The Ashley School - Summer School 2016

Last summer we offered a summer school at The Ashley School Academy Trust. The initial ideas to

plan and provide a summer school this year were as a result of various discussions aired at the

school Parents and Carers Get together meetings.

In an effort to offer activities which were age/ability appropriate we decided to focus upon a target age

range by inviting pupils in years 6,7,8,9. We also felt that summer school could also serve as a great

vehicle in supporting the transition of pupils new to our school.

A varied programme of activities was developed. Areas which were focused upon were, team work,

individual creativity, communication, social skills, fitness, creative thinking. Pupils were sent a flyer

with information about the sessions and could choose which interested them. The week’s programme

was as follows:

Monday 22nd

August

Tuesday 23rd

August

Wednesday 24th

August

Thursday 25th

August

Fun with fire and

food- campfire

cooking.

Move and groove-

street dance.

Pizza making fun and

Morrisions shopping

visit.

All aboard- team

building games.

Whacky Olympics-

some of the

strangest games

invented.

Superhero’s- creative

games and crafts.

Pirate adventure fun,

crafts, map reading and

games.

Family picnic and

games fun afternoon.

Feedback from parents and carers was very positive. Parents and carers explained that summer

school had provided a resource which they felt was a safe space for their child to attend during the

holidays. For many it had provided time which could be used to support siblings, have some ‘me time’

allowing adults to have a break.

The young people who attended also were very positive with the water games being the highlight of

the week for many.

Participants stated that seeing their friends was something they had enjoyed most about summer

school. Cooking with fire, crafts, water fun and pizza making were all also popular.

Future plans/ Next steps

Building upon the clear success of Summer School 2016 we would hope to provide another similar

provision next summer. This pilot project has helped us learn more about interests, duration, costs,

need of provision, and access to provision. In particular areas to think about for future summer school

provision.

Rename- participants would prefer to not have the word school in the name.

Consider if we could have a block week or single days over a longer period.

Cost to families, how the provision could be more accessible to families on low income.

Travel arrangements for participants who live further away from school.

Options for taking participants out into the community rather than having all sessions on site.

Options for inviting organisations with particular skills to run sessions on site.

Ideas for encouraging further social opportunities to support unifying parents and carers of the

Ashley school pupils.

Welcome to this our first newsletter telling you all about our amazing fun

filled summer school.

Summer school was set up following discussions with parents and staff

looking at available activities during the long school holidays. Staff were

consulted and here we are, our first newsletter!!

Fun with food

and Fire

Monday saw the group having fun with fire and food. Mary Berry wasn’t

available so Sam lead us through this amazing culinary experience!

Summer School 2016

Monday afternoon saw us dressed up

in togas competing in the Whacky

Olympics taking part in some crazy

alternative Olympic sports. Eat your

heart out Rio! Sharnicas the Greek

Games master led a fabulous games.

MOVE & GROOVE

Tuesday morning saw John getting into the groove, the group

strutted their stuff and pulled some shapes!

In the afternoon Ashley superheroes arrived completing

missions to save our superhero Buzz

A taste of Italy came to the summer school on

Wednesday morning, pizza tossing and learning Italian

were the name of the game!

Pirate

Adventures

Wednesday afternoon saw the

school taken over by

swashbuckling pirates on a

high seas adventure! Look Out for

Captain Pinky.

Where do pirates do their shopping?

Arrrrrrgos !!

Thursday morning Sharni took us for some fun

filled team building games!

The Ashley school staff would like to thank all the children for making

Summer School 2016 such a success and for the parents for their

enthusiasm in supporting this new venture. Thank you to all staff who

have contributed to the organising of the week.