Magazine 2010-11Compressed.Pub

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

Issue No. 03 May 2011

Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College Whoever we are, Stanstead Abbotts Nr Ware whatever we do, we can get better Tel: 01920 870027 Hertfordshire in the context of our own ability. Fax: 01920 871664 SG12 8EH Matt Oxley - Designer and Editor Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the context of our own ability. Jan Liversage — Headteacher “We would like to thank you for Appreciations taking Lewis for work experience at Amwell View last week. We very much It is exciting to be producing our third magazine. So much has happened since the beginning of our journey as a appreciate the time and effort that you’ve given to enable Lewis’ work experience to go ahead. Specialist Sports College. The development of the whole curriculum is still significant and continues to expand and “I just wanted to let you know what a lovely time I reflect the needs of the children and young people educated here. We have come a long way over the three years The week was a great success and the feedback had on my 2-day placement with you this week and we’ve had here at school both from the students and strive to improve educational provision at all times despite the changes that have been imposed, including the thank you so much for having me in your school. It demise of subject specialism. We continue to be responsive to the changes that face us at both Government and and their parents has been extremely positive. was a genuinely touching and inspira- Please pass our thanks on to all the members of local levels. tional experience to see how all the staff works staff who spent time with Lewis” together and in such a wonderful school with such We will still be called a Specialist Sports College and use the resources both material and human, that we have fantastic facilities. It was clear to me how happy the developed, to deliver a personalised and motivating learning opportunity for all the pupils at the school. It is Pinewood children are to be there. It is now a possibility that I School important to consider every change as an opportunity to evaluate our position and create new openings. may want to do my second year placement in a special school as I believe it may be the area I want to Two consecutive Ofsted inspections with judgements of ‘Outstanding’ in 2007 and 2010 means that we will be work in the future.” afforded a longer period of time to pass before our next inspection: at least not until 2014, according to the present Ofsted regulations. In the meantime the school continues to be a very popular provision for the Elise Clements (BEd1, University of Hertfordshire) appropriate children and offers high quality learning opportunities to everyone. “Thank you so much to you, your colleagues and the students at Amwell for making me so welcome on my visit last week. It is clearly a Jane Connolly - Deputy Head very special place and I was overwhelmed by the positive, supportive and fun learning environment that has been created for students One of the privileges of working in our school is the opportunity to share and learn with various members of the local and staff! It seems like a great place to go to and wider communities. Over the past year we have attracted a large number of regularCBE. Her volunteers interest in w sportho support as a our school / work each day. Thank you for taking the pupils’ learning in the classroom and at after school clubs. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Post Graduate time to show us around and give us a good in- Certificate of Education (PGCE) and Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) students from Hertfordshire and other sight into the workings of the school. I hope universities have visited us as part of their teacher training, often commenting on how much they have learnt from our Sports Day goes well for you all and wish you pupils. Our local primary schools, St Andrew’s and St John the Baptist Primary Schools as well as Simon Balle and the school all the best for the future. “ Secondary School have hosted and generously supported our Graduate Teacher Programme Trainees teachers. Students from colleges and local secondary schools continue to request work experience placements and their teachers Kind regards, Natalie, P.E Dept. St. George's School, Harpenden and parents comment on how positively the students react to their experiences with us. “I write to express my thanks for the opportunity to spend today in your school. As a component of my Hertfordshire Special Schools Network GTP training year, I found the day both informative and enjoyable, particularly in light of all of the delightful students I met who clearly all enjoy their Working with our local schools for pupils with time at Amwell View. My time spent observing Moderate Learning Difficulties is being developed. I classes, attending assembly and touring your am encouraged that both Pinewood and Middleton extensive and well-equipped facilities provided me schools are interested in establishing strong links with with a clear indication of the high quality of Amwell View. We have already joined up for two teaching and care your students receive which training opportunities and will continue to seek out reflects the highly professional approach and ways to work together more effectively in the future. dedication of all of your staff. “ Yours sincerely The following website www.aflinsld.org has been developed by the six schools for pupils with Dr SJ Coote (Richard Hale School) “I just wanted to email you to thank you for letting severe learning difficulties (SLD) in Hertfordshire. The group was formed as part of the me visit the school today, I had a fantastic time Hertfordshire project for lead practice in Assessment for Learning (AfL). We established a and came away feeling very energised with the collaborative working party, with the support of Diane Croston as Assessment Advisor, to the work that you do. I was very impressed with the development of AfL in our schools. We have been developing the use of AfL in special schools teachers and TA's and thoroughly enjoyed the two over the past ten years. Whilst AfL has been recognised as a key strategy in mainstream schools PE classes I sat in on!” there is a lack of information related to its application in SLD schools. The purpose of this website is to share our lead practice and provide a bank of useful resources for other Many Thanks practitioners to download and use. Sam Jeffery – Level 3 Social Work Student

