Welcome to the Spring 2025 edition of our school magazine. Over the following pages you will get an overview of some of the learning opportunities we have offered this term which include a wide range of offsite activities, work experience and partnership working that contribute so much to pupils’ learning outcomes, independence skills and preparedness for adult life.
We are very pleased to share with you the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection. Governors, school leaders, pupils and staff have worked really hard and their commitment to the school did not go unnoticed. Ofsted rated the school Good in all 5 areas of the inspection.
We hope that you all enjoy the forthcoming holiday and would like to remind you that school re-opens after Spring Break on TUESDAY 22nd April 2025.
Paula Wareing Head Teacher
English
In English, Aspire are enjoying their new story book The Creakers, by Tom Fletcher. Whilst Endeavour are enjoying their new book The Promise, by Nicola Davies.
Both stories focus on the environment and recycling. Pupils enjoyed the books whilst learning about the importanceof looking after our planet.
Ms Roberts
We love reading so much that we don’t just celebrate World Book Day, we celebrate for a whole week!
During our World Book Week, we had lots of different activities. Each class participated in writing a whole school story. One class wrote their part of the story, then passed it on to the next class to continue the story. Mrs Hughes read it out in assembly on the Friday, to mark the end of World Book week. The story was very creative and funny!
Each day the pupils were sent a video ofa masked reader, they had to guess who the reader was. Some were more obvious than others!
On the Friday, we had a book swap, where all pupils could choose a book and take it home. We had lots of fun dressing up as our favourite character and sharing our favourite book. The staff were quite a sight in their costumes too– well done everyone who joined in.
Ms Roberts
In MFL, pupils have been learning the different names of places around the town. Pupils were given pretend Euros to buy items in the different shops.
Discover, re-enacted buying juice and crisps in French from our classroom café.
Focus
Focus have had a really busy Spring term: our topic has been recycling and looking after our environment. There have been lots of opportunities for working together as a group, sharing activities, resources and being creative.
Focus have planted sunflowers this term; we really hope to watch them grow over the warmer months!
The highlight of our term was Pancake Day. We practiced flipping, topping and eating them.
We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter break.
Mrs O’Connor
Each week, a group of eight enthusiastic pupils visit Crosby lakeside in Liverpool, where they engage in exciting outdoor activities that build confidence, teamwork, and independence. From bell boating to canoeing to team challenges. These sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for personal growth in a fun and supportive environment. The group looks forward to their visits, enjoying the fresh air, new experiences. and friendships they are developing along the way.
Jenny Wright
Music
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
This term in music we have been following a scheme of work called ‘The World in One City’, by the RLPO.
We travelled musically from Liverpool to London, then over the Atlantic to the USA, then to Nigeria, China, Ireland, India, stopped briefly in Turkey and returned back to Liverpool.
We learned many musical phrases such as rhythms, notating,phrase, pentatonic scale and motif.
This learning culminated with a trip to see the RLPO in concert at the world famous Philharmonic Hall.
All of us enjoyed joining with other Merseyside schools to sing, dance, watch, enjoy and join in singing this year’s theme song, ‘All Our Different Voices’ .
Mr Gopsill
Maths
During the Spring term, learners have developed their understanding of fractions, sharing and sorting in many different ways within their different classes.
Key Stage 3 have developed their use of measuring tools and their understanding of how to apply them to different situations.
Key Stage 4 and Post 16 have also continued to work on their use of money, including coins/notes recognition, making up amounts and budgeting.
Mrs Charmley
Fusion
In Fusion class, we have engaged in a range of activities throughout this term. In My Thinking and Problem Solving, we have compared length, weight, and capacity through a variety ofhands-on tasks. The whole class has enjoyed our PE focus on dodgeball, which has helped us take turns, hit targets, and cope with both winning and losing. We have all takensteps to become more independent across the curriculum, especially when cooking in the Maroon Room. Through a range of My Communication lessons, we have improved our ability to follow instructions, engage in extended tasks, and express our needs and feelings to others. Our topicfor this term has been Looking After Our World. We have had opportunities to go offsite into the local community and have improved our independence when traveling around the school. Throughout the curriculum, we have made an extra effort to clean up after ourselves, and we have practiced many home skills such as wiping surfaces, sweeping floors, and washing our dishes. We have also had the opportunity to celebrate special events such as Red Nose Day, Pancake Day, World Book Day, and many more.
