What does a day for teachers and pupils look like?

8.30 am
Staff members are expected to arrive, many of them will be there well before then.  Every morning the team will have a morning brief to provide a platform for teachers and leaders to share important information and updates. This can include announcements, schedule changes, upcoming events, and relevant news that affect the school.   

8.45-9:00 am 
The classrooms are set up ready for the students to arrive, our staff undertake a safeguarding sweep of the school to ensure any potential sharp or dangerous items are identified and locked away. Staff use this time to ensure that the learning environment is safe, welcoming, and conducive to a positive learning experience.

9.00 – 9.30am
Pupils arrive (soft start), they will be greeted by staff and all members of the team will be engaging with them and ready for the day. Soft starts allow students to ease into the school day gradually. This has proven to be effective for our pupils who experience stress or anxiety related to the demands of the school day. It provides a gentle transition from home to the school environment, which can reduce morning jitters. We use the soft start time to begin the day with calm, non-academic activities, such as a chosen game, social interaction, or mindfulness exercises, this helps pupils manage their emotions more effectively. It sets a positive tone for the day and encourages a more relaxed and positive mindset.

9:30 am
Lessons begin, they are made up of 45-minute lessons throughout the morning, this is to keep the student’s concentration levels optimal. Our pupils have shorter attention spans and was a main aspect to the struggle they had in mainstream school. Shorter lessons align better with their natural ability to focus. It allows them to engage fully in the material without becoming tired or disinterested. 

Breaks
Pupils will have a 15 minute break after each lesson and a hour lunch break. 
It has been proven that our pupils benefit from taking short and regular breaks which helps rejuvenate the mind. This has shown their improvement on staying focused and their concentration when returning to tasks. It provides opportunities for relaxation, deep breathing, and stress relief, which can prevent the accumulation of stress and improve overall well-being.

3.00 pm
Pupils will finish their day and the team will meet to review the pupils.  It’s a great time to be able to reflect on the day, highlight any positives and any areas which need improving.  After the meeting has finished staff will spend the remainder of the time preparing for the next day, marking and planning.

Staff are required to stay until 4:00pm but many will stay later dependent on their workload or what is being prepared in school for the next day.