personal development in the community

This term we met with Jeff from a local voluntary group that look after The Grange Public Park in Porthill. Jeff has secured funding from the National Lottery for Kaleidoscope School to have a planting bed for flowers and vegetables in the park! Thank you Jeff!

We are making links with our local supermarkets and are hoping to learn lots about food and where it comes from! Check back soon for an update!

Today we were visited by Jeff the Ice Cream man! We used our PECs to communicate with Jeff about what we wanted and enjoyed a cool treat! Thank you Jeff so much for coming and we appreciate you using your free time to visit us. 

More pictures to see in our gallery.

Woodpecker class went on the bus to the library! The pupils sat and waited patiently for the bus in Porthill and enjoyed taking the short trip to the bus station! Once in Newcastle, they walked to the library and explored books,  choosing some to bring back to school. They can't wait to take this trip again. 

Well done everyone! 

...something beginning with 'D' 

It's a donkey!

Fox and Hedgehog class enjoyed a joint trip to Castaway play and the farm this half term! The children explored and played at Castaway Play; enjoying all the sand and climbing equipment. A treat for all the senses!

On the way back to school they stopped off at the farm to check in on their animal friends and learn all about llamas (which are now called 'the weird sheep' according to one pupil!). 

Well done everyone!

...you'll sure get an amazing surprise! 

Otter Class have been enjoying a picnic at Knypersley Reservoir after their swimming lesson. The class have worked hard this half term to show they can be safe when out in the community and are now enjoying regular trips to Knypersley, the shops in Wolstanton and The Dingle. 

Well done Otters; we are all very proud of the progress you're making. We will always believe you can! 

Every child at Kaleidoscope get the chance to learn to swim!

All children at Kaleidoscope School get the opportunity to learn how to swim in a needs friendly way with the support of staff and Water Stars. 

Our sessions on Wednesday and Thursday are tailored to meet the needs of the children and their progress is tracked and celebrated with certificates and badges!

We have formed a new partnership with Soccer Lions to bring the learning of children to life through football! 

Weekly sessions will commence on June 12th with children taking part alongside their peers and staff under the guidance of Soccer Lions specially trained staff. Activities are designed to meet the needs of the pupils and explore their early development with colours, numbers and lots of fun!

Hedgehog class have started a new topic all about fire! Newcastle fire station kindly brought their engine to school so that the children could explore it. 

They sat on the engine, tried out the equipment and had a go at spraying water out the hose! 

Well done Hedgehogs on your super listening and asking some super questions. 

Fox class have been to Woore Farm to pick some strawberries as part of their Hungry Caterpillar topic! 

They brought them back to school and chopped them all up to turn into jam! 

They will be having homemade jam and toast for snack this week!

Well done Foxes on an excellent trip and beginning to understand where our food comes from!

This weeks personal development WOW comes from the Fox Room. They have been on a community visit with the team from Kidsgrove Tesco! 

The children used their PECs to collect items off their shopping lists, place them in the baskets, scan and pay for them and then, most importantly of all, donate the items to those more in need. 

We are so proud of the Foxes and extend our sincere thanks to Matthew at Kidsgrove Tesco.  

 Otters have kept everything clean and tidy whilst making cakes!

They have been careful with the ingredients, measuring and selecting the right tools to make cakes, they even cleaned up after themselves! 

This year for Children in Need we made everything 'spotless.' 

Classes looked at keeping teeth clean, looking after their own toys, cleaning their equipment and cleaning cars; that had somehow developed spots over night. 

All classes took part in this activity and when they'd finished, everywhere was SPOTLESS! 

We took part in a sports taster day with Boomer and Little Athletes in July 2024. We took part in lots of different games and events. We enjoyed taking penalties against Boomer and trying all of Dan's amazing games! 

Local community centre, Gather the Community, use their expertise to provide the children at the Fenton School with messy play sessions to encourage sensory exploration and new textures. The children love this session! A change of clothes is definitely needed!

A new life skills room has been developed at Porthill School to give children the chance to learn and develop skills that will set them up for life. Children use this room to safely prepare their own snack, lunches and also learn about healthy eating, planting and growing their own food. Children at Fenton School take part in this within their own classroom envrionment.

Penny delivers play therapy across both school sites.  In Play Therapy sessions, children explore their own creativity and express themselves using media such as: drawing and painting, water and clay, sand tray and miniatures, guided imagery and relaxation techniques, drama and puppetry, poetry, movement and music.