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 2024

Curriculum Information for Parents. Autumn Term 2 24/25
SubjectProfilesIdeas for home
MathsOur next topic in Maths is Addition and Subtraction. We will be looking at number bonds to 20 and then 100. We will be trying to apply this knowledge to the context of problems. In target based sessions we will also be practising our weighing skills. It would really help to count, add and take away using concrete resources at home, including in the context of money as we looked at last half term. Familiarity with 100 squares which can be printed from the internet is really helpful. Can the children find pairs of numbers that make 100?
English In English this half term we will be exploring the theme of ‘jungles’. We will be looking at fiction and nonfiction as well as practising our descriptive skills through poetry. We usually learn in this kind of pattern… exploring a topic through different genres and then comparing those genres. We will be beginning with poetry and trying to learn some examples by heart. We will also practise writing for a purpose as per our targets. The children also have weekly 1:1 reading and phonics sessions. Consider adjectives to describe different places that you go to. Reading and discussing poems and stories about jungles. Perhaps trying to learn some short poems like limericks by heart. Reading non fiction books about jungles. Creating fact files.
ArtIn Art we are continuing to create artworks with different fabrics. We will be painting and printing on fabrics as well as practising our weaving skills. We will produce a T-Shirt customised to reflect our personalities and interests. It would be helpful to look up the artwork of Van Gogh including ‘Starry Night’ as we will use these as inspiration for our creations. Perhaps also watching videos of catwalk fashion on YouTube.
PSHE In PSHE we are learning about relationships. We will consider the different relationships we have including families and friends before moving onto those online. We will begin to consider romantic relationships. We will be approaching these topics by talking through the best approaches to different scenarios which will be experience and developmentally appropriate. Looking at family photos of shared experiences and talking about how the children felt in those situations. Debriefing after trickier situations as we do at school.
HistoryHistory is ‘Life in Medieval Britain.’ We will be researching different aspects of life at this time using the internet, videos and books. We will be focusing on the different experiences of the rich and poor. We will end the unit by creating a shoebox model to reflect the period. Looking at TV programmes such as ‘Horrible Histories.’ Books from the library and YouTube videos. Applying to the modern day by considering the difference in lives between people of different levels of income using the news.
Library Our focus in Library time will be on developing Library skills and independence in using the school library and reading books for pleasure. Enjoy reading and browsing books with your child just for pleasure. Have books and magazines around the house, if possible make reading and listening to stories part of your usual routine.
MFLWe will look at the language, culture and cuisine of Japan.Researching on the internet and in books. Eating some traditional Japanese food and describing it.
ComputingIn Computing we will be looking at Databases. We will gather data by asking questions and then record it on a database. We will then ask questions of the data producing graphs. Look at graphs, surveys and opinion polls in newspapers, magazines and the internet.
PEPE is football. We will be practising skills such as shooting, dribbling and passing. We will combine them in a match. Play games of football and practise the skills at home or in the park. Go to a match and comment on the skills!