Leigh Academy Milestone Newsletter

April 2025 - Term 4

Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to our Module 4 newsletter. Spring has truly sprung and we have embraced all the opportunities that the season offers. It has been a jam-packed module full of World Book Day hats, springtime markets, theatrical performances, awards and so much more!

Phase 3 students treated us to an incredible performance of ‘Macbeth’ as they took to the stage at The Woodville in Gravesend in March. There wasn’t a nerve in sight as our young people performed with confidence and passion, delivering a truly inspirational performance to family, friends and many of our staff. All the students involved have worked so hard, challenging themselves and their communication skills as they rehearsed over the last few months. They deserve all the praise and plaudits that have come their way since.

Our older students have also excelled in their community participation, with our secondary students making weekly visits to a local care home. The interactions and relationships that have been formed have been wonderful to witness.

Our new ‘Soundbeam’ is now in use. The SoundBeam is a ‘touch-free’ assistive music technology device that turns physical movements into sounds and music. A brilliant resource for all our students, it is particularly special for our PMLD students who can now access a meaningful expressive musical experience.

Last month Milestone won the SEN Provision Award at the Education Business Awards in London. Milestone was recognised for its groundbreaking work in introducing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme to the school, redefining what is possible in a special educational needs environment and dramatically enhancing the quality of education in the Academy. Huge thanks must go to Kyle Marsh (Assistant Principal and IB Coordinator) and Frances Rimmer (Assistant IB Coordinator) who have led our IB endeavour and accepted the award on behalf of the entire Milestone community.

Thank you to The Friends of Milestone for holding the ‘Special Someone Gift Wrap’. These initiatives are vital to fundraising efforts and so thank you to all parents/carers for supporting this event. I hope you enjoyed receiving the gifts that your child picked out!

Staying on the topic of fundraising, the Trust has created a Go Fund Me page to support our efforts to raise funds for new and engaging outdoor facilities. The Trust will invest as much of its funds as it can to make this happen, but we are looking for the support of others so we can complete the job! Please share this link far and wide and help us complete the project this summer if possible: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-us-in-reaching-a-milestone

Finally, we receive lovely feedback from our Milestone families throughout the year, whether it be in conversation or via email. We value this greatly and act on it where needed. Please can I ask you to also take the time to share this feedback via the Ofsted survey: https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/parent-view-results/survey/result/24768/15

Please enjoy this newsletter and do visit your child’s class pages for more insight and photos. Enjoy the spring break with your children and make the most of the sunshine (and chocolate eggs if you are so inclined). We look forward to seeing everyone back and ready to go again on Tuesday 22nd April.

Sarah Goosani

Principal

Phase 1

This term, Phase 1 has been filled with rich sensory experiences and exciting explorations! Our learners have engaged in activities linked to life cycles, using hands-on resources to explore the transformation of frogs and chicks through sensory play, songs, and interactive storytelling. We have also explored wet climates through carefully designed tuff tray experiences, allowing pupils to engage with water, textures, and sounds that bring these environments to life. Through our immersive storytelling sessions, we have explored The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, using sensory props, lights, and sounds to support engagement and communication.

A highlight of the term was World Book Day, where we celebrated Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with multi-sensory experiences, including exploring textures, smells, and colours inspired by the story. It has been a wonderful term full of opportunities for engagement, and we look forward to more exciting learning ahead!

Please take a look at our class pages: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-1/home

Catherine McHugh-Moss - Phase 1 Leader

Claire Woolmer - Assistant Principal Phase 1

Milestone @ Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard

In Early Years, during Module 4, we started exploring our new central idea ‘We share the Earth with living things’. We have had a really fun and exciting term exploring lots of new activities. We have shared the sensory stories and songs ‘Farmer Duck’, ‘Dear Zoo’ and ‘Old Mcdonald had a farm’. During our cooking activities we made bread, flapjacks, pizza faces and ham and cheese wraps.

We celebrated Pancake Day and explored all the ingredients in the sensory tuff tray as well doing some role-play with pancakes, spoons, flour and the frying pans. We tasted pancakes and used our communication aids to choose toppings.

