The Russett School

Pine class is a group of 15 and 16 year old pupils supported by Amy, Amanda, Kelsea and Sonia. 

Our primary focus continues to be building independence for our learners’ futures, alongside functional skills to make sure all of Pine Class have the widest set of skills for whatever their next steps may be. Alongside this, we’ll be making sure we have a wide and balanced curriculum and a range of experiences to build interests, identify talents and widen horizons. Topics this term include:

• Space
• Health action plans
• Accents and dialects
• Forest school
• Money skills
• Grim tales
• A Christmas carol
• Democracy. 
• Theatre and film making.

Reading in Pine: All students have bespoke reading and writing plans, tailored to their current individual levels. The students undertake reading throughout the curriculum, whether it be to read their work or to gather information to be used within sessions such as for recipes or instructions. We do also have specific reading sessions to build upon the students phonetic knowledge, high frequency words, functional text and signs and symbols for life. Students are encouraged to extend their reading at home for pleasure and in a functional way, for example reading subtitles, or reading visual text in their environments.

Staying in touch:

In Pine class, we capture evidence of our learning through Evisense. Please check this regularly and let us know if you any problems logging in. You'll be updated regularly via the home/school diary. Please let us know if you'd like to arrange a call with Amy at any point. 

Careers:

As part of ‘Horizons’ the Academy Careers Programme, the students will each get comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance from a Careers Advisor both in small group sessions and in 1:1 sessions to help support them with their Transition and Career choices. During organised ‘Careers Days’ and during National Careers Week, the students will get the opportunity to meet with different employers and employees from local businesses to learn all about the skills needed to do many different jobs. They will also get the opportunity to visit local colleges such as Cheshire Colleges, Coleg Cambria, Riverside College, Reaseheath and Pettypool Colleges as well as participating in taster courses at Cloughwood Academy.

In addition, identified students from years 11 upwards will take part in both internal and external work experience placements. These are tailored to match the interests and strengths of individual students. . Students are given their own personal targets to work towards and are fully supported by our Job Coach throughout the placement.

Below, are some learning Links that you may find useful to further the learning at home….

Curiculum links:

Phonics Guides for Parents | Phase 1-6 Home Learning

Maths For Life - A Differentiated Approach®

Independent travel training | Cheshire West and Chester Council