Milestone Academy Newsletter

Phase 2

Canyon Class has enjoyed exploring this Term's theme, 'Tribes and Temples'. In history we made our very own sundials, Maui statues made playdough and cave drawings using different materials to mark make on woodchip wallpaper. We have made amazing sculptures in art focusing on the cultures within Disney, such as Moana boats made out of lollipop sticks,and Tipis with different textured paper. We made some exciting dishes in cookery, developing our fine motor skills by chopping, grating, slicing and measuring different ingredients. Some of the dishes we have made are Lomi Salmon and Avocado Salad, Cranachan and Cornbread. We have been continuing our maths and have been focusing on ‘adding’ with the use of manipulatives, as well as focusing on our Read Write Inc sessions in English. 

Mountain Class Term’s topic is 'Tribes and Temples' and Mountain class have enjoyed exploring this in a variety of ways.  We have looked at different ways of building our own temples, concentrating on learning about mathematical vocabulary such as bigger and smaller, one or lots. Our sensory story has taken us on a journey along the River Nile, following a stinky camel to the pyramids!  Mountain class have enjoyed exploring the sensory props that support this story using all their senses; sight, smell, touch, and hearing.  This has led to some lovely expressions and opinions communicated within class.

Alongside the topic, we have all been working hard on our own individual learning targets as well as weekly swimming and aqua sessions, Beaming Stars Gymnastics and community participation walking into New Ash Green to post the school’s mail and to buy class snack for Friday afternoon.

Orchard Class have thoroughly enjoyed the 'Tribes and Temples' topic this Term. We have explored different aspects of the lives of Aztecs, including their clothes, homes, and food and compared similarities and differences to our own lives. In science, we have inquired about rocks and described their properties, learnt about their uses and we made our own rocks. In PSPD, we have learnt about people who help us in our families, at school and in the community and focused on how to be caring and how to be a good friend. We have enjoyed our weekly visits to the school library and we are continuing to work hard in our Read Write Inc phonics sessions. In ICT, we have learnt how to use search engines to gather information and we have found facts and pictures about our cooking recipes or RE topics. We have created lots of different recipes this term from around the world, including pizzas, stir fry, nachos, anzac biscuits and we have researched where these recipes are from.

Forest Class have worked hard this Term focusing on our topic 'Tribes and Temples'. During art we have been learning about Alexander Calder, exploring and creating sculptures from a variety of different materials. We have learnt about rocks during science, following instructions to participate in several different sensory experiments exploring the different types of rock. Forest class have enjoyed learning about Chinese New Year celebrations, engaging in a variety of sensory activities related to the year of the rabbit. During Term 3 we have focused on our independence skills during our cookery and nutrition lessons, applying skills such as chopping, grating and blending to create dishes from around the world. Forest class have worked extremely hard on their individual maths and english targets this term, with a particular focus on reading and phonics. It has been fantastic to see the students so engaged in their learning during Term 3. 

Woodland class children have enjoyed exploring the topic of temples and tribes. Each week the class explored sensory stimuli from a different tribe and culture, starting with Aboriginal tribes, Native American and Egyptian. During our sensory carousel sessions the class travels around the classroom focusing on different senses to learn and explore. An example of the activities the children access in this session are using switches to make soups, smoothies and juices, activating music on the white board, painting, sensory bins, musical instruments and much much more. 

Woodland class has continued to work on their individual targets in all areas of specialist teaching and they have really enjoyed making progress in the swimming pool and on the trampoline where the children work on their physical and communication targets. The pupils have also really enjoyed their Music and Movement sessions with Beaming Stars and there have been lots of smiles and giggles during these sessions especially when ‘Baby Shark’ is played. Alongside side this, pupils have been working hard on their physio targets and they have been following their individualised physio programmes.

Coast Class have really enjoyed our topic this term; 'Tribes and Temples'. 

