Sherwood Foundation School

Weekly Newsletter

Dear Families,

It has been a pleasure to welcome all our students and families back for another exciting school year.

A particularly warm welcome goes to our new students and their families. We are delighted to have you join the Sherwood community, and I hope you quickly feel a sense of belonging in being part of our school. Welcome back to our returning students, I am looking forward to seeing what you all achieve this year.

This year feels especially exciting as we see our expansion at The Manor Campus truly come to life. Our new classrooms and additional spaces have created exciting opportunities for our growing school community, and it has been a real pleasure to see our vision become a reality. The new classes and learning environments are already bringing a wonderful energy to the campus, and I am incredibly proud of everyone who has helped make this possible.

I look forward to working with you all - here’s to a fantastic year ahead.

Best wishes,

David Murden, Executive Headteacher

Sherwood Hill Campus

News from Leadership Team

Welcome back to the start of the new academic year! It has been fantastic to welcome back our students, as well as meet some new faces.

I am pleased to introduce Sandra Harrison who is joining the Senior Leadership Team at the Hill and Natalie Floyd our campus Family Liaison Officer, who will be working to support our pastoral provision.

This week the classes have enjoyed starting their new topics. The green corridor has been exploring “weird weather and sensational season”, whilst the blue corridor focus on their theme of “superheroes!” and purple corridor begin to explore what skills the students would like to further develop through their ASDAN modules.

This week saw the return of our school choir for both our primary and secondary groups, which was universally loved. They have begun to explore autumnal songs ahead of our harvest festival later this term. We also celebrated World First Aid day; where students learnt how to ask for help when needed and explore basic first aid.

Lower School News

Pupil using a core board to communicate It has been a great week in Lower School welcoming lots of new students and everyone has begun settling into new routines.

In Mint class everyone has been exploring activities and resources, and engaging in therapy sessions with our wellbeing, SaLT and OT therapy teams. Students especially enjoyed a play session in the Sensory Gym, as well as a Literacy lesson about rain (as part of our work on weather for our new termly topic) and acted out the nursery rhymes “Incy Wincy Spider”.

Teal class had a great session on healthy foods and particularly enjoyed exploring and eating satsumas! Students are settling into routines and especially enjoyed the play sessions in the sensory gym and soft play. The class started learning about “traditional tales” in literacy and enjoyed the Ginger Bread Man this week!

In Maths, Olive Class have been exploring numbers and counting 1 to 10, as well as learning about the letter B. Students also enjoyed using play dough to roll, spread and pinch, developing their fine motor skills. Well done to everyone in Olive class for a fantastic first week back!

In Lime class it has been wonderful to see the students return with such big smiles and happy faces. In Numeracy, students have been developing their counting skills through fun and engaging counting songs and activities. Students have also had lots of fun exploring a variety of sensory trays, using their senses to investigate different textures and experiences. Lastly, the class enjoyed a play session in the sensory gym, where they had lots of opportunities to move, explore and have fun!

Middle School News

Pupil wearing superhero mask It has been a lovely start to the new school year, with students settling back into their routines and getting to know their new classes and staff. We have also enjoyed beginning our new topic, Superheroes, with lots of fun and exciting activities.

In Iris Class, have been exploring the new topic through dressing up, wearing capes and masks. Students have also created a lovely piece of work all about themselves, identifying the things they love so that they can share these with new students and staff.

Capri Class have had a fantastic first week exploring our new topic. Students enjoyed listening to the story of 'Supertato' before creating their very own 'Supertato' heros. It was wonderful to see everyone getting involved so enthusiastically. Some students also had a fantastic time joining choir and singing together.

Indigo Class have been exploring Superheroes through Drama, decorating masks, using aprons as capes and practising different superhero poses. Superman was a particular favourite! We are very proud of how well everyone has adjusted to their new routines.

Sapphire Class have also enjoyed the sensory story 'Supertato' and have been exploring different vegetables in the story. In numeracy students have been matching numbers and building towers to knock down. Everyone also enjoyed singing and dancing in the first choir of the year.

Ocean Class have enjoyed a fun and interactive cooking lesson, working together to make their very own pizzas. Students helped prepare the ingredients, choose their toppings and, of course, enjoyed sitting down together to taste their delicious creations!

