Safer Internet Day

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin

Safer Internet Day

Family Safety Centre

Read tips and resources by Google to keep your family safe online.

At Highfurlong we take our work safeguarding work with young people very seriously and think education has an important part to play in highlighting dangers in the use of digital media, social networks, mobile phones, text and instant messaging.

As a school we set out to educate parents, pupils, staff and the wider community about the safe use of the Internet.

Here is another excellent Internet Safety site.

Please take time to review and consider these important issues on this site.

We will follow this posting up with workshops, training and support for the Highfurlong School community.

Visit https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/  now to get information on Internet Safety.

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Newsletter 030212

Posted on February 3, 2012 by admin

Highfurlong School Newsletter

 

Latest Newsletter

 

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Mencap Survey

Posted on February 3, 2012 by admin
Mencap Survey

Mencap Survey

Hello,

 

At the moment the government is asking people what could make life better for disabled people. They have written down some ideas for a strategy and want disabled people and the people in their lives to tell them whether these are the right things to do, or whether there are other things that are more important.

 

 

Mencap will be telling the government what people with a learning disability, their friends, family and carers think needs to change. We want to hear from as many people as possible, so we can share these ideas with the government.

 

If you are a parent, carer or friend of someone with a learning disability, please tell us what you think by answering our parent carers and friends survey below. If you could also support the person you know with a learning disability to complete the learning disability survey through the second link on this mail that would be brilliant.

 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/disabilitystrategyparentscarersfriends

 

If you are someone with a learning disability. Please tell us what you think by answering our survey for people with a learning disability, you might want to ask someone you trust to support you with this. You get into the survey by double clicking on the underlined link below.

 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/disabilitystrategypeoplewithalearningdisability

 

Mencap will use the answers you give us in these surveys to tell everyone what is important to people with learning disabilities and their families. We will keep your details secure and confidential and will make sure we don’t use your name or any other details that tell people who you are in any reports or research.

 

It would be great if you could pass this email on to your contacts, twitter about us, share our survey on facebook, and talk about this on your blog if you have one –  we want lots of people to tell us what they think.

 

For further information please contact Colin Young on colin.young@mencap.org.uk.

 

Thank you for your support

Mencap survey Information pdf

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Update : : Good News for Orthotic Clinic

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

This morning we were informed that the orthotic clinic is not now being relocated to the Blackpool Victoria Hosptial. Instead, the day is being changed to Tuesday mornings and it is to remain at Highfurlong School.

A special thanks to Mr.Mrs Large, Gordon Marsden, Blackpool South MP, and every one else for taking swift action to safeguard this essential resource.

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Cuts to special needs provision in Blackpool

Posted on January 20, 2012 by admin

 

Highfurlong School Newsletter 20/01/12

Highfurlong School Newsletter 20/01/12

Newsletter 270112

New NHS cuts to pediatric therapy services

Over the last month, there have been new unannounced cuts to therapy provision and local NHS services for children with disabilities in Blackpool. This is part of the ongoing downsizing of health services.

Parents  are very angry and extremely concerned at what is happening.  For example, students are having hip replacements or major back surgery because they have not received any therapy provision.

Our ‘We Need Therapy’ , a 26MB QuickTime Movie, highlights these issues  and the exceptionally poor service that Blackpool receives from the North Lancashire PCT.

This video has gained national and international recognition on YouTube. It features on professional associations websites.

Here is the supporting ‘We Need Therapy’ pdf.

In response to these serious issues, Blackpool PCT facilitated additional support with two new physiotherapy assistants. However, North Lancashire PCT have since made further cuts to the Blackpool’s pediatric physiotherapy services. The town used to have some of the best provision in the country.

