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 – Summer 1 – 2025

Curriculum Information for Parents. Summer Term 1 24/25
SubjectProfilesIdeas for home
MathsMaths for Summer 1 is fractions. We will be looking at practical examples including through cooking. We will move on to considering fractions of amounts. Considering fractions when dividing food or sharing out amounts. It really benefits the children to see as many practical and visual examples as possible.
English For English we doing a fiction unit based around the book ‘The Dragon Machine.’ We will look at narrative structure. We will write our own stories in a similar style. Checking comprehension whilst your children our reading. Asking summarising and prediction questions. Discussing story features such as problem and resolution.
ArtOur Art topic is Landscapes. We will be focusing on the painter Van Gogh, considering the correct palette for landscapes and relating this to feelings.Following ‘How To Draw’ videos relating to landscapes on YouTube. Looking at famous paintings involving landscapes.
PSHE In PSHE Beech’s topic is our body. We will be continuing our regular work looking at the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. We will be considering how these changes prepare the body for having children, including looking at menstruation. We will begin to consider how we form romantic relationships alongside ideas of privacy, personal space and consent. We will send home occasional resources including from the scheme ‘Learn and Thrive’ which approaches puberty in a way that is accessible to children with additional needs.
GeographyIn Geography we are looking at settlements. We will familiarise ourselves with different sized settlements in local area. We will mark them on maps. Using books and internet research we will identify how facilities differ depending on the size of the settlement. Use Google Earth to explore the local area. Look at atlases and maps. Ask your child what they like and dislike about living in a particular area. Perhaps your child might like to think about where they would most like to live and why.
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 you 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 France.Researching on the internet and in books. Eating some traditional French food and describing it.
ComputingIn Computing we will look at controllable devices. We will be getting the Bee Bots out and programming them with instructions for navigating the classroom. Practise using online platforms that let you direct a sprite around the screen.
PEPE is Athletics. We will be looking at a different aspect each week from racing to javelin.We will continue regular yoga. Videos from Youtube such as Cosmic Kids.