and us over the years of him being at Amwell View. He has gone from the English Curriculum through a variety of means. a child to a young man that we are proud of as a family.” Esme and Dave Willcocks To support the delivery of drama and the English curriculum using kinaesthetic demise of subject specialism. We continue to be responsive to the changes that face us at both Government and Bunny and Gill Turner learning, lots of exciting resources have been purchased and off-site visits “Just a belated note to say thank planned and carried out. you for all Amwell View has done Adult sized fancy dress costumes We“We will would still likebe calledto use thisa Specialist opportunity Sports to say College a big THANKand use YOUthe resources for both material and human, that we have developed, to deliver a personalised and motivating learning opportunity forfor allJames. the pupilsHe has at very the fond school. It is linked to English reading topics every thing that you are doing for us. For all the support and heart that memories of you all.” have been purchased to involve our you give us all the time. We would never made it without you. We are Upper School pupils in role play. so happy.” James Green and family Character costumes from William ’ in 2007 and 2010 means that we will be affordedAnna and a Tomas longer Sliwa period of time to pass before our next inspection: at least not until 2014, according to the Shakespeare and Charles Dickens’ present Ofsted regulations. In the meantime the school continues to be a very popular provision for the works will ensure drama is accessible to all and is lots of fun. Lower School pupils have also seen some exciting new additions to their Governors role play collection.

After many years of a key member of the Due to personal commitments we Some of the upper school pupils experienced a musical production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Harlow governing body we have had to say ‘goodbye’ to have also had to replace Paula Craig, Playhouse whilst the lower school pupils enjoyed their annual pantomime trip to a production of ‘Cinderella’ at Duncan Rodgers. He has retired to take more CBE. Her interest in sport as a Broxbourne Civic Hall. opportunities to holiday abroad and relax. We are Paralympic participant has left a void, Everyone enjoyed World Book Day this year. Staff and pupils enjoyed dressing up as their favourite book character Certificate ofmost Education grateful (PGCE) for the andenormous Graduate contribution Teacher Programme that he (GTP) students from Hertfordshire and other but we are grateful that she was able and imaginations ran wild with a captivating storyteller. has made to the development of the school. His to join us at a crucial time when we pupils. Our localskills, primary expertise schools, and knowledge St Andrew’s have and already St John been the Baptist Primary achievedSchools as Specialist well as S Sportsimon Balle College. missed.

Jan Liversage Mark Farrington Derek Goodhall Philip Lancaster Liz Sapsford Headteacher Chair of Governor Vice Chair Community Community Governor of Governor Governor Governor The ongoing link with Hoddesdon Library has continued to be a great success. It provides pupils with the opportunity to access stories with a visit to the library each term for a sensory storytelling session. Our own school library has been improved with the addition of sensory and audio stories. A new scheme has been introduced including exciting fiction and non-fiction books as well as a phonic reading programme especially as designed for older learners using characters, themes and Neil Ward Gail Cantrell Jo McCarthy Marion Trehy Kelvin Sauvary Dave Willcocks language that pupils can relate to. Teacher Governor Staff Governor Parent Governor Parent Governor Parent Governor Parent Governor

Since the last edition of the magazine the whole school has benefitted from the purchase of interactive smart boards in every classroom. The smart boards mean that all pupils are able to engage in their learning using interactive software and programs to support mathematic skills. The touch sensitive whiteboards mean that pupils can activate sounds, move and match objects in any area of mathematics. Maths club has continued to be very popular and is well attended. Pupils have been using tactile objects to explore The covered way has been developed over the last year which has enabled us to extend class 2 and 5 by 1.4 metres. the theme of shape. They have also practised moving There is now an automatic door in place to access the key stage one playground. themselves and objects through shapes and moving in and out. The club is being run by Shelia Kitchen, class teacher for class 4. New mathematics resources have been purchased to support the delivery of the curriculum for the whole school. New storage has also been purchased, labelled and organized. Teachers can also access the mathematics resources on the staff network to support their classroom planning. Many of the new resources have been purchased for outside use and classes across the school have enjoyed playing games to improve The Music room has been extended to The school car park has been The Nursery playground has been pupils’ number skills. allow resources and instruments to be developed which has enabled us to refurbished and has new equipment stored and accessed easily. create a designated space for installed which includes a bridge, The Dell has been used regularly for outdoor trails with classes 9 visitors and transport buses large summer house and climbing and 10 visiting every week. Pupils have really enjoyed taking reducing congestion. frame and slide. mathematics out of the classroom. A new Key Stage 1 playground has been created which includes sand and water play stations, white and black Improvements have been made to create an additional boards, a permanent shop, musical play area for the lower school. The new area gives instrument and posts to create a tent or pupils the opportunity to explore many using and hide. It is a very colourful resource. apply skills with the sand and water balances. There are also fixed writing areas for mark making. Futures Developments Smart boards have been installed in every classroom and in specialist areas.