The Highfurlong Orthotic Clinic that serves the whole of the Fylde Coast has closed down without notice from the NHS. The Surgical Appliance Unit at Blackpool Victoria now hosts the clinic. This has caused tremendous problems for parents and their dependent children. For example, working parents could easily park, attend the Highfurlong School orthotics clinic and return to work. These parents now risk losing their jobs with the clinic based at the Victoria Hospital. Highly dependent pupils with challenging conditions are taking into unfriendly environment. There has been no communication by the PCT.

I want therapy not surgery

I want therapy not surgery

These issues are directly related to the negative NHS news stories that you see on television or in newspapers. The most vulnerable people in society are also the easiest target to cut and make savings. What is the cheaper option? Ongoing therapy or ongoing major surgery? This issue is about daily  pain and discomfort.

The new NHS re-organisation needs to get its act together.

Here is a contrasting success story.

Success story

However, within the  challenging context that we operate in, we have been able develop our Speech and Language Therapy Team. This has been achieved with support from Blackpool PCT. Our expert work on improving integrated therapy is highlighted by the Communication Commissioner Jean Goss, The School’s Network and ACE.

Highfurlong School has a great track record of making things happen for young people by working in sophisticated partnerships. This empowering ethos is about highly skilled front-line staff that makes things happen.

CBBC Fundraising

A primary school in Littlehampton has been fundraising to help Highfurlong get a new school building after seeing the two CBBC Newsround features:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-10716473

CBBC Newsound feature Highfurlong

Highfurlong staff continue to develop innovative enterprise, work-related learning, sport, leisure and recreational opportunities in preparation for the re-configuration of the Blackpool Special Schools.

 

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A very busy and successful week

Posted on January 15, 2012 by admin
Student at the Liverpool Jaguar Range Rover factory

Student at the Liverpool Jaguar Range Rover factory

Newsletter

NEWSLETTER 130112

As always, it has been another very busy week with students engaged in a wide range of top quality learning experiences.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Employ-ability Skills Workshop

Alex’s diary entry:

“Yesterday I started the ASDAN Employability Skills workshop at the Solaris Centre on the Blackpool South Shore promenade.

 I made my own way from home and signed in.

There were a few other Highfurlong students and students from other schools.

 First, we were tested on how we learnt new things and then we discussed our dreams and what we want to do in the future.

 After lunch we discussed key skills and qualities. We also had one-to-one meetings with the staff and discussed what jobs we were interested in and where we want to do work experience.

 This qualification consists of six employability workshops and followed by six days of work experience.”

All the staff were very proud of the students commitment and enthusiasm. This event is being sponsored by the Lancashire Via Project.

Visit to the Jaguar and Range Rover Factory

Highfurlong School visited this car factory in Liverpool

Highfurlong School visited this car factory in Liverpool

In a contrasting, work related learning activity, a group of students went on a tour of the Jaguar and Range Rover factory in Liverpool.

Joanne’s Visit to Land Rover Jaguar Factory report

This was a very successful trip that had everyone buzzing.

Student at the Liverpool Jaguar Range Rover factory

Student at the Liverpool Jaguar Range Rover factory

 

Highfurlong at car factory

Highfurlong at car factory

 

Production line and Highfurlong School students

Production line and Highfurlong School students

National Sports Awards for Highfurlong Students

At the Highfurlong School After-School Sports Club, students received sports awards after completing their training. They have been working very hard to acheive this since last September!

Highfurlong students receive the C.P.Sport England and Wales Boccia Skills Awards

Highfurlong students receive the C.P.Sport England and Wales Boccia Skills Awards

Thank you!

Thanks to all the staff who made all these events possible and a special thank you to all the Highfurlong students for being wonderful ambassadors. Well done!

Posted in Curriculum, Newsletter, Students, work related learning | Leave a comment

The 2012 Change and School Improvement Agenda

Posted on January 8, 2012 by admin

Very many thanks for your response and contributions in addressing the new 2012 agenda. It’s been really positive. Everyone has been really helpful.