We have explored different cultures and their festivals, our favourite being Holi the festival of colour. We threw different powdered paint and watched the colours fall. We also made our own scented paint using different spices. We have loved our new morning work sessions working on our fine motor and investigative skills as well as our cognition targets. Each week we share a different theme relating to our topic, our favourite this term has been ‘Brave’ the scottish hyland tribe. During our physical sessions we have been able to explore the school and new equipment. During our personal targets we have worked on personal care, lunchtime skills and communication skills. We have been incredibly creative this Term with our art sessions and throughout the day with a new easel that we can access sitting or standing. To see more please visit our website page.

Glacier Class has been learning all about 'Tribes and Temples' this Term. In history we have explored the lives of Aztecs, this has included their homes, their food and their clothes. 

In Art this Term, we have created our own sculptures from the Disney films, including the Encanto house and also a Moana boat! 

On top of also learning all about tribes and temples this term we have also focused on our own personal targets, this has included continuous provision outside. We have also been over to the Library this Term exploring different types of stories and books for the students to engage with.

Michelle Hilton - Phase 2 Director 

Phase 3

Aztec Class are linking our learning to our Religious topic of Hinduism.  Last we look at 'How the World Began' and the week we have read the story 'The God and the wicked witch'  Aztecs investigated the characters and character stereotyping, sorting these, the adjectives and verbs into 'good' and 'evil'.  They have also completed a guided writing session to write a paragraph about a chosen character. During our Morning work, Students have been working hard to demonstrate their understanding of number and how they are made. During maths this term, Students in Aztec class have been learning the language of multiply and division, confidently using numicon tiles to support their calculations.  They have learned how to write the number sentences and how multiplication and division relate to each other. 

Sparta Class' central idea this term has been "How modern society has been shaped by ancient civilisations". As this was quite wordy, we looked up the definitions and rewrote our central idea in our own words. The students came up with "How the present has been moulded by people who lived long ago". We have been looking into the Harrapan civilisation who populated the Indus valley over 5000 years ago. We discussed why this group of people would have  originally formed their community next to a river and what benefits that would have had. We also looked through the timeline to see how this civilisation developed and then mysteriously disappeared. We came up with our own theories and researched those of archaeologists  to see if our ideas were similar to experts.  This term we have also been looking into the Hindu faith, specifically the Hindu diet and religious stories.

My maths group has been doing some really fantastic work building upon their skills of multiplication and division and beginning to recognise relationships between the two. The students have been enjoying working out different problem solving questions by grouping/ sharing manipulatives into equal groups to find out the answer. The group which joins Viking have been working on dividing 3 digit numbers by 1 digit numbers using the part-whole method. They've had some really challenging questions and have made great progress. Both groups have also been looking at different units of measurement (mm, cm and m) and the different apparatus we can use to find out length/ height and perimeter. 

All students have been participating in their phonics lessons and we're now approaching the end of our book "Wonder". The students have really enjoyed this story. They've clearly taken away some really key messages which have been evident in our recap sessions.  

Finally, the students  very much enjoyed meeting the school's new therapy dogs "Toffee and Fudge"!

Tudor Class this Term has been exploring Jumanji. As part of our IB learning, we have travelled to a different place in time through the Jumanji sensory story. We have been chased by the bad guys, run through jungles and jumped into waterfalls, fought snakes, eaten cake which may have been a risk and eaten the green diamond that saved Jumanji.

We have also transferred our learning through Maths and English and following our transplinary theme of being risk takers and good communicators.

Viking Class have been exploring the central idea of:  'The Modern society is shaped by ancient civilisations'. We have been using our transdisciplinary themes to teach a range of activities that are cross curricular exploring location in geography, historical facts as well as culture in RE. While linking our religious topic of Hinduism with past civilisations like the Indu Valley. Viking class have explored factual texts and answered a range of comprehension style question as part of their English learning, as well as completing research tasks to develop their knowledge and understanding. We have continued with this through our further English lessons by looking at the religion of Hinduism, exploring Hindu stories. Starting with 'How the world began' linking to the Hindu culture and moral values. 

During Maths Viking class have explored multiplication and division learning new strategies to show their workings, learning new mathematical terms like 'divisor and remainder'. And how to relate multiplication and division with one another. While using a range of manipulatives to support their learning. 