In the sensory garden new resources enable pupils to use water and sand play to investigate measure through play. We also have fixed coloured windows to watch the activities from the quiet area and a mirrored number display. Big lottery grant to develop Later this term we are looking forward to unveiling an Extension to Class 6 and Sensory Studio. Soft Play to be re-designed orienteering shape trail around school and to our learning opportunities in the dell. mathematics focus week using ‘measure’. Renew………….. improve……… develop……….

Amwell View encourages pupils to share their opinions on the school and The science curriculum is focused around a sensory approach to the their education. This is done through regular school council meetings and subject, making as many elements as possible accessible to all annual questionnaires. pupils. This means that we have a lot of fun while learning in The school council is made up of an elected pupil from each class. Elections science lessons. are held at the beginning of the academic year and the selected candidate attends the school council meeting on a Monday morning for the whole We use the Dell year. Meetings are held each half term, so six in total per year. Agenda (woodland area) as items are welcome from classes for discussion. a focus for our outdoor learning and Minutes are written in “Communication in Print” and distributed to each member in order to provide feedback to the the students have rest of the class. been transforming it this The school council provides an opportunity for pupils to express their views and to have a real influence on the year with some help development of the school. The council members especially enjoy deciding on the special events that are carried out at from Mudlarks. We New mathematics resources have been purchased to support the explore the plants, animals and take some of our other lessons outside to the learning areas in the Dell. Disability Coaching hub foralso Easternbeen purchased, Region labelled and organized. Teachers can also We take a lot of photographs as part of our assessment and recording of lessons. We use these to review our work on the Smart board during the With support from the Youth Sport Trust (via Amwell View School), the Herts Sports Partnership, the County Sports lesson and they also make up part of the science progress files for each Partnership for Hertfordshire was able to expand its Annual Coach Education Week held over the February Half child. The science department also uses video clips to record the pupils’ Term 2011 achievements. The funding Amwell View provided enabled sport and coach education training Science week this year is focussing to be greatly expanded and some of the headlines from the programme in- on water and classes throughout the cluded: school are exploring water and its properties, including how you can  17 disability sports courses/workshops delivered throughout the week, as change a flowers’ colour and using part of the biggest event of its kind in the UK water jets as fibre optics.  All workshops/courses were offered either free of charge or at a heavily discounted cost  Programme supported by English Federation for Disability Sport, UK Deaf The upper school has made some Sport, Sport England, sports coach UK and 10 NGBs recycled paper as part of a topic on  3 courses tutored by people who themselves had a disability - including champion wheelchair badminton player the environment, and we even Gobi Ranganathan managed to dye and scent the  Hugely enhanced profile for disability sport in Hertfordshire as a result of the programme finished products!  New partnerships forged e.g. Table Cricket UK with the Herts Cricket Board  Infrastructure for disability sport in Hertfordshire, and the wider region, strengthened

This academic year a number of staff members have attended courses and workshops to develop their understanding We are getting ready for the 2012 Olympics and ofvoluntary sensory groupsdevelopment and small and businessa range of hire sensory the dance approaches studio, sportsto learning. hall and Two swimming particularly pool useful to provide eveni ngmany workshops Paralympic Games. discussing activities to support pupils with sensory integration problems led to useful strategies being used in classrooms effectively supporting a number of pupils. We have welcomed colleagues interested in our curriculum and in the summer term, some members of staff will be attending a Saturday workshop with colleagues from Essex to discuss approaches to learning for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Resources purchased this year range from toys to aid concentration and sensory integration to new switches and an infinity tunnel switch controlled effect for the sensory studio.