Therapy at Highfurlong

Therapy at Highfurlong

I would like to say a special thanks to Stacey and Hayley, two Highfurlong Special Support Assistants, who provide therapy support and lead in- school, after school and holiday hydrotherapy sessions. Stacey organised sessions over the two week Christmas break and has ensured that his exceptional service runs through every school holiday. This is a remarkable achievement that benefits highly dependent children from the whole of Blackpool. The holiday work is also supported by the PIP charity.

All the staff have been working hard to continually improve our work here.

Highfurlong School Website

Last Tuesday,we specifically looked at staff:

1. Presenting and leading teacher’s meetings in their specialist area (s).
2. Booking training and support for their teaching role.
3. Fix internal and external moderation dates.
4. With Rosie and Joanne, further developing quality mentoring/coaching support for joint lesson observations in teachers specialist areas. This may also involve Jill Fennel, our school advisor/inspector.
5. With Cheryl and Rosie ensuring that all assessment and target setting is firmly rooted into all teaching and learning.
6. The focus is is to continually improve the quality of teaching and learning.
7. During the w/b 9th January, Highfurlong will run several change workshops to collate views for the re-organisation. This will be fed into the governors meeting on Friday. David Lund’s key themes are on the school blog

Post BSF Special School David Lund 211211

As, discussed, we are going to start 2012 at a fast pace to ensure that we are fully up to speed to address and successfully master the tough external agenda

Please do discuss and talk this through with me and colleagues. Our success is dependent upon high quality collaboration and successful partnerships with you.

Children thrive here.

Children thrive here.

Outstanding schools are not afraid to move forward. They never stand still

There is a lot of really good things going here

We look forward to working with you

Thanks.

Highfurlong School Website

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Christmas and New Years Message

Posted on December 15, 2011 by admin
Highfurlong 2012

Highfurlong 2012

NEWSLETTER 16th December 2011

Dear Parents, staff and governors,

At the end of another busy and very successful year, I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas. Enjoy the festivities with your families and friends. It has been great working with you all and many thanks for your support.

The Highfurlong Nativity on Tuesday was the best ever and Monday’s modern Christingle defined the spiritual context in terms of light and darkness.

Christmas Dinner with Santa

Christmas Dinner with Santa

2011 has been an exceptional year for Highfurlong School. It is has been especially pleasing being invited to join a range of exciting national and local projects. You can see these on this blog.

I wish to thank the Highfurlong team for their endeavours, hard work and for making things happen that impact upon the young people here.

Outstanding schools are not afraid to move forward. All the staff here know and understand this. With immediate effect, starting on Tuesday, 3rd January, 2012, we are going to raise the stakes even higher by working smarter to improve further the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom. There will be new ways of working to ensure even higher standards in the quality of teaching, raising pupils’ achievement, their care, behaviour and safety. We will clearly set out these new higher standards with individual members of staff, their teams and the school governors.

This is part of our change and school improvement agenda. It is being done within the context of today’s economic climate and local government agenda. Highfurlong School is doing a lot more with significantly less funding, staffing and resources. This new future presents challenges that the school governors, parents and staff are ready to address.

I wish you all happiness, peace and prosperity.

Best wishes,

Eddy Jackson
0780 9233 688
www.highfurlong.org

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Paul Maynard, MP Blackpool North

Posted on December 9, 2011 by admin

 

Paul Maynard, MP met Highfurlong students about a new school

Paul Maynard, MP met Highfurlong students about a new school

We were delighted to meet Paul Maynard, MP today.

Highfurlong students as part of their advocacy and independent living education, invited Paul, to talk about his work in trying to secure a new school building.

Students asked Paul about his work.

Students asked Paul about his work.

He will take the young people’s views back to London. He is meeting the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, MP next week.

Joanne Martin asked David Cameron for a new school at Downing Street last month

Joanne Martin asked David Cameron for a new school at Downing Street last month

 

NEWSLETTER 091211doc

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Individual learning pathway

Posted on November 26, 2011 by admin
Infant class

Infant class

Posted in Infants | Leave a comment