In Write Dance this term we practiced our movement to the song ‘Wiggle Dance’ and then did lots of different sensory mark making.

Please take a look at our class page: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-1/home

Carly Bailey - Satellite Director

Phase 2

This module, Phase 2 has been busy learning about the human digestive system and teeth, exploring healthy and unhealthy foods and practising teeth brushing routines. A highlight was the sensory story ‘Our Brilliant Bodies’, where learners took a journey through the digestive system using their senses. We have also been learning about Ancient Greece, discovering Greek architecture, music, Gods, and myths. Pupils have enjoyed creating pottery and mark-making in clay, bringing history to life through hands-on activities.

A key event this term was World Book Day, where children took part in a marvellous hat parade, tolerating their peers around them and engaged in exciting science experiments such as a Coke explosion. They even had the chance to make their own bars of chocolate!

Many classes have also enjoyed offsite trips, including visits to the park, walks to New Ash Green, and storytelling sessions in the sunshine. It has been a fantastic term full of learning, exploration, and new experiences!

Please take a look at our class pages: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-2/home

Lucy Sparks- Phase 2 Leader

Michelle Hilton - Assistant Principal Phase 2

Milestone @ Leigh Academy Dartford

It’s been an exciting and action-packed term, filled with hands-on learning, outdoor experiences, and community engagement. This term, our school trips have provided valuable learning opportunities outside the classroom. The Satellite visited the Science Museum in London, where they explored the wonders of science and technology, and also visited a local church, learning about history, culture, and religious practices. Moonbeam class has also been engaging in their community participation by visiting the local shops and charity shops, gaining a deeper understanding of the local area and community involvement. Comet class had a fantastic time at Forest School, where they explored nature, developed teamwork skills, and solved problems in the great outdoors. Elsewhere, Nova class enjoyed swimming sessions, improving their water skills and learning about water safety in a fun and supportive environment.

This module has seen a focus on the IB PYP theme 'Where We Are in Place and Time' and 'Sharing the Planet'. The central idea guiding our learning has been that people, places, and the planet are all interconnected, with living things and systems linking together. We have explored how cultures, communities, and environments are interconnected, with a specific focus on the connections with nature. Students also investigated cycles, systems, and habitats, studying patterns in nature and the interdependent relationships within ecosystems. In their 'Expressing Our Ideas' unit, students learned about Greek Pottery and the role of art in reflecting the cultures and choices of ancient civilizations, particularly focusing on Ancient Greece.

For World Book Day, our students had a fantastic time creating and wearing their own hats inspired by the beloved characters in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. This activity allowed them to use their creativity and imagination, bringing to life characters from Roald Dahl’s famous book. It was a fun way to celebrate reading, and the students really enjoyed the connection between the hats and the whimsical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

This term, our students also participated in some exciting fundraising and creative activities. As part of Red Nose Day, students took part in a sponsored walk, raising money for a great cause while promoting teamwork and fitness. The enthusiasm and support from the entire school community made this event a big success, and we are proud of the effort our students put in to contribute to this charitable cause.

We have had an enriching and diverse learning experience this term, and we look forward to continuing our journey of exploration and discovery. Thank you for your continued support in your child’s learning journey.

Please take a look at our class pages: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-2/home

Jessica Street - Interim Satellite Director

Phase 3

Phase 3's term was a dynamic blend of thematic learning, creative exploration, and community engagement. Romans focused on 'How We Express Ourselves', cultivating practical skills and social awareness through environmental activities, library visits, and community outings. Our Stream students, under the 'Sharing the Planet' theme, combined outdoor functional skills with ecological investigations and swimming, fostering environmental stewardship and global awareness.

River pathway explored 'Where We Are in Time and Place' using 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' engaging in creative projects and critical discussions on justice and environmental care. Waterfall students, also within this theme, delved into the Great Revolt, comparing historical and modern societies, and analyzing ethical dilemmas through activities like the "conscience alley."