Rachel Shipp - Music

It has been another busy year in the music department with music continuing to feature in all areas of the curriculum, school celebrations and festivals. This year the pupils and staff experienced yet another varied and enjoyable music week with visiting artists ranging from a samba band to a harpist. Home grown talent was also evident with members of staff performing and the whole week culminated in Amwell View School and a concert featuring the school choir and a guest choir from the local St. John the Specialist Sports College is a Baptist Primary school. member of the Get Set network The school choir also performed during the year to a packed house at the Broxbourne Visits to the Olympic site to see the Christmas concert and entertained the ladies and gentlemen at Willowthorpe Care progress have been made. A group of home. students will visit the Lea Valley Perhaps one of the highlights of the year has been achieving the ‘Sing up’ Gold Award. This recognises that Amwell White Water Centre to experience View is a singing school and that it puts singing at the heart of school life with a commitment to the ethos of 100% rafting. participation in singing. James Dickenson head of the Hertfordshire Music Service said, when endorsing the award, VISIT: that, ‘Amwell View has been a champion of singing and music for many years. The school is an inspiration to anyone that visits and the way that music and singing is embedded into the curriculum and the wider life of the school www.leevalleypark.org.uk/whitewaterrafting community is testament to the commitment of all the staff, pupils and families. I am delighted to endorse this award for a school where so much goes on to enrich the lives and life chances of all their pupils’. 2012 looks just as exciting for the music department with prospects such as the http://getset.london2012.com/ school choir singing again at the Albert Hall, pupils commencing work on their ‘Arts Award’ in collaboration with Pinewood school and the school beginning their journey towards a ‘Sing up’ Platinum award. Finally, and perhaps most exciting of all for me as music teacher, is the pros- pect that in September I will be beginning my new full time teaching post at Amwell View. I have spent the last four years training and working towards this moment and when I begin in September I know it will Join us next year at the Para-Olympic Games: feel very special, and I can’t wait to get started. August 29th to 9th September 2012

The pupils and staff benefit from such wonderful resources and so does the local community. On a weekly basis The D&T Scheme of Work is now complete through KS1 – KS4. It voluntary groups and small business hire the dance studio, sports hall and swimming pool to provide many contains an assortment of varied topics including cogs, pop-up opportunities for physical activity. The benefit to this community is significant and we are both proud and pleased books, slippers, shelters, fruit and vegetables and bread. to play our part. Lettings also generates a funding stream which assists the school in providing additional opportunities for the pupils and parents. It particularly supports the funding of after school clubs and the holiday clubs. These topics provide a foundation to explore materials in their basic forms and allow pupils to progress, building on prior Swim with me Amore Lifestyle Consultancy knowledge and refining key skills. ‘Swim with me’ hire the school pool every The above company runs a fitness group at Amwell View Saturday to teach babies, toddlers and young children on Tuesday evenings View’s Gym on Tuesday evenings. to swim. In October there were 2 D&T focus days. These were very Elite Direct - successful. All classes were provided with an assortment Hoddesdon Swimming Club of activities, including building shelters in Hatfield Forest, making kites and withie fish with The Carnival Arts Land training – Over 20 members of Hoddesdon Pilates and Aerobics Company, making textured pictures with Mod Rock, sand swimming club use Amwell View’s Gym on Thursday Mandy McCarthy runs Pilates and Aerobic classes for the and glue and weaving with umbrellas and ribbon. nights for circuit/fitness training. local community with mixed age groups ranging from 20 Triathlon Training – Members of Hoddesdon’s to 60 year olds. A D&T area is being set up in the D&T/Science room. Triathlon team use Amwell View’s Gym on a This will provide an area to display work produced and Friday night to train. Donna Prentice enable classes to work on topics with easy access to re- Little Fishes sources and equipment. Two exercise classes are held in the dance studio on a A Smart board has been installed in the Food Technology room allowing pupils to access Communicate in Print “Little Fishes“ swimming group hold a number of weekly basis for women from the local community. 85% recipes, instant access to photographs taken during the lesson, and provide other activities that complement the classes for pre-school children in the school every of women attending the Aerobics class are aged between lesson. Thursday morning. The club continues to promote an 25 - 50yrs. Pilates sessions tend to attract a greater propor- inclusive ethos. tion of women over 50, with 66% being in this age bracket. Neil Ward - Information, Communication, Technology Charity Work It’s been a busy year for ICT at Amwell View. We have installed Smart boards in all classrooms and specialist areas which has Parents and Staff of Amwell positively impacted on teaching and learning enormously. View raised £125.36 for Comic Relief. Pupils joined After a lengthy assessment process the school has been awarded the in this charity event by ICT Mark. This is a national award accredited by the arriving in school dressed in Department for Education that rewards excellence in ICT practice red and wearing red noses. and provision. The process has allowed us to analyse the way we Classes also starred in their Donations made at the end of term Christmas carol service implement and use ICT, and has anabled us to enhance ICT amounted to £48.36 and was sent to support Shelter. throughout the school. own funny videos which We have purchased 8 Panasonic Toughbooks – rugged, were shown in assembly. shockproof, touch screen PCs that the classes use to expand ICT teaching. The Toughbooks allow students greater freedom to explore new software and develop their independent ICT skills, both in the classroom and the wider world. ICT Club has transformed into Camera Club. We investigate the use of both video and still photography, as well as the use of computers and other technology. We are currently in the process of producing our first film, starring all of our members.

