Clarkehouse Centre goes blob crazy!

Students are currently enjoying playing online physics games during lunch break - especially the brainteasing blob challenge! Give it a try!

A letter to students, from the Ofsted inspectors

12 February 2010

Dear Students

Inspection of KS3 Inclusion Centre, Sheffield, S4 8FB

I would like to say thank you for being so helpful when we came to visit a couple of weeks ago. We saw that the unit is doing a good job and helping you to turn your lives round. These are some of the things that really impressed us.

• Your behaviour gradually gets better and better.
• You really enjoy the activity days.
• You learn how to concentrate throughout the whole of a lesson.
• If you do lose focus you are able to get back on track quickly.
• You are quickly catching up on the learning you have missed.
• The adults are working exceptionally well with you, your parents and carers, and the schools to make sure you are secure and able to overcome the things that have stopped you learning.
• The teaching is good.
• The way you are helped to improve your behaviour is good.

At the moment you do not get as much guidance as you could on how to improve and get to the next level in all of your subjects. We also saw that you still rely on the adults a great deal while you are at the unit. Back in school, and later at work, you will need to be more independent. We have asked the headteacher to see how the unit can improve these two things.

You will also need to have better attendance in school and when you go to work. It would help you if you could start to work on this now.

Best wishes for your future.

Yours sincerely

Ross Parker

Lead inspector

KS3 Inclusion Service celebrates Ofsted success!

On the 10th and 11th February, KS3 Inclusion Service was visited by Ofsted inspectors, who made the following judgements:

---> "Sheffield Key Stage 3 Inclusion Unit gives students a good standard of education with outstanding care, guidance and support for all students."

---> "All individual students know what behaviour is expected and how well they are meeting their targets. As a result, most students behave well so they can engage with learning that was previously inaccessible."

---> "The quality of teaching is good, overall. Staff have good subject knowledge and create very positive relationships with students. Teachers constantly reinforce students' behaviour targets so they know how well they are doing and how they need to improve."

---> "The excellent partnerships with parents and carers, and other providers, are fundamental to the mission to give equality of opportunity to disadvantaged young people. Since the last inspection many aspects of the provision have been improved substantially."

The full report can be read online HERE.

Thanks to the students and their families, staff and outside agencies who have all played a part in our success.

Health Day @ Riverside

In collaboration with LINKS School Sport Partnerships, Riverside held its first ever Health Day in the Autumn Term 2. The day was thoroughly rewarding for both staff and pupils. A wide range of fun and challenging activities were set up throughout the day based around healthy eating, first aid and fitness testing. All pupils enjoyed themselves throughout the day, with certificates being awarded to all and special achievement prizes being given out to individuals.

Behaviour for Learning Awards @ Clarkehouse Centre - Autumn 2 Half-Term

We are very pleased to announce that the following students have earned awards this half-term:

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Daily Achievement Awards:

1st Prize - Michael (earning 25 yellow letters)

2nd Prize - Tom (earning 12 yellow letters)

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Weekly Achievement Awards:

1st Prize - Michael (earning 5 green slips)

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100% Attendance Certificate:

Michael

Josh

Jamie B

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Best New Student:

Josh

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Well done

to all students this half-term!

Skills Base and the Solar System

In Skills Base this half term we have learnt all about the Solar System. We can now recognise the planets in the Solar System. This includes our sun with its orbiting planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Below is our model of the Solar System and some of our work on display. Some students have also completed individual research projects on the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Rockets in Space and Life as an Astronaut.

Clarkehouse Masterchefs

Students at Clarkehouse Centre have come up with a range of culinary delights since September. They've been working hard learning about tastes, temperatures (including the odd burnt finger!) and healthy diets. Here are a few snapshots of our young masterchefs at work: