VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
Parents cannot ‘choose’ Stone Soup Academy
as an option for secondary education in the first instance as we are set up to deal with learners at risk of exclusion. Stone Soup Academy only receives funding for
students who are on single roll with us; referring schools use their Pupil Premium Funding to send students to our academy and as such the funding is used to provide personalised education for the students in that way. We do not receive this PPF directly and assume that it makes up part of the commissioning fees to the Stone Soup Academy. The PPF that we do receive directly, along with
the commissioning fees, are used to personalise learning through incentives, specialist tutors, college days and other similar items. This has helped students improve their attainment and ensure that disadvantaged students do not experience barriers to their learning and development. We have also invested this into establishing a healthy eating programme at the school, ensuring the students have access to and knowledge about better nutrition.
Tell us more about the curriculum and the impact it has on your students This year our KS3 curriculum offers students a variety of subjects to allow them to experience multiple subjects and areas. We also include KS4 taster sessions in our KS3 curriculum to give our young people an insight about the available examination courses. During this time our students have a chance to ask questions to make sure they are satisfied and that they are making the right choices. Alongside the GCSE maths, GCSE English
language and literature, we deliver English and Maths functional skills at level 1, 2 and entry level. We also deliver art, photography, media, music, sport, history, geography, RE, fashion and textile, health and social, ICT, food, science, PSHE and business. Each Friday afternoon we dedicate time to
enrichment activities. This is when all students and staff are engaged together in a variety of activities to strengthen relationships and celebrate the success of the week. Students can choose from ice skating, cooking and various other onsite and off site activities. PSHE and RSE are the heart and foundation of
our curriculum. It is aimed at building trust, positive relationships and ensuring the promotion of mental health and wellbeing. It also supports our students in accessing the curriculum. It is empowered by form time programmes, mentoring, workshops and external speakers and visits. The PSHE and RSE programme is embedded in our daily practices and signposted in all that we do.
At Stone Soup Academy we teach the way the
students learn best. The planning for learning is based on knowing the students well both academically and pastorally. The positive relationship with students is the key ingredient to engage the students and make the learning happen.
How do you help your students re-engage with school and learning? At Stone Soup we understand that to learn we have to make mistakes. All of our students have made mistakes and whilst we recognise what has
July/August 2021
led to their referral, we focus on what we are going to do to support the student in moving forward positively and achieving their potential. We have developed a strong culture of mutual respect and operate a no shouting policy. This encourages a calm atmosphere and we welcome students voicing their opinions in a positive manner. On arrival, all our students are allocated a
personal coach from our engagement team. Our engagement team support our teaching staff with behaviour management and take the lead in the pastoral care of our students. The role of the personal coach is to develop and nurture a positive working relationship with their key students, setting clear expectations and boundaries and building a rapport. This then allows the the student to feel comfortable discussing any issues that may impact on them during the school day. The personal coach will set regular targets for their key students. Targets are set on an individual basis and can be daily, weekly or termly targets but will always be set with the needs and ability of the student in mind. All of our staff have a role to play in supporting
our students. Our teaching team and support staff are fully involved in the pastoral care of our students through our tutor group system and information is shared across the school to ensure our students educational, social, emotional and well being needs are met. We operate a reward culture and throughout their time with us we try to celebrate and reward positive behaviours. The curriculum is reviewed and adapted on an
annual basis to allow us to respond to the strengths and needs of new students joining the academy. Our aim is to make sure that it prepares them for when they leave Stone Soup Academy in order to pursue successfully the next phase of their life. Our curriculum is built to maximise the potential in each young person enabling them to succeed. Whatever course or subject we introduce, we make sure it motivates students, it is enjoyed by students and that it creates unimagined futures for each and every one of our young people.
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