This year has again proved successful and exciting. The whole school Rita Leader, Amwell View School Sports Co-ordinator, continues to strengthen our relationships with Primary Link walked to St Andrew’s Church in Stanstead Abbotts for a service to Teachers from Hunsdon, Wareside, and Widford. A year plan was developed at the beginning of the academic year celebrate our Leavers’ and Christmas. In school we celebrated Easter taking into account individual school needs and preferences. This year’s plan includes; Harvest; Remembrance Day and St George’s Day. The St George’s  Developing teacher subject knowledge in boccia and dance. Day celebration was colourful and action packed, with dragons made  Targeted training sessions. by the pupils and a great deal of singing and flag waving.  Developing opportunities for integrated projects.  Providing external coaching and/or having access to our specialist staff. On May 17th 2011 we will be celebrating  The opportunity to use Amwell View School facilities. “Wesak”, an important date in the A great success of the partnership this year was Amwell View’s Dance coach, Buddhist calendar. Pupils will be Amy Elms providing a 12 week after school club at Wareside school. The involved in a variety of activities during club was an opportunity for pupils from Wareside and Widford to work this week and will celebrate the festival together to present a dance piece at the Hertford and Ware School Sports Secondary schools in East Herts this year. The service has throughprovided art, support music, and drama advice and to dance. thirty It Partnership Dance Festival at the Hertford Theatre. promises to be an exciting multi-sensory experience. We continue to link with Presdales School through providing leadership opportunities. This year’s festival will be a Boccia festival on 29th June 2011 R E as a subject continues to be held at Presdales School. Pupils from all link schools will be provided with enthusiastically delivered and received. I transport to attend. have again had the pleasure of observing some outstanding R.E. lessons across all the key stages.

Over the past year Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College has continued to work closely with Hertford Laura Wing - Art and Ware Sports Partnership to increase opportunities for PE, sport and leadership activities. Due to the devastating news that the government has cut the funding for school sports partnerships the focus has turned to how we as a school can support and look to sustain all of the opportunities that the Hertford and Ware partnership have There have been a number of changes over the past year. Laura established over the years. Wing leads Art and Tania Davidson is assistant Art leader. Since the last magazine we have held another successful Art focus week producing a variety of art work which parents had the opportunity Amwell Summer Festival to buy. Simon Balle School hosted the Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College Summer Festival. Amwell View Two after school art clubs have been successfully running since September 2010. One for lower school called also provided onsite opportunities to experience OAA. The theme of the festival this year was Outdoor and ‘Messy Art’ which currently has 11 members and another club for the upper school called ‘Creative Art Club’ Adventurous activities which included orienteering and climbing. The festival was a huge success with all our link which has 8 members. The pupils have the opportunity to explore a variety of materials and develop the artist schools: Wareside, Hunsdon, Widford and presdales who sent pupils to assist leading the activities. within them.

The Art department is waiting to receive an order of new materials including; a Perspex easel, a variety of large painting tools and a restock of class resources. We look forward to this year’s challenges of developing the pupil’s art work by holding another art week where we hope to take art outside, and encourage the pupils to use a wide variety of natural materials. We will also look at developing our resource base with a variety of materials which will stimulate the pupil’s senses through different textures and colours.

