Scotney 

The students in Scotney class enjoyed a walk into New Ash Green where they worked on generalising their skills learnt in the classroom whilst in the community. This included safely crossing the roads, remembering to look left and right, and navigating steps and uneven ground. The students were supported to pay for their lunch by exchanging their money with the shop keeper.

During our sensory story the students have been exploring different props to enable them to become the characters from the story. The students enjoyed wearing the wig, nose and bow tie in imitation of the clown, using a chatting sheet to comment on what they could see and feel. 

The students in Scotney class are encouraged to clean their tables after snack and lunch as part of their healthy living module. They have been learning about the importance of not only keeping themselves clean, but also keeping their environment clean to prevent the spread of germs.

The students have been working on their independent living skills during snack and lunch time, learning how to load their cutlery and use it with increasing independence. Over the academic year all the students in Scotney class have learnt to use cutlery safely and correctly.

Each morning the students in Scotney class engage in alerting activities which focus on their gross motor skills. These activities are aimed to alert the students and prepare them for their day. One of the activities the students participate in is write dance, where they complete gross motor movements in time to music.

During our ILP sessions the students in Scotney class have been working on their cognition targets. The students have been working on number recognition, using physical manipulatives to support them in their learning. They have then been applying these skills to real life situations.

As part of their life skills challenge, the students in Scotney class have been learning how to do their washing. They have been collecting the dirty washing from around the phase and loading the washing basket up, before taking it to the flat. The students have been supported to identify the washing machine, and follow instructions to complete the washing daily.

During sports day the students in Scotney class engaged in a range of activities including football, archery, hurdles and an obstacle course balancing the ball in the net. The students also enjoyed engaging with a range of bouncy castles in the gym, including an inflatable obstacle course. The students were able to overcome the different obstacles to reach the giant slide at the end!

Each week during cooking the students in Scotney class are learning about the different food groups, as part of their line of inquiry about health and well-being. This week the students have been learning about protein, using eggs to make scrambed egg. The students were taught how to crack an egg, beat it with a fork and then cook it in the microwave safely.

During cooking we are continuing to learn how to use different objects safely and appropriately to make different foods. This week the students have learnt how to make cheese toasties, using a knife safely to butter the bread with support. The students have also learnt how to safely use a toastie maker, being mindful of where we hold it as it is hot! The toasties were delicious! 

During our ILP sessions the students have continued to work on their individual targets, in particular their cognition and learning targets. This has included students engaging in activities where they are required to match items according to their colour (finding the same) and then counting how many items they have collected. These activities are developing their early counting skills.

This term the students in Scotney class are continuing to learn how to use everyday appliances appropriately, to support them in becoming more independent in the home environment. This week the students have been learning how to correctly load the dishwasher, learning where the plates, cups and cutlery go. They have also been learning where to put the dishwasher tablet and how to turn on the machine.

Whilst on the residential holiday in Haven, the students visited the restaurant every evening for their dinner. Whilst enjoying their dinner, the students continued to work on their independent living skills, using their cutlery correctly in the restaurant. This provided students with the opportunity to generalise the skills they had learnt in class to real life situations.

Whilst in Haven the students were given the opportunity to choose what they would like to do in their free time, choosing from: The park, the outdoor cinema or the arcades. Whilst accessing the different areas, the students engaged with their friends, and responded to adult instructions to engage in the activities safely and appropriately.

During the residential the students had the opportunity to participate in slime making! The students followed instructions to choose the colour they wanted to make their slime, mixing the paint in the mixture. They then slowly added slime activator and manipulated it in their hands until it reached the correct consistency - it was very messy and great fun! 

In PE, students have been exploring new skills through activities like archery, learning to safely and effectively use equipment such as bows and arrows. With guided support, they are developing confidence and independence in using the equipment correctly.

As part of our Personal Health Activities, students have been engaging in a range of activities designed to support positive well-being. A highlight has been visits from the therapy dogs, where students have learned how to interact with the animals calmly and safely. Staff have observed a noticeable improvement in students' overall well-being as a result of these sessions.

