Magazine-2008-09.Pdf

Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the context of our own ability. Amwell View School I have little doubt the most of the people you have come in and out of the school, or have any attachment to the school, can only have good things to say about their experience. I am sure that I just and Specialist Sports College join a long list of people who say that they get a lot out of working at Amwell View. I also hope that it will not be so long before I am back at Amwell View. Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the context of our own ability. Peter Pearse Jan Liversage - Headteacher 2008/2009 Issue - 001 April I came to your school having no personal experience at all Olympic Organising Committee visits our school of children with learning disabilities and have come away I am very pleased to present the first of our magazines since gaining inspired by all your good work, high expectation and Specialist Status. Such a small idea Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College was very proud to be given standard of loving care given to your children. It has been a of sharing our news has grown into the opportunity to extend a warm welcome to Paul Deighton, Chief Executive privilege to meet some of them. a sizeable report. Readers will be of the London Olympic Organising Committee during his recent visit to able to see the positive impact that Thank you for everything you and your Hertfordshire. Claire Reaney gaining specialist status has spread team do to support Charlotte and us. throughout the school and across all Members of Amwell View Special Olympic Your dedication is very much the curriculum areas. There Team demonstrated their skills in Sportshall appreciated. certainly is a great deal to tell you. Athletics assisted by Young Ambassadors So I hope that it makes a good read. and Elite Athletes from local Secondary

Thank you so much for all of your help and support The Skipper Family Schools within the Hertford and Ware which you have given to all of our family. Our starting point of all this was when we were School Sports Partnership. acknowledged by Ofsted in July 2007 that we are an

Outstanding school. This judgement led us to confidently A group of Students showed Paul the fun and The McCarthy Family apply for Specialist Sports College Status, which was enjoyment they were having in learning about London 2012 from the “get set awarded early in 2008. The official date for starting the website”. What a huge achievement for our initiatives was September 2008, but as always we are an little fella. When he first came to eager school with a strong commitment to providing the The school has been learning about the 7 Olympic and Paralympic Values and Amwell View, he was terrified of best for the pupils, so could not wait until then and began applying them to school life. These being: friendship, respect, determination, swimming. Look at him now, he‟s some aspects in April 2008. excellence, courage, equality and inspiration. It was an absolute pleasure to see the our little fish! Thank you so much, enthusiasm of the pupils and see first We continually strive to improve our delivery of the London 2012 is an amazing opportunity to hand the young ambassadors working to its made our year! curriculum and are committed to ensuring that staff and unite young people of today through Sport. inspire the next generation of athletes. resources are best matched to the needs of the pupils. The Hazel & Paul Smith greater involvement of our local and wider community has opened the doors for people in society to begin to be more Paul Deighton accepting of the differences that the pupils present. We are Chief Executive, London 2012 moving towards a more transparent service which acknowledges the strengths and capacity of those who support the education and experience of children with Severe Learning Difficulties. For the young people He has achieved things we would never have concerned their enriched education prepares them better thought possible thanks to the dedication of you for the future and as more inclusive members of society.

Gosh! Was that moving! Thanks, Amwell and your staff and the wonderful opportunities View for such an excellent performance on Specialist Sports College Status has demanded a greater given to him. As well as providing him with the examination of the work at Amwell View and enabled us stage in the big Alban Arena last night. It best possible education, the school has taught to focus on the achievement of young people across the was Perfect. him to swim, taken him horse-riding, enabled whole curriculum. Progress is celebrated, achievement is him to partake in Special Olympics, swimming applauded and every step along the way is recognised as a step closer to success. Peter Ruffles galas and countless other sports experiences. Chairman of Hertfordshire Arts Partnership Mike and Lesley Henderson Jane Connolly -Deputy Head

There is always something new to learn in this vibrant and dynamic learning community of pupils, parents, staff, volunteers and friends. I really shouldn‟t be surprised that my first term as Deputy Head has flown by! In my new role I am privileged to hear from our many visitors how enormously impressed they are by our pupils‟ manners, approaches to learning and positivity. As I look forward to the summer term and to developing my role within school, I remain Matt Oxley - Designer and Editor hugely proud to be part of Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College.

Amwell View School Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College www.amwell.herts.sch.uk and Specialist Sports College www.amwell.herts.sch.uk Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the context of our own ability. Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the context of our own ability.

Penny Warner - Director of Sport University of Hertfordshire LEARN TO MOVE - MOVE TO LEARN Recruitment for teachers in the South east was a depressing experience, until Amwell View School identified some talented people amongst Each of us has different learning styles. Some people prefer to learn aurally, that is by listening or talking about a subject. Others their own staff group who were spotted as potential teachers. are happier learning visually, reading text, seeing pictures and symbols. Others prefer movement and active experience to help The moral of this story is „Grow your own‟. Hertfordshire run a very successful programme to enable appropriately qualified and experienced them to absorb and make sense of information. Many respond best to a kinaesthetic approach. Kinaesthetic from Greek people move into the teaching profession. Here at Amwell View we have successfully provided and supported three keen and ambitious “kinein”: to move. And aesthesis: perception. people to achieve Qualified Teacher Status. Teaming up with the University of Hertfordshire the graduates follow a one year programme involving an extremely rigorous process which includes teaching across the primary or secondary age range at Amwell View and for twelve The starting point for learning is received through our senses. Sensory motor experiences help to make sense of our lives – weeks in a mainstream school. The success speaks for itself. We continue on this path to employ suitable qualified teachers with yet another touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. The sense and experience of movement builds on this foundation of our learning. keen young person entering the programme in September 2009. Secondary PE cohorts from the Graduate Teacher Programme now visit Communication, socialization, numeracy and literacy skills can all be developed through movement. Amwell View twice annually with different focus topics. After the cohorts last visit in February 2009 University of Hertfordshire PE Tutor, Physical Activities enable children to have fun whilst developing a healthy lifestyle. At Amwell View School and Specialist Chris Oakes said; “Thank you so much for today the trainees really valued it and your wonderful input. I could see how busy you were too. Sports College we aim to achieve this by delivering an Active Multi-sensory Curriculum. Pupils with severe learning difficulties You are developing the curriculum so impressively, what a dynamic bunch of staff in an exceptional school. Would have loved to have had can gain a richer lifestyle through P.E. and Sport. It can enhance their learning and give them a greater sense of confidence and longer, but look forward to our next visit”. self esteem. The development of P.E. over the past 15 years has lead to the expansion of the P.E. Department and the activities we are now able to provide. Paula Craig MBE - Sports Governor

