Donnington Class get creative

Over the last 3 months, Donnington Class have been taking part in a creative partnerships project with The Corn Exchange.  The idea behind the project was for the pupils to think about their future, and how they could help themselves achieve all that they are capable of.  With the help of artist Sally, and Kerrie from the Corn exchange, this theme was explored through the arts, with a final piece of artwork created.  This artwork was revealed last night in the balcony bar at the Corn Exchange, and is on show to the public until the end of April.  Pupils and their invited guests were treated to a private view of the artwork, and presentation of certificates to the pupils involved.  Jamie McCarthy also spoke about what was involved in the project.  A great evening - well done Donnington Class!



 

A wonderful night at The Anvil

On Tuesday 24th March, some of Pendragon class took part in a music festival at the Anvil Theatre in Basingstoke.  They had spent the whole of the Spring term learning all the songs from Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and performed them absolutely brilliantly.

The highlight was the chance for them to perform with professional musicians, and they were blown away by the percussionists who we could look down on.  We now know how to play the tambourine in at least 5 different ways.

In the photo below, The Castle School are sat up on the right hand side wearing white t-shirts, as this is the rehearsal. We all changed into coloured t-shirts for the performance.  The students loved singing all the songs and will be performing Benjamin's Calypso at 'Castles Got Talent' on Tuesday.

Thanks, Ali
Music Teacher

World of Work Newsletter

You will have read quite a bit recently about our wonderful World of Work programme. Louisa McClure (World of Work Coordinator) has now put together the first edition of the World of Work Newsletter which you can read by clicking here.

Enjoy

Newbury Library Artwork

Our pupils are always very proud of what they do, and never more-so than when they get their artwork recognised and displayed outside of the school.

Hayley O'Donnell (Class Teacher) has led this project over this year. Students from Priors Court have been coming to her Go afternoon group on a Thursday and have joined Castle School students. Working together, the students cut out and decorated the circles with different designs (see picture below). They then painted the canvas and stuck the circles on. The work is designed to celebrate the fact that everyone is different. The students from both schools worked really well together. The students made real friendships and worked really well together.

The work will be displayed in the children's library at Newbury Library. The librarians have decided to put the work up and unveil it at their world book night on the 23rd April 2015. Please come along if you can.

The project also produced two other works; one for Priors Court and one for Castle School as a memento of this collaboration.

For those into your social media, there are links to more information below:

http://www.facebook.com/NewburyLibrary

http://www.twitter.com/WBerksLibraries

It's all about Egypt in Primary House!

The pupils in Primary House had a day all about Egypt this week. The pupils enjoyed a mixed up morning. Firstly they experienced a creative morning of making and baking bread. In the afternoon, they enjoyed food tasting and dancing. Here are some pictures of their day:

Training Project that changes lives

Richard Benyon MP visited us last Friday for our World of Work celebration. This week, in the Thatcham and Newbury Chronicle there is a lovely article he has written about what our staff and students do at The Castle School in terms of opening doors to employment.

Click here to read the article on Richard Benyon's blog, or better still, pick up a copy of the paper to keep.

"Last week I attended a celebration at the Castle School’s 16-19 unit at Newbury College. This special school is exceptional. This is not just for the care and education it gives to so many young people who face real difficulties in their lives, but for the hope it gives to them and their families. The determination to give young people with learning difficulties the best start to adult life is infectious. The school has accessed a Government scheme called the World of Work Programme which runs three projects in Kent, London and West Berkshire. It prepares young people who would almost certainly be consigned to a life on benefits, for a job. It then finds them a job. It is the combination of getting training for work and actually getting work that so transforms lives. I heard stories from staff at the school, from employers and from the young people themselves that were profoundly moving. A real feel-good session. This project builds on the support offered in West Berkshire by other charities such as The Enham Trust. They have proved that employing someone with a disability or a mental illness can have huge benefits for your company. Because life has constantly knocked them back, the individuals they place in employment are often the most motivated and the most driven to please. Work for them is more than just a job; it’s about gaining or regaining their dignity and self-esteem.
In the World for Work program employers are key. Massive praise needs to go to those who devote time and support in the workplace. Outstanding among these is Waitrose who were in at the start and have made the most of the exceptional young people they take into their workplace. There are a growing number of other local employers who are following their lead. These include Tesco, Budgens, Pizza Hut, The Watermill Theatre, The Corn Exchange and West Berkshire Council. When you put custom their way you can do so in the knowledge that these employers do real good for society by giving dignity and hope to people who really need and deserve it."

