Thankfully, the official code-name for Ash Class hasn't changed. "Top Floor". Following the school's expansion, we now inhabit the upper floor of the new Herongate Campus. We are absolutely delighted with our new "home" - it feels a little more like a college and a little less like a school and this is intentional; we have the older pupils at this campus and our mission is to continually develop their life skills and independent living experiences as they get closer to adulthood.

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We welcomed two new pupils this academic year, who transferred from the former Elm Class. This brings our class size to 7 pupils in years 10 and 11, supported by 5 staff - Chris (Class Teacher), Rhys (HLTA), and Olivia, Claire and Jo (TAs). This provides continuity and means that the trusted adults haven't changed. Every pupil can benefit from one-to-one support in class, or in the quiet area next to the classroom, when they need it.

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Maths, English, PE and PSHE are the basis of our timetable, but this year, individual timetables are being developed to include a wider range of vocational activities, including creative art, music and drama. Our ASDAN project work was successful last year - 4 pupils received the Bronze award and are on track towards the Silver award this year. 

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Our fortnightly trips to the Shalbourne Growers Project started well. This project provides work experience opportunities which Ash Class pupils embrace wholeheartedly - groundwork, planting, harvesting, use of tools and equipment, and so on. Their staff and volunteers are passionate about their community work and help pupils learn lots of things about nature. There happens to be a coffee shop at the nearby Shalbourne Stores and it is astonishing how many times we accidentally stop there on the drive back to school.