The completion of the Dance Studio in time for the start of the academic year 2008-9 resulted in all pupils having assess to Dance throughout the year and a cross curricular lesson entitled “Dance, Drama and Movement” in which other aspects of the Little did I know in late 2003, when I sat next to Jan Liversage at an awards ceremony in London, that I would have the pleasure of becoming curriculum could be taught through a kinaesthetic practical approach. The added facility of a digital projector and whiteboard the Sports Governor at Amwell View School a few years later! After a few twists and turns of fate, I found myself at Amwell View as a guest has enabled pupils to review their work using photographic evidence and start the process of self evaluation. and was totally overwhelmed by the experience. I was, and remain, inspired beyond words, not only by the pupils themselves but also by the

passion and commitment shown by all the staff. Science and P.E. Departments are working together to help students develop a greater understanding of knowledge and understanding of fitness and health. Students have used pedometers, heart rate monitors, and a body mass index machine in Having been an able bodied athlete and a disabled athlete following a cycling accident in 2001 which left me paraplegic, I am very aware of connection with fitness programmes. the benefits of sport and physical exercise to all, regardless of level of ability. I have attended several PE sessions and have seen the pleasure on the faces of the pupils who may not always be able to integrate during other subject lessons but can all come together in exercise. The The school works closely with the Hertford and Ware Schools Sport Partnership in promoting the National Target range of activities undertaken means that each and every pupil has the chance to participate and I am constantly impressed by the numerous of young people accessing 5 hours high quality P.E. and Sport. Amwell View recently received an award for its innovations in the sports curriculum in order to achieve this. overall contribution to the Partnership.

We look forward to many new initiatives within the future as we strive towards success for all. I am extremely proud of the success of Amwell View in achieving Specialist Sports Status, the first special school in the county to be awarded this status. I believe this will further enhance the excellent performance of the school and inspire the pupils to greater achievements in all areas. I would personally like to thank Penny Warner and Neil Ward in particular for their commitment and for finding time in their

already busy schedules to prepare the evidence which led to our success. Neil Ward - Head of P.E. I very much look forward to spending more time at Amwell View and to watching the continued achievements of staff and pupils alike.

P.E. Curriculum Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College is committed to the principle of developing the best possible learning opportunities for all of its pupils. As a school we believe that, wherever we are in our level of „education‟, School Governors there is always an opportunity to improve if we are given the chance. We have a proud record of providing a highly motivating and inspirational curriculum which enables all our pupils to be meaningfully engaged in their education, leading to higher levels of achievement across all subjects. At the heart of this is the role of Physical Education and kinaesthetic learning approaches, to ensure all pupils and students become independent, healthy learners and thinkers. The Physical Education curriculum offers work that extends our students with activities that enrich and promote high achievement and good progress. Amwell View Progress… Physical Education Jan Liversage Mark Farrington Derek Goodhall Duncan Rogers Paula Craig Headteacher Governor Chair of Governor Vice Chair of Governor Community Governor Community Governor Gymnastics

The Nursery and Class 1 have experienced aspects of gymnastics in PE lessons choosing to work and explore different apparatus. The classes have enjoyed visits to Wodson Park to use „Action Tot‟ equipment. A good time was had by all. Liz Sapsford Gail Cantrell Neil Ward Michelle Byrne Diana Eden Community Governor Staff Governor Teacher Governor Parent Governor Parent Governor

During Gymnastic lessons Pupils learn how to travel on various parts of their body in different directions. Pupils develop jumping and landing techniques on the floor before progressing to jumping up and down. Pupils learn to travel up and down inclines with control before moving on to learn 2, 3 and 4 part sequences. In the upper school pupils begin to learn the names and techniques of gymnastic sits, balances, jumps, rolls and supports. This knowledge helps pupils to develop more difficult sequences using large apparatus with extension, tension and control. Pupils will also learn how to work in pairs and small groups when balancing and learning to mirror their partner. Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College now works closely with 3 rural Primary Schools, Wareside, Widford and Hunsdon to help promote the government target of 5 hours high quality P.E. and Sport in schools. Amwell View Director of Sport, Penny Warner and primary link teachers meet regularly to discuss and implement ways that Amwell View can assist the development of PE within their schools. This may be through providing coaches, facilities, transport, feedback or training.

A group of Students from Presdales, our link Secondary School recently took part in an Integrated Dance Project. Higher Sports Leaders from three local Secondary Schools are working with Amwell View pupils to gain a greater insight of Inclusion in P.E.

