Essential Guide Magazine 2023 51 OPEN EVENING Come and see our school in action! Year 6 Tours will run daily from Monday 18th September to Wednesday 4th October at 9.00am and 10.00am As places are limited it is advisable to book early. Please contact the School Office on 01268 471201 to secure your viewing THURSDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2023 5.30PM - 8.30PM
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 52 Lessons in Dyslexia Dyslexia is an increasingly common specific learning difficulty experienced by children and adults alike. In fact, at least 10% of the UK’s population are thought to be dyslexic (British Dyslexia Association). With growing awareness of dyslexia and its cousin, dyscalculia (when an individual has similar challenges in maths), many parents too are learning about the condition. You may have concerns about your child, or your child’s reading and writing skills, and be wondering ‘could this be dyslexia?’. This article is here to help Dyslexia is defined as: “... a learning difficulty which primarily affects reading and writing skills. However, it does not only affect these skills. Dyslexia is actually about information processing. Dyslexic people may have difficulty processing and remembering information they see and hear, which can affect learning and the acquisition of literacy skills. Dyslexia can also impact on other areas such as organisational skills.” Dyslexia is usually spotted and supported in children at primary school age due to increased awareness amongst teachers and support staff. While dyslexia in our children today is commonly picked up by school staff, you may think you have spotted early signs in your child, particularly if they have developed coping strategies that minimise how their challenges present themselves in a large setting like school. Most individuals affected by dyslexia will show signs of finding particular areas of learning challenging. Due to this, most cases will be picked up in schools. This isn’t always the case, though, especially if they have developed a host of coping strategies to mask their challenges due to fear or embarrassment. Equally - some children develop strategies to work around their challenges, not realising that this isn’t how it should be. Being aware of common challenges dyslexic individuals face could help your child access the support they need earlier. Here are some common signs of dyslexia from the NHS website: Pre-school age (0-5): • Delayed speech development compared with other children of the same age (although this can have many different causes) • Speech problems, such as not being able to pronounce long words properly and “jumbling” up phrases (for example, saying “hecilopter” instead of “helicopter”, or “beddy tear” instead of “teddy bear”) • Problems expressing themselves using spoken language, such as being unable to remember the right word to use, or putting What are dyslexia and dyscalculia? What are the signs of dyslexia? sentences together incorrectly • Little understanding or appreciation of rhyming words, such as “the cat sat on the mat”, or nursery rhymes • Difficulty with, or little interest in, learning letters of the alphabet” Primary school age (5-12): • “Problems learning the names and sounds of letters • Spelling that’s unpredictable and inconsistent • Confusion over letters that look similar and putting letters the wrong way round (such as writing “b” instead of “d”) • Confusing the order of letters in words • Reading slowly or making errors when reading aloud • Answering questions well orally, but having difficulty writing the answer down • Difficulty carrying out a sequence of directions • Struggling to learn sequences, such as days of the week or the alphabet • Slow writing speed • Poor handwriting • Problems copying written language and taking longer than normal to complete written work • Poor phonological awareness and word attack skills” Teenagers and adults: The NHS states that “as well as the problems already mentioned, the symptoms of dyslexia in older children and adults can include:” • Poorly organised written work that lacks expression (for example, even though they may be very knowledgeable about a certain subject, they may have problems expressing that knowledge in writing) • Difficulty planning and writing essays, letters or reports • Difficulties revising for examinations • Trying to avoid reading and writing whenever possible • Difficulty taking notes or copying • Poor spelling • Struggling to remember things such as a PIN or telephone number • Struggling to meet deadlines
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 53 Spotting signs that your child may be struggling can be unsettling and worrying, but rest assured, dyslexia is incredibly common, and there is a great deal of support available. It’s also important to remember that as dyslexia is a specific learning disability, this does not affect a person’s intelligence. With the right adjustments, they have every chance of going on to succeed alongside their peers. If you have concerns, the first thing to do is raise these with your child’s teacher. They may echo your concerns, especially if your child is new to their class, and appreciate your involvement with a more holistic view of your child’s progress. If your child’s teacher agrees that there is a chance your child could be experiencing dyslexia, they will usually refer them to the support of a Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo). A SENCo is a specialist teacher who has taken on further study to support the assessments and interventions for children with additional needs, be they learning needs, behavioural needs, or medical needs (or a combination). The SENCo will either carry out an assessment themselves, if they have the necessary qualifications, or bring in a specialist to do this. They may ask you to have your child’s overall health and wellbeing checked with a GP first (such as checking for vision and hearing problems), as well as assessing for any other learning challenges they think your child may have. They