what you might get back in change. Talking about what are large amounts of money and what are small… getting a sense of the cost of things. Researching the sounds of different instruments online. Possibly practising using a musical keyboard or online equivalent.
Personal DevelopmentPSHE is Drugs Education. This begins looking at how legal drugs like caffeine can affect us. We will also consider medical drugs and safety issues around these. We will mention cannabis as an illegal drug but no others. Just gently talking about medicines we take and how things that we put into our body affect us.
Physical DevelopmentIn PE we will continue ‘Moving a Ball With Accuracy’ as we focussed on swimming last half term. We will be working on throwing and catching skills as well as rolling and bowling. We will use these skills in relays and games. We will also complete the odd Joe Wicks workout for fitness! Cricket/rounders style games with family and friends. 10 pin bowling! Exercising at home and in the local area. Using your local leisure centre. Yoga and mindfulness videos from YouTube.
Understanding the World - HistoryHistory is learning about Voyages of Discovery. We will learn about some famous explorer as use timelines, maps and historical sources. Internet and non-fiction book research for both topics. Free Twinkl activities. Online interactive resources, videos and songs.
Understanding the World - ScienceScience is looking at the parts and functions of the human body. We will focus on carrying out experiments involving fair tests and making specific measurements.
Expression and Creativity - DTTracey is looking at protein bars with the children… investigating and making.For DT practising cooking skills at home such as chopping, cutting and following recipes.
Expression and Creativity - ArtWe will be making junk model dragons with the focus on how dragons can be represented through art and working together as a team. We will use this to recap some artistic styles we have covered. Looking at different images of dragons online and describing.
Personalised LearningWe will be having twice weekly sessions to work on individual broken down EHCP targets.