Students from Presdales with less of an interest in sport have been selected by the Head of P.E. at Presdales to experience inclusive P.E. at Amwell View School, innovative styles of teaching the P.E. curriculum and the enjoyment gained by all pupils. Arsenal Celebrities Vs St Margaretsbury

Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College have strengthened links with local football club St Margaretsbury FC by supporting a charity match held in the Village. Alfie Sherwood and Billy Elford acted as mascots in a Match organised by St Margaretsbury on Sunday 19th October 2008. Pupils, Parents, relatives and staff attended the game and caught a glimpse of celebrities including former England Cricketer Mark Ramprakash, Former Rugby League star Martin Offiah and Royal Family actor Ralf Little. Trampolining

Several of the pupils in the lower school have a weekly trampolining lesson. Their achievements and progress are recorded using the nationally accredited “British Gymnastics Proficiency Awards” where appropriate.

The sessions provide the pupil with an opportunity for sensory based experience as well as benefiting from the session through an increase in their general fitness, core stability, confidence and body awareness. Mainly, though, it‟s great fun with a freedom of movement not found in most other sports. Rugby - Saracens Vs Wasps - 29th March 09 Pupils who need it are given assistance in rocking, bouncing or jumping on the trampoline, but one of the key elements of the sessions is independence and self-exploration.

Pupils also practice skills such as turn-taking, following instruc- tions and numeracy. Trampolining is a great motivator that is On March 29th 2009 Amwell View School and Specialist Sports accessible to all. College travelled to Vicarage Road Stadium, Watford to watch a Guinness Premier League match between Saracens and London Wasps. This was made possible through our community link with Saracens Rugby Football Club. Gym Club

The day was a huge success and enjoyed by pupils, parents, siblings and staff. We feel that is important that our pupils have Gym Club gives pupils the opportunity to extend learning opportunities outside the PE lessons. This includes the opportunity to experience watching live professional sporting practising floor routines, sequences and mirror work with aspects of composition, self and peer observation. The events to absorb the atmosphere, increase their knowledge and club also allows pupils to experience the more technical apparatus such as high balance beams, spring boards awareness of sport and to have fun. and box tops.

Games Community

Rugby - Saracens Boccia 19-25 Fitness Club Gareth Short, Sports Development Officer from Saracens Amwell School and Specialist Sports College is very lucky and honoured to have a strong relationship with Paralympian Peter has been working with class 10 and teaching them skills of On the 9th April 2008, Amwell View began a new Pearse who represented Great Britain at boccia in four Paralympic Tag Rugby. community initiative by inviting young adults who have left Games. Peter was part of the England and Wales team that won school in recent years to a weekly fitness club on Wednesday team gold at the 2002 World Championships in Portugal. He also nights. The club is lead by Andy Cornner who is a qualified won individual bronze and silver in 1990 and 91 at the World personal trainer. The club is based in the Gym with a charge Championships and World Cup events and is now the co-ordinator of £5 for an hour per person. Currently the club is supported of the International Boccia Committee. by familiar staff from Amwell View with a view of it Peter has visited Amwell View on a number of occasions to teach becoming sustained by Andy and outside staff using the pupils of various ages the game of Boccia. He recently coached the schools facilities in the schools‟ post 16 students in preparation for the sixth form games future. held at Gosling Sports centre in March and for the Herts Youth Games competition which will take place on Saturday 9th May 2009 The club is already a great success with 8 young adults at the University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield. consistently attending and really enjoying the chance to be Pop Lacrosse physically active in a fun and safe environment. Pop Lacrosse has been introduced to the PE curriculum at Amwell View with great success. Initially through the Donna Prentice - School of Dance Hertford and Ware School Sports Partnership providing training and equipment. This has progressed to developing I have been dancing and singing since I was six years old and links with Welwyn Garden City Lacrosse Club, who provided between the ages of 11-16 I studied at the Arts Educational a specialist coach to work with a KS4 group for 6 lessons. Cricket - Chance to Shine School in Central London and made my West End debut at the London Coliseum. Chance to shine‟ provided a series of on-site coaching sessions I have been teaching dance and which were lead by professional cricket player, James Hewitt during aerobics for numerous years for the summer term 2008. Key Stage 3/4/5 pupils worked with James children aged 3 through to a and developed various Cricket skills reinforced by teachers and adulthood. support staff and the use of symbols and literacy cards. The skills Pilates I am very excited to be starting NEW learnt during these sessions were displayed in a cricket festival classes at Amwell View School and Football organised by and involving the 6 SLD Specialist Sports College in the schools in Hertfordshire which was hosted A Dance and fitness instructor is now hiring the use of the dance studio for classes in Pilates and Aerobics. The newly built Dance Studio! Amwell View football Club provides a great opportunity for by Breakespeare School, Abbotts Langley. age range of attendees varies but generally targets pupils to be active, bond as a team and progress in a sport that We look forward to further coaching and women in the community between the ages of 30-55yrs. they really enjoy. The club is now in its fourth year and is very this years SLD Cricket festival in the Stroke Victims

well supported with a consistent number of 8-12 pupils from the summer term 2009.

