This week in the Trees Phase, students have been busy exploring a variety of exciting activities!

7T1 had an adventurous time using flint and steel to start a fire at Woodland School, putting their survival skills to the test. They also captured some amazing photos in both landscape and portrait formats during their computing lesson.

7T2 enjoyed a fun and interactive humanities lesson where they were knighted by Mrs. Hand – a memorable moment for everyone involved. In addition, 7T2 baked some delicious Rudolf cakes as part of their seasonal activities.

7T3 and 7T4 have been working hard on creating stunning Monet-inspired cityscapes, which will be followed by studying Van Gogh next week. 7T3 also had a great time making bird feeders as part of a hands-on environmental project.

8T4 joined in with Monet cityscapes and also made rocky roads in life skills. They’ll be diving into the works of Van Gogh next week too!

8T1 ventured to Woodland School for firefighting, engaging in a fascinating volcano workshop that included exciting experiments with fizzing lava and even some drama to bring the topic to life.

It’s been a week full of creativity, hands-on learning, and memorable moments across all classes in the Trees Phase!

Welcome to the First Hills Phase Newsletter of 2025! As we step into the new year, we're excited to bring you the latest updates, events, and community highlights from Hills Phase. This edition features upcoming projects and key achievements. Here is what we have been up to... 

This half term, pupils in 9H1 have been delving into the fascinating stages of the human life cycle. From birth and childhood to adulthood and old age, students are exploring the physical and emotional changes that occur at each stage. By examining real-life examples and engaging in interactive discussions, they are gaining valuable insights into the development of human beings over time. 

In 10H1 science, our new learning is animal habitats. We will be exploring different types of habitats and why they are suitable for different animals. We will be visiting our Woodland School to find out about the animals who live there. 

11H1 enjoyed discussing and learning about the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch this week and decided to take part in a one-hour birdwatching session! This was to collect data for the RSPB, so they are able to identify any patterns in birds landing. They showed enthusiasm in identifying each type of bird and had a keen interest in photographing them.   

Pupils in 9H2 have had an exciting start to the term filled with diverse activities. In Religious Education (RE), they've been exploring different cultures through food tasting, gaining a deeper understanding of the traditions and values associated with various cuisines. Meanwhile, in Forest School, they’ve been honing their outdoor skills by learning fire-starting techniques and using clay to craft imaginative forest creatures. These hands-on experiences are helping students connect with both cultural practices and the natural world. 

This week, 10H2 began their travel training. We went out for a brief walk along the local streets to spot road signs and crossings. Pupils will continue with weekly road safety sessions as we move through the term, learning how to cross the road safely and responsibly.  

We can’t wait to see what else Hills get up to over the next few weeks! 

Welcome to the First Rivers Phase Newsletter of 2025! Happy New Year! We're thrilled to kick off 2025 with some wonderful updates. We are excited to make 2025 a year of growth and success! 

Last week, 9R1 had an exciting woodland lesson at Saltwells Nature Reserve. The pupils enjoyed exploring the lush environment, spotting fascinating wildlife, and engaging in discussions about their natural habitats. This immersive experience provided a hands-on opportunity to learn about the local ecosystem and the importance of preserving biodiversity. 

Pupils in 9R2 have been busy researching various types of social networks, analysing their advantages and disadvantages. This investigation is part of their preparation for upcoming speaking and listening assessments. Through this task, pupils are developing critical thinking skills and gaining valuable insights into how different platforms impact communication and society. 

10R1 have taken part in a fascinating exploration of different organs in the body through real-life examples. They made some very interesting discoveries and observations about the ways in which our organs can be affected. Some pupils were very brave and got really involved with the practical experiment, showing how the esophagus and lungs move! 

