Enterprise

Enterprise is one of the five 14-19 classes and is part of Pathway 2 within the Academy. At present there are 11 students in the group: 7 male and 4 female, who are aged between fourteen and eighteen years. 

The students in Enterprise are working within the following ranges: 

English Entry Level 1 to Entry Level 3 

Maths Entry Level 1 to Entry Level 3 

Science: Entry Level 1 to Entry Level 3 

Computing: Entry Level 1 to Entry Level 3 

The students in the group all have complex needs and communication needs. Most of the students are on the Autistic spectrum and need visual timetables to support them. All the students have a happy disposition, and I am pleased to say that with support they all work hard at their studies. 

There are two members of staff in Enterprise. Teacher Maxine Williams and teaching assistants Jessica Redfern. 

Our students access a full curriculum, some of which is taught in their tutor room. Other specialist subjects are taught in subject specific environments, e.g. Physical Education, Art and Computing. 

All students also access a Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) curriculum. Which includes Health, Community, Independence, and Employment.  During Employment sessions some students work on their gardening skills, by maintaining the school grounds and sometimes going to staff housing to experience maintenance work on their gardens, some students also experience vegetable plotting, which is done in school at the vegetable garden and greenhouse. Other students, work within the community, which also helps with their social skills, this takes place at a range of places, such as the local farm, where they will help feed the animals and/or muck out the stables etc. Other students are given the opportunity to stay in school and work on their catering skills, which involves making different types of meals and desserts and learning how to properly set a table for events etc. 

We start each day in a positive way, greeting each student and asking them to share things that have happened at home, tell us how they are feeling, what they are looking forward to in the day and any worries or concerns they may have. Students will have time to discuss personal issues with tutors. This is a time to build up positive relationships. Reading is an integral part of our morning routine. Thursday morning during tutor time, we have the opportunity to discuss “Relationship, Sex Education” 

Promoting independence and a good work ethic is something we are working towards as a group. We are aware of the targets set by ourselves and others and with support we strive to achieve them. 

We work closely with a range of other professionals including physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. 

Communication between home and the Academy is very important. Students’ planners are checked each morning and notes may be written by parents and class staff. When necessary, tutors will phone parents/carers to discuss concerns or involve other appropriate members of staff, as necessary. Parents are welcome to contact staff. 

As the students’ progress through the years 10-13 they will build up a portfolio of work that will be accredited at OCR Entry Level 1, 2 or 3. They will follow the TITAN programme of road safety and all students will have the opportunity to access a course at a local college.