51ÊÓÆµ

News, STARS, the Beach! And Gearing Up for our New Library! – from John & the PHS Team Friday 9th May 2025

Welcome to 51ÊÓÆµ Schools Whole School Blog!

Hi everyone

First of all, here’s a message from Kasia and Tracy

We would like to thank all the parents and carers in LSTE Pathway who attended our recent Open Afternoon.Ìý It was a pleasure to welcome you into our school community and share the learning journey of our students with youÌý

A big thank you as well to our dedicated staff teams and incredible students, who proudly showcased our approaches to learning and created such a welcoming and engaging atmosphere

Events like this highlight the importance of strong home–school partnership. When families and school staff work together with a shared understanding and consistent approach, we create the best possible environment for our young people to grow and thrive. We look forward to continuing to work closely with you in supporting our students’ progress – thank you again for being part of the journey

 

Secondly, Helen & her class were celebrating VE Day, so let’s see what they got up to!

2HR had a lovely afternoon celebrating the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. Students followed step by step instructions to make jam sandwiches and enjoyed eating them at our own VE Day party!

There’s so much on at the minute! But they’re all good things, so all good here! Hope everything is well with you. Check out our Family Liaison and Online Safety blogs too, and all the stuff here – including advance notice of the prom in a few weeks time! Was great to see some of you at the school too, thanks for coming

All the best for a lovely weekend in the sun

Cheers!

John S

😊 from John & the PHS Team 😊

 

We have 3 Super-Steering Groups which deliver our Key Drivers through our curriculum. The Key Drivers are Communication, Wellbeing and Independence. The Groups are Literacy, Physical Development and Personal Development

Ìý

Literacy

Becky, our Literacy Specialist Lead, leads a team that improve all aspects of literacy, including this year a lot of handwriting and oracy (it’s OK, she’ll be going into explain all of that) as well as reading, phonics, books and all sorts!

THE BEACH!!!

In last week’s blog we shared snippets of what literacy is looking like across school this term, as many classes start a new topic or theme. This week we’re getting to see a little more of the Learning Skills Through Engagement Pathway, as they focus on the beach. A sensory story has been written (by Hannah L, thank you!) and students across LSTE will explore this sensory story this term, with teams adapting it to suit the needs of the students in each class. Here are some shots of 2HL and 3BE and their sensory story this week, exploring the experiences associated with going to the seaside. Whilst this is a lovely activity in itself, this will also be preparing students for visiting the beach later in the term, where many students will be able to try surfing!

The Literacy Team have also been busy planning for the new library this week, which will be built over the May Half Term. We’re really keen to make sure that students continue to be involved and have their say in how the library is set up – and we’ll be able to share more about that next week!

Happy Reading!

Fabulous!!!!!!!!!

 

Physical Development

Everything that is fabulous in the world of Physical Development! This includes physio, hydro, MOVE, PE, HI, VI, a lot of OT and all sorts of key areas for us, including all of the Outdoor Learning, John Muir Award and many other aspects. Steph oversees this and will ensure that an aspect is shared in the blog each week.

THE EXCELLENT CLASS 4H!!!

In class 4CH, physical development has been a key focus this term, with students engaging in a range of targeted activities to support posture, weight bearing, and core stability

Using a combination of specialist equipment—including standers, walkers, and supportive seating—each student has been working towards their individual physical goals in a safe and motivating environment. These sessions not only help to maintain joint range and muscle tone but also support improved head and trunk control, which are essential for communication, interaction, and overall wellbeing. It’s been wonderful to see the students building strength, confidence, and enjoyment through movement.

Great physical development! Well done all!

 

Personal Development

One of the best things about the school and one of the most important for our pupils, PD covers PSHE, Wellbeing, Careers, Social Moral Spiritual & Cultural, Online Safety, Behaviour and similar areas. Jo pulls it all together. Let’s see what Jo and the team have in store for us this week! The inspectors really loved all of the PD we do!

PSHE

An update from the PSHE Association regarding statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education:

“The best PSHE education involves a partnership between parents and schools, so we’re encouraged that support for PSHE education remains very high with parents of both primary and secondary aged pupils.