Upper School participating every Thursday after school from 3:30- 5:00. The club provides a balance of fitness, skill and A swimming group for adults who have suffered a stroke has competitive activities to provide extension from the PE Tennis recently been established. This opportunity has provided freedom of curriculum. Pupils are selected to play for the school team in movement which the damage form a stroke takes away. The warm various competitions including the SLD tournament and the In September 2000, Amwell View forged a link with water enables participants the ability to relax in a pleasant Herts Youth Games. We also play friendly matches against St Potters Bar Tennis club when the school were invited to environment and in the safe hands of experienced adults. Elizabeth School. take a group of pupils to Gosling Stadium to assist coaches Members of the club were selected to be mascots in a charity participating in a disability awareness tennis course. match between St Margaretsbury FC and Arsenal Celebrities in In 2001, the Tennis Club gained lottery funding to extend October 2008 building a link with the local Football Club. I am facilities for the disabled and provide tennis coaching for Little Fishes - Swim with Me - The Rivers Hospital delighted to say that we have also forged a strong link with Ware children and adults with special needs. Football Club who have offered their pitch and stadium facilities Members of the club have formed a strong bond with the Our warm pool is used by three groups, Little Fishes, Swim with Me and The Rivers Hospital on a weekly basis throughout the to host an Inclusive Football festival in May this year. We are school despite funding no longer being available. There is year. Little Fishes works with babies and their parents to provide water confidence, which is so important for the development of hoping to have games involving SLD schools, Girls and Boys always a warm welcome by the club members. Pupils arrive aquatic skills and eventually swimming. Swim with Me is for young children who are learning to swim. Both groups are well football and be supported by local each week for their lesson followed by established as providers for the community and literally hundreds (and quite likely thousands) of children have begun their aquatic young leaders and officials. Ware refreshments in the club house. interest at our pool over a period of more than 30 years. The physiotherapy team of The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth, has very kindly donated £3000 to Students have benefited from the tennis successfully enabled patients‟ recovering from surgery to regain an active life. Using the pool to aid recovery has seen an increase Amwell View School and Specialist skills taught by a qualified Coach and in the speed of recovery and consultants at the hospital have recognised the benefits of access to a warm pool as significantly Sports College in February 2009. social interaction with a regular team of beneficial. We are excited that we have enabled so many people to learn to swim or regain full mobility and intend to continue to volunteers. do so for a long time to come.

Adventure Playground Pupils from the Special Olympic Team took part in the Indoor Athletics Tournament at Eton on Sunday 15th March 2009. Each pupil took part in a 60m running race and a Standing Long Jump. Every pupil won a medal ranging from gold to bronze. The Adventure Playground was further developed in March 2009 replacing the existing swings and roundabout with fabulous wheel chair accessible equipment. This was funded by the schools registered charity; Friends of Amwell View School (FAVS). The facility provides additional opportunities for outside play for pupils in wheelchairs.

Special Olympics - Wodson Park

A Special Olympic Athletic Event was held at Wodson Park Sports Centre on Saturday 22nd September 2008. The weather was glorious and The Dell attracted many spectators to cheer on our team.

Amwell View is very fortunate to have a secure on-site outside space near our front entrance known as „The Dell‟. A two man team was engaged to transform the area to splendid glory with wheelchair access as a high priority. The project began and through snow, floods and strong winds the new space promised to be a considerable delight. What a surprise we had as it progressed and when it was finished. The outcome is a very smart and safe non-slip ramped entrance with decking, new paths and an enclosed pond area, allowing all the pupils to enjoy this facility in so many ways. This now includes opportunities for observing nature, pond dipping, a sensory walk and work experience. I am certain that it will be a very special curriculum resource.

Hertford and Ware School Sports Partnership Athletics

In November 2008 Classes 7 and 8 took part in an Indoor A group of athletes took part in a Athletics Festival organised through the Hertford and Ware Sportshall Competition School Sports Partnership. They experienced throwing, organised by the Hertford and Ware jumping and relay events. School Sports Partnership on Thursday 21st January 2009. Ben Turner, Alfie Sherwood and Stephen Birks went along as Sports Leaders Future Developments and helped out with events. Events that took place included Standing Long Jump, Vertical Still to arrive… Jump, Balance Test, Throwing Events and Relays.

 Climbing Wall  Upper School Changing Rooms

The introduction of a permanent climbing wall at Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College allows for an additional onsite sustainable Outdoor and Adventurous Activity. The wall will be an external structure built on the end of the Dance studio. It will be a beginner‟s wall with different levels of difficulty. There will be 3 Auto Belays across the wall to provide maximum safety and to aid the pupil climbing. Auto Belays have become increasingly popular as the interest in climbing grows and provides a way for climbers to climb without the aid of a human belay partner – belaying is done automatically.

Amwell View School Amwell View School www.amwell.herts.sch.uk and Specialist Sports College and Specialist Sports College www.amwell.herts.sch.uk Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the context of our own ability. Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the context of our own ability. Outdoor and Adventurous Sensory - Jane Connolly