A highlight was World Book Day, where students immersed themselves in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' enjoying chocolate-themed activities that brought the beloved story to life. This literary celebration fostered a love of reading and creative expression.

Furthermore, an inquiry day broadened students' cultural understanding by exploring diverse springtime festivals within the British community. This provided valuable insights into cultural traditions and promoted a sense of community and belonging.

Across all classes, the curriculum was designed to facilitate independent learning as well as creative expression, and social awareness. Thematic learning provided a framework for exploring some complex concepts, while practical activities and community engagement brought learning to life. This diverse and engaging approach ensured a rich and rewarding term for all students

Please take a look at our class pages: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-3/home

Maria Steer - Phase 3 Leader

Kyle Marsh - Assistant Principal Phase 3

Milestone @ The Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy

As we wrap up Module 4, we are delighted to reflect on what has been a fantastic term, filled with hard work and achievements from our pupils. Our students have demonstrated exceptional dedication and enthusiasm in their learning, and it has been truly inspiring to witness their growth and progress.

This term, we celebrated World Book Day, where our pupils engaged in various activities that fostered a love for reading. We explored the beloved Roald Dahl classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Throughout the week, our pupils participated in a variety of fun, hands-on activities that not only brought the story to life but also encouraged creativity and a passion for literature among our learners. A highlight was joining a live BBC session, which significantly boosted their enthusiasm for reading.

Additionally, we marked Red Nose Day with a series of engaging activities aimed at raising awareness for those in need. Our pupils enthusiastically participated in various events, showcasing their compassion and commitment to helping others in our community. Two of our students even led a whole-school satellite quiz, which was a fantastic way to involve everyone.

Our Community Participation initiative provided excellent opportunities for our students to learn outside the classroom. Through hands-on experiences, they developed essential skills such as problem-solving and teamwork. Engaging with the community not only enriched their learning but also helped them build connections and confidence in real-world situations.

To enhance outdoor play, we've introduced new break-time activities, including a "Craze of the Week" to keep things fresh and engaging. Additionally, we've implemented a Quick Eaters Box in the canteen to support students who finish their meals quickly, ensuring a positive and structured lunchtime experience.

As the weather warmed up, we embraced the opportunity for our pupils to enjoy reading in the great outdoors. Spending time in nature while engaging with books has proven to be a wonderful way to enhance their learning experience. This initiative has helped our students connect with their surroundings, creating a calm and inspiring atmosphere as they enjoy their reading. We look forward to continuing this progress into the next term and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you for your ongoing support in making our school community a vibrant and nurturing environment for all our pupils.

As we approach the Easter break, we wish you all a restful and joyful holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on 22nd April, ready to continue our journey together. Enjoy your time off!

Please take a look at our class pages: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-3/home

Sofia Pinto - Satellite Director

Phase 4

Our students in the Stream classes have been engaging in a variety of hands-on activities centered around the central idea, 'Sharing the Planet.' They have been learning about natural and man-made materials and have explored the local environment through multi-sensory experiences.

As part of their learning about good health, students got creative in the kitchen, using fruit to prepare delicious dishes like apple crumble and mixed berry jam. In Leeds Class, students have been focusing on making choices using their preferred methods of communication. They have particularly enjoyed visiting local shops and exploring their natural environment through sensory experiences on their walks.

Dover Class has been working on social skills by visiting different places in the community. They have successfully generalised their Maths and English skills outside the classroom, with a particularly enjoyable and practical trip to the Beefeater restaurant! A highlight of the term was our Spring Sale, which was another great success! Students proudly showcased and sold the wonderful items they created during Business Enterprise, demonstrating their social skills and money-handling abilities in a real-world setting.

Please take a look at our class pages: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-4/home

Katy Morez-Stephens - Phase 4 Leader

Noleen Donaghy-Parkhouse - Assistant Principal Phase 34

Milestone @ Leigh Academy Wilmington

This term has been bustling with excitement and creativity! We celebrated World Book Day by immersing ourselves in the whimsical world of Roald Dahl, sparking the imaginations of our students.

