It’s hard to believe we are now half way through this academic year and planning for next year’s curriculum offer is already underway. The New Bridge mission of ‘learning together, learning for all, learning for life’, is at the forefront of all our planning and developments. As we start a planning process which can be rather daunting, I reflected on our recent Osfted report:
“Leaders of this school foster a ‘can do’ attitude in pupils and staff. Pupils are confident that they will succeed in life. Teachers are ambitious for pupils. The success stories of past pupils show that special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) need not be a barrier to pupils achieving their goals in life.
Leaders and staff share a strong ambition to ensure that pupils receive an excellent education.
Students in the sixth form benefit from an exceptionally well-planned curriculum.
The school’s work to support pupils’ personal and social development is excellent. The curriculum is awash with opportunities in which pupils can take part. These opportunities include arts, sports, cultural and personal development activities.”
Continuing with the theme of wider curriculum opportunities, I’d like to share a little of what’s been going on at the Learning Centre. Firstly, to our ‘DIY’ Option which was introduced in September. Students have been learning all about upcycling and finding ways for the Learning Centre to be as ‘green’ as possible, as evidenced by the items on sale at last term’s Christmas market.
Students have been engaged in a wide range of activities around the Learning Centre over the last few months. Most recently, students worked hard, recycling Mr. Blackman’s old dining room chairs so that they can be reused in the Learning Centre staff room which has undergone some refurbishments as part of our staff well-being drive..
Students opted for pink to brighten up the room and to put a smile on people’s faces during the dull winter months. Well done to all, I’m sure they will be appreciated by the staff team..
I look forward to sharing pictures of the latest project where the team have used the legs of the old pool table, to make some very trendy retro planters to be located in the reception. I can’t wait to see our students’ next project!
Finally, to a report from Mr. Lawrence’s PE lessons..
In PE the students have been playing Goalball. They have been focusing on the main aspects of the game, sending the ball and listening to hear the bell coming towards them. The sports options group have also been fortunate to have support from some of our KS5 Activ8 leaders. All students have really enjoyed the sessions and have had the chance to focus on their listening skills when blindfolded as Goalball is a blind/visual impairment sport..
I was amazed at how well our students adapted to relying on a different sense. There was a lovely quote from one of the students who said “it was really weird and difficult not being able to see the ball, that must be how Sabeel feels all the time. I think he’s just amazing!!”
As are all our students!
Have a great half term. Please remember that Monday 24th February is a staff training day and college is closed to students. I look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 25th February.
Dawn
Click here for this week’s news from Graham
You can find Gavin’s blog for the school site here
For news on our Key Stage 5 pathway groups at Medtia Square please click here
You can find my previous blog posts here