Sailing at Young Mariners Base We all rely on our senses every day. Sensory development is a fundamental aspect of child development and therefore we place high importance on it throughout our curriculum. In Outdoor and Adventurous Activities are an important part of the PE addition to the sensory props that are used to make our lessons meaningful and motivating for the curriculum at Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College. pupils, we are lucky enough to have a number of sensory facilities including our garden and a The Young Mariners Base in Cheshunt provides an important local well resourced sensory room. We have a new computer and projector in the sensory studio. This facility to allow students to access sailing, climbing and caving. will enable us to use a wider range of visual and audio resources to enhance pupil learning. There are four new sensory lunchtime clubs Students 2 enjoyed 4 sessions „on the water‟ this year where they running each week. These allow pupils to make choices between learnt to work together to paddle a boat as a team. massage stories; perfumes and assorted scented creams at the „shop‟, they also have the opportunity to control a number of special effects e.g. music; lights; fans; fibre optic lights. The theme of our sensory week this year was „England, Ireland, Amwell View Fitness Suite Scotland and Wales‟. Pupils went to our version of the Highland games courtesy of the PE department. An English seaside experience was Students have enjoyed using the new fitness suite and will soon have their own personal programme to follow. They provided by the Music Department. Students 2 provided a cream tea have been shown how to operate the machines for them selves as part of their independent life skills programme. café. Pupils made coal pictures and tasted Welsh cakes and leek and Ben Turner has been nominated as „Young Ambassador‟ for the school and will represent Amwell View by hosting potato soup. The sensory studio was transformed into the Emerald Isle and promoting events run by the School Sports Partnership. He has lost over 4 stone (over 20% of his body fat) at and pupils dressed up, danced to Irish music, hunted for the Lepre- Weightwatchers and is improving his level of fitness by using the exercise machines in addition to taking part in PE chauns‟ gold and (literally) threw the snakes out of Ireland! The pupils lessons. This combined effort has helped him feel so much better, raised his self esteem and contributed to him had photos taken against a country back drop and took their passports or improving his performance in both athletic and swimming events. hankie hats which were stamped and adorned with country symbols as Staff members have also benefited from using the fitness suite. This is another contributing factor to Amwell View they entered each „country‟. The week ended with the Music department hosting our version of being recognised as a „Healthy School‟. an Eisteddfod and pupils enjoyed musical performances and dances performed by friends of the school as well as our pupils. Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a federation of Member Groups, which are Horse Riding RDA dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities, through the provision of opportunities for riding. Groups enable people to improve their health and wellbeing, Out of School Hours Learning (OSHL) delivering a real and lasting therapy that not only benefits mobility and co-ordination, but encourages confidence and self worth whilst having fun. Lunchtime clubs After school clubs Pupils at Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College are privileged to have the Monday Monday opportunity to attend RDA riding sessions. Pupils from class 5 receive one riding session a ● Choir (6 lower school pupils and 20 upper school ● Science (2 lower school pupils and 3 upper school week at Essendon Stables. Pupils from Classes 6, 7 and 8 receive one riding session a pupils attend) pupils attend) week for one term every academic year at Contessa riding stables in Colliers End. ● Fitness and Physiology Club (5 upper school pupils ● Design and Technology (6 upper school pupils attend) attend) ● Sensory Club (3 lower school pupils attend) Tuesday Swimming Tuesday ● Swimming Club (3 lower school pupils and 1 upper school ● Gym Club (4 lower school pupils and 15 upper school pupils attend) Swimming is an important part of the PE curriculum. Pupils use the school pool to gain water confidence pupils attend) as the early stage of aquatic experience. We aim for pupils to learn to swim by the end of Key Stage 2. ● Fitness Club (2 upper school pupils attend) Wednesday Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 pupils develop their stroke technique in local swimming pools. These pupils work ● Science Booster (3 upper school pupils attend) ● Dance Club (6 upper school pupils attend) towards the „Hertfordshire SLD School Swimming Awards‟ and can achieve a certificate for each level. ● Sensory Club (5 lower school pupils attend) ● Herts and Essex (1 lower school pupil and 8 upper school The certificates help to encourage and motivate pupils to swim further distances for longer periods of Wednesday pupils attend) time whilst also having fun. The pupils are encouraged to learn about the positive outcomes for fitness ● Gifted and Talented (15 upper school pupils attend) through swimming and taught the importance of the skill for survival. ● Swimming Club (4 upper school pupils attend) Thursday ● Sensory Club (Class 4) ● Football Club (1 lower school pupils and 8 upper school Thursday pupils attend) ● Dance Club (3 lower school pupils and 3 upper school Making Swimming a Multi-Sensory Experience pupils attend) ● Swimming Club (4 lower school pupils attend) ● Fitness Club (2 upper school pupils attend) The Nursery, class 1 and class 4 experience a „Sensory‟ ● Story-telling Club (4 lower school pupils and 6 upper swimming lesson in the school pool. The pool is made school pupils attend) into a calm and peaceful environment with the blinds ● Science Booster (3 upper school pupils attend) lowered and subtle lighting switched on to give a more ● Sensory Club (3 upper school pupils attend) tranquil feeling. Music is played to encourage movement Friday with a variety of resources to get the maximum experience ● Sensory Club (3 upper school pupils attend) of water.

This year has seen many exciting and relevant learning experiences across the key stages. This A group of children swim once a week after school at Herts and Classes 9 and 10 swim on a Monday and Students 2 on a has included re-enactments of „The last supper‟ and the Friday night ritual performed by Essex High School in Bishops Stortford. The school has a 25m Thursday at Hartham, a 25m deep water pool. The pupils are Jewish families to mark the beginning of the Sabbath. Some classes have visited churches and deep water pool and swimming sessions are supervised by staff split into ability groups each with a swimming teacher. garden centres. The whole school walked to St Andrews Church in Stanstead Abbotts to from both schools. Non swimmers and weak swimmers use the shallow end to celebrate our leaver‟s service and Christmas. We held a Remembrance Day assembly, which Pupils from Amwell View interact with girls who are working build on their water confidence to work towards independent saw pupils dancing to music from World War 2. towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award. They practice water swimming. The Dell has been altered and made more accessible to pupils and a site has been chosen for a skills and play games together. The session provides the Stronger swimmers swim in deep water and are taught strokes permanent dig. This is a whole school resource which will be used across the curriculum. It opportunity for pupils to socialize during a recreational swim and have the opportunity to swim longer distances. will be used for pupils to dig up and explore artefacts which they can count, catalogue, whilst students from Herts and Essex gain a better photograph or sketch. This will provide a multi-sensory experience and an ideal resource for understanding and awareness of the kinaesthetic learning. We are all very excited about this new learning opportunity and hope to have photos to show needs of children with severe you shortly. learning difficulties. These sessions are so popular with the girls from the High School that they have to enroll Art - Tania Davidson on a termly basis. This is a long standing connection with the school The Art co-ordinator continues to support colleagues with planning and ordering relevant materials that goes back over 25 years. required for art sessions. Each year a competition is held to select pictures for the school calendar. A chosen theme guides the artists to produce a picture. The competition is judged by the headteacher and the Art Co-ordinator. Each winning picture is put together to form the much loved Fanshawe Pool calendar and certificates are awarded. Runner-up artists along with competition winners are