Pupils in 10R2 have been actively preparing for their speaking and listening assessment in English by discussing their hobbies and interests. These discussions have revealed a wide range of activities that students enjoy, from sports and music to reading and creative pursuits. It’s wonderful to see our pupils have a variety of hobbies and interests! We are also really looking forward to organising our volunteering section for our D of E award this term too! 10R2 have already contacted the Beacon Centre for the Blind to see how we can help and support the community. We will be planning ways to help the centre and look forward to developing and building on our volunteering skills. 

11R1 began the term by starting to consider what preparations need to be put in place to visit the residents at Hillcroft Care Home in Wordsley. Pupils will be making visits, playing games and doing activities to keep the residents company over the course of the next few weeks. They are really looking forward to getting to know them! They had their first visit to Hillcroft care home this week. They met the residents and introduced themselves, then played some card games and had a few chats! Pupils certainly put smiles on the residents’ faces – they’re looking forward to their second visit next week.  

11R2 have been identifying fractions using practical methods and relating this to real life scenarios. This has included dividing a pizza among friends, measuring ingredients for a recipe, and calculating discounts during shopping. By applying fractions to these real-life situations, pupils have gained a deeper understanding of their practical use and importance. They have worked really hard and will be moving onto money skills next. 

We look forward to seeing what the rest of the term brings. 

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Mrs. Hudson, and I am the Speech and Language Intervention Lead here at Sutton School. I have been working at Sutton for many years, supporting pupils with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs.

I believe communication is one of the most vital skills for achieving a successful and fulfilling life.

By working collaboratively with staff, parents, and specialists, I am confident that we can develop a whole-school approach to fostering effective communication for all pupils.

"When pupils are confident in communicating, they feel empowered to participate in a safe, happy, and engaging learning environment, which, in turn, helps them gain independence."

Kind regards,
Mrs. Hudson

Kids Event – 1st February

We are excited to confirm that the Kids event is taking place as planned on 1st February in collaboration with the Local Authority.

This event is an important opportunity for young people across Dudley to share their views on what matters most to them. We also want to explore interest in forming a SEND Youth Forum and gather ideas on how it should be shaped.

Additionally, we’ll be discussing the Local Offer, including plans for a potential Young Persons' Hub and what young people would like it to include.

To ensure appropriate support is available, it is essential that parents and carers book in advance so we can provide the right level of staff assistance. Trained staff will be on hand to meet the diverse needs of attendees.

We also encourage parents and carers to visit the Kids website, which offers a wealth of resources to help families understand children with SEND. The website provides guidance on navigating diagnoses, the EHCP process, and access to courses on ADHD, autism, and more.

Welcome Back to the Spring Term!

We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating break over the holidays. Two weeks away from school can feel like a long time, and we know that patterns and routines may have shifted while school wasn’t part of the daily schedule. Now it’s time to get back into the swing of things—and routine plays a vital role in helping our children thrive.

As you know our students, routine provides a sense of security, predictability, and comfort. Re-establishing bedtime routines and focusing on healthy sleep hygiene is particularly important. Sleep has a powerful impact on learning, emotional regulation, and overall well-being, and it’s even more critical for children in our setting, many of whom are neurodivergent and benefit significantly from structure and consistency.

As we step into this exciting new term, let’s work together to help our children transition back into a positive school routine. Encouraging consistent wake-up times, reducing screen time before bed, and creating calming bedtime practices can make a world of difference, see here to learn more.

We are thrilled to welcome everyone back and look forward to a term full of learning, growth, and new opportunities!

WeLoveCarers is a charity run by carers for carers.

They exist to give the thousands of unpaid carers like yourself the support, information and advice you need to take control of your lives and live it to the maximum, whether you are a carer of disabled children or carers of an adult.

The charity focuses on the carer, filling in gaps and working hard to empower them so they can lead the happiest, most rewarding and fulfilling lives whilst reaching their full potential. This will help you to be an effective carer for the people you love and look after, be involved in decisions and making choices that affect their lives.

Many carers are isolated and don’t know where to turn for help. WeLoveCarers aims to change that for carers. For more information on how to access this support click here.