This Term Viking class has been attending North Kent College for Swimming lessons, learning about safety in the pool, how to be independent in their self-care. As well as partaking in different strokes and games during their time there. As well as enjoying their time in the newly refurbished library completing independent reading and 1:1 reading with an adult to work on their reading and listening skills. 

Saxon Class have enjoyed exploring the topic of ‘Where we are in place & time’ this term and we have had great fun linking this to our sensory story of 'Jumanji'. We have delved into the jungle, explored different animals through sounds, actions & textures and we have completed art activities following key instructions to join in with the tasks.

Saxons have been developing their turn taking skills through games and outdoor activities such as ball games, bowling & sharing the outdoor equipment on the playground. All of the students have worked hard this term to increase their independence during snack & lunch times where their self help skills are progressing every day. Well done Saxons!

Roman Class have enjoyed a busy and active Term and are very happy that Spring looks as if it is Springing. We have been working on our communication skills, whether this be signing, symbol recognition, photographs, or AAC devices.   We are getting very good at telling everyone what we want/do not want. We are also very good at practising our physical skills - walking around the classroom, playground and indeed the whole school.   

Renaissance Class In Term 3 our transdisciplinary theme is  'Where we are in place and time'. With the central idea being "The modern society is shaped by ancient civilisations". Our lines of enquiry questions are characteristics of civilisations, how achievements of ancient civilisations progressed over time and how ancient religions have impacted upon modern day culture. 

We have focused on the Hindu religion, reading stories to learn about their beliefs and festivals and online research into where in the world the religion began. Renaissance class have also been learning what a civilisation is and finding the meaning of new key words, for example society, ancient and modern. 

Renaissance class has continued their weekly shopping trips to the co-op in New Ash Green where they have been reading a shopping list and finding the food they need around the shop.  

Students from Renaissance class have also participated in Boxing with a boxing coach. 

During Renaissance's Horticulture lessons they have been upcycling an old dollhouse into a bug hotel! 

We have also been getting to know Milestone's puppies Toffee and Fudge, they are the newest members of the Therapy team.

Jurassic Class have been learning all about the Indus Valley this Term. We have compared a modern day home to that of someone in the Indus Valley.  Did you know that they had flat roofs and some of the world's first flushing toilets.  As a part of our RE and English we have been looking at Hinduism with a focus on Ganesh's race around the world.  Ganesh showed his parents he cared by walking around them three times because they were his world.  We made raita and mint sauce,  in cooking, to try with poppadoms - they were delicious.  

Kyle Marsh - Phase 3 Director

Phase 4

It is so wonderful to see the fantastic learning that has occurred across Phase 4 this term and the excellent opportunities for generalisation of skills across a range of different learning environments.

Thank you to our families for your ongoing support, we wish you and your young person a wonderful half term and look forward to seeing you in Term 4!

Dover Class have continued to work towards their ASDAN accreditation this term where they have been taking part in their next mini-enterprise project, preparing to hold a bake sale. We enjoyed being able to select the different cakes and biscuits we would like to sell and discussed what we need to do to hold a successful bake sale. We have designed and made chocolate covered cake pops, choosing what we think people would enjoy. We have also made brownies, cupcakes and gingerbread biscuits. At the beginning of term we enjoyed the story of Goldy Lucks and the 3 Panda Bears in English, where we liked joining in with the repeating phrases and created a storyboard to retell the story. 

Eynsford Class have been working very hard on our target work sessions this term. We have been developing our reading skills and extending our comprehension skills. We have developed these skills by having pictures of the book and engaging with pages within a story to match picture to pictures and to use attributes to describe pictures on a page. 

Eynsford class have also been exploring different types of technology for our ASDAN module, and have been using chromebooks in class to engage in different maths activities, as well as using IPADS in class to support learning. We all  enjoyed using different types of technology during our lessons, our favourite was using the chromebooks in class as this was something new and exciting. 