congratulated on their achievement at the end of the Autumn Term Achievement Assembly. There will be an art exhibition in July 2009 and school visits are planned for Key Stage 3 pupils which Students 1 has been swimming at Fanshawe since January this year. The pool is 25m long with will focus on observational drawing. spacious changing facilities and a relaxed atmosphere. The students have settled quickly into their Monday routine and enjoy having their swimming lesson in this pool. Each year the school takes part in a „One hour postal swim‟ when the pupils are challenged to swim as many lengths as possible in one hour. 2009 saw this event held at Fanshawe Pool for the first time. PHSE - Wendy Rabbitt A fantastic effort was made with pupils managing to swim up to 55 lengths.

P.S.H.E. and Citizenship is embedded in all aspects of the curriculum. A P.S.H.E. and Citizenship presentation was given to Swimming Galas Governors and staff by the co-ordinator to enhance the

understanding of the subject and improve teaching and learning. New resources have been purchased to assist in the delivery of this Selected pupils from class 10, students 1 and 2 take part in the SLD Gala once a year at Hartham pool. They compete against 5 subject at all levels. A P.S.H.E./Citizenship week will be held in other SLD schools in the county and parents, carers, relatives and friends are welcome to come along to offer their support. June 2009 and KS3 classes will be attending a visit to Epping Forest to take part in their “Open Access Day”. Pupils who swim in the school pool also take part in a swimming gala. Pupils compete in fun races against each other and parents, carers, relatives and friends are invited to watch and support their children. Music - Rachel Shipp

It has been another good year for the music department, the highlight being the appointment of Vickie as a music teaching assistant. Many new and exciting instruments have been purchased including a new piano for the therapy room and a selection of different sized drums. Christmas celebrations included carols round the Christmas tree, with members of staff dusting off their instruments and playing for the carolers and Broxbourne concert with the choir wowing the audience as always! Swimming Clubs New solo singers have surfaced over the year many taking the giant leap of singing in public during assemblies or at the Eisteddfod held in sensory week. The school choir continues to flourish with about 30 children attending each There are two lunchtime swimming club sessions and an after school session week and we are looking forward to taking them to the Albert Hall in 2010. which are ideal for pupils who need to build up their water confidence, skills and As the year continues we have our annual music week, which brings in to develop a front and back stroke. We have a maximum of 4 pupils in each musicians from outside to perform for the school, and the school show to look session giving the opportunity for 1:1 tuition. forward to.

Official Opening of the Dance Studio Geography - Sheila Kitchen

Geography resources focused on weather were purchased and

circulated to classes aimed to support the scheme of work for We were not put of by the grey skys and therefore the launch of the dance Key Stages 1 and 2; class 1 pupils now have their own Barnaby studio was a huge success. During the morning pupils and visitors released balloons from the playground to raise awareness of the school. Any member of Bear to take away on family travels; and Key Stage 3 classes now the community who found and returned the tag attached to each balloon was have access to more resources to support the India and France given a Pedometer as a prize. topics. In addition, small programmable switches were purchased Richard Thake, Vice Chair of Hertfordshire Education Committee was invited and used for Geography displays in classes and the main school – th to officially open the Dance Studio on the 28 November 2008. Students 2, the providing an additional sensory element to each display. Dance Club and pupils from Presdales School each performed a short dance routine for all invited guests to enjoy.

Dance Studio Dance for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties History - Ali How The children have dedicated dance lessons once a week in the Class 4 pupils regularly participate in multi-sensory style studio where they learn to build basic movement skills as dance lessons where they are shown a variety of dance Over the year we have continued to update and expand the foundations for their future dance classes and for performance. stimuli such as props, photographs and novelty lighting. History resources base to include more sensory based items The children also have cross-curricular DDM (Dance Drama These techniques facilitate reactions from the pupils so such as appropriate costumes for different eras. We are also and Movement) lessons once a week, where they have the that they may progress towards isolating and moving in the process of obtaining more computer based opportunity to further develop core subjects. different body parts. There is also the programmes to support the delivery of the subject. opportunity for the children to move Each year we hold a successful „History Day‟ with a whole around the dance studio to music with school focus, this years being “Our Own History”. Classes adult assistance. The lessons enable work on individual topics and bring these together in a final children to recognize familiar dance celebratory assembly. combinations and enjoy movement in Over the coming year, we would like to encourage more off a very special environment. -site visits connected to the History overview and hopefully arrange for visitors to come in with supporting work- County Dance Festival shops. After several weeks of dedication, hard work and cooperation, the Senior Dance Club members were able to successfully develop a lyrical dance piece entitled „Communication‟ for the County Dance Festival 2009. Despite the highly demanding dance practices, students maintained a positive and determined attitude. They should be very proud of themselves for their Careers - Sandra Clark contribution to a fantastic festival of dance. This has been a good year for the development of Careers and Work related learning. Opportunities Day was again a great success, with 26 students from the upper school attending St. Elizabeth‟s to Hertford and Ware Primary School Sports Partnership Dance Club take part in 4 self selected workshops offering taster sessions in retail, community services and Dance Festival catering. Two students in Post 16 went on Work Experience at the Co-op in Members of Junior Dance Club took part in the “Hertford The Junior Dance Club practices every Thursday at lunchtime. Stanstead Abbotts. They were first interviewed by the Manager and and Ware School Sports Partnership Dance Festival” at They are a group of talented young children showing promising th then they were taught how to restock the shelves and check the „sell by Castle Hall on Tuesday 26 January 2009. They potential in dance. They learn to dance as a team while dates‟ with a scanner. performed a dance routine entitled “Blue Balloon” benefiting from having more individual attention, and the One student was made very welcome at the local hairdressers where chance to perform on stage. The senior dance club practices she learnt how to wash and blow dry a client‟s hair and of course make every Wednesday after school. They are a group of responsible a cup of tea. students who show strong dancing skills and take a Another very proud student helped to lay the tables at a Café in Ware and afterwards collected the cups etc for more serious approach to dancing in school. washing up. He earned a nice cake for all his hard work! They are taught movement and musicality Residents at Belmont View have also enjoyed the company of another work experience student who now likes to techniques in order to excel in dance. We are proud talk to them whilst helping to serve their afternoon tea. to have them representing our school in dance Hopefully as the year continues more students will be able to experience the world of work and share their skills festivals throughout the county. in the work place.

