School Update 4th May
Dear Parent
We hope this finds you having enjoyed a restful bank holiday weekend together.
It’s been a busy first week back after the Easter break, welcoming new students to our growing school who have already settled in positively both in the classroom and socially. Watching the dynamics within and between each learning chapter, Spirit and Flair, is interesting. It is great to see students supporting each other and making new friends.
Learning:
Students’ chromebooks have arrived and will be assigned and issued to each student this coming week. This resource will be invaluable in supporting students with speech to text and various other applications. We envisage that the chromebooks will largely remain in school, certainly for Spirit, especially as we do not issue tasks to be completed at home for younger students.
There is a lot planned for the coming term, including trips out as part of our Venture programme, now that lockdown measures are lifting.
The learning team are working collaboratively as ever on themes which bring relevance and cohesion across curriculum areas.
Therapy:
A growing timetable is in place as funding is approved for our students. The positive impact of SaLT and OT sessions is huge and our team are setting personalised targets for each student as they commence therapy as part of their provision.
Sara, Lianne and Karen are working closely with Kate, our SENCO, and the teachers to assure a holistic and forward thinking approach.
PAWS:
Now that we are up and running, we would be grateful if parents could express their interest in being part of our Parents of Abbot’s Way Support group, by emailing Sue in the first instance. The purpose of PAWS will be part fundraising and a general advocate for Abbot’s Way, in liaison with the staff team but as a separate entity as with any school’s parent association or group.
Planning:
We have received official notification that our planning application has been rejected.
Whilst this news is clearly a huge disappointment, we are at least pleased to have received no delay over the decision which has already enabled our consultants to start a fresh application which we anticipate will satisfy highways concerns to expand the school by just 25 students.
We hope for more supportive and productive interactions this time, something that’s been very difficult to achieve to date.
We will, of course keep you posted every step of the way and again (sorry) be asking for supportive comments once the application has been submitted.
Finally, we are looking forward to visits this week from our colleagues at the ISA and our investor and Senior Leader Associate, who are eagerly keen to see all the wonderful developments within Abbots Way which is buzzing with progress and remains a school with such pioneering uniqueness.
On this note, we really look forward to showing parents around again once lockdown measures permits as we are aware it has been sometime since parents toured.
We are also looking forward to planning a fitting celebration for the end of the school year in July.
With best thanks as always.
Hellen and Gareth