Scotney Class continue to work hard on their ASDAN accreditation “Developing Reading Skills”. We have achieved this using symbols, the written word and pictures. Our visits to Bore Place Dairy farm have been great fun and the students have really enjoyed seeing the calves, making soup and bread and maintaining the bird feeders. During our Food and Nutrition lessons we have been researching old recipes and cooking a selection of foods. Some were more successful than others!

We are looking forward to spending time in our garden area as the signs of Spring begin to show. We will be planting a selection of vegetables and flowers and hoping for some warmer days ahead.

Canterbury Class have been working hard on our ASDAN getting on with people module. We have been following a series of instructions both verbal and symbolic to complete functional jobs in the flat and we have enjoyed working in pairs in class to share a game or learning activity together and practise our turn taking and sharing skills.

In Cookery the students have been looking at historical recipes and making a variety of meals from time gone by! The favourite by far through was bread and butter pudding!  

Leeds Class have been learning to work with each other as part of our ASDAN accreditation ‘Getting on with people’ . We have  had lots of fun in class engaging in different activities and exploring a wide range of resources. Some of our favourites have been the bubble machine and cause and effect toys. This has helped us to develop our exploration skills and has also helped us to complete our target work in line with our second ASDAN module, ‘Exploring with the World around you: Technology’. 

Noleen Donaghy-Parkhouse - Phase 4 Leader

Dartford MP Visit

On Friday 3rd February, Milestone @ Wilmington had a visit from Dartford MP, Gareth Johnson. Our fantastic students put together really intelligent questions to ask Mr Johnson, who was so impressed with their conduct and standard of questions being asked. As staff, were incredibly proud of how polite, articulate and interested our students were. Next stop, Parliament! 

Article by Jennifer:

Dartford MP, Gareth Johnson, Visits M@W

On Friday 3rd February, students at Milestone at Wilmington had a visit from Gareth Johnson MP for Dartford.

We also had some Wilmington Academy Global politics students join us.

Some of the questions we asked included what subject do you think is most important to learn in schools? Is it possible for you to invite us to the House of Parliament for a tour? Can you give us some information on the extension of the ULEZ Zone (ultra low emission zone)?

Something I enjoyed was asking Gareth Johnson MP for Dartford questions and finding out what he does in Parliament and in the Dartford Constituency. He said that we can go to visit him in the Houses of Parliament.

Gareth Johnson said that he thinks Maths, English and social skills are the most important subjects.

 He said he does not agree with the ULEZ Zone and he also gave us some information on the £12.50 charge when you go into London.

Article by Elliot:

Dartford MP, Gareth Johnson, Visits M@W

On Friday 3rd February, students at Milestone at Wilmington had a visit from the almighty Gareth Johnson who is a MP for our local town called Dartford.

All of the M@W students had a big talk with him in our hall, some of the Wilmington main site students came along too. We asked lots of powerful and effective questions.

Some of the questions we asked included a range of topics such as “The Cost Of Living Crisis”, and “Climate Change”. We also gave our views on MPs from the “Conservative Party” such as Matt Hancock and Rishi Sunak.

Something that I really enjoyed about this meetup was that I really liked what he had to say. I really enjoyed hearing his own opinions and views, especially with topics such as protecting the planet, the political side of things; and overall, He was a really nice person to talk to.

Article by Jenna:

Dartford MP Visits M@W For The First Time!

On that very day we managed to meet the MP and ask him a lot of questions about his opinions about something and also asked him about difficulties and concerned things that were happening.

The day of seeing the MP was on Thursday 3rd February and the name of the MP was Gareth Johnson. When we asked the questions, he answered the questions truthfully and spoke very highly for everyone, you could say it was very inspiring. 

Some of the questions that were asked by some students was:

• How much does the average MP earn? Do you feel you are paid fairly?

• Do you think the government should work with the Unions who have recently gone on strike? 

• I benefit from being in a small class, I found mainstream school difficult. How can we reduce the number of students in a class?

• I am a police cadet and keen to join the police force. How can you support improving the number of police officers on roads in Dartford?