Maths - Julie Ansell Capoeira Workshop Gloucester Dance Company Workshop

We had a guest artist join us for an afternoon of Brazilian Students 1 and 2 along with Chauncy School and Presdales Capoeira. The focus was for the upper school pupils as they were School enjoyed an integrated day of dance hosted by This has been a successful year for the development of Mathematics at looking at different dance styles in their dance lessons. During the Gloucester Dance Company. The themes of resolution and Amwell View. New software has been purchased to support the delivery workshop the students were taught the music and dance of slavery were explored through movement and then developed of the curriculum throughout the school. The New Key Stage 3 Capoeira, broadening their awareness of different cultures and into expressive dance routines. Mathematics Curriculum was shared with colleagues and the improving their agility, flexibility and teamworking skills. development of cross curricular approaches to teaching mathematics are being encouraged. There was a successful Maths focus week held in January when all the pupils were given the opportunity to spend money in real life situations, these included visiting the Post Office, supermarkets and garden centers, as well as bowling and visiting a café. The biggest development this year, however, has been the establishment of Booster Classes to encourage and extend our Gifted and Talented pupils. These have been a great success, helping our students to move on with their achievements. A lunchtime Maths Club is enjoyed by a group of older students. Post 16 - Leisure Pursuits ICT - Neil Ward Carpet Bowls Fitness Suite - Wodson Park

There have been several exciting developments in ICT this year. Following the Students 2 has been learning to play Carpet It is essential that Amwell View young adults successful trial of a Smartboard interactive whiteboard in the new Students 1 Bowls at Wodson Park. They watched a group access leisure pursuits in the community. Working classroom, a second height adjustable Smartboard has been installed in the of adults from Ware U3A play before playing closely with Wodson Park Sports Centre in Ware Science department. This allows students of all ages (and sizes!) to use the themselves. we have provided opportunities for our students to whiteboard far more effectively. More classrooms will be upgraded next year. access the fitness suite and be independent where possible. All of Students 2 thoroughly enjoyed the The Big Hall, Dance Studio and Sensory Studio have been fitted with integrated Climbing and Caving experience and all accessed at least 1 cardio multimedia PCs, projectors and sound systems. This enables us to enrich the machine. lessons delivered in these multi-use locations by encorporating multimedia In recent years students have had the opportunity to The P.E. Department is developing closer links within the content. experience rock climbing and caving at the Young Mariners community and Wodson Park Sports Centre is at the forefront of A number of new software titles will be rolled out across the network over the Base in Cheshunt. Outdoor pursuits provide important this. Students have been offered the opportunity of work experience Easter holidays, including Clicker modules, switch accessible educational games opportunities for our young adults to at the Sports Centre. and an animated Careers package. Next year we will begin to create our own access leisure facilities within the local interactive educational programs that will allow us to target specific learning community. To enable pupils to access objectives. these activities we are developing sustainable on site outdoor and Behind the scenes, two new servers have been installed in a rack enclosure, and adventurous activities at Amwell View. the process of migrating applications and databases has begun, as well as the pilot project of our own internal email server. Over the summer, the existing fibre optic network backbone will be upgraded to permit faster sharing of video and other multimedia files. Young Leaders Working with the Hertford and Ware Sports Partnership has provided many opportunities for our pupils and students. One of the biggest impacts has been through the various Leadership schemes. Leadership provides Design and Technology - Sandra Clark an important opportunity to develop independence, confidence and self esteem and this has certainly been the case with our young adults. 30 staff members took a course in “Food Safety in the The impact has not only been seen through the support and heightened awareness of young people from local Primary School Classroom”. This is valid for 5 years and is secondary schools visiting and leading at Amwell View but through the opportunities given to our students. required to teach food technology and maintain health and Students have been given the opportunity to help and lead at various safety. partnership events, festivals and competitions. Amwell View currently has 6 students enrolled on the Step into Sport Volunteer passport award D&T Club started this year and involves 6 pupils from the scheme. The scheme allows students to log the hours they have spent upper school on a Monday afternoon from 3:30 - 5:00. The leading or helping both in school and within the community. Students club focuses on food technology and promotes independent have nearly completed 50 hours to achieve their bronze award and will skills, through preparing hot meals and drinks for both continue to work towards silver (100 hours) and gold awards (200 pupils. hours). Every pupil in the upper school now experiences opportunities to lead their peers in PE lessons using demonstration, sign (Makaton) and verbal instruction.