may begin with a screening test to decide how likely dyslexia is, and follow this up with a full diagnostic assessment if they feel they need to investigate further. You can also access a private dyslexia assessment, if you feel this is best for your child. You can look into this further on the British Dyslexia Association website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/services/ assessments, or alternatively search for a registered psychologist with specialisms in dyslexia on the British Pyschological’s Society’s directory: https://www.bps.org.uk/find-psychologist. We hope this guide helps you and your child on their learning journey. Remember that just because your child exhibits some symptoms of dyslexia, this may not mean they are. The important thing is to raise your concerns with your child’s teacher as soon as possible, so that assessments can be made where needed and supports can be put in place. With the right support, your child can thrive and go on to pursue their passions! I think my child might be dyslexic, what do I do? What happens if my child receives a dyslexia diagnosis? Final thoughts If your child’s school suspects they are dyslexic, they can put supports in place before a formal diagnosis comes through. As dyslexia is such a common learning difference they are likely to have a breadth of resources and techniques available, which can be quickly put into place to support your child’s learning. The support required for each child will differ depending on the severity of their dyslexia and their age. Your child’s school will also gather information about your child’s needs during their dyslexia assessment. Common interventions for dyslexic children and young people include: Specialised reading materials with pale backgrounds that aren’t white - this can sometimes exacerbate dyslexia Specialised filters to put over traditional books which help with the reading process Specialised technology designed for dyslexic individuals, especially for older children and teenagers, such as screen-readers, reading pens and audiobooks, to help children develop enjoyment around reading Time spent with a 1:1 TA to focus on particular areas of challenge, such as spelling or handwriting Multimodal approaches to teaching reading, such as using lots of physical resources Support with organisation, especially for older children For further information and guidance on how you can support your child in their learning, The British Dyslexia Association has a fantastic guide on strategies for supporting reading, spelling, writing and homework, viewable at https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/ children/how-can-i-support-my-child/spelling. They also provide a list of recommended tutors, if you feel your child could benefit from additional support alongside that offered by their school. Equally, your child’s teacher may appreciate your concerns, but be able to reassure you that your child is unlikely to be dyslexic. If this is the case, they should be able to evidence their view with examples of your child’s progress and evidence of their overall abilities. If you disagree with your child’s teacher, you can raise your concerns directly with the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator, or a year leader - who will either provide further reassurance, or escalate your concerns. They may feel there could be other issues going on, such as vision problems - in which case, they’ll refer you to your GP for further support and advice.
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 54 St Joseph’s College Enhancing Education: Introducing iPads to the Senior School at St Joseph’s College In line with its strategic objectives, St Joseph’s College is embarking on an exciting journey by introducing iPads to all students from Year 7 to Year 13. This progressive step is aimed at integrating technology into education, fostering enhanced learning experiences and preparing students holistically for their future endeavours. The decision to introduce 1-to-1 iPads stems from an extensive research process that included consulting other esteemed independent schools. The primary focus of this initiative is to elevate academic achievement and the quality of teaching and learning, aligning seamlessly with the College’s vision for the future. From September 2023, Year 7 to 13 students will each have an iPad, empowering them to take charge of their learning journey. The introduction of iPads is not intended to replace the teacher’s role but rather to redefine it. The dynamic interaction between students and teachers through technology is expected to augment the teaching process. This approach fosters a balance between the teacher being both a “director of learning” and a “facilitator of learning.” The advantages of adopting iPads for educational purposes are multiple: • Enhanced engagement: iPads encourage students to take ownership of their learning, increasing their engagement and involvement in the educational process. • Efficient learning: With the ability to revisit previous work and learning, students can efficiently consolidate their knowledge and skills. • Independent and collaborative learning: iPads facilitate both independent learning and collaborative efforts among students, promoting a well-rounded skill set. • Educational apps: The iPads grant access to a wide range of innovative and engaging educational apps, catering to diverse learning styles and needs. • Reduced physical burden: The burden of carrying heavy school bags is alleviated, as students can carry all their materials within a single device. The selection of iPads was deliberate, supported by a comprehensive comparison of various devices. iPads stood out due to their long battery life, robust yet lightweight design, and extensive library of educational apps tailored specifically for learning. The closed ecosystem maintained by Apple ensures the safety and integrity of the apps, instilling confidence in both students and parents. To facilitate a smooth transition, the College has also invested in comprehensive