In addition, we organised a range of engaging activities for Red Nose Day that not only entertained but also raised vital funds for charity. The highlight was our hilarious joke-telling competition, where students showcased their comedic talents!

Furthermore, we held a Skills 360 event, where six students had the fantastic opportunity to interview several employers. This hands-on experience allowed them to put their employability skills from the ASDAN course into practice.

Auditions are well underway for our end-of-year production of 'The Wizard of Oz,' and the enthusiasm is palpable! Throughout all these activities, students continue to diligently work towards their ASDAN Personal Progress and PSD qualifications, demonstrating tremendous growth and determination. What a fantastic Module 4 it has been!

Please take a look at our class pages: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-4/home

Nicky McCarthy - Satellite Director

PE News

Students from the sports group at Milestone @ Wilmington organised an excellent football tournament alongside all of our classes at Milestone@SGLA. The games took place at Goals in Dartford, in a fun but competitive environment. In total, we had 42 students taking part with separate boys and girls fixtures.

Earlier in Module 4 we arranged for Theresa Hoyle (professional trainer) to deliver all staff training to improve positive playtimes and to provide structured games and proactive strategies to keep young people engaged during these sessions of the school day. The training was a big success and positive playtimes have been embedded across the academy with each phase planning for 'Craze of the week,' 'Game of the week' and various other lunchtime physical activities which students are enjoying.

Steve Devereux - Head of PE

Horticulture News

The sun has peeked through (just a little!), and it's been wonderful to see our school gardens buzzing with activity. Several classes have taken on the exciting challenge of caring for their own raised beds and are looking forward to planting a range of their chosen vegetables and flowers. Get ready for some delicious harvests later in the year!

This term, our budding gardeners have been busy preparing the beds, giving our shrubs and fruit bushes a good prune, and making the front of our school look absolutely fantastic. Keep an eye out for the cheerful repurposed drums and pots of spring bulbs popping up all around the grounds too!

Our very own Horticulture @ Milestone enterprise is also in full swing! They've been sowing seeds galore, with the aim of using these in the planters which were jointly created with Upnor class. There will also be some available for individual sale in due course.

For more information about horticulture please follow this link: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-3/phase-3-202425/horticulture-202425?authuser=0

Kirsty Wiseman - Horticulture Teacher

Forest School

We have had a mix of weathers during this module, with some very wet and muddy sessions, but also some warm and sunny ones too! Signs of spring are starting to show, with wildflowers blooming and new leaves beginning to appear on our trees.

This module saw World Book Day and as a school we celebrated Roald Dahl’s 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' During Forest School, students set-off on the hunt for golden tickets and tried hot chocolate made on the campfire. Students have also tried pancakes, popcorn and tea cakes, all cooked over the campfire, being risk-takers by trying new foods.

We also had British Science Week during this module, where children were encouraged to find, observe and discuss the features of worms. Students have been exploring cause and effect activities, such as a hardware fidget board, teddy bear zipline and balance scales. The addition of a tree swing has also been a big hit, providing lots of opportunities for turn-taking and communication.

Please take a look at forest school via these links : https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-1/phase-1-202425/forest-school

https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-academy-phase-2/phase-2-202425/forest-school

Cheryl England - Forest School Teacher

Dates for Your Diary

Tuesday 22nd April - First day of Module 5

Thursday 8th May - Milestone Futures Careers Convention

Wednesday 21st May - Phase 1 Coffee Morning

Friday 23rd May - Last day of Module 5

Monday 2nd June - First Day Module 6

The Dog Mentor Programme

Our work with the Dog Mentor Programme continues. We are lucky enough to have four very different dogs in school which meets the needs of all. We now have many students who have developed close relationships with each of the dogs. We notice each dog offers something different. Toffee and Fudge enjoy walks with older students, Harper enjoys lots of cuddles on laps and walks with smaller children or children who are learning to walk, while Betty enjoys playing with all the children.

