Education Newsletter - March 2024

FAIR WAYS
SCHOOL
March 2024
Welcome to the fourth edition of our school newsletter.
Wow, this term has flown by, and I can’t believe we have arrived at another break already.
This term has been incredibly busy as always and our students have been working hard
towards their qualifications and pathway outcomes.
Many of our older students have sat their Mocks examinations at Fort Wallington over the
last few weeks, this is such an important part of preparing them for the real summer
exams. All the students did so well and took the exams in their stride. Results will be given
to the students privately in their lessons so they can begin working on any areas that need
improvement or gaps in knowledge that need addressing. Results will be shared with
parents and carers too.
The school is busy preparing for the summer term now with lots of work towards planning
and preparing our outside areas and teachers are planning for the next two projects.
Summer 1 will be ‘Nature in Bloom’ and Summer 2 will be ‘Summer of Sport’.
I hope you and your families all have a restful Easter break with lots of time to relax and
enjoy some chocolate!
Vic Adams
Head Teacher

SWANWICK
Our project theme this term has been “Coast 2 Coast”.
Student WC chose to write a message in a bottle which
he sent off into the sea at Swanwick marina, where it
was later found and posted about on social media!
Other students have visited southsea beach to collect
shells that are being used on our lighthouse for the
Light the South Lighthouse project, whilst student KO
has been working on his photography skills, taking these
lovely pictures of the beach and the sea.

ENGLISH
This term in English students have learnt about Grace Darling, focusing on the poem
Sea Fever which has led them to get creative and create their own poetry. We are also
learning about myths and legends, using descriptive writing to create our own myths
and legends.
Staff put on their best outfits for World Book Day. We had Harry
Potter, Professor Trelawney, Sirius Black and Professor McGonagall,
Jessie from Toy Story, Daphne from Scooby Doo, The Boy in the dress
and Little Red Riding hood, to name a few. Who do you think should
have won best costume?

CULTURAL CAPITAL
It’s been a busy term filled with trips and visits. Sue from the Marwell education
team come in for a visit, bringing some fun items for the students to hold.
new forest wildlife park
a photo taken by a student
khO AND HIS HANDMADE SHIELD
a visit to southampton art
gallery
marwell education visit
CB HAVING A WALK ALONG THE
SHORE
BS visiting portchester
shore
a walk to start the week
A TRIP TO PORTCHESTER
CASTLE
Students have been making the most of the spring weather, going on walks and
visiting beaches. Student CB has been going on a walk each monday morning as a
nice way to start the week! Student KHo visited Southampton Art Gallery and left
with some inspiration for his art lessons.

SPORT
This term students have focused on golf, gym,
boxing and swimming, and rock climbing. The gym
is becoming a very popular choice for sport this
term. Two students have had shared lessons in the
gym and it has been really positive seeing them
work together, challenge and encourage each other
to push themselves. Another highlight has been
climbing and one of the students was scared of
heights, however he has really overcome his fear
and is very confident at climbing.
Students who have been boxing have continued to
improve and develop their technique and fitness.
One student has recently achieved his Preliminary
Award in boxing which consisted of showing fitness
by skipping and running around the boxing club.
The student has also demonstrated his boxing skill
and technique. In Golf, students have been at the
golf range developing their technique and
improving their distances. One student has
managed to get the ball 163 yards.
It has been a really positive term of sport and very
enjoyable to see the students develop and improve
their skills and knowledge and we are looking
forward to the summer term of sport.

HUMANITIES
This term we have been learning about the history of pirates, and looking at how
Hollywood represents them compared with the historical accounts. Students have
been using traditional wood turning tools and techniques to make bowls. Students
have been cooking outdoors and using tools to make useful utensils. Some
students have been learning about our British history including the Viking and
Anglo Saxon periods and have produced replica shields from that era.
sam’s historical fact
of the month...
Edmund II was going to the privy (a.k.a. bathroom,
a.k.a. a giant hole in the ground to poop in) when he
was fatally stabbed by a Viking hiding below.

LIGHT THE SOUTH
LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT
Students have been working on the lighthouse
during their art lessons and their craft lessons.
Each student created a unique design which
they added to the lighthouse. It’s looking pretty
good if we do say so ourselves!
guess who?
This Swanwick staff member used to play Badminton and represented
Southampton! Not only were they successful in their sporting achievements
but they also played the violin at the Southampton Guildhall, making it
into the Echo!

