Admissions

IF joined The Orchard from a primary academy as a Year 7 learner and has an EHCP for Social, Emotional Mental Health needs. IF suffers from PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) which was diagnosed by a Young Minds Matters psychologist.

IF struggles with an overwhelming need to resist demands made of her in the classroom, and at her previous school managed brief periods of time in the class as a result of her dysregulation and the larger class sizes. IF struggled to manage her emotions in the larger classroom, which was causing a significant barrier to learning for herself and her peers.

Since joining the Orchard, a softer approach has been taken, involving making requests of IF rather than demands, offering choices and acceptable alternatives, and providing ‘brain breaks’, to allow her the time and space she needs to self-regulate. IF also accesses calm time in our therapy room when needed and this has helped her to stay focused in the classroom.

With support, IF is now able to spend more time in the classroom, her attendance has already improved compared to her previous school and she says she likes coming to school to learn.

In the classroom, IF uses a theraband across the bottom of her chair and a wobble cushion for her chair, as well as a sensory box which helps her to regulate. She is beginning to be able to articulate her emptions when dealing with her peers, and talks openly to her ‘safe faces’ about how she is feeling and why. As a result IF is having significantly fewer episodes of emotional dysregulation and is much more focused in the classroom environment. She has already completed some fantastic work, particularly in art.

At the end of each day, the whole class takes part in ‘downtime’ activities to ensure they are calm and ready for their evening at home.

CM joined The Orchard at our Laceby Road provision in Year 7. CM’s primary needs were identified as Social, Emotional and Mental Health and he also has significant global delays in all areas of functioning.

At his previous school, CM showed high levels of agitation, aggression, anxiety and extreme distress in a classroom setting, meaning he struggled to maintain positive relationships with peers.

When CM joined our school, he was working at bronze level in all subjects.  In KS3 he worked hard to achieve his personal aim to progress from bronze to silver level in all subjects. He even completed some gold topics in maths and ICT.

Starting at The Orchard, CM had a fear of computers and became stressed at the thought of ICT. With the support of staff, he has worked hard to change his mind set and shows an eagerness to achieve, together with a new found confidence in his own abilities in ICT.

Writing was another challenge for CM, whose written work was illegible when he joined us in Year 7. Throughout KS3, he completed numerous writing activities and was even motivated to use his own time to undertake additional work in this area. Through this hard work he has progressed from only ever writing in pencil, to writing consistently and legibly in pen.

As a previously reluctant reader, CM has also discovered a love of reading during his time with us. To his mother’s surprise, he even requested a copy of Sir Tom’s biography. His new found enjoyment of reading is reflected in the progress of his writing skills.

To begin with, PE was a big issue for CM and he would not participate in most sports offered at the school. However, with support and encouragement, he now fully engages and actively enjoys taking part in exercise. CM is also now a key member of the school football team who enjoy great success in the SEND league, and which further develops his social skills and team work.

Now in Year 10, CM has progressed to such an extent, that he is accessing the GCSE mathematics and English Language programme and has achieved Entry Level 3 Functional Skills qualifications.

CM has also made huge progress in his personal development. With the support of targeted interventions and our wide range of therapies, emotionally, CM is now able manage all of his fears and anxieties. CM used a worry book that he wrote in regularly which was used to relay his worries to his ‘safe faces’ and allow them to support him. CM’s personal growth, means he now no longer uses his worry book, although it is still available to him. Instead, he is able to rationalise most of his worries without requiring intervention or support. When he is worried about anything, he is able to just talk it through.

CM’s mother has also seen a huge difference in how he manages his emotions at home, reporting that he has developed a solid understanding of empathy and understanding.

As part the school’s personalised learning programme, CM was able to spend time at a small community farm in the local area. He took such an interest in caring for the animals and supporting the local community, that he now volunteers at the farm.

CM was also nominated by the school in the Young Advocate of the Year category of the NASEN Awards 2022.

This award celebrates a young person who through their actions, activism, public communication or other forms of advocacy has raised awareness of; championed acceptance of; and challenged stigma or stereotypes around SEND. Their actions have driven positive change for children and young people with SEND, whatever the scale of their impact, whether in the class, school, local community or beyond. This award celebrates the bravery, determination and creativity of young people who are making a difference in the world, and who are helping to create a more inclusive and brighter future for all.

We were so incredibly proud that CM was a runner up in this category and that he was recognised in this way.

Learner X’s primary need is Social, Emotional and Mental Health. Learner X would demonstrate rocking and clenching of his fists in his previous setting when he did not want to engage, however, we have not witnessed this at Robert Street. Learner X can become withdrawn and at times cry when they are experiencing heightened emotions but staff support them by sitting nearby and offering reassurance. They are then able to self-regulate in a matter of minutes.

Learner X has come a long way in managing their emotions during their time at The Orchard. and it is very rare we now have any incidents. Learner X accesses GCSE subjects and engages well. At times, they can be easily influenced but this is very minimal. Learner X engages well in all their lessons and will ask for support when needed.

Learner X is currently in year one of his two year GCSE programme of study for mathematics and English Language.  They are currently predicted grades 3 for both subjects.  Alongside this, Learner X is completing Functional Skills assessments and has achieved entry level 2 maths and reading and writing at entry level 3.  Learner X  is registered for entry level 2 ICT.  They have also achieved vocational qualifications in, ‘Dealing with problems in everyday life ‘and ‘Environmental awareness’.

Learner X is a lovely learner with excellent manners and a kind nature. They have great relationships with staff and learners. Staff also have a good relationship with Learner X’s mother, and regular contact is made between ourselves and home.

Learner X has recently started to access appointments with Fortis Therapy. They were very dubious about these sessions initially, but have been reassured this is available whenever needed, and Learner X now enjoys these sessions. Learner X is very popular amongst their peers and has made 3 solid friendships within the class.

Since moving to Roberts Street, Learner X has settled well and made great progress. They engage well with lessons and will follow instructions from staff. Overall, Learner X is a happy young person who is well liked and wants to achieve.

Learner Y is a year 10 learner at our Laceby Road site who is in a small KS4 nurture class with three other learners.  Learner Y is a polite, respectful member of the school community, with a good sense of humour.  Learners look up to Learner Y as a role model due to his calm and mature demeanour.

Learner Y’s primary need is communication and interaction in respect of a diagnosis of ASD. They also have a demand avoidance profile and a diagnosis of ADHD.  Learner Y’s EHCP states they had low resilience and poor emotional regulation. Learner Y also has a presentation of SEMH needs, and has diplegic cerebral palsy which means they struggle to be active for long periods due to fatigue.

Learner Y transitioned to The Orchard in year 7 after completing his primary education within a special school setting. They had previously not settled within numerous mainstream educational settings and spent large spells out of formal education. This resulted in large gaps in their educational ability. Prior to joining the Orchard Learner Y had been exposed to lots of educational trauma through negative schooling experiences.

During Learner Y’s transition to Orchard, they were unable to read anything other than their name and their writing ability was limited, with a scribe used predominantly in the classroom.  In maths, Learner Y was unable to sequence days, weeks and months.  Their confidence was low in relation to all aspects of education.

Learner Y came to the school never having built any lasting friendships before, and struggled to communicate their feelings, emotions and need for support.

On arrival Learner Y was a pre-entry English learner, however, is now able to access the bronze curriculum with support.

Learner Y received phonics interventions in order to up their confidence with phonic knowledge.  They completed some sessions with the school’s SENCo and additional sessions with their class tutor.  This intervention helped Learner Y to order the alphabet, learn the letter sounds and begin blending CVC words.  This also supported Learner Y’s letter recognition and formation, to enable them to start writing for themselves.  Visual prompts are used to remember finger spaces, full stops and capital letters.

Learner Y has continued to be supported with reading and can follow text and read short sentences with simple information, allowing him to access the bronze curriculum with support.

Learner Y has also made such strides in mathematics (from entry level 1 to entry level 3), that they are now accessing the GCSE mathematics classes, with access arrangements in place to support reading.

Learner Y demonstrates determination and resilience to overcome academic challenges and despite having cerebral palsy does not allow this to be a barrier to access physical education, which they thoroughly enjoy, especially boxing.

Learner Y now manages their emotions effectively and can verbally communicate to their safe face when feeling heightened and frustrated, to allow a resolution to be found.

This academic year, Learner Y has passed Functional Skills Entry Level 1 in English qualification and Functional Skills Entry Level 3 in mathematics.

The school’s environment, positive relationships and social skills programme have all played a part in Learner Y’s development of social and emotional skills.  Furthermore, these skills are embedded within our personalised learning programme out in the local community.