What a wonderfulterm we have had! Mr K
This term we have run After School Clubs for Football, Swimming and Lego.
The Football Club has been a great success with enough pupils for a couple of teams. They have been enjoying playing along to various World Cup themes.
Swimming Club is a great opportunity to use the hydrotherapy pool and havefun with new and existing friends. Pupils enjoy building their swimming skills, increasing their independence and playing with the pool aids.
Lego Club has enabled pupils to get creative in a social setting. Pupils have made some interesting models!
Next term’s Clubs will be Sports, Swimming and Board Games for thefirst half of the term.
Mrs Hughes
Cookery Options
It has been such a pleasure to see pupils attending our weekly Cookery sessions become more independent and confident in the kitchen. Throughout the term, wehave followed a wide range of recipes, learning new skills and techniques while baking and cooking some truly exquisite dishes. We have created fruit salads, pancakes, omelettes, spaghetti bolognese, shortbread biscuits, cookies, brownies, pizzas, fajitas, ‘mud’ cakes, and many more delicious items. Each session has given pupils the chance to practice measuring ingredients, following step-by-step instructions, and experimenting with different flavours and textures. Alongside developing our cooking skills, we have also improved our understanding of how to live a healthy lifestyle. We have explored how to make balanced meals, identified different flavours, used our senses to appreciate food, and focused on maintaining good personal hygiene and safety in the kitchen. These essential life skills will benefit us beyond the classroom. I’m already looking forward to seeing how we continue to improve and build on these skills in the summer term! Mr K
During the Drama Option,pupils have been practising voice control. The pupilsmoved around the playground experimenting with projecting their voices, as if they were on a stage. Pupils have had lots of fun with our new dressing up box, and role-playing different characters such as superheroes and pirates.
We have finally finished our shoebox puppet show, Jack and The Beanstalk. Pupils wrote their own play script, made puppets and performed a shoebox puppet show.
Ms Roberts
RE Buddhism and Easter
In RE we have been making symbols of religions and festivals using origami and paper.
Well done for all your focus and resilience, they weren ’t easy to do but they are memorable !
We made paper lanterns for Wessak a Buddhist festival and lotus flowers as a symbol for Buddhism.
We made crosses from the palms for Palm Sunday and we practiced making Easter bonnets.
Mrs Brown
Once again we were very pleased to be able to welcome the famous duo– Singing Hands, to Meadowside. They brought great joy to many Meadowside pupils and some community groups Autism Together and Cambridge Road
The morning began with a hall session of singing, signing and a little bit of dancing. After break, they performed in a classroom, working with Flair group and our invited visitors.
They proved that age is no barrier to enjoying and singing songs of any genre, with enthusiastic participants aged from 2 to over 40!
The afternoon sessions included a signed story, for one lucky class, where they learned the signs for several animals, including a Buffalo!
The highlight of the day was the Pop Party, enjoyed by all and an invited class from Foxfield.
Everyone had great fun dancing, responding to the music, the atmosphere and the social elements of a shared experience.
Dancing the Conga around the hall was something to definitely remember! Hopefully we can arrange for them to come back again, next year.
Mrs Hughes
KS3 Science
It’s been a very busy term for KS3 classes in Science. In Chemistry they have learned about the molecular structure of different elements and compounds, they have modelled them and investigated certain elements in more depth. They’ve had a lot of fun looking at the periodic table and realising that many of the elements have rather puzzling codes, like‘Fe’ for iron.
In Biology, we have been learning about the human body, beginning with considering the different things we need to keep our body healthy. Healthy, both from a nutrition perspective as well as mental health, and ensuring we get adequate rest. They have then learned in more detail about different systems within the body for example the musculoskeletal system and the circulatory system.
They have been conducting investigations into forces in their Physics sessions, considering the importance of friction when driving, and investigating different ways of adjusting air resistance, culminating in making their own parachutes.