A World of Work Celebration

On Friday 13 March 2015, The Castle School held their first World of Work Celebration Event at the Castle Post 16 Centre. The event was held to celebrate the success of our students who take part in the World of Work Programme and to thank the organisations that support our School in this area.

The event was very well attended by organisations including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco Metro, Budgens – Wash Common Stores, Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa, Vodafone, West Berkshire Council, The Watermill Theatre, The Corn Exchange, Newbury Library, Newbury Riding for the Disabled Association, Speenhamland Primary School, Mitie, Newbury College, West Berkshire Mencap and The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities.  We were also pleased to have the support of Richard Benyon MP.

The Castle School would like to be able to offer a spectrum of work experience to their students to allow them to gain confidence, vocational skills and to be able to develop aspirations for the future.  Without the assistance of local businesses and organisations we would not be able to offer such a varied programme consisting of work experience placements, educational visits and welcoming guest speakers.

Any organisations that would like to find out more about how they can also become involved can contact Louisa McClure, World of Work Coordinator, Tel: 01635 42976 or email: lmcclure@castle.w-berks.sch.uk

 

 

 Luke Ralph, one of our many successful students with Emma Jenkins and Hannah Scott from Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa

 

Some of the wonderful people supporting the event from left to right: Leigh Rivers (Sainsburys), Mike Estlea (Budgens, Wash Common), Emma Jenkins (Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa), Richard Benyon MP, Hannah Scott (Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa), Keith Bates (The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities), Gail Sampson (Vodafone), Hannah Rees (West Berkshire Council), Tina Bushell (Newbury Library), Karen Moverley and Kris Cable (Waitrose), Mark Warne (Mencap)

 



 

Keith Bates talking to employers and students on the importance of working together to give all young people opportunities in the world of work

A Wonderful World Book Day

Here at The Castle School we had a busy World Book Day. Across the whole school (including Nursery and Post 16) pupils and staff took part in a book character fancy dress competition. Classes across the school also took part in a ‘dressed door’ competition, where they were challenged to turn their classroom door into the book cover of their favourite class book. There were lots of book related activities happening in all the different classes including sensory activities, story writing, cooking, reading, dancing, singing and drama!

Please have a look at some of our fantastic book character costumes and ‘dressed doors’.

A selection of wonderful characters in Conway Class

Where's Wally - Conway Class make him easy to spot

 

Noddy waves hello

 

A classic with "Bridge over the River Kwai"

 

 Pocahontas

 

Little Miss Sunshine and Princess with one of Snow White's dwarfs and Oliver Twist

Harry Hill

Some more Wallys (A popular character)

Luigi from Mario Bros and the cow from Jack and The Beanstalk

 



Cardiff class show off their characters

 



Cardiff staff also dressed up



 

 James Bond ready for action

 

 

 Harry Potter made an appearance

 

Another popular character - Pocahontas

 

 Scooby Do

 

It's a laughing mermaid 

 

Richmond Class staff show off their characters

 

Many thanks to all the pupils, parents and staff for all their contributions and involvements!

Rebecca Chirgwin

Need some support or help?

Sometimes it can be very tough to support a young person at home who has special needs. It can sometimes feel as if nothing is working and that you are on your own. If this is your experience or you are worried about anything to do with parenting why not have a chat to The Castle School's wonderful Pastoral Team. They are here to support you and your family in getting through the tough times and looking for solutions to your parenting needs.

If you would like to find out more then just click here

Alternatively you can contact Cathy Roberts (Pastoral Manager) on 07824 551 880 

 

 Or Amy Bushell (Family Liaison Worker) on 07824 551 857