Our class ethos

Shipley class provides a pathway to learning through adapted practical and hands on activities, putting great emphasis on nurture and sensory needs. We offer a bespoke curriculum to support all pupils of varying needs and implement the TEACCH approach, providing our pupils with an organised and structured environment centred on individual skills and interests that supports their learning journey. 

We begin our day with greetings that includes signing along to our good morning song, looking at our visual timetable and using the Zones of Regulation board to help identify emotions and relate to their feelings. We have regular opportunities for brain breaks woven into our timetable to support regulation, sensory needs and individual well being. We have an active start to the day with fun action exercises that help our pupils get ready for a day’s great learning.

We have a fantastic outdoor learning program, which includes Forest Schools with our trained teacher providing our pupils with opportunities to experience a natural environment in which to explore and discover. Weekly exciting outdoor learning sessions for science will provide great opportunities to investigate experiment and learn new things in practical and hands on lessons. For all our lessons, including English and Maths outdoor learning is incorporated into the planning and provides exciting, fun and engaging regularly throughout the term.

During 2024-2025 we will be covering a range of topics which support holistic, enriching and thought-provoking learning experiences, all linked to acquiring relevant knowledge and skills:

• Autumn 1 – Me and my memories (History Focus)
• Autumn 2 – Make some noise (music Focus)
• Spring 1 –  Let’s get Fit (PE Focus)
• Spring 2 –  Exploring our neighbourhood (History Focus)
• Summer 1 – Nature detectives (Science Focus)
• Summer 2 – Colourful Carnivals (Music Focus)

Beyond Bennerley sessions mean we get to experience outside classroom learning and have regular visits into the community to shops and cafes to support pupils in gaining independence and confidence outside of school and home.

Pupils will develop their life skills in the home by participating in activities such as how to wash clothes, use an iron and vacuum cleaner. We will also be practising skills for making healthy snacks and learning to use equipment safely.

Important Information

Monday - Community visits PM. We will let you know where we plan to go a few days in advance and provide visual support.

Tuesday - PE and Sensory circuit PM. PE kit is required on this day.

We will be doing Forest School in the summer terms; we will let you know about kit for this separately.

We will send you updates about your child throughout the week using our class email. If you need to contact us, we check email before and after the school day. If you need to report anything urgent please use the main school email address or phone the office.

Our first topic is 'Me and my Memories' (History focus)