KS4 Science
KS4 pupils began the term by investigating separation of materials in Chemistry. They learned about how magnets are used to separate items in real life, and even created their own magnetic fluid which was fun to play with, if a little messy. Later on in the term they moved onto looking at local habitats and food webs, considering food webs in different environments across the globe before looking at those that were more local to Meadowside.
Most recently in Physics sessions we have been learning about circuits and electricity, havinga lot of fun building circuits with some new kit that we got for the classroom recently, and some pupils have goneon to investigate electromagnetism.
New for this year has been a Friday afternoon options group for Post-16 students called Wow! Science. This session is all about fun: pupils learn about separating mixtures for example by separating grit into salt, sand, and water; or even through separating double cream by shaking it (dancing to music!) until it formed butter and buttermilk, our butter was very delicious spread on toast.
They have created their own coloured dyes from vegetables, made giant bubbles and inflated marshmallows into enormous sizes! Lots more fun experiments and experiences to follow next term. Mrs Boyd
Post 16 Travel Training
Our Post 16 Travel Training Option started in September. Pupils applied for their travel passes and were excited to receive them from Birkenhead bus station.
Pupils then practised reading local bus timetables. Our first trip was to catch a bus from school to Birkenhead. Pupils learnt how to use the Arriva journey planner to complete the task. Now all pupils are confident at carrying out this journey safely, they know when to press the bell on the bus to get off at the correct stop and which bus to get to go back to school.
Pupils are now practising local journeys on the trains, including how to read the signage and information on the platform.
All pupils are increasing their independence skills and are learning how to travel safely as they prepare to move on to college.
Well done to everyone. Debbie Gardiner.
As part of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, a group of pupils took part in litter picking events around the local community. Armed with bags and gloves they worked together to clean public spaces, making a notable impact. The initiative aligned with the D of E focus on community service, teaching the importance of environmental care and teamwork. The pupils demonstrated great responsibility and dedication, gaining valuable skills in leadership and perseverance. Their hard work is a great reminder of how small actions can create positive change.
Well done to all involved.
Jenny Wright
WHS Farm Options Group
Throughout the bleak months of Autumn and Winter, our intrepid farmers braved the elements each week to complete work towards a number of AQA Entry Level qualifications, based on Animal Welfare, Farm Maintenance and the Environment.
Our pupils groomed goats, sheep and rabbits, cleaned and maintained animal enclosures, and researched the dietary requirements of a number of different animals under their care.
Spring heralds a new working phase at the Farm, and our enthusiastic group are ready and eager to respond to the fresh challenges ahead. James Christensen
Some of our year14 students are currently making a series ofvisits to Wirral Met college ready for their placement in September.
They have been accessing some of the Prep For Life subjects Art activities, completing Mathsand English assessments and baking scones.
During one of thevisits they were able to choose a lunch and eat with the current students in the canteen. We have spotted familiar faces and been able to catch up with past Meadowside pupils.
The visits will continue after the school break.
Laura and Debbie
The Enterprise Options Group made us very proud when they attended the Enterprise Showcase, at Aintree Racecourse. They represented Meadowside alongside reps from lots ofother Merseyside special schools.
Pupils have to design, make and market a range of products and present their ideas and outcomes to a Dragons Den panel of invited guests.
Everyone had a lovely day, despite not winning the trophy but everyone that went was able to say they’d been there and got the T-Shirt!
The T-Shirt logo was also designed and produced by a school Enterprise group.
Members of the Student Council welcomed a park ranger to Meadowside, to plant Buck Thorn trees that will help to attract butterflies. The pupils all learned about how to dig,plant and establish a tree. They have also placed a hedgehog tunnel nearby and will be monitoring the small animals that visit when we are not around!
Mr Brown
This special event, run by ZILLO Young Reporters, is all about celebrating the incredible things young people do in Wirral every day. The awards are a chance to say a big “well done” to young people who work hard, show their talents, help others, or make a difference in their community. Whether it’s something big or small.
Our very own Rhys Gateley was nominated for the category Animal Ally, for those who show amazing care and love for animals. He was shortlisted and was invited along to an awards evening where he won the category and was presented with his trophy.
