When Ricky* started at High Peak School he initially found it challenging to adapt to the Key Stage 3 model and struggled with the transition in between classes. The experienced team at the school identified that he found the academic level of the work difficult and felt more comfortable with a nurturing approach with classes taught in the same room by the same form teacher with whom he has a good relationship with. He had some short term successes with the KS2 nurture group, however there became a pattern of incidents at key transition points. 

After consultation and careful consideration he was placed on a ‘Reintegration to Learning Programme’, where he could build relationships with key staff members and experience successes at practical learning activities. He also attended Occupational Therapy sessions each morning to help him regulate for the day and received Tier 3 specialist SaLT input to help with his emotional literacy and social communication. His therapeutic input was monitored through regular MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) and TATC (Team around the Class) meetings and strategies were shared with key staff.

Weekly MDT meetings, clinical consultations and strategy planning meetings which brought together the education team, care team, clinical team, his family and his social worker helped apply a trauma informed approach to his clinical formulation. High Peak School also set up an outdoor learning group in which Ricky now thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to take part in a bespoke offsite learning package. 

In a recent PEP meeting he spoke highly of his learning experiences at the local Lane Ends Farm Trust and Mill Town Music studios. He also feels very proud of how he can now regulate his emotions and communicate with staff ahead of time if he foresees an issue. He said that consistent staffing, relationship building, the school points system, working towards rewards and a set routine has helped him to be a lot calmer and be successful in his learning.

He also recognises the functional skills numeracy work that has been embedded into his offsite learning and understands the importance to enable him to work towards accredited qualifications. He is looking forward to attending a work placement one day per week to gain a Level 1 qualification in Construction as he wishes to be a brick layer or a plasterer in the future.

Get in contact on 0800 024 6985 or [email protected] to discover more about the opportunities for young people at High Peak.