Students have been applying the skills they've learned in the classroom to real life settings within the wider community. During visits to local shops, they have been developing their independence by using self-checkout stations to scan and pay for their items. These experiences also support their ASDAN accreditation, as they learn to interact with a variety of everyday objects.

This term, Scotney Class has been focusing on developing ball skills to strengthen students’ gross motor abilities and hand-eye coordination. Through a variety of activities - including target games, throwing, and catching - the students have shown great enthusiasm and progress. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence and skills grow throughout the term.

This term, students in Scotney Class have been learning about a variety of animal habitats as part of our inquiry into caring for the environment. Through a range of hands-on sensory activities, pupils have explored different habitats and discovered the animals that live in them. They have also been learning about the importance of protecting our environment and how we can all help to keep animal habitats safe and healthy.

This term, Scotney Class has been working on important life skills as part of their ASDAN Life Skills Challenge, focusing on how to prepare for trips into the community. Students have learned how to stay safe and comfortable by practising tasks such as applying sun cream and remembering to bring a drink. As part of this learning, the class visited local shops to buy ingredients for cooking. They did a fantastic job locating items on their shopping list and confidently using the self-checkout to complete their purchases.

This term, the students in Scotney Class have started learning about the hospitality sector, and have been making sausage rolls to sell each week at the Castle Café. They are also developing important kitchen skills, including the safe use of knives and ovens during food preparation.

During their visit to Bore Place, the students learned about the cows on the farm, including their diet and the milking process. They also explored the equipment used for milking and gained an understanding of how it works.

As part of their ASDAN accreditation, the students have been developing their skills in using various kitchen tools to prepare food. They’ve focused on safely handling knives and practicing proper cutting techniques with a range of vegetables, supporting their learning about healthy living.

As part of our good health activities, students in Scotney class have been learning how to keep themselves clean by brushing their teeth, washing their face and washing their hands. Students are beginning to complete this activities with more independence.

As part of the independent living skills curriculum the students in Scotney class have been supported to go off site to complete different tasks. The students have been tasked with sending letters in the post, and using the self check-out whilst in the shop.

During cooking the students are learning about healthy eating and are using vegetables in their cooking. This week students learnt how to use a grater safely to grate carrot and cheese to make veggie muffins - they were delicious! 

Each morning the students in Scotney class engage in alerting activities to ensure they are ready for the day. This has included ball skills, where students have engaged in a range of target activities including basketball, football and croquet.

During snack time students have been taking it in turns to run the shop, making toast and serving snacks to their friends. Students have been travelling to the snack table with their communication aids to  make their requests, engaging with their friends.

During a communication session the students in Scotney class have been learning to persistently request an activity across a range of scenarios. The students are encouraged to use their individual communication aids or chatting sheets to request their activity.

During cooking the students have been continuing to learn how to use a range of domestic appliances. This has included using the microwave to melt butter when making cakes. The students are beginning to show more understanding of how to use the microwave with increasing independence.

The students in Scotney class have been working on their independent living skills, participating in activities with increasing independence. The students have been encouraged to wash up their own plates and bowls after lunch, before putting them away.

During PE the students have been encouraged to use a range of objects to complete tasks. The focus of the term has been on ball skills, with students learning how to strike the ball using a cricket bat, developing their hand eye coordination.

Some of the students in Scotney class have been visiting Bore Place this term to participate in work based learning. Whilst at the farm they have been learning about how to support the local wildlife. This has allowed the students to learn how to safely use items such as a saw to chop wood to make bird feeders.

The students in Scotney class are encouraged to use their preferred form of communication throughout the day to support them to express themselves. During business enterprise this week, the students have been encouraged to make choices about coloured materials and tools they would like to use to create cards, using real objects, symbols or their communication books.

In maths, students have been exploring key mathematical concepts such as fill, pour, full, and empty. They have applied these skills in business enterprise and cooking activities, carefully following instructions to measure and fill cups with ingredients before combining them to create salt dough.

During PE the students in Scotney class have been learning to use new sports equipment including the javelin. They have been learning how to hold it correctly, throwing it in the air to make it travel correctly. 