We observe that the dogs make everybody smile and we all say hello to the dogs before their human, but we do not mind at all. We notice that staff and students who are not so keen on dogs, are more accepting and comfortable seeing them around regularly. We have noticed how children care for the dogs and have learnt to walk them, give them treats or brush their teeth. We have noticed the impact the dogs are having on children's language development as we label body parts, ask questions to find out about them or talk about loss and bereavement. We notice how the dogs are helping with emotional and sensory regulation; the dogs help some children move around the school and to feel calm when something is bothering them.

Friends of Milestone - Charity No: 278677

The Friends of Milestone would like to thank everyone that supported our 'Someone Special Wrap' last week, we managed to raise £599.50! We hope you all enjoyed your gifts as much as the students enjoyed going shopping for them and enjoyed your special day. Please look out for details of our next 'Someone Special Wrap' which will be in the week beginning 9th June, exact date to be confirmed.

We would also like to thank everyone who nominated the Friends of Milestone through their ASDA cashpots, we received £695.26 through everyone shopping at ASDA.

We have more exciting events planned so please do look out for information regarding these or if you would like to attend one of the meetings and join The Friends please email friendsofmilestoneacademy@gmail.com

Thank you once again for your continued support.

Faye Warman – Chair

Sarah Spiers – Co-Chair and Treasurer

Lyn French – Secretary

Friends of Milestone

Therapy and Health News

THERAPY TEAM

Family Workshops

It has been lovely to be able to provide two workshops for families during module 4. We hope these workshops have given you more information and ideas to help you support your children's speech, language and communication needs, as well as their sensory needs at home.

Feedback forms were completed on the day and we will be following up directly with the families who attended the sessions in three months time to see how this information has helped children at home.

Makaton Workshop for Families

On the 5th and 12th of March, families took part in the Makaton workshop provided by local charity https://www.morethanwordscharity.com. We are grateful to More Than Words for their collaboration and providing this important training opportunity for our families. Participants gained the Makaton Level 1 certificate which included core vocabulary and an understanding of using Makaton. Families were able to ask questions to help them use Makaton to support their child's language and communication development.

Sensory Processing Workshop for Families

On 20th March, families met with Karen, Occupational Therapist to learn about Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), how children with SPD experience the world and to learn more about strategies and resources to help with sensory regulation. As always, Karen brought a wide range of resources and I hope it was useful to meet and share ideas with other families.

Shakespeare Festival

Huge congratulations to our phase three staff and students for their wonderful performance of Macbeth. We were incredibly proud of the students who worked together and supported each other. Of particular note is how they each did their absolute best to learn and say their lines, to prompt each other and to use their voices and acting skills to deliver such confident performances. Thank you to all involved for supporting this event.

MEDICAL TEAM

Medication: At the end of this term, we are sending home all regular and emergency medication. You should have received a letter this week about returning of medication after the Easter break. A further text reminder will be sent to all families towards the end of the holidays. Please make sure all medication comes into school with your child on the first day of term. See the letter for requirements otherwise we may need to contact you.

Special School Nursing Team Updates: We welcome Emily and Danielle, as they take up their nursing roles with us here at Leigh Academy Milestone. Our thanks and appreciation to Georgia who has worked with us for a long time.

Off Site Visits: As part of our commitment to supporting students with medical needs during off site visits and trips, Sue, Medical Team Leader recently supported students with medical needs and medication at the recent Shakespeare Festival. Everyone was fantastic and had a great time.

Clinics: We have continued to host regular Dietician, Paediatrician, ADHD and Continence clinics this term. The feedback from families and professionals is very positive so we hope it helps that we host and facilitate these clinics in school. See website for clinic dates https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-health-therapy/clinic-dates

Do take a look at the Therapy & Health pages on the website: https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-health-therapy/home

From Liz Skilton and all in the Therapy & Medical Teams

Useful Information and Websites

Support Websites

Useful websites with information and resources for schools and parents to support toileting are:

ERIC at www.eric.org.uk

Bladder and Bowel UK www.bbuk.org.uk

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Also look at the Facebook page for Kent Community Health as they also have information of sessions offered for parents on various topics.

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