Students from Richard Hale, Simon Balle and The science curriculum is focused around a sensory approach to the subject, making as many Presdales Schools have been assisting in P.E. elements as possible accessible to all pupils. This means that we have a lot of fun while dance and swimming lessons as Higher Sports learning in science. Leaders. This gives them the opportunity of working with pupils with severe learning We have recently had a new touch-sensitive Smart board installed in the science room. It has difficulties to gain a better understanding of an adjustable height so that it can be used by all sizes of pupils, including those in Inclusion in Sport. Many of the students offer to wheelchairs. volunteer in the school after their 10 hours We take a lot of photos as part of our assessment and recording of lessons. We Disability module and also work in the school‟s look at these on the board and they also make up part of the science progress Summer Playscheme. files that each child has. The science department is starting to use video as another way to record the pupils‟ achievements.

Success Story… My name is Sam Brunton I am a former Richard Hale pupil, Hertford and Ware This term some of the KS1 and 2 classes have been looking at animals and we had some eggs that hatched into chicks. All of the pupils enjoyed watching the Sports Partnership Young Ambassador and Higher Sports Leader. I am currently studying BSc Sports chicks running around and some even handled them. We also had a visit from a Coaching at Leeds University. I first looked around Amwell View school when I was in the process of dog, cat and a lizard! deciding where I would undertake part of my level 2 Higher Sports Leaders Award. My initial reaction to

being shown round was the same as most if not all the group, we were quite scared about teaching children The upper school has been looking at how friction works and we have been teaching some with such severe learning difficulties. For many of us this was our first experience of seeing children with such joint lessons with a class from Pinewood school. We have also made some bath bombs using complex needs. Despite being humbled by seeing how well the teachers interacted with the children and how ideas from our materials and properties lessons. These went home as Mothers Day presents. little I knew about disability these were some of the major factors that made me want to become involved with Amwell View. I have

learned so much from the teachers/teaching assistants about communicating and interacting with the children. The school has such a We run an after school science club on a Monday evening, and next term welcoming and supportive atmosphere which has been a catalyst for my development as a teaching assistant and as a person. But I we are hoping to go to the school allotment and do some gardening as the have learned more from the children themselves than anyone else. The confidence I have gained over the time I have worked at Amwell evenings get lighter. View has been huge and it has given me the chance to build relationships with children which makes the whole experience a hundred

times better. I remember the incredible feeling when walking into the classroom for the first time and the excitement the children This year we have begun to run lunchtime booster classes for targeted showed towards me because I was a new face. This feeling is equally matched when I return now over two years later and I am greeted pupils across the upper school and all pupils are making good progress. with the same excitement and the children say “Good morning Sam” and remember who I am. One of my favourite things about my

experiences at Amwell View is seeing the enjoyment the children get from the vast opportunities they are given, whether they are using The Dell has been recently the dance studio for DDM to explore different subjects, discovering magic sand in science or going horse riding. Amwell View is a renovated and we are looking for- place that gives its children support in all aspects of their school work but also the opportunity for a better life. I have enjoyed every ward to spending a lot of our les- moment of being at Amwell View and hope to be involved there for years to come. son time outside the classroom over the next year, especially in the sum- Gifted and Talented mer term.

It is important that as a school and specialist college we recognise our high achievers in different subjects and provide extension opportunities. This has resulted in a Gifted and Talented policy being written and used initially in PE. This has now been applied in Science, Maths and English. Pupils will be on the Gifted and Talented register for a particular subject based on their P Level attainment and English - Debbie Howsen Key Stage. These pupils will receive specific tasks set at a higher level than that of their peers and use a wider range of resources for learning. These students will be encouraged to move through their It has been an exciting twelve months in the English department, with the introduction of a new learning at a faster rate than their peers. As a school we feel it is essential to identify the needs of National Strategy; the Letters and Sounds Programme. This initiative focuses upon a phonic approach every pupil and provide a challenging, stimulating and innovative learning environment. to reading and encourages pupils to listen, match and identify sounds, letter sounds and letter blends. Every class in the school now has a phonics lesson on it‟s weekly timetable. In addition, we have purchased Book Bags proudly displaying the school logo. Every pupil has been Rita Leader - School Sports Co-ordinator given one of these bags and is part of our reading programme which we hope families will play an active role in. A big thank you must be acknowledged to those parents and friends who have supported this With the achievement of Sports College status came the new post of SSCo to Amwell View. The overall role of the SSCo is to programme through hearing pupils read in school. If you would like to be part of this team of parent coordinate and support school sport opportunities and community sport pathways within the Amwell View family of schools, namely readers then please do contact Debbie Howsen for more information. Hunsdon, Wareside and Widford. Our school show was a resounding success last May in the form of „ Barnum‟s Big Top‟. Pupils This is achieved in three ways: enjoyed taking part in the circus workshops which ran alongside the show itself.  Establishing the needs of all young people in the family in accessing the government target of 5 hours high quality PE and sport In December 2008 we ran two theatre trips; one into London to see a production of „The Jungle Book‟  Understanding the family’s priorities in supporting all young people to access the 5 hours high quality PE and sport and the second to Welwyn Garden City for a production of „Beauty and the Beast‟. Literacy booster classes have continued this year for targeted pupils across the school and all pupils are Ensuring the family‟s priorities are advocated and understood across the Hertford and Ware School Sport Partnership. making good progress. Last term one of the booster classes visited a Hertford Hotel for lunch, and I look forward to the challenges ahead and being a member of the team at Amwell View School and Specialist Sports were able to put their reading skills into action in a real life situation by reading the menu and writing College. about the experience, including thank you letters.

Amwell View School Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College www.amwell.herts.sch.uk and Specialist Sports College www.amwell.herts.sch.uk