Upper School News

Pupil on a swing Upper School have had a fantastic first week back, settling into new classrooms and routines, building relationships and getting to know their new teams. Students have made a brilliant start, with a focus on wellbeing, regulation and enjoying being back at school.

In Lilac Class, students have enjoyed a range of sensory, creative and physical activities to support regulation and wellbeing. They have explored their new environment and begun getting familiar with their new routines.

In Lavender Class the focus has been physical and mental wellbeing. Students have also enjoyed making pizzas in Life Skills and learning about hedgehogs and hibernation in Art, before creating their own hedgehogs using a variety of materials.

In Thistle Class, pupils have enjoyed ‘All About Me’ activities, drawing their favourite things and decorating their lockers. They have also enjoyed trips to the shop and park, football in the playground and creating front pages for their folders on Canva in ICT.

In Violet Class lessons have focused on getting to know each other, supporting regulation and using art to tell each other about the Summer holidays, creating some wonderful pictures. Students have also enjoyed PE sessions in the hall and playground, providing plenty of opportunities for movement and physical activity.

Stars of the Week

Mint: Theo for his fantastic engagement in lessons and play activities throughout the week.

Olive: Jordan for settling brilliantly into his new classroom and engaging so well in learning activities.

Teal: Anish for spending longer periods in class and having a great time.

Lime: All of Lime Class for making a fantastic start to the new school year. Superstars!

Indigo: Kishan for excellent engagement in lessons and showing resilience during Healthy Eating while slicing fruit to make a fruit salad.

Iris: All of Iris Class for showing resilience while managing the changes of returning to school and embodying our school values, showing each other nurture, and great listening and communication skills.

Sapphire: All of Sapphire for their amazing transitions back to school this week.

Capri: Enzy and R’tzay for settling brilliantly into their new environment and fully engaging in class activities.

Ocean: Millie for settling confidently and positively into her new environment and embracing her first week.

Thistle: All of Thistle Class for adapting brilliantly to new friends, staff and their new classroom environment.

Violet: Steven for working hard on his regulation and transitions and enjoying his time in class.

Lilac: All of Lilac Class for showing great resilience and a positive attitude while adapting to new routines, experiences and their new classroom.

Lavender: Louis for his use of the coreboard to ask for more during Life Skills and using co-regulation support, and Isah for his brilliant transitions to the post-16 corridor.

Wellbeing: Charlie for making fantastic progress in becoming more comfortable and confident in the classroom, sharing his space with others and exploring new areas of school.

Therapy: George for making fantastic progress with his transition back into the classroom, engaging with peers and taking part in a wider range of learning activities.

Sherwood Park Campus

News from the Leadership Team

It has been great to welcome everyone back to the Park Campus and to see the school busy again after the summer break.

There is always something special about the beginning of a new school year, and there is a real sense of excitement about what lies ahead. It has been lovely to see our students returning, seeing familiar faces and beginning to settle into the year.

We want to say a big thank you to our staff team. The start of a school year is always incredibly busy, and a huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure everything is ready. We have been really impressed by the care, patience and commitment we have seen across the campus this week.

To our parents and families, welcome back. We are looking forward to getting to know those of you who are new to the school over the coming weeks and months, and to working together with all of our families to make sure our pupils have the best possible year.

Lower School News

Pupils on a round about Sunflower Class has had a fantastic first week back getting to know each other and their new teacher. They took part in a swimming session and were very excited to be back in the pool.

Hebe Class enjoyed their week and especially their new peaceful sound-proofed classroom, it’s making a BIG difference!

Orchid Class have been exploring sensory cooking materials and the changes that happen when dry ingredients become wet. They enjoyed a lovely trip to the park to look at the changes to the trees as we head into Autumn. The whole class has enjoyed exploring the sensory rooms and the freedom of being out of their chairs to stretch and move.

Bluebell Class have enjoyed a lovely range of activities this week, including phonics sessions, sensory stories, creativity, wellbeing and regulation sessions. Students have done lots of singing and dancing, and have also made the most of the sunshine by enjoying activities in the playground.

Middle School News

Pupils using lego and play dough in class Middle School has had a fantastic first week back to school, getting to know their friends and staff in their class.

Poppy Class have enjoyed the Soft Room, playing in the playground and exploring different sensory toys. A favourite was blowing up a balloon and letting it fly away.