AN UPDATE ON OUR
ALLOTMENT
The allotment is now in full swing, with the polytunnel and
raised beds built. Students have started planting a range
of vegetables and flowers in their outdoor education
lessons. All being well we should be using fresh herbs and
vegetables in our catering lessons and lunches soon!
welcome to our
new staff
We have had three new support
workers join Swanwick school this
term. They have fit right in and
have already formed great
relationships with our students.
Please welcome...
jenny
angela
tabitha
CRAFT
In our craft lessons we have been learning about sea glass and
what it can be used for, as part of our Coast 2 Coast project.
Some students have made a key chain whilst others have made
mosaic art.

CREATIVE ARTS
This term in creative arts students have been working towards their ASDAN Expressive
Arts awards. One of the tasks involved is learning a new skill; some students have been
making digital music whilst others chose to
learn to play an instrument. Student KF is
continuing work towards taking his Grade 1
singing musical theatre in the summer term.
Listen to some of the songs that students have created this term

ART
In Art this half-term students have been having fun with a wide variety of different
techniques for drawing and painting. Some have created marks with old DVDs and pens,
putting paint in balloons and popping them onto a canvas and painting balls to throw at
paper.
Student ma CREATED THIS USING
BALLOONS
STUDENT WC HAS BEEN ADDING TONE
TO HIS DRAWINGS
work of the month
Student HH has developed her imaginative skills to create her own character
with an emotive background.

CATERING
Students have been perfecting their pastry skills,
making puff and filo pastry in their lessons. They
have made sausage rolls and both vegetable and
meat spring rolls.
Some students have also visited an international
food supermarket and have been inspired to make
making Asian sweets and exploring Ramadan
recipes.
student council
The Swanwick Student Council is made up of students ST, HD and KF. They meet
weekly with Deputy Head Jim to discuss all things Swanwick! This half term they have
discussed school values, how students can be more involved with staff recruitment
and looked at the exciting plans for the Swanwick building refurbishment.

SCIENCE
In science we have been learning about fossils for our coast to coast project. We
have looked at kimmeridge bay along the coast and all the amazing fossils that
have been found there, we even had a go at making our own fossils out of clay.
Beardy our resident dinosaur also had a bath and is feeling fresh.
SWANWICK SCHOOL TALENT SHOW
Friday 24th May

Jim’s Attendance Report
These students have had over 95% attendance this half term – Amazing Effort!
• CB (100%)
• GG (100%)
• BS (98%)
• MI (98%)
• ST (95%)
These students have had over 85% attendance this half term – Keep it up!
• LB (93%)
• FB (90%)
• KF (90%)
• KHo (90%)
• KO (90%)
• HD (88%)
• HMH (88%)
• WC (87%)
• JR (85%)
These students have had over 75% attendance this half term – Room to Improve,
but well done!
• JDT (83%)
• MA (78%)
This student’s attendance has improved the most since least half-term – Well
Done!
• KO (+21%)
I hope all our students enjoy a well-deserved Easter break and return refreshed and
rejuvenated for the Summer term, with lots of exciting learning opportunities ahead.
Jim Lee
Deputy Head Teacher

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH FAIR
WAYS BY FOLLOWING US ON
SOCIAL MEDIA
guess who answer...
It was Angela!
Fortunately for us, Angela chose not to pursue a career as a
professional badminton player or violinist and decided to work
at Fair Ways instead.
did you guess correctly?

FORT WALLINGTON

BOXING AWARD
Students have continued attending boxing sessions at the heart of Portsmouth gym.
Students have been working on a range of different skills, tactics and techniques. While
the girls session they have even had to opportunity to support a boxing class leading
some of the pad work.
SMSC
Students this term have covered a range of different SMSC topics broadening
understanding on the history of pancake day, healthy eating world book day and no
smoking week.

CULTURAL CAPITAL
Cultural capital this term has provided our young people a lot of new and exciting
learning opportunities and memories. Students have been to different cathedrals
looking at the history behind them they have been involved in talks about the
importance of our teeth and cleaning them discussing the amount of hidden sugar we
have daily. As well as being able to visit farms and understand the cycle of different
animals.