This week the students in Phase 4 set up a spring sale to sell the items they have been making during business enterprise. During the sale the students worked on their communication and interaction targets, exchanging money and engaging with customers.

Scotney class have been learning about health and wellbeing, exploring different foods and identifying if they are healthy or unhealthy. The students explored different fruit, sorting them by colour and then labelling them, before cutting them up to create a rainbow fruit salad.

During science the students have been learning about 'change and adapt' as part of British Science Week. The students have been engaging in a range of experiments in their science lesson providing them with the opportunity to observe how ingredients change and react when they are combined together.

During maths the students have been exploring pattern which has included following a pattern or rhythm of music. The students had the opportunity to explore electric drums and were supported to play along with the rhythm, following a pattern of music.

This week we have been learning about Holi, the festival of colour. We have learnt the meaning of the different colours, and explored spices and dried fruit using our senses. The students have been creating Holi inspired pictures, using communication aids to express which colours they want to use, and using a range of tools such as paintbrushes, sponges and their hands! 

During business enterprise the students have been applying their maths skills to make items to sell at the upcoming spring sale. The students have been recognising numbers to help them to follow instructions, and counting how many items they have to sell, using a number line for support.

As part of our independent living skills the students have been allocated jobs within the classroom to complete. This has included completing the washing up, using the washing up sponge to clean the plates after snack time.

During business enterprise the students have been following instructions to make items to sell at the upcoming spring sale. This has included items such as milkshake cones, cookie and browie bags and scented playdough. The students have been encouraged to engage in the activities with increasing independence.

During enterprise Scotney class visited the allotment to plant some seeds. The students have been learning how to use the gardening tools appropriately to transfer soil from the bag to the plant pots, following instructions from an adult.

Scotney class have been completing a life skills challenge around good health. They have been learning how to look after their own personal health and stop the spread of illness through activities such as washing their hands, washing their faces and blowing their noses.

Scotney class have set up their own snack shop in the kitchen each morning, where students have jobs such as the shop keeper, chef and waiter/waitress. During snack shop the students have been supported to use their PECs books to make choices about what snack they want, exchanging the symbol with their friends to request their snack.

The students in Scotney class have been working on constructing towers, responding to mathematical language such as tall, big and one more. They have manipulated the objects to position one brick on top of the other, improving their fine motor skills and coordination.

During science the students engaged in an experiment exploring whether particular liquids mixed together. The students used objects such as measuring jugs and pipettes to add the liquids (oil, water and food colouring) to a container and observed the results of their actions with interest.

As part of their ASDAN life skills challenge the students in Scotney class have been learning how to use a range of electrial appliances safely. This has included learning how to plug the appliances in and switch them on at the mains with increasing independence.

The students in Scotney class have been focusing on using their individual communication aids to express their preferences during the day. The students have been learning a range of signs including colours to enable them to communicate which coloured items they want to use in art.

During ASDAN life skills sessions, Scotney class have been exploring a range of domestic appliances they can use. They have followed visual instructions to plug the hoover in, turn it on, use it to hoover the carpet and then turn it off safely. The students have been learning how to use plugs safely. 

During horticulture the students in Scotney class have been learning how to use a range of gardening tools. The students have used plastic spades to scoop the compost from the tray into a flower pot. They have then used a watering can to add water to the pot to help the seed to grow.

During cooking the students have been learning about different countries, with the focus this week being on America. The students were risk takers and followed instructions to cook mince and onion in the kitchen to make the burgers, before constructing them using burger buns and cheese. They were very tasty! 

During Aqua Learn the students have been working on their independent physical targets, focusing on improving their gross motor skills. The students have been responding well to supporting adults in the pool, engaging in games using the balls and pool toys.

During a sensory session the students were provided with a range of tactile, auditory and visual resources to explore. They were given time to investigate how they worked, and were supported to show which resources they liked the most using their communication aids. 

During Science the students are learning about solids and liquids, and exploring how materials change when they are mixed together. The students have been following instructions to make cornflour, observing how the materials change in consistency when they are mixed together.