Daffodil Class have explored songs and play interactions to get to know one another.

Tulip Class have been working on their regulation by attaining a regulated state for learning. Students especially enjoyed playing with the sensory Lego and play dough which they made in class.

In Lily Class, students have been getting used to using their classroom equipment again. They have also been doing lots of work with their PODD books, using them to make requests and talk about their sensory experiences.

Upper School News

Pupil working in classroom Upper School have had a fantastic start to the new school year, with pupils enjoying a busy week of new experiences, activities and opportunities to learn, explore and spend time together.

Peony Class have had a busy and fun-filled week, exploring their favourite things through the book ‘You Choose’ and creating imaginative collages. In Art, students created colourful class signs using masking tape and spray paint, while in Cooking they made homemade pitta bread and tzatziki, which proved very popular!

Daisy Class have enjoyed games, sensory stories, TACPAC massage sessions and a range of creative activities. Students also made the most of breaks in the rain to head into the community, shopping for ingredients for their upcoming cooking sessions and snacks.

Marigold Class have enjoyed working with new friends and staff while exploring different areas of learning. Students have particularly enjoyed choosing their morning songs and end-of-day tunes, helping to make the classroom their own.

Dahlia Class have started the term with their new timetable and launched their Jacket Potato enterprise. Students have also enjoyed trips to the shops, café and park, alongside sensory stories and ICT activities. The class also celebrated Jayden’s 18th birthday!

Stars of the Week

Orchid: Ian for an amazing first week, confidently managing full days, exploring new spaces and engaging with his PODD book during communication sessions.

Hebe: Chloe and Zain for settling into Hebe Class with wonderful energy, curiosity and happiness.

Bluebell: Ali for showing bravery, curiosity and enjoyment as he settled into his new class and engaged in learning, singing, dancing and play.

Sunflower: Abinaya for settling brilliantly into her new class, transitioning confidently around school, enjoying swimming and for communicating using her voice and singing.

Marigold: Ayaan for making an excellent start at Sherwood Park, starting to join in classroom activities with his friends and beginning to engage at the lunch table.

Tulip: Gandom for transitioning brilliantly into her new class, working hard on communication and enjoying activities and play with her new friends.

Daffodil: Ibby for confidently and enthusiastically using his new class chair and transitioning positively to and from it.

Lily: Freddie for a fantastic start to the new school year, proudly sharing about people who are important to him using his PODD book.

Poppy: Ronnie for settling brilliantly into his new class and exploring new activities, including football and the sounds chalk makes when he is drawing.

Daisy: Jack for making fantastic progress using his standing frame, demonstrating awareness that he is thirsty and asking for a drink and engagement in sensory stories.

Peony: Grace for her fantastic enthusiasm during Life Skills, working hard to wash the windows and make them shine.

Dahlia: Liam for settling brilliantly into his new class and exploring switches in ICT and different materials during a sensory story.

Therapy: This week our Stars of the Week are our new starters, who have done so well settling in to the school and adjusting to new routines. We are so proud of how you amazingly you have done.

Wellbeing: Romari for an amazing transition back to school and working so hard with his new class team and friends.

Sherwood Manor Campus

News from the Leadership Team

Pupils sitting with canine assisted learning dog We’ve had a wonderful start to the academic year at Sherwood Manor. Over the summer five new classrooms were refurbished, along with communal areas and facilities upstairs in the main building. Our contractors have worked tirelessly over the summer and we can’t thank them enough. The Food Tech/Cafe, regulations spaces, Library/ICT room and Enterprise area will be available to us in about a fortnight.

Last year’s students joined us on Wednesday and our new students started on Thursday. It has been magical meeting them and seeing relationships form. Students and staff are bonding through games, shared communication and learning focused on our topic of ‘Saving The Planet’. Friendships are being made between students which is beautiful to see.

All our new staff have received training on our extended INSET days in Self Reg, Communication, Autism Best Practice, Studio 3, and curriculum and assessment.

The work on site will continue during half-term in order to complete the Science, Art and DT spaces.

We look forward to celebrating our students' achievements with Stars of the Week next week, when everyone has settled in.

Thank you for your patience as we get our processes and systems settled. It’s been a fabulous week.