Our recent YouGov polling[1]Ìýof almost 1,000 parents of 5-18 year olds showed that:

  • 88% of parents feel that schools and parents should share responsibility for teaching children about digital safety issues including fake news, negative online influencers and sending/receiving sexual images. Only 5% of parents felt it was their responsibility alone.
  • 95% felt schools had a responsibility to teach about the dangers of grooming and abusive behaviour online.
  • Almost 9 out of 10 (87%) parents polled – including those of primary aged children – also agree that schools should have a role, alongside parents and/carers, in teaching children and young people facts about relationships and sex. This rises to 95% agreement for parents who felt they were well consulted by the school about what relationships and sex education covered.

It’s therefore clear that when parents know what’s covered in PSHE education they are even more likely to support its aims. A misunderstanding of these aims, and what’s covered, can lead to confusion or concern. Communicating with parents clearly and openly on PSHE/RSHE is therefore key.

We’re confident that the introduction of statutory RSHE in 2020 is having a positive impact on PSHE standards (). The statutory guidance is now due an update, so we are expecting draft updated guidance to be published very soon for public consultation and hope that it continues to reflect parents’ and young people’s desire for preventative, protective education on a range of crucial topics.â€

  1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4,317 adults, of whom 928 were parents of 5-18 year olds. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18th – 20th October 2023. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). See data from this surveyÌý.â€

Please see last week’s blog to find out what your child or young person is learning about in PSHE this half term. I will be at coffee afternoons to share our curriculum and resources, make sure you pop over to say hi! In the meantime, any questions or concerns, please contact me at j.ferguson@percyhedley.org.uk .

Jo Ferguson

Personal Development Lead

 

Wellbeing

Here are Andy and the Wellbeing Team about what’s happening this year in their brilliant Connect Challenge series! Go Andy!

Connect with Food

This week’s “Connect with Food” challenge has brought our school community together in a range of meaningful ways

Casey in Post 16 has been taking steps towards independent living by researching healthy meals and honing her cooking skills. With the support of staff, she planned and prepared a delicious homemade meal, showcasing not only her culinary talents but also the importance of taking care of herself through nutritious and balanced food.

Meanwhile, other students have embraced food as a tool for relationship-building, using shared cooking experiences to bridge gaps with unfamiliar staff members. From discussing personal food favourites to cooking together, these interactions are enhancing communication and promoting connections that contribute to a supportive school environment.

A big shoutout must go out to James R and friends, they have been running their ever-popular breakfast club, serving toast to peckish pupils, while Jay has creatively explored the scents of the United Kingdom, sampling a range of iconic items including tea from England and Irn-Bru from Scotland!

Thanks again for taking part and stay tuned for another connect challenge next week.

Photo 1 – Tea

Photo 2 – Irn-Bru

Jay is the guy!

Gotta get yourself connected…..

 

Therapy Star of the Week

Love Therapy Star of the Week, especially when it’s Story Club with Julie! Let’s hear what Julie has been doing with these fine folk in the Pilates Studio

On Fridays at 12.45pm LSTE students gather for Story Club in the Pilates suite with Julie

The room is made cosy with rainbow colours and lights. Students can meet their friends from other classes and listen to an interactive story. Key Makaton signs are shared with the students and staff. Each class has their own rainbow book representing Story Club which helps the students choose if they want to come along each week

Last week we read the ‘Go Away Bird’ by Julia Donaldson. Alex, Lysbeth, Vivie and Amelie enjoyed the coloured feathers and using the BigMack to say “go away!â€

Well done Alex, Lysbeth, Vivie and Amelie! Therapy Stars!!!!!

 

Trip of the Week! With Hannah

Sounds like Hannah’s class are going to go on lots of lovely trips this term as part of their new topic! Let’s hear about this week’s one! And then hopefully see some photos!

Our new class topic for this term is “World Around Me: Outdoors” so we will be going on trips to various places over the next couple of months. Our first trip was to the beach, which the students thoroughly enjoyed! We went onto the sand and explored different items that we found on the beach (sand, seaweed, shells, stones) and the students used individual communication methods to comment on their thoughts about the items. We had lots of fun at the amusements, listening to the sounds and looking at the flashing lights, we even won enough tickets to claim a prize!

We finished off the trip having lunch in the sun, listening to the crashing of the waves and the noisy seagulls! We are all so excited for our next trip!

Sports News with Nathan & Richard!