Rhys has been completing a work experience placement at Jackson’s Animal Rescue, Hedgehog Rescue. His role there is to care for any hedgehogs that have been rescued, including weighing and feeding them.
Rhys weare so proud of you
P.E.
Pre formal pupils have been taking part in MATP (Motor Activity Training Programme), looking at the 4 areas of mobility, dexterity, striking and kicking and linking these to the Athletic skills of moving/running (mobility), throwing (striking and kicking) and holding/releasing equipment (dexterity)
Semi formal Key stage 3 pupils have been taking part in Keeping Healthy (Health Related Fitness), where they have been looking at moving around for extended periods of time, either running walking or exercising
Semi formal KS4 and P 16 pupils have experienced throwing, catching and moving (dodgeball) where they have been playing together and individually. They have practised throwing objects to target either stationary targets or while moving and also catching techniques. They have been playing adapted games of dodgeball to practice their learnt skills and knowledge.
Formal Key stage 3 pupils have been learning about Health Related Fitness, different types of training i.e. interval training in circuits taking part in different exercises i.e. agility ladders and also taking part in different fitness tests i.e. Cooper run test, Illinois agility test etc.
KS4 and P16 pupils (14-19) have been taking part in Dodgeball and learning about different throwing, catching, blocking, dodging techniques and applying them to game situations and some adapted games. They experienced different roles within games and how to apply them to change the direction of a game i.e. avenging, trading, ball possession etc.
Football match Vs Foxfield School
Mixed age pupils have taken part in a football fixture against Foxfield School this term where the pupils did our school proud with their effort, attitude and determination when playing, Well Done!
By Mr Stubbs
PC Teresa, our Safer Schools Officer, visited us this term to deliver an assembly on 'Staying Safe in the Community'. She talked to pupils about issues they may face in their local environment such as gangs, gun and knife crime, and the risks of being asked to carry or hide items for other people. PC Teresa was aware of some of our pupils' vulnerabilities and made it very clear to them that they need to be very wary of people asking them to look after items or take messages in exchange for gifts.
PC Teresa also explained to pupils how being dressed in certain ways increased their chances of being stopped and searched by police officers. When buying clothes for your children it may be worth considering that she specifically identified Montirex branded clothes and balaclavas as problematic
Additionally, pupils were warned about the high level of risk associated with using the social media platform 'Discord'. She strongly recommended that pupils avoid it entirely, so if your child is a Discord user it is definitely worth keeping a close eye on it, and applying as many parental controls and privacy settings as possible.
Next term, PC Teresa will visit again to talk more about the job of a police officer, and show pupils some of her kit. Pupils asked some very thoughtful questions and seemed to have plenty more they wanted to know, so I'm sure they will be looking forward to her next visit.
Mrs Dunn
Family Support
This term some parents have enjoyed an Art workshop that was run byWirral Lifelong Learning Service. This allowed parents to develop skills and build on previous knowledge. It has been a great opportunity to build new friendships withnon—judgemental support and a chance to share experiences with each other.
Look out for the opportunity to join the next course in September.
Upcoming workshops at Meadowside 30th April—Cuppa N Chat
1st May Intro to sensory processing
12th May—Activate college talk (Yr12/13)
See Class Dojo for information
If you need any support throughout the break, these may be useful:
www.familytoolbox.co.uk
www.neocommunity.org.uk
www.involvenorthwest.org.uk
ww.branch-wirral.co.uk
www.wirralinfobank.co.uk
School Nurse drop in clinic at St Catherine’s Hospital—Every Thursday including school holidays.
Laura Lawton
KS3 DT
All pupils have made so much progress in honing their fine motor skills. They used patterns found in nature as the inspiration for their design ideas and the project will soon be finished, now that they have removed the wax from their fabric with the iron (it absorbs into tissue paper) they can embellish their work with threads, sequins, buttons and the like. Super work! Mrs Boyd
KS3 pupils have been completing a project using the ancient art form of batik, a process using hot melted wax as a resistance method, creating a pattern when dyes are applied to fabric.
Originating in Indonesia, the technique uses a tool called a tjanting (the first ‘t’ is silent!) and the pupils had several practices at using it, as controlling the flow of the hot wax is tricky.