training for teachers. The programme equips educators with the skills to maximise the potential of iPads in an educational setting. This training will evolve over time, continually adapting to changing educational landscapes. By introducing iPads, St Joseph’s College envisions an educational environment where digital literacy thrives, independent learning is encouraged, creativity blooms and critical thinking is honed. The benefits extend to organisation, collaboration, and personalisation of learning experiences. As a result, students are better prepared for the challenges of higher education and the professional world. As the College steps into this new era of education technology, it is anticipated that students will develop exceptional ICT skills and seamlessly integrate technology into their studies. The evolution of problem-solving and independent learning, aided by their iPads, will be a testament to the success of this initiative. Furthermore, the realtime feedback and efficient communication facilitated by iPads will contribute to a more productive educational ecosystem. With iPads at the forefront, St Joseph’s College is embracing innovation, empowering students, and carving a path towards a technologically enriched education. St Joseph’s College is an independent day and boarding school for children aged between 2-19. St Joseph’s College, Belstead Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 9DR stjos.co.uk 01473 690281
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 55 Manningtree High is a school that combines academic challenge and high achievement with excellent pastoral care and a rich extracurricular provision. We are passionate about excellence in teaching and learning and are ambitious for all our students. As well as academic success, we nurture and celebrate students’ talents in the Arts, Sports, Mentoring and Leadership. Manningtree High School’s aim is to shape students for success in the future, whatever path they take post 16. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum. Students develop and display excellent behaviour for learning, growth mindsets and enthusiasm for contributing to the school and the wider community. We develop in our young people the skills they need to succeed in their exams and to transfer on to further study or training. The range of extra-curricular activities available is a testimony to the generosity and commitment of our staff. House competitions encourage students to showcase their talents and enthusiasms across a wide range of subjects. Sporting activities include inter-form and house competitions as well as fixtures with other schools. Ours is an ambitious and inclusive school that is characterised by warm, mutually respectful relationships. Please come and visit us for yourself to experience what we have to offer your child. MANNINGTREE HIGH SCHOOL Shaping Successful Futures At Manningtree High School we value ambition, community, respect and kindness. Visitors commend our students for their confidence, friendliness, and enthusiasm for their school. We aim to be an excellent provider of education for our local area in order to ensure that all students achieve their potential, grow as individuals and make successful transitions on to their next stages in education, employment or training. Open Evening Wednesday 27th September 2023 6:30 - 8:00pm For parents and students in Y5 and Y6, an opportunity to see our facilities and a welcome speech from the headteacher. Open Week Tours 3rd, 4th, 5th October 2023 09:15 and 11:30am Specifically for parents to have a look round the school during a normal working day. Please book in advance via the email below: [email protected] For more information on these events please check our website: www.manningtreehigh.com Manningtree High School
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 56 Beauchamps High School Beauchamps High School is an extremely popular, 11-18 comprehensive school which stands at the centre of the community and was judged as Outstanding by Ofsted in their most recent inspection. The staff at Beauchamps are highly skilled, focussed and motivational and are all committed to delivering the very best education to every student. We are very proud of our continued tradition of excellent examination results at both GCSE and A level. The wellbeing of our students and staff is paramount to the school family values; we have a non-teaching pastoral team in addition to external professionals who are on hand to support our students emotionally and our curriculum focusses on providing the best opportunities possible for every child. As part of the wider curriculum, our sporting and musical achievements are a source of great pride to us. We have had success at District Champions in many disciplines, football, trampolining, and cross country being a particular strength, often celebrating success at the Essex County Schools Athletics Championships. Musically, the school has experienced a prolonged period of success: our choir has more than once won first prize at the Leigh on Sea Music Festival, securing praise from distinguished judges for the choir’s intricate harmonies and talent. Beauchamps often welcomes external organisations into school to broaden the horizons of all students, including authors, dramatic performances and inspirational speakers. Parent workshops run throughout the year to enable parents to fully support their child in their learning from home and careers events are frequent. The school regularly runs excursions; in previous years, the History Department have visited the Battlefields in France, Geography have visited Naples, Business Studies students have visited New York, and our netball and football teams have competed in a competition at Disneyland Paris. The school offers excellent facilities including PC suites, Drama studios, a fully equipped gym and a newly developed 3G football pitch which is available for use to all students throughout the school day, after school and as part of their PE lessons. Extra-curricular activities are valued and