Lots happening in PE, sports teams, and physical activity these days! Let’s hear from Nathan

During this time of the year, there are more competitions and events happening and this week in PE we took some of the students to John Spence school to attend the BISI which is a badminton competition. They all had a lot of fun and came away with a certificate and medal eachÌý

BISI (Badminton into Schools Initiative) isÌýa badminton competition specifically designed for schools to introduce and promote the sport to young people, especially those with learning or physical disabilities.ÌýIt focuses on fun, accessible activities and allows for differentiation to meet individual needs

Behaviour for Learning (BfL)

Aylisha and Corin have developed the BfL Group and are working on supporting our pupils all the time on the best way to be in all situations. Here’s Aylisha now

If anyone has any queries or would like more information about this, please feel free to get in touch with the BFL team

  • holland@percyhedley.org.uk
  • orr@percyhedley.org.uk

Early Years – The Ducklings!

Let’s get the latest update from what’s been happening down in the fabulous Early Years, hear from Kerry, and then see some lovely pictures which show what sort of a week they’ve had and what they’ve been up to

Once again another lovely, but busy week in Early Years!

The children have been doing some great switching during morning routines to say hello to their peers. Our amazing animal theme has taken us to the jungle this week. In our phonics activities we have listened to animal sounds and identified the different animals – some of the children had pictures of the animals and others had toy animals to match the sound too; all the children worked really hard

Some great counting and colour sequencing in maths! Our number song this term is Five Little Monkeys

Making our own playdough has been popular this week exploring colour mixing. We are also introducing an artist to the topic each term this term we are looking at the work of Sarah Taylor “a contemporary wildlife artist she creates lively painting of geometric patterns and fluid marksâ€. The children made some lovely pictures using a variety of different painting tools

This week’s Artist of the Week goes to Hayden who produced a lovely colourful painting. Children are also enjoying taking turns watering our strawberry plants all part of knowledge and understating the world.

UNICEF Award update with Rebecca

Since we gained the Bronze level of this award, Rebecca & the teams are already working on the next level. We particularly like this scheme because it puts the voice of the child at its centre. Let’s hear what they’re up to with this at the point. Here’s Rebecca

This week our focus is on article 12 which states that I have the right to be listened to and taken seriously.

 

This means that:

When adults are making decisions that affect children they should ask them what they think.

  • Adults should take account of children’s views when making the decision.
  • Children should be supported to give their views in a way that is best for them.
  • One of the things the UNCRC does is to make it clear that human rights apply to children and young people as much they do to adults.

Children and young people don’t have as much power as adults. They can’t vote, and they don’t have as much money. But Article 12Ìýsays they still have the human right to have opinions and for these opinions to be heard and taken seriously.

It says that the opinions of children and young people should be considered when people make decisions about things that involve them. Their opinions shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand on the grounds of age. They should be taken seriously, with theirÌýevolving capacitiesÌýtaken into account.

Article 12 also says children and young people should be given the information they need to make good decisions.

What are evolving capacities?

As children grow older, they become more able to understand their lives and make decisions that affect them. This happens gradually, and it doesn’t happen at the same speed for everyone— it depends on things like a child’s experiences, education and maturity

A child’s ability – orÌýcapacityÌý– to make a reasoned decision will depend on the decision being made

Evolving capacities

Ìýis a term used to refer to the increasing ability to make reasoned decisions in different parts of a child’s life

 

School Lunches

new summer menus, vegetarian days and all sorts!!!!!

Safeguarding

Aylisha is our Safeguarding Officer, Rebecca is the DSL, and Tracy, Corin round out a great DSL Team, with Carla as well

Online Safety – this week, AI companions

The Online Safety blog and this week’s is now live – Lizzie has prepared something, and you can click through on to it below. What’s Lizzie drawing our attention to today?

Attendance!

Code of Conduct

Friends of PHS – the FoPHS!

A huge thank you to all of them for their time, commitment and support, with projects, ideas and all sorts. Great to have you guys on board, you’re an important part of the school. Why don’t you join them! The Fabulous Friends are always looking for volunteers for events! If you can offer any support, please contact Eileen at e.robinson@percyhedley.org.uk

Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA) – with Tracy and the Team!

Please get in touch with Tracy via the email below and she will be happy to respond to any queries, suggestions about the LPPA and other issues for parents From Tracy and the LPPA team. Contact t.smithson@percyhedley.org.uk

Stars of the Week!

That reflect our School Values!

Makaton Signs of the Week with Julie!

Every Sunday Julie prepares a message for the whole school on Makaton signs that are current and relevant to the time of year. I generally reproduce them here so those at home can do the same thing if you want to and if it works for you – or just for you to learn a few signs each week. Hope it works for you!

And finally……it’s that time of year again……..oh yes…

…..from John & the Team here at PHS

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Our Key Drivers

Communication, Wellbeing, Independence