Our school offer

To fully engage our pupils we provide them with a curriculum that puts creativity at the heart of learning. Many subjects, including Art, Design and Technology, Food Technology, Music and Drama are taught through creative projects in which pupils can immerse themselves in learning through a topic theme.

For example, whilst learning about the planets, one class made a paper mache solar system and each pupil took ownership for their chosen planet by learning about it and then presenting back to their teacher and classmates. The pupils also listened to ‘space’ themed music before creating their own musical composition about what it would be like to visit another planet and then return to Earth.

Within each topic area pupils have the opportunity to develop their creative talents. This creative angle, when learning about a specific theme or topic, and the immersive nature of high-density teaching has impacted greatly on the pupils’ enjoyment of their lessons and in turn the progress they have achieved, as their retention of what they have learned improves significantly.

Many of our pupils have a preference for visual and kinaesthetic learning opportunities, which our creative cross-curricular approach provides in abundance.

At Lakeside School we offer pupils our ‘Children’s Choice Curriculum’, which serves to develop their skills and talents for the future by tapping into their interests and building on their strengths.

The pupils choose a wide range of activities and areas in which they would like to explore and develop their abilities.

Within each aspect of the Children’s Choice Curriculum, our teaching staff strive to ensure that the activities provided foster the pupils’ interest and excitement, and often incorporate off-site trips and experts visiting school to talk to our pupils.

Many of our pupils develop such an interest in some of the activities that they have become involved in clubs and classes within their local communities e.g. fishing clubs, golf, horse riding, trampolining and volunteering.

The real success though of this is seen in the special moments when a child makes that breakthrough and realises they have talents, abilities and can achieve – these moments are seen time and time again at Lakeside.

The school day starts with pupils and staff enjoying, breakfast together. They then go on to enjoy social time, where pupils immerse themselves into an activity of their choice, and while doing so, staff take the time to start social conversations, allowing children to express how they are feeling. By having a natural conversation and using Zones of Regulation (a social-emotional learning framework), they can self-identify how they feel and categorise it based on colour from a standardised chart. The process also helps them to better understand their emotions, sensory needs and thinking patterns.

To make pupils more socially aware and in turn more accepting of people from different cultures, the school community come together to celebrate awareness days, fund raise for charities, enjoy trips and welcome visitors.  We recognise the role we play in helping pupils to make sense of the world and in becoming responsible citizens.  The continued efforts to raise awareness of social issues has resulted in the school being accredited and achieving the Schools of Sanctuary status.