SPORT
In sport this term we have been able to get outside a little bit more with the weather
improving slightly. The main focus academically in sport has been looking at individual
and team sports focusing on how we can demonstrate skills, tactics and techniques.
Alongside this students have been working through a range of different modules to
help the completion of their Sport, Fitness and Active leisure qualifications.

ICT

RELIGIOUS STUDIES
We have been looking at the key beliefs in Christianity this half term in Religious
Studies. One student created a timeline of creation according to Genesis to help her
remember for her exams!
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
One student in health and social care has been looking at Loss and Grief. She created
a poster of support available for those who are grieving and she has been learning
about the role of health and social care professionals in supporting someone who is
grieving.

CHILDCARE
In childcare, some students have been learning about how to communicate well with
Children and how to support their communication and language development.
ANIMAL CARE
In Animal Care this half term we have been learning about the link between animals
and mental health. One student has been writing a persuasive letter to try and
organise some animal visits to school!

ENGLISH
In English Functional Skills our young people have been focusing on preparing for
mock exams. Reading tasks have been completed with many students doing so with a
new found confidence and a 'can do' approach to their work.
Others have focused on their formal and informal writing skills, producing emails and
professional letters.
The final area students have been progressing with is the speaking and listening
component of their qualification. Researched news articles have provided facts to help
students support their lines of discussion with facts, ensuring a more robust outcome.
Well done everyone!

MATHS
In maths this half term students have been focusing on revision and preparing for their
mocks. Students have been doing their mock exams for both GCSE and Functional skills
level 1 and 2 preparing them for the end of year exams.

MR BAKERS CAKE’S
Student at Fort Wallington were lucky enough to be invited to visit Mr Bakers Cake
school. They were all taught key skills in baking, piping, hygiene and the chemistry
behind cake making. Each student were able to make their own cake using the skills
they learnt. Students were able to utalise the session to support their ongoing
qualifications at school.

CREATIVE ARTS
This half term in creative arts we have had a young person visit the kings theatre
supporting their silver arts award. During the visit they were able to interview the stage
manager helping to create a link to looking at potential career paths. Also this term
students have been looking at different artists such as Delita Martin and Alison
Lambert as part of their GCSE.

CAREERS
In careers this half term we have continued to work on developing our interview skills
and getting employment ready. We have had Mitie Group come in and discuss career
opportunities within the company and careers within the security sector.
Our YPs have continued to gain valuable experience whilst our at work experience.

OUTDOOR/DOFE
This half term we have focused on getting the ground ready for growing flowers and
vegetables. We have also been working on developing the bushcraft area making the
most of the spring weather.
f
Some of our students have been designing and making some
of this area their own. Here you can see the design!
We have also been completing the Skill section for DofE. This has included pond
dipping, pool and board games.

PASTORAL
In pastoral this term students have been looking at interoception and relating this to
the zones of regulation. They have created ‘body maps‘ about how their bodies feel
when they are in certain zones. Below is an example of a students work and how each
area of their body feels in the blue and red zones of regulation.

CONSTRUCTION
Here we have a highly creative student making a start on building a replica of one of her favourite
rooms. As the student's career interests are in Interior designs, we are experimenting on ways to
capture and produce client's design ideas.
We are excited to start a project revamping a tired looking toilet room, students have planned the
design and are working together to produce the results. First steps marking up and apply first coat.
Here is another students' fantastic skills, after working with blocks he has progressed to building a
wall with house bricks.
Not forgetting the student who has shown expert carpentry skills, designing, and creating his very
own toolbox.
WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING?

Tom’s Attendance Report
Tom’s Report!
These students have had over 95% attendance this half term:
These students have had over 95% attendance this half term – Amazing Effort!
• AS
• KM
• SH
• JAM
These students have had over 85% attendance this half term – Keep it up!
These students have had over 85% attendance this half term:
• EH
• KYM
• LBE
• RC
These students have had over 75% attendance this half term – Room to Improve,
These students have had but over well 75% done! attendance this half term:
• ABE
This student’s attendance has improved the most since least half-term:
This student’s attendance has improved the most since least half-term – Well
Done!
• RPW
Tom Backaller
Deputy Head Teacher

KEY DATES