To support the development of a range of non-academic skills, such as speaking & listening, turn taking, self-regulation and building friendships, Friday afternoons are dedicated to providing elective sessions as outlined below. Students will attend their electives for a half term at a time.
Students identify activities that they are interested in, in an order of preference. If they do not get their first choice, their name is placed on a waiting list for the next half term.
Football
Join like-minded players who share your passion for football. You will work on individual skills, such as moving with the ball, turning, dribbling, passing, shooting, tackling and intercepting. You will practice these skills in drills and apply them in small games. You will be introduced to concepts like positioning, movement of the ball and teamwork. You will learn about tactical principles and how those can guide your decision making process while playing games.
Sensory play
A play-based option for those students who like to play a range of items from cars and farm animals to stacking cups. Also the opportunity to have sensory play with the ball pit, sand trays and water play.
Arts and Crafts
We will be exploring a range of arts and crafts methods. We will be designing and creating small projects that will not only get us imaginatively creating but have also been proven to be beneficial for our wellbeing, as it is a great way to relax and unwind. We will be making fiddle toys, friendship bracelets, keyrings and discovering new art forms.
Woodworking
Learning new skills, making a range of items out of wood and having a fun experience in the DT room.
Construction
A mixture of junk modelling, Lego and K’nex to bring your ideas into 3D.
Table top games
A great opportunity for the students to make friends and have fun whilst practising many important social, cognitive and physical skills. There will be a lovely range of games for the students to choose from each week. Playing board, card and floor games is a good way for young people to develop vital social skills such as turn-taking, supportive and persuasive language and co-operation. Some games such as ‘Snap’ and ‘Grabolo’, require fast reactions, which will help to improve dexterity. Other games, such as ‘Connect Four’, involve thinking ahead, developing strategy skills and practising memory skills. Floor games, such as ‘Twister’ allow students to practise their co-ordination and balance, while games like ‘Giant Jenga’ and ‘Operation’ can help to improve precise fine motor skills and accuracy.
Storytime and Snack
We will be choosing a story to be read out, focussing on the story and characters and what might happen next in our book.
Challenge
Every week a new challenge is set. Can you get your partner to the finish line with just your instructions? Can you build a house of cards? Think you can complete a game without your thumbs? Test your creativity and problem-solving skills and see if you can survive the Challenge.
Film
Students will communicate with each other to choose a film and then write a review on it.
Cooking/Baking
We will build a repertoire of simple recipes that can replicated at home and adapted for different diets. We will prepare for adulthood through developing life skills, such as weighing and measuring, kitchen skills, health and safety including food and personal hygiene. We will also consider sustainability and look into reducing our food waste.
Zen
Focusing on mindfulness, yoga and relaxing activities to finish off the week in style.
