Visit to Chiltern Wood School

Child Care is a diverse and popular subject that explores many child development issues.  Just recently, four GMS students, on the Level 3 Technical Diploma in Child Care and Education, began a new unit called, “Understanding Additional Needs”

To increase awareness and give an insight Mrs Pendlebury accompanied her students to Chiltern Wood School in Cressex where they interviewed the Deputy Headteacher, Rhonda Gosney. She gave them a valuable insight, into the needs of children who have ASD and complex speech, language and communication needs. It is a school that has to work particularly closely with parents, carers and other agencies such as speech and occupational therapists.

Visiting the Early Years and Primary bases was especially informative: it was interesting to see the children’s “wake up and shake up” routine and to witness the staff and children using Makaton sign language. The sensory room and soft play room was recognised as a very important facility for children with more complex needs. In one classroom, children were preparing to make Easter biscuits, a follow on activity from the previous day when they had shopped for their ingredients. Throughout the school inventive resources supported learning, one example being picture labels, placed strategically throughout the school, designed to support communication.

There was a lovely, vibrant positive, atmosphere. Happy children greeted the GMS students, introducing themselves with confidence.

The students and staff of GMS are grateful to Chiltern Wood School for facilitating this visit and being so generous with their time.