The students in Scotney class are learning how to apply the skills they have learnt in the classroom to every day life skills in the flat. They have been supported to load the washing mahine and dishwasher with increasing independence, before turning the dial to turn the machine on.

The students have been learning about the importance of recycling. Students have been following verbal instructions to transition to the flat to place any items that can be recycled in the bin.

The students in Scotney class have been focusing on their physical skills, transitioning to different areas of the school with increasing independence.  

This term the students in Scotney class have a coach from Kent Cricket in class to teach them how to play table cricket. During the session the students have the opportunity to bat the ball using a small cricket bat or roll the ball down a ramp as the bowler. 

This week the students in Scotney have been exploring food and art from Italy. During cooking they followed instructions to make pitta pizzas with their chosen toppings. The students used the air fryer to cook their pizzas, turning the dial and pressing the button to activate the air fryer.

Whilst at Bore Place the students made s'mores using marshmallows and toasted them on the fire. The students learnt the importance of staying a safe distance away from the fire, and how to toast the s'mores safely. The students were also supported to make bubble mixture to create giant bubbles, which they enjoyed blowing in the wind!

The students participated in play dough disco, where they completed a range of movements using their fingers and hands to manipulate the dough. This included rolling the dough into a ball, pinching it using a pincer grip and pressing each finger into the dough individually. The aim of this session was to work on improving the students fine motor skills.

The students in Scotney class have been focusing on increasing their independence during a range of functional activities such as using the washing machine, tumble dryer and dish washer. The students have learnt how to load and unload the machines, as well as adding cleaning products safely to clean the clothes.

Scotney class enjoyed Christmas dinner together on Wednesday! The students pulled crackers, enjoyed listening to music and eating their Christmas dinner with their friends. The students were encouraged to work on their fine motor skills to cut their own lunch, and all had a great time! 

The students in Scotney class are encouraged to use their individual communication aids across a range of lessons. Students are supported to use their communication books / PECS books to make requests, comment about what they can see and express how they are feeling.

The students were supported to follow instructions to make their own kinetic sand to explore during their inquiry session. The students engaged in the activity alongside their peers, sharing the resources. The students were supported to explore the kinetic sand using the different equipment, being exposed to language such as fill, pour, full and empty.

During drama the students have been listening to different music and interpreting it in their own way. This has included circus music where the students have imitated walking on a tight rope, juggling balls and impersonating a clown!

During cooking the students used a switch to activate the microwave to melt chocolate, butter and golden syrup to make chocolate crispy cakes to sell at the Christmas Fair. The students were supported to open the door and put the bowl in the microwave safely before activating it. 

The students in Scotney class have been using ribbons during write dance to create a range of movements including circles, horizontal and vertical lines and waves. This has been helping the students to focus on their gross motor skills but also encouraging them to grip an item with increasing independence.

The students in Scotney class have been making dog biscuits for the upcoming Christmas fair. One of the students in Scotney class took a biscuit over for Betty to try, and enjoyed holding Toffee's lead, before requesting to take her for a walk.

Scotney class have been busy in recent weeks making items for the Christmas fair during business enterprise, including dog biscuits, cookie jars and scented playdough. During this time they have had the opportunity to use a variety of objects including rolling pins and scales.

During cooking the students have been learning to use scales to measure ingredients needed for their cookie jars. The students have carefully poured the different ingredients into a bowl whilst looking at the numbers to find out their weight.

The students have been focusing on a range of life skills during their independent living skills curriculum. This has included using the washing machine to wash dirty clothes during the day. The students have been encouraged to walk to the flat with the washing basket, put the washing in the machine and press the button to activate it.

Whilst visiting the community, the students had the opportunity to visit the bakery to spend some of their money. They chose what they wanted from the shop by pointing and vocalising, and then engaged with the shop keeper to exchange the money and wait to be given the item they purchased.

Every Wednesday the students have the opportunity to visit the library in school. We use this as an opportunity to focus on our gross motor skills, transitioning from the classroom to the library as independently as possible. Whilst in the library the students have been encouraged to explore a range of books including tactile and auditory books.

This term in PE the students in Scotney class are learning to use different equipment such as hockey sticks and archery sets. Students were encouraged to explore the equipment and use it appropriately during the lesson.