• Is it possible for you to invite M@W to the Houses of Parliament for a tour?

• How could we persuade the Prime Minister to visit us?

• What subject do you feel is the most important for students to learn in school?

• How can you support poorer people?

• How can you reduce plastic?

 Once everyone asked the questions that were outstanding, Gareth was highly impressed and interested.

Some of the answers were very interesting such as he said that “It would be easier if people didn’t litter.” because they have a program of getting rid of plastic but it is harder when people don’t help putting it in the recycle bin. We also learnt that Dartford has a lot of polices, I mean a lot.

One of the other things he talked about was that we should have more hospitals and more nurses and doctors so everyone can have more access to everything that people need to get better.  

Understanding and listening to how he answered the question was good because he had stupendous answers which helped students to feel better and safer.

I would love to have a chat with the MP and give ideas of making life better or sharing theories of the past like

• What if the person made plastic knew that the chemicals in plastic were bad for the environment and made something that helped reduce chances of plastic?

• Is there more to it with the big bang theory and God connected to it?

• If they are having problems collecting energy for electrical supplies in winter, why not collect it in outer space as we have satellites that give us information that are still alive? 

I hope you love my article and learnt new things.

Medical and Therapy Team News

New Team Member 

This Term we have welcomed Poppie into the Therapy Team to work alongside Tim as a Speech & Language Therapy Assistant.  Poppie has worked at Milestone since 2016 as a Teaching Assistant.  Poppie brings with her experience of and interest in supporting pupils with communication and behaviour needs.  

Signing Team 

Students in Phases 3 & 4 have had so much fun in signing club this Term.  They have been listening to songs which are good to sign along to.   They have chosen songs that are not too fast and have key words so we can learn new signs.  They are currently working on ‘Dance with Me’ by Olly Murs and are also learning ‘Late Night Talking’ by Harry Styles.  We’d thought you’d like to know so you can join in at home. 

The Importance of Joint Attention

Laura, Tim and Poppie are enjoying the Attention Autism Training this Term.  They have been reminded of the importance of developing joint attention in children.  Joint attention is when two people share a moment by looking at and enjoying the same thing. This could be a book, a toy or a game. Joint attention is an important skill to learn as it helps develop early communication skills such as eye contact, turn taking, recognising another person is involved and acknowledging them. This also helps with tuning into the language that is being used around them. Try these tips at home:

• Use any toys or activities that your child is motivated by and follow the lead of what they are interested in 

• Use key words to model the language being used e.g "book", "funny"  

• Comment on what they are looking at so that the language is relevant to them

Physiotherapy 

The NHS Physios visit school every Monday for a clinic. Physio programmes are reviewed and families are invited to attend. 

Wheelchair Service 

We are happy to accommodate visits from Wheelchair Services in school during the school day.  It is helpful if families let the class team know if you have arranged a visit.  They do not let us know what work needs to be carried or what they have done.  This means we are not able to provide feedback to families.  You will need to contact Wheelchair Services directly yourselves.  

Medical Team News 

NHS Clinics held in school 

HPV vaccines for Years 8, 9 and 10 students happened along with catch ups for pupils in Years R-10 who missed the flu vaccines last year.  This immunisation clinic went really well; with the help of Toffee and Fudge, we had some major successes with some pupils being able to have the vaccines for the first time ever in school.  

The scheduled Continence and Paediatrician clinics were cancelled this Term.  Do contact your Paediatrician or the Continence Service if you need to.  You do not have to wait until the next clinic in school.  The following clinics are scheduled to take place in school in Term 4.  

Dietitian - 21/02, 01/03 and 17/03

Paediatrician - 22/02

Continence - 06/02

Td/IPV and Men ACWY for main site pupils on the 15/03

Useful Contact Details 

The Milestone Medical Team:  pupilhealthplans@milestoneacademy.org.uk.  Health updates must be shared directly with the school and it is best to use this email  

To contact Kent Community Health NHS Trust Special School Nursing Service:  kentchft.milestone.schoolnurse@nhs.net 

From Liz Skilton, on behalf of the Medical Team