The Ape Antics Climbing Walls offer amazing fun and skill building for both pupils and adults! They have a variety of different 6m high walls to tackle, a 6m long to really put their skills to the test – a
Pupils have enjoyed challenging themselves to reach the top and benefitted from the physical activity.
Claire Albertsen
Rebound Therapy is used to facilitate movement and promote balance, an increase or decrease in muscle tone, relaxation, sensory integration, improve fitness and exercise tolerance, and to improve communication skills. It is popular partly because the trampoline is a piece of apparatus that virtually all people, regardless of their abilities, can access, benefit from and enjoy.
Claire Albertsen
The chosen charity for the Merseyside School Councils is Claire House. We held a Bunny Hop to raise some money. Everyone did a few laps of the playground and then enjoyed some disco tunes to hop along to. Refreshments of hot cross buns or doughnuts went down well too.
If you haven’t yet donated, it’s not too late. Representatives from School Council will be taking the donations to a multi-school event at the Town Hall in St Helens next month.
School Council is a great way for pupils to have a say in how the school is run and represent their fellow class members at the monthly meetings.
Thanks to Claire, who leads on School Council events and meetings.
Olympic week
One of our main projects within School Council this school year is Olympic week. The project was presented to Governors in February.
Olympic week will be an event held between June 16th to June 20th 2025, celebrating the Olympic Games.
We will have Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the start and end of the week, an Olympic village, where our teams based on countries will each have a stall celebrating their culture and multiple sports throughout the week.
Article by the School Development representative
Offsite Learning
Pupils benefit from opportunities for learning outside the classroom. It teaches essential skills for community inclusion, it generates physical activity and it widens their experiences of the world around them.
Flourish group have enjoyed visiting local venues such as the library, the art gallery and local parks.
Mrs Hughes
Flair at Foxfield’s Festival of Fun
We were invited to join in with a Festival of Fun at Foxfield school. It was a multisensory experience for the pupils in Flair class, who enjoyed the sights, sounds, smells and textures of a Circus Themed activity morning. Mrs Hughes
Cityscapes
Pupils have enjoyed learning how to make a collage using the inspiration of theBritish artist Paul Kenton. They then experimented using different tools to make an abstract rendition of a cityscape. Pupils always make me so proud with how fabulous their final work turns out. Well Done All. Paul Kenton is a UK-based contemporary artist, acclaimed for his cityscape paintings which capture the unique energy of cities across the world. Paul’s paintings aim to transport the viewer, giving them a sense of the distinctive mood, pace and light of a scene, through layers of boldcolour, dripped lines and gestural paint marks. His intuitive and energetic painting approach gives fluidity and life to otherwise rigid urban structures.
Ms Hoffmann
We had some great celebrations for Easter, with classes getting very creative. Lots of crafts and crispy cake nests! The Easter Bonnet Parade was enjoyed by alland we were especially pleased to be given a cheque for over £2400 from Eastham Lodge Golf Club. The Lady Captain had the very difficult job of judging the bonnets!
We hope everyone has a very happy Easter and a lovely holiday.
Mrs Hughes
After Easter, we welcome Steph back from Maternity Leave. Mrs Russell left this term and we are welcoming two new teachers for the coming term, Miss Edge and Mr Howell.
School Governors
We are extremely grateful to all our Governors who give their time and expertise too support our school, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.
We have a vacancy for a Parent Governor to help us ensure that our School Development Plan meets the needs of current and future pupils. If you would like to find out more about this important role then please contact the School Office to speak to the Clerk to the Governors. There is plenty of training available for new and existing governors.
ClassDojo is still the best means of communication between home and school. If you need support to get set up or log in, please call in to school and assistance will be provided. Staff and parents can share photos and messages both on a group/whole school basis, or privately.
Our website www.meadowsideschool.com is updated regularly with our latest information and news.
We are also available on X at https://twitter.com/meadowsidech49 and Facebook at https://facebook.com/meadowsideschoolwirral We even have an Instagram account! You can also contact the Office on (0151) 678 7711
Meadowside School, Pool Lane, Birkenhead, Wirral CH49 5LA
