The School Life

7

The school day commences at 9am and ends at 3pm. We have a mixture of pupils who arrive on local authority transport and some who are dropped off by parents and carers. All pupils are welcomed into school by a member of Merryfields staff and supported with transition to their classroom if this is necessary. All pupils are also welcomed at the school doors by at least 1 member of the senior leadership team.

Each classroom in Merryfields has their own bespoke timetable, which includes the teaching of all core subjects. This is developed by the class team, taking into consideration, the needs of all the pupils.

Structured support is made available to all pupils throughout the school day. Our support is pupil centred and evidence informed. We adapt specialist approaches so that support can be tailored to individual abilities, interests, preferences and challenges.

Within each classroom you will see visual timetables, a range of communicative strategies including communication boards, communication books and AAC devices being used, sensory diets being delivered, movement breaks/choose time as well as pupils engaging in learning covering all national curriculum areas.

All of our classrooms also adhere to the National Autistic Societies SPELL framework, meaning they are lower arousal, positive and structured. All of our classrooms will encourage independent working, small group work and whole class lesson inputs and it is common to see sensory support resources in the classroom, to allow pupils to regulate their needs throughout the school day.

During break and lunch times, you will observe staff encouraging independence in play skills, facilitating social development opportunities as well as gross motor skills and communication.

At the end of every school week, we have a whole school choir, followed by class assembly. This is always linked to a curricular theme from PHSE or RE such as ‘diversity, firework safety or Hannukah’ or linked to a national celebration such as the kings coronation. During all assemblies, pupils will recite our school ‘celebration verse,’ to remind them of the values of the school and their role as active members in our school community.

​School Celebration Verse –

                        We make our teachers proud,

                        on every brand new day,

                        we are kind and do our best,

                        we love to work and play. 

 

School Uniform

Our uniform for all pupils is;