The staff continue to be provided with high quality training throughout the school year. Each year we ensure every The Geography curriculum at Amwell View has been taking shape one employed at the school has mandatory training in Moving and Handling, Physical Intervention, First Aid and and gathering further depth in relevant resources to support topics Resuscitation. In addition training selected to meet the needs of the whole staff groups as well as tailor: made and, more recently with the help of all teaching staff, building up a opportunities for some individuals. In addition to the five Continued Professional Development (CPD) days there are useful media resources file of pupil experiences and videos for members of staff following degree courses including, first degrees, masters and specialist degrees. The experience staff and pupils to access across the school and curriculum. For and wealth of knowledge gathered through extended study programmes benefits the school and staff working example, class 5 has recently been on a train ride and class 4 has practise enormously . visited the local train platform to record sights and sounds of train travel, that can also be used in personal safety lessons, sensory Outreach Provision activities and history sessions, just to name a few. This coming year the Geography curriculum is focusing on providing pupils with a combination of off-site and on-site The Outreach Service provided by Amwell View School has continued to support Primary and activities. Some of the off-site activities include classes visiting Secondary schools in East Herts this year. The service has provided support and advice to thirty Hatfield Forest to participate in a Woodland Animal Detective individual pupils and worked with six schools on whole school referrals over the past twelve months. session, Woodland Mapping activity, an exploration of bugs and We have also welcomed a range of visitors through our ‘INREACH’ programme, to share resources, playtime in a woodland environment. Other off-site visits are to experiences and advice with staff here at Amwell View. include the ‘Wot-ever’ scrap store in WGC to select resources to Training Evenings have been held once a term and our currentR E trainingas a subject focus continues within the to Outreachbe also support activities in Art, D&T. Service is entitled ‘Accurate Assessment Using the P Level Descriptors.’ The Outreach Service continues to offer support, training and guidance with reference to pupils with special needs, and has also provided Amwell View School with a wealth of community links and Activities planned around the school building and grounds are a associates. photo / map reading treasure hunt for Foundation classes, placing We support local primary schools by providing some Makaton outreach training for staff photos on a simple map of our school environment, and drawing who work with pupils with additional communication needs. Our experience of using simple maps and routes using direction language. Makaton with pupils at Amwell View means that we can teach the most useful signs for pupils in their own school setting in a short course. The training has been very well received and some of the songs that we sing and sign at Amwell View are now being used throughout the county. Sharon Streater - History Holiday Club Since joining Amwell View School in September 2010, I have This year we have provided a holiday Club during the Easter and summer holidays. The taken on the role as History Coordinator. History continues to be delivered across all four key stages using a multi-sensory holiday clubs are funded through the school budget which takes account of the cost of staffing, transport and resources. It is important that we keep this opportunity open for the approach. pupils at the school and we feel confident that we will allocate sufficient funds from the Many new and exciting resources school budget share again to support the continued provision. The club has the full backing have been ordered to deliver of the Governing Body and 100% commitment from school staff. kinaesthetic and fun activities for a range of historical eras. These exciting Around the World in Two Weeks was this year’s theme having each day named after a resources include Ancient Egyptian and Victorian clothes and artefacts, as well as different country. A time table was put together for different activities from 10am – 3pm clothes and artefacts to aid learning about the Great Fire of London. Songs and with an hour lunch break each day. A charge of £8 per day per child was made towards films are now available to enhance the teaching of Decades of Change (this topic the cost of the provision. focuses on the 50s, 60s and 70s).

Class 10 invited Class 1 for a coffee morning to reinforce changes in school life and the children enjoyed sharing each others’ learning opportunities and discussed the differences.

A Victorian walk around Ware has been organized for key stage 3, as well as the loan of a resource box from Hertford Museum. Finally, I am looking forward to facilitating a range of creative, fun and accessible history activities across the school over the next year.

Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can get better in the www.amwell.herts.sch.uk context of our own ability. www.amwell.herts.sch.uk context of our own ability. The partnership between Amwell View, Special Wendy Rabbitt - Olympics East Herts and Hoddesdon Swimming club Personal, Social, Health Education and Citizenship has developed further in the past year. Hoddesdon Swimming club have worked tirelessly to develop As well as being a timetabled subject for older pupils, disability swimming in our local area and beyond. The P.S.H.E. & Citizenship is an integral part of our daily Disability squad trains on a Tuesday evening from 6:10- teaching. This includes personal hygiene routines, 7:10pm at John Warner swimming pool. The group has independent feeding and dressing skills, developing grown in size with over 20 members attending weekly. self esteem and forming appropriate relationships with The club has also started a feeder session every Sunday others. Our pupils need a great deal of educational support in from 4-5pm which is free in partnership with John order to acquire many of these skills. We devote a great deal Warner Sports Centre to allow parents and carers the of our time to teaching P.S.H.E., often integrated with other opportunity to swim with disabled swimmers to improve aspects of the curriculum. skills and confidence with the support of a qualified coach. The aim is to move into the Tuesday night training session when ready.