During snack, lunch and cooking lessons, the students in Scotney class are being encouraged to complete tasks with increasing independence. This includes cutting their food using cutlery, spreading toppings onto their toast during snack time and opening their own packets.

As part of our ASDAN accreditation, the students are exploring different objects and learning how they work. During cooking the students followed instructions to make pizzas whilst learning about Italy, before cooking them in the air fryer. This required students to turn the dial on the air fryer, focusing on their fine motor skills and pincer grip.

This week we have been learning about remembrance day through a variety of sensory activities. The students were able to follow instructions to create a poppy picture using sponges and paintbrushes.

During business enterprise the students have been hard at work making items to sell at the upcoming Christmas fair. This week the students have been making hot chocolate reindeer cones, following visual instructions and mathematical language to 'pour', 'fill' and 'tie' the cones in the process. 

As part of their work related learning a group of students from Scotney class will be attending Bore Place this term. This week the students learnt about the importance of keeping the farm clean and tidy, and helped to rake leaves and clear the pathways to make them safe. The students demonstrated how to use the rake and wheelbarrow safely and with increasing independence.

During PE the students have been supported to engage in a variety of games focusing on their ball skills including basketball and football. The students have been able to follow verbal instructions and adult modelling to participate in the activities with increasing independence.

As part of our english ASDAN module 'people and friendships' the students in Scotney class have been participating in a range of turn taking games together, with staff encouraging students to take an interest in their peers friends that they are working with. The students are beginning to interact with each other with increasing independence!

Whilst at Bore Place farm the students have been supporting the staff to dig up vegetables that we planted last year. We then washed, peeled and chopped the potatoes before coating them in garlic and rosemary to make a delicious potato dish to enjoy. The students have been learning core skills needed to work on the farm.

During PE the students in Scotney class have been making choices about which adult they want to engage with as part of their ASDAN accreditation. Students have been encouraged to work with staff who are less familiar to them, working on building positive relationships.

Throughout the day students have been supported to participate in independent living skills with increasing independence including wiping the tables, completing the washing up and sweeping the floor. The students have been following visual and verbal prompts to complete this.

During our healthy living lessons we have been exploring different hygiene products. This week we explored bubble bath and used it to make bubble foam. The students chose a colour for their foam and then used the whisk with support to turn it into foam! 

The students will have the opportunity over the year to visit Bore Place as part of their work related learning. Whilst visiting Bore Place today the students learnt about how to look after plants, and then watered the plants in the allotment. They also explored a variety of different herbs by smell and texture, and picked some apples from the trees.

During our visits to the library, the students in Scotney class are encouraged to choose a book they would like to listen to. The students enjoy exploring the books with staff, demonstrating their understanding of how books work by turning the page when asked to.

As part of our business enterprise, the students are learning to use a variety of objects to make and decorate items for the upcoming Christmas sale. The students used chatting sheets to communicate what colours they wanted and used their paintbrush to decorate the salt dough candle holders.

The students in Scotney class visited the local shops to purchase cooking ingredients. They were able to find the  ingredients by matching symbols to the real objects. The students used the self service tills to scan the items before paying using a debit card.

The students in Scotney class are encouraged to use their individual communication aids during the school day with increasing independence. This includes using communication books, chatting sheets and exchanging symbols for their desired food during snack.

As part of their ASDAN accreditation the students in Scotney class are recognising objects they need to complete every day tasks. The students are being supported to use the objects appropriately within their daily tasks, including using the toaster, microwave and cheese grater during cooking.

Whilst visiting the library, the students in Scotney class enjoyed learning about different celebrations around the world. The students were supported to sit together to engage in a story as part of their ASDAN module 'people and friendships'.

As part of their business enterprise, the students followed visual instructions and verbal prompts to make salt dough. They then used this salt dough to mould in to candle holders by manipulating it into a ball and pushing the candle in the middle.

The students in Scotney class have been learning how to make toast with increasing independence. They have followed visual and verbal instructions to place the bread in the toaster and to butter their own toast. The students have communicated their choice of topping using their individual communication aids.