Birch Class
Birch class are a group of primary aged pupils. Birch class are following a life skills curriculum. They use a range of strategies such as TEACCH, PECs, Attention Autism and Occupational Therapy activities to support teaching and learning. Birch class follow our life skills frameworks and well as elements of the EQUALS curriculum. They have a large emphasis of our holistic curriculum to prepare them for life after The Mendip School.
Birch class love sensory activities, being outside and exploring our local community as well as practicing their interaction and attention skills. Our speech and language and occupational therapists spend time in class supporting the pupils.
Gemma Eades
Class Teacher
Tuesday, Wednesday am and Friday
I have been a teacher at The Mendip School for 6 years, since 2017. I took a year out last year to have my beautiful baby, who I adore spending time with and going on adventures with. I love going on dog walks and exploring National Trust locations.
I thoroughly enjoy working at The Mendip School and seeing children progress both socially and academically, to be as independent as they can be!
Heather Wright
Class Teacher
Monday, Wednesday pm and Thursday
I am the class teacher in Birch Class. I have worked at the Mendip School for 6 years and as a mainstream Primary teacher before that. I enjoy walking my 2 dogs in our beautiful countryside, paddle boarding, travelling and gardening.
Zara Adams
Class Teaching Assistant
Emma Healey
Class Teaching Assistant
Nicola Barker
Class Teaching Assistant
Term 1 – Learning Overview
My Communication
| – Multisensory phonics – with focus sound tuff trays, songs and activities – Name recognition, building, and tracing – Mark making – copying shapes, letters & numbers in a range of media – Using communication boards to make choices and requests |
My Thinking and Problem Solving Nursery Rhymes | – Learning and joining in with nursery rhymes – Self-selecting task resources / using resources with increased independence – Using communication boards to make choices and requests – Matching two of the same – Number recognition |
World About Me Water | – Explore, observe and investigate water and its properties
– Explore moving through water – Explore transporting, carrying and moving water – Independently use taps in the classroom and around school – Fill up cups and bottles using the classroom tap |
My Creativity Art | – Using communication boards to request mark making tools and media – Using different mark making tools to print i.e. leaves, pinecones, conkers – Painting autumnal pictures using a range of tools – Autumnal themed art i.e. using leaves, sticks etc to construct – Exploring colour – looking at seasonal colours |
My Independence Day to Day | – Putting bag and coat away upon arrival to school – Taking off/putting on items of clothing (socks, shoes, coat, jumper) – Using communication boards to make choices and requests throughout the school day – Collecting own lunchbox and drink at lunchtime – Opening packets themselves or ask for help using a core board – Walking independently around the school – Sitting on the toilet during nappy changes, helping with dressing – Independently washing hands before eating/after toilet |
My Independence Offsite trips
| – Taking off / putting on items of clothing (socks, shoes, coat) – Travelling safely on the minibus – Staying safe / walking with the group on offsite trips – Safely crossing a minor road/car park – Using a visual shopping list to buy snack items |
My Independence Cooking | – Independently wash hands before handling food
– Use photos/signs/symbols to gather equipment – Use a communication board to indicate likes/dislikes – Increase time spent in the Food Technology room – Explore colour and texture – Open containers and replace lids
|
PE | – Remaining with the group during whole class PE session – Movement, balance, and co-ordination based physical activity – Developing gross motor skills using large play equipment – Weekly focus on climbing, balance, jumping or throwing |
Fine Motor Skills | - Using pincer grip to grasp objects – Placing objects on a specific mark i.e. along a line – Threading onto a string – beads, cheerios etc – Shoebox TEACCH tasks |
Term 2 – Learning Overview
My Communication
| – Multisensory phonics – with focus sound tuff trays, songs and activities – Pre-Writing mark-making – copying lines, shapes, letters & numbers in a range of media like flour, shaving foam and rice! – Using communication boards to make choices and requests. |
My Thinking and Problem Solving Nursery Rhymes | – Learning and joining in with nursery rhymes – Self-selecting task resources / using resources with increased independence – Using communication boards to make choices and requests – Matching two of the same – Number recognition within 10 |
World About Me Water | – To explore water play – To explore moving water – To travel in water (swimming pool) – Explore items that float and sink in the swimming pool |
My Creativity Music | – Following the Charanga SEND scheme – introducing instruments – Using communication boards to request instruments – Turn taking to choose and explore instruments – Singing and signing a range of classic nursery rhymes and new songs |
My Independence Day to Day | – Putting bag and coat away upon arrival to school – Using communication boards to make a range of choices and requests throughout the school day – Collecting own lunchbox and drink at lunchtime – Opening packets themselves or ask for help using a core board – Following a personal hygiene visual / using a communication board to try for a wee on the toilet – Independently washing hands before eating/after toilet |
My Independence Offsite trips
| – Taking off / putting on items of clothing (socks, shoes, coat) – Travelling safely on the minibus – Staying safe / walking with the group on offsite trips – Safely crossing a minor road/car park |
My Independence Cooking | – Independently wash hands before handling food – Explore different foods using different utensils – Use photos/signs/symbols to gather equipment – Use a communication board to indicate likes/dislikes – Increase time spent in the Food Technology room – Explore colour and texture – Open containers and replace lids – Using a blunt knife to cut and spread |
PE / Swimming | – Remaining with the group during whole class PE session – Movement, balance, and co-ordination based physical activity – Developing gross motor skills using large play equipment – Getting changed for PE / swimming as independently as possible – taking off/putting on items of clothing (socks, shoes, jumper) – To explore moving through water |
Fine Motor Skills | - Using pincer grip to grasp objects – Manipulating objects to post into holes of different shapes – Negotiating cause and effect toys independently – Placing objects on a specific mark i.e. along a line – Threading onto a string – beads, cheerios etc – Shoebox TEACCH tasks – Holding a pen to make meaningful marks on paper |
Fishing for Schools Fundraiser
Support 'Fishing for Schools' at Tesco Shepton Mallet! We're thrilled to announce that the charity, 'Fishing for Schools',...
DKA Anniversary
The architects that designed our school are celebrating their 30th anniversary and are featuring the Mendip School as one...
Snow closure
Today, 8th March 2023 The Mendip School is closed due to the cancellation of transport from Somerset and BANES councils....
Gatsby Benchmarks
The Gatsby Benchmarks The eight benchmarks are a framework for good career guidance developed to support secondary schools...
National Apprentice Show
What an amazing afternoon spent at the National Apprenticeship Show in Exeter. The students were an absolute pleasure...
Speech and Language vacancy! We Need You!
The Mendip School are looking to appoint a Speech and Language Therapist. If you are interested and would like to discuss,...
Our Café is opening Monday!!!
Greenfield Cafe at The Mendip School is back and we missed you We’re thrilled to announce that following our refurbishment...
New medicines form
If you need to update a medicine form or wish to start a new one please complete this form or scan the QR code
Latest Careers information
Great links for information about future opportunities:https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-your-education-and-trai...
Fantastic donation
We are lucky enough to have received a share of £25,000 from the Radstock Co-operative society and their carrier bag levy.