Hoddesdon have been an outstanding advocate for Teachers are responsible for planning their own PSHE providing opportunities for disabled people to access lessons with advice and guidance from the subject leader. swimming. This has been recognised by both the

Hertfordshire and Eastern Region Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) as Hoddesdon are now coordinating disability swimming for the eastern Sandra Clark - Careers region through regular strategic committee meetings. Members of the committee include Hertfordshire and Eastern Region ASA members, County Sports This has been a good year for the development of Careers and Work related learning. Opportunities Day was again a Partnership, Hertfordshire Playground to great success, with 26 students from the upper school attending St. Elizabeth’s to take part in 4 self selected podium group, Special Olympics East Herts and St workshops offering taster sessions in retail, community services and catering. The students worked with employers Albans groups and Amwell View School and Special- from M&S, the Emergency services, Lister Hospital and horticultural and wildlife specialists to gain key skills in ist Sports College. working with others, communication and problem solving. Every student is issued with their own passport to support The charity attached to Special Olympics East Herts has had a very successful year thanks to the hard work of and record their learning. committee members and the generous donations received through fund raising events. This funding has enabled the The Post 16 students have also been involved in a great partnership with ‘Mudlarks club to purchase kit and other essentials throughout the year. The additional funds put us in a strong position to Community Garden’ who have provided on site work experience for our students in the develop the sporting provision further over the next year. Dell. This offers our students training in horticulture, conservation and environmental awareness as well as great fun developing the outdoor curriculum. Community - Fitness Clubs Students 2 were also great entrepreneurs taking part in a Business master class with pupils from Simon Balle combining their skills to produce products such as The group of young adults decorated boxes and key rings to sell in the school. We with learning difficulties successfully raised £46.00 and this was deposited into the continues to meet weekly at HSBC bank in Ware as part of our Young Enterprise Amwell View to follow a Company ‘Rap Designs’. varied fitness programme in association with Acorn Fitness. Records indicate a Rap designs enjoyed a second year of trading and have sold some great rise in fitness level for the products to both staff and parents through successful advertising. group of students who attend Students take part in Board meetings where they decide on products that they on a regular basis. There are can make and sell to make money for the company. now 12 members consistently Hopefully as the year continues more students will be able to experience the attending. world of work and share their skills in the work place.

Special Olympics East Herts athletics group has had a very successful The 2010 school show, ‘Showtime’, proved to be another year. The group has doubled in size with over 40 registered athletes and hugely successful production with staff and pupils working an average of 25 athletes training weekly. The group continues to beThis includes personal hygiene routines, hard to produce some wonderful performances in a very supported by a dedicated group of coaches and volunteers.independent Training is feeding on and dressing skills, developing short space of time for a very appreciative audience. a Monday night at Wodson Park in Ware from 6-7pm. The team competed in 6 events over the last year including organising a regional event in September 2010 where 5 regional teams attended. The event was supported by many volunteers who made the day extremely successful and we hope that this year the event will grow.

Special Olympics East Herts Athleics was awarded the Best Newcomer Club in Hertfordshire at the Herts Service to sport awards 2010.

In Dec 2010 the club had its first presentation evening where athletes had a social gathering with music and catering and all athletes were presented with a trophy.

Swimming Coach : Swimming Coach : SSCo : Specialism Technician: Physiotherapy Amanda White Claire Manns Rita Leader Matt Oxley The physiotherapy team, Sue Dickenson and Julie Davis are based at the School and work closely with the school staff in many areas of the school curriculum to enable P.E. continues to be a focal point of the school curriculum with pupils participating in a wide range of physical children with physical difficulties to reach their maximum functional abilities. Sessions activities on a daily basis. The Department consists of specialist teachers who also support each other in delivering all can be individual or in groups. Children can be seen in various settings such as the physiotherapy room, class rooms, six areas of the PE Curriculum. swimming pool and sports hall. From an early age pupils learn the The physiotherapy team work with school staff develop classroom programmes for the children and help with basic skills of movement which positioning during lessons so the children are able to gain the best access to the curriculum. are transferred onto apparatus, We also recommend equipment such as standing frames and Walkers to assist these activities. linking actions together and We work closely with the doctors, school nurses, Speech and language therapists and Orthotists in the school. learning to sequence movements. Parents are welcome to contact the physiotherapy team through the school and attend These skills are reinforced in soft sessions with their children and we encourage involvement with physiotherapy play and on apparatus in the new programmes. outside playgrounds as well as through Gymnastics and Dance. Speech and Language Therapy Throughout lessons, pupils have The school receives the equivalent of a full time speech and language therapist over language visually reinforced the week and also has the support of an assistant one day a week. through demonstration, the use of Annick Algar is the lead Specialist Speech and Language therapist for Amwell and works 2 days a week, currently Monday and Wednesday. symbols, and signing. Competition is experienced within school when playing team games and practising for Sports Day which this year There are two rotational posts at the school. At present one of these rotations is in school on a was once again held at Wodson Park Sports Centre, Ware. Monday and a Thursday and the other on a Tuesday. Rotational post holders are based at Amwell View for a minimum of an academic year, currently they are Sherisse Wolgar and Jamie Schnieder.

