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

Lancaster Quiz Night

Callum in Lancaster writes:

Lancaster’s Quiz Night

Lancaster class held a quiz night at Post -16 on the 12^th February. The students in Lancaster class have to raise £4.000 pounds to go on a residential for our Duke of Edinburgh. That night we raised £596.

 We made this money by selling tickets and wine and a meal. The drinks were alcohol and soft drinks and we cooked bangers and mash for the meal. We had a raffle and people won prizes. The students were in the kitchen. It got very stressful but we got there in the end serving 45 portions. We have developed our skills in the kitchen because we run a lunch club on Tuesdays. We are very good at cooking now.

Thank you to all the people that came to our quiz night. Thanks to Fee’s husband and son for running the quiz questions and thank you to all the parents for coming. This would not happen without you.

Special thanks to all the supermarkets that donated wine and raffle prizes. We would like to thank Griffins for the delicious sausages and Robinsons for giving us the potatoes and onions for our quiz night. Thank you so much  

Callum Collins

Lancaster Class

Here are some pictures of the night:

 

Castle in the Community

As you may be aware, we like to get involved in many things in our local community. Here are some of the recent activities that our amazing young people have been up to in the community.

 

Students selecting plants to buy to plant at Shaw-Cum-Donnington Village Hall

 

 

 

Students washing cars at Newbury Volunteer Centre

 

 

Students volunteering at the Old Chapel Textile Centre

  

 

Volunteering at Shaw-Cum-Donnington Village Hall

 

 

Sweeping up and working hard at The Village Hall

 

 

Look at all the rubbish! After working hard at Shaw-Cum-Donnington Village Hall

 

Students volunteering at Oxfam in Newbury - Sorting clothes ready for sale

Well done to all our community-minded students. There work makes a real difference and we are very proud of them.

There is a section on our website that highlights all our work. Have a look by clicking here: