Scotney 

This week, Scotney Class have been learning all about Autumn! We’ve been observing how the leaves change colour and fall from the trees as the season shifts. The students enjoyed going outside to explore and collect leaves, bringing their discoveries back into the classroom. Once inside, they carefully looked at the different colours and labelled the leaves they had found.

This week, the students have been encouraged to use their communication aids with increasing independence to express their choices during snack time, free time, and lessons. They are also being supported to build full sentences wherever possible, helping them to expand their vocabulary and develop their confidence in communicating.

During cooking this week, the students followed symbol-supported instructions to make red poppy-shaped biscuits as part of our learning about Remembrance Day. The students were supported to weigh and measure ingredients, mix them together, and roll out the dough using a rolling pin. Once baked, the biscuits looked fantastic — and they tasted delicious too!

During our PSPD sessions, we have been learning about emotions - recognising, labelling, and understanding how we feel. We explored different facial expressions by looking at ourselves in the mirror and copying adult expressions. We also sorted pictures showing ‘happy’ and ‘sad’ emotions and used symbols to express how we are feeling. 

During Performing Arts this term, we have been taking part in a Life Skills Challenge, learning how to move our bodies during a performance and exploring a variety of props related to our theme. We have enjoyed using all our senses to explore the different props and sharing our discoveries and experiences with our friends.

During PE, we have been focusing on developing our gross motor skills, learning how to throw and catch with increasing control and consistency. We have also been practising following instructions and working in small groups with our friends and less familiar adults. We are learning to share our space and resources, and to work cooperatively with others.

The students have continued developing their skills in using functional items within the flat, such as the washing machine and tumble dryer. They have been following instructions carefully and are demonstrating increasing independence in operating these appliances.

We have continued to work towards our ASDAN Preparation for Work: Following Instructions accreditation. The students have been following verbal prompts and symbol-supported instructions to take part in a range of work-related activities, in preparation for adulthood.

During cooking sessions, we have been learning to use a range of kitchen equipment safely and appropriately, including scales and measuring jugs. The students have also been developing their skills in using knives safely to cut ingredients with increasing independence. This week, we followed instructions to make fruit barfi as part of our learning about Diwali.

This week in our inquiry sessions, we have been learning all about Harvest Festival. The students explored a variety of fruits and vegetables - tasting them, labelling them, sharing their likes and dislikes, and even using them to create colourful collages. We also discussed where our food comes from and reflected on ways we can support others in our community, such as through food donations.

As part of our ASDAN Life Skills Challenge, students have been learning how to use ICT in everyday life. This week, they explored a range of cause-and-effect and switch-operated toys, developing their understanding of how to activate and control them. A highlight of the session was using the Scalextric set - students had great fun racing the cars around the track while practising their new skills.

This week, Scotney class enjoyed a visit to the school library. They had the opportunity to independently choose their own books to explore and were encouraged to look through them, turn the pages, and share a story with an adult. Students also practised identifying pictures within the books when prompted, helping to build both their confidence and enjoyment of reading.

Whilst visiting Bore Place the students have been learning about different roles on the farm, participating in a range of activities to contribute to the daily running of the farm. This week the students have removing the weeds from the flower beds to prepare them for planting. They followed instructions to use the gardening fork safely to remove the weeds.

This week during our inquiry session we have been celebrating international day of sign languages. We participated in a range of activities using our hands, including enjoying a hand massage and exploring sensory hands filled with different materials. After exploring the different hands we used symbols to comment on their texture and whether we liked or disliked them.

During science the students have been learning about light, exploring a variety of different light sources. The students have enjoyed tracking the lights, exploring how they work and identifying their favourite colours.

During our ILP sessions the students have been working on their cognition targets, using a range of manipulatives to support their understanding. This has included using number puzzles to count the number of shapes and identify the correct number.

The students in Scotney class have been preparing for the Christmas Sale, following instructions to make a range of items to sell. This week the students have been focusing on their fine motor skills, threading Christmas beads onto string to make snowmen, elves and santa Christmas decorations.

During horticulture we learnt about different PPE and clothing to wear to keep us safe when working in the garden. The students explored the hard hats, welly boots and gardening gloves, before trying them off.

During Cooking the students have been following instructions to make a variety of foods. This week the students were supported to make chocolate cakes whilst learning about Roald Dahl, using a range of cooking utensils with increasing independence.

This week the students have been learning about the days of the week as part of their ASDAN accreditation, recognising which lessons and activities they participate in on each day of the week. The students used symbols to identify the different activities.

During our inquiry session, the students engaged in a carousel of activities whilst learning about Roald Dahl. This included making magic potions in the style of George's Marvellous Medicine, creating wands in the style of Matilda and searching for bugs from James and the Giant Peach. The students were able to label the bug by matching it to the symbol. 

This week, the students enjoyed their visit to the school library. They spent time with friends exploring a variety of engaging stories. With support, each student was encouraged to sit alongside a peer and share a book, fostering both their love of reading and becoming more comfortable sharing space with their peers.

As part of their ASDAN accreditation this year, the students have been working on following instructions in different activities and settings. This week, they did a fantastic job using a visual schedule to brush their teeth, listening carefully to prompts and completing each step with growing independence.

In Business Enterprise, the students have begun preparing for the Christmas Fair in Module 2. They are developing decision-making skills by choosing their favoured mug from a choice of two and selecting what to fill it with. The activity also supported their ability to follow instructions step by step, as they washed and dried the mugs in preparation for filling and wrapping.