Aims

1. Adopt a total communication approach throughout school, where pupils have access to their own means of communication throughout the day. 2. Develop means of communication appropriate to each child’s individual needs. 3. Create opportunities for communication throughout the curriculum to enable each child to communicate to the best of their ability. School Nurses The nursing team based at the school consists of Karen Rolph (Team Leader), Sara Holland, and Nicola Davies (Administration Assistant). The team are dedicated to looking after the health of all pupils at Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College. Their knowledge and expertise complements the work of all the health teams and we value Various clubs are held during lunchtime and after Other essential staff members their contribution school hours. These include three Swimming Learning to swim immensely. Clubs, a Gym Club, a Football club, Gifted and is not only fun Talented and two Dance clubs. activity but also a life skill. The number of pupils able to swim competently in the school pool has risen. These pupils are now Lynne - Secretary able to access Marselle Mercer Harvey Barrington Sally and Barbara Russell - Site Manager Debbie - Bursar Network Manager Kitchen Staff Olly - Gardner deep water pools in Admin Assistnat the community in order to increase stamina, general proficiency and stroke technique. Midday supervisory Assistants help pupils at lunchtime and during playtime to ensure children return refreshed and ready to learn in the afternoon. The cleaners also play a pivotal part in keeping the school clean.

P.E. continues to be a focal point of the school curriculum with pupils participating in a wide range of physical

Pupils have been given opportunities to participate alongside mainstream schools in activities organised through the Lunchtime clubs Hertford and Ware School Sport Partnership and with pupils from SLD Schools across the County. These Monday include Football, Cricket, and Boccia Tournaments, a Swimming Gala, Dance Festival, Sportshall Athletic ● Happy Feet Dance Club (2 lower school and 8 upper school pupils attend) Competition and District Sports. ● Sensory Club (4 lower school pupils attend) Tuesday ● Gym Club (13 upper school pupils attend) ● Storytelling Club (7 lower school pupils attend) ● PHSE Club (3 upper school pupils attend) ● Water Games (4 Upper school pupils attend) ● Boccia Club (2 lower school and 7 upper school pupils attend) Wednesday ● Gifted and Talented (15 upper school pupils attend) ● Storytelling Club (1 lower school pupil and 7 upper school pupils attend) ● Makaton Club (8 lower school pupils attend) Thursday ● Maths Club (2 lower school and 7 upper school pupils attend) ● Sensory Club (4 Upper school pupils attend) ● Choir (10 lower school pupils and 19 upper school pupils attend) Friday Pupils with more complex needs have benefitted from a regular weekly session of rebound therapy on the ● Sensory Club (3 upper school pupils attend) trampoline. During the past year, the school hosted an afternoon of adapted games and sensory experiences for ● Tiny Toes Dance Club (8 lower school pupils attend) pupils from other SLD Schools.

After school clubs Monday ● Activity Club (6 upper school pupils attend) Tuesday ● Junior Swimming Club (5 lower school pupils attend) ● Snapped Photography Club (9 upper school pupils attend) Wednesday ● Dance Club (7 upper school pupils attend) ● Creative Art Club (10 upper school pupils attend) ● Messy Art Club (10 lower school pupils attend) Thursday ● Football Club (6 upper school pupils ableattend) to swim

Several pupils have learnt to take on a risen. These Leadership role within P.E. lessons. Higher Sports Leaders from local Secondary Schools who are placed within Amwell View provide the community in order to increase stamina, general excellent role models for our pupils.

Looking ahead to 2012, Sports Leaders including Peter Cooper and Lucy Goodman were invited to promote the new White Water Rafting Centre at Waltham Abbey in September 2010. In July 2011 a group of students will have the opportunity to experience these Olympic facilities.

A long established connection with ex UK Paralympian Boccia Player, The contribution that PE makes to enhance pupil’s lives Peter Pearse resulted in him coaching pupils in the School Boccia Club and was once again recognised through Amwell View being assisting at the SLD Boccia Tournament that the school hosted. We were awarded Healthy Schools Status and acknowledged delighted when Peter received two National awards recently and returned to further when the school recently received a visit from a the school to show these in a special assembly. team of local councillors.