Ashgate Specialist Support School
Macaws 2024 - 2025
Hello, and welcome to the new academic year. We hope you all had a lovely Summer break. We are all so excited to start the year with you and your child. We are especially looking forward to working alongside you.
The Macaws class consists of 10 unique and beautifully spirited children, seven boys and three girls.
The Macaws class team is: Gem, Emma, Erin, Laura and Nicola (Tuesday and Thursday). Our Lunchtime Support Assistant (LSA) is Jackie.
We are all dedicated to helping your child grow and develop. The Macaws class uses a child-centred approach that promotes independence, individuality and communication through a total communication approach.
Our class ethos values full collaboration with parents and carers. Our classroom door is always open. We invite you to be a part of your child's school environment and learning.
Throughout the term we will be learning:
How to keep ourselves safe in the local and wider community. This involves road safety whilst walking to ASDA to buy cookery ingredients, trips to the park and community walks.
Drama which links to emotions, individuality, acceptance of difference and emotions. Our story is called, The Story of a Rainbow this colourful story is based upon a Native American Legend.
Science - Plants and Animals
Religious Education - Developing an understanding that each religion has special people
Home/school communication
This is a very important aspect in your child’s learning, we aim to write in your child’s diary each day. Providing you with information on your child’s learning, enjoyment and dietary information. For example, what they have eaten throughout the day.
We value your input and communication. Please feel free to write in your child’s dairy to inform us of anything they have done over the evening or weekend. How they have slept or any other additional information you think may help us.
Alternatively, you can phone the school on 0161 3595322 and ask to speak to Gem or a member of the Macaws class team. Between 8.30 and 9am or from 15.00 to 16.00 are preferred times. However, you can always speak to a member of the office team and leave a message, we will ensure to call you back.
You can also meail me at:
g.yabsley@ashgate.manchester.sch.uk
Please also take a look on the Ashgate’s website/Macaws class page for regular updates, newsletters, timetables, ideas to do at home, plus pictures of all the fun activities we do.
Enrichment
Throughout the year we will be taking part in enrichment sessions with the Canaries class. The Canaries class team is: Jane, Iona, Lesley and Michael. Your child will have the opportunity to socialise and develop friendships with different peers and staff. They will also have the opportunity to choose their favoured activity.
Some of our enrichment activities include:
Trips to the park, the forest, sensory play, music, dance, yoga, drama, swimming (summer term) and the sensory room. Children who have a visual impairment will attend one to one and small group work sessions with Erin (VI Champ.)
Contribution
If you can contribute £1 a week to support the cost of buying cookery and sensory ingredients this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your continuous support.
Gem and the Macaws team.