the school runs an extensive variety of clubs and enrichment groups daily; students are encouraged to attend these activities as part of their holistic development and part of an active and healthy lifestyle. In addition, annually, our Drama Department coordinate and present a summer production –most recently, the production was Bugsy Malone! Regular charity events take place throughout the year which students and staff participate in jointly, as part of the ethos that the school is a community in which all are involved. “It is a huge privilege to be Headteacher at Beauchamps High School and I am honoured to lead such an inspirational group of staff and students. Our shared vision ensures that the Beauchamps community is a family, in which everyone aspires to achieve their best and beyond and our core values underpin everything that we do. Beauchamps High School is an exciting place to be and I would like to take this opportunity to invite your family to visit us and learn more about school life.” Mr M Harper, Headteacher. Your child’s future starts here For information about school tours, please contact us at [email protected] www.beauchamps.essex.sch.uk
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 57 Wednesday 18th October 2023
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 58 St Clere’s Secondary School is a Co-operative Academy with an ethos that promotes excellence for all. Everything is underpinned by co-operative values that guide and develop students through their education to become successful, responsible and confident adults. The school has excellent facilities and is currently expanding; classrooms have up-to-date ICT resources to enhance the teaching for all students and provide a comfortable environment in which to learn. In addition, St Clere’s has fully refurbished science labs, a sports pavilion and a 3G all-weather floodlit pitch. St Clere’s is known for high academic standards and outstanding pupil conduct. In the most recent visit, Ofsted saw ‘consistently high standards’ with all pupils ‘making good progress’, as a result of ‘high expectations’. Highly qualified staff and teachers promote creativity and individuality, enabling students to shine through in many areas. The school is known within the local community for the wealth of extracurricular activities and trips, available to students. In 2021, the school developed facilities including a two-floor teaching wing; a three-floor science centre; a large additional sports pavilion; a large learning resource zone and modern new dining facilities for year 7-9. This adds to the positive learning space and environment at St Clere’s. St Clere's School, Butts Lane, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, SS17 0NW ‘Consistently high standards from Mathematics and English’ 6pm – 9pm EVENING OPEN www.st-cleres.thurrock.sch.uk Wednesday 20th September 2023 Contact reception - 01375 641001 OPEN DAY TOURS - 9.15AM & 11.15AM - APPOINTMENT NECESSARY MONDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER I TUESDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER I WEDNESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER I Day tours are only for visitors who cannot attend the Open Evening. St Clere’s School
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 59 I am delighted and extremely proud to welcome you to The Hathaway Academy. The Hathaway Academy provides an ambitious and stimulating educational environment for both students and staff, which challenges and supports us all to achieve our very best. Teaching and learning is the core purpose of what we do as an Academy and therefore we are committed to ensuring that we provide the highest quality of teaching and learning standards, which is supported by exceptional staff professional development. Student Leadership is an important aspect of our daily work as we want our students to feel that they are part of our strategic decision making. Consequently, our students feel safe and enjoy being at the Academy and are keen and eager to join our range of student leadership groups, taking active responsibility for their own learning and that of their peers. We are focussed on developing students’ skills, character and competencies which will allow them to flourish in later life, ensuring they become responsible citizens. As a community we uphold the traditional values of good manners, strong discipline and smart uniform and these are embodied in our Pride Drives which are embedded in our culture and ethos. We are really proud of our supportive and caring pastoral systems as we truly believe that students thrive and achieve academic and personal success when they feel happy, safe and secure. I am really excited to be leading The Hathaway Academy in our journey. Fatima Rodrigues Principal The Hathaway Academy The Hathaway Academy invites you to their Open House Tuesday 19th September 2023 Friday 22nd, Tuesday 26th & Friday 29th September 4.30pm - 7.30pm Principal’s talk 4.30pm 8.45am Tours of the academy Please contact the academy to book a tour as places are limited 01375 371361 Students emphasise the family nature of the Academy. They recognise the importance of the three faculties which underpin all of the Academy’s work and contribute to the sense of the community. -Ofsted 2018
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 60 Ipswich School Ipswich School - top independent school in Suffolk Ipswich School is the top independent school in Suffolk and is in the East Anglian top ten for academic achievement (Sunday Times Parent Power). In 2022, both the Senior School and Prep School achieved ‘double Excellent’ rankings by the ISI inspectors - the highest possible grade. We were ‘Commended’ (second place) as Co-Educational School of the Year in the Independent School of the Year Awards 2022. Headmaster Nicholas Weaver said: “Ipswich School has a strong and consistent academic reputation, with students achieving excellent examination results and progressing to top universities. We pride ourselves on dynamic and interactive lessons, with small class sizes but a broad curriculum, which includes important Life Skills lessons throughout the school. Most importantly, life at Ipswich School is busy and full, and our students take part in a wide range of cocurricular activities outside the classroom. I would recommend that people come and visit us - I look forward to meeting future pupils and parents.” In 2022 over a third of pupils achieved at least three A grades at A Level, with 8 pupils achieving all A* grades. Popular university destinations included Durham University, King’s College London, University of Exeter and University of Warwick. Two-thirds of GCSE exams were graded 9-7 and 41 pupils achieved all 9-7 grades in all their exams – nearly a third of pupils. Our student careers programme has recently been shortlisted in the Independent School of the Year awards. There are plenty of clubs and activities for pupils to participate in, including a popular Book Club, Lower School History Club for Year 7 and 8 and Chess Club, while the Year 8 trip to Cumbria is a great opportunity for everyone to take part in academic work and adventurous team-building activities in their tutor groups. Music, sport and drama are extensive and inclusive. Over half the school takes part in one or more of the music ensembles, which include a Symphony Orchestra, Chapel Choir and Big Band; they perform in a Spring Concert every year on the world-famous stage at Snape Maltings, and students have the chance to join professional musicians playing at the Ipswich School Festival of Music in the autumn. Sport is taught by a team of highly qualified coaches and team achievements span all ages. Teams are regular National Cup finalists in hockey from U13 upwards; the U18 boys’ hockey team were national indoor hockey champions in 2022, we are nationally ranked in rugby, with a growing reputation in netball, and the U15, U17 and U18 girls’ cricket teams are all current national T20 champions. We run an extensive bus service from across Colchester, North Essex and Suffolk to help our families with the journeys to and from school. To find out more about Ipswich School and Ipswich Prep, please book a visit, or come to one of our open events - just speak to our friendly admissions team for advice. Open Morning - Saturday 30 September 2023 from 9.15am [email protected] www.ipswich.school
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Essential Guide Magazine 2023 62 Essex Fire Services Online Home Safety Check In a bid to reduce the number of house fires in Essex we are encouraging everyone to complete the online home safety check to evaluate your own fire risk at home. By answering some simple questions about your home, lifestyle, working smoke alarms, cooking and fire escape plans you will be provided with tailored advice and handy tips throughout to help reduce the risk of a fire in your home. You can carry out a check for yourself, or any family members. Friends, neighbours, registered carers, support workers and partner agencies can all use this tool. In some cases, it may suggest that we attend your property to give in-person advice and fit smoke alarms if required. How the online check works • You’ll be asked questions about your home and lifestyle • You’ll be asked to look around each of your rooms to find any fire risks • Once you have completed all the questions, it may recommend that you book a home safety visit where we’ll come out to your home - we’ll only be able to follow this up if you include your contact details • You will be given a personalised action plan to keep • The check will take around 15 minutes. If you are still concerned about fire safety in your home after completing your online check, please contact our home fire safety team - call 0300 303 0088 or email [email protected]. Fires can start in any room and the effects can be devastating. Knowing how to reduce the risk of fire in your home can help to keep everyone safe. Here are our 10 top tips for staying safe: 1. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every floor of your home 2. Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they are working. Please test smoke alarms regularly 3. Take extra care in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended 4. Avoid using a chip pan or any other pan filled with hot oil 5. Don’t overload electric sockets – most can only take a maximum of 13 amps 6. Keep matches and lighters away from children 7. Keep clothes well away from heaters and open fires 8. Put out cigarettes properly and dispose of them carefully 9. Don’t charge items such as mobile phones, tablets or e-cigarettes overnight 10. Plan an escape route and make sure everyone knows how to get out in the event of a fire Don’t forget we offer free home visits to anyone living in Essex. If you do not have working smoke alarms, or have working smoke alarms but would like more information about how to live safely and securely at home, book one of our free visits today. Call 0300 303 0088 or visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book. Fire safety equipment at home We often get asked if homeowners should have a fire extinguisher to use in the event of a fire. And while it may help you feel safer, we don’t encourage you to tackle fires and out yourself at risk Fires can quickly get out of control and spread very quickly, so we recommend that if you have a fire at home to get out, stay our and call the fire service out. The best piece of equipment to keep yourself safe is smoke alarm. Looking for a home safety visit? If you’d prefer to book yourself or someone else a home safety visit we offer free Home Safety/Safe and Well Visits to any Essex resident. If you do not have working smoke alarms, or have working smoke alarms but would like more information about how to live safely and securely at home, book one of our free visits today.
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 63 Be a FireStopper. Deliberate fires destroy communities.
Essential Guide Magazine 2023 64 We create extraordinary futures School bus routes from across North Essex and Suffolk