One of the things that makes Orchard so special is that learning and progress can take many different forms. Education, wellbeing and personal development are closely connected, and we want every young person to have opportunities to recognise their strengths, develop confidence and experience success in ways that are meaningful to them.

It has been wonderful to welcome both familiar faces and new young people to Orchard this term. We know that progress looks different for every individual, and sometimes the steps that may appear small from the outside are actually incredibly significant. Completing a qualification unit, walking into a lesson independently, trying something new, communicating a need, building a positive relationship or mastering a practical skill are all achievements worth recognising and celebrating.

As we move through the year, I look forward to sharing more of these successes with you and giving you a glimpse of the many different experiences, opportunities and moments of progress happening across Orchard every day.

Curriculum focus this half term

Each young person follows a programme shaped by their age, needs, interests and next steps. Our curriculum brings together academic learning, practical work, vocational opportunities and personal development.

KS2 and KS3 ASDAN courses

This half term, KS2 and KS3 young people are working towards a range of ASDAN programmes in Science, New Horizons, Agriculture, Animal Care, Sport, Construction, Enterprise and Food, according to their individual programme.

ASDAN Short Courses use accessible challenges to recognise skills and achievement. Young people can gather evidence through practical tasks, discussion, projects, photographs and written work. Farm activities give them a meaningful setting to explore subjects such as animal care, food and agriculture while practising communication, teamwork and independence. The particular programme and evidence requirements depend on the course in which each learner is enrolled.

KS4 and Post 16 OCN Level 1 and 2 qualifications

Where enrolled, our older young people are focusing on OCN Level 1 and 2 qualifications in pathways including Animal Care, Hospitality and Catering, Construction and Engineering, Art and Sport. These courses offer a way to demonstrate practical knowledge and skills through an assessed portfolio.
Early units commonly introduce safe working: recognising hazards, using suitable protective equipment, following instructions and caring for tools and workspaces. Depending on the pathway, young people may then practise food preparation, animal care routines, construction or engineering techniques, or sports activities. Exact units and assessment requirements depend on the qualification selected for each learner.

Learning beyond qualifications

Thrive

Thrive sessions support emotional awareness, communication, relationships, confidence and regulation. Staff adapt activities to each young person so they can build the security and skills needed to take part in learning and daily life.
 

PSHE

PSHE helps young people understand wellbeing, healthy relationships, personal boundaries, online safety and preparation for adulthood. Topics and the way they are taught are adapted for age and individual need.

Enrichment

Enrichment creates opportunities for young people to discover new interests, develop practical skills, take part in shared experiences and build confidence beyond their usual lessons. At Orchard, enrichment is deliberately varied and hands-on, giving young people opportunities to explore activities they may not otherwise encounter and to discover interests, talents and strengths in an environment where they can learn through doing.

Our enrichment offer draws on the unique environment, facilities and expertise available at Orchard. Young people can engage in activities including reptiles, animal care, fishing, taxidermy, specimen design, metal detecting and gardening, to name just a few. These experiences provide meaningful opportunities to develop curiosity, creativity, patience, responsibility and practical problem-solving skills.

For some young people, an enrichment activity can become much more than an enjoyable experience. It can provide a new area of interest, a sense of achievement or a place in which they feel particularly capable and engaged. These successes can help young people recognise strengths in themselves that they may not previously have identified and provide a positive foundation for wider learning.

Enrichment also supports the development of important personal, social and employability skills, including communication, teamwork, independence, perseverance, organisation and confidence. Through practical experiences and shared interests, young people can build positive relationships with adults and peers while learning to take appropriate risks, try something unfamiliar and experience success.

Where a particular interest emerges, staff can build upon it through wider curriculum opportunities, qualifications, personal development, work-related learning and future pathway planning. In this way, enrichment is not separate from learning at Orchard; it is another way of helping young people discover what they enjoy, recognise what they are good at and begin to see where those strengths could take them.

How we track progress with Learntrek

We are using Learntrek to bring each young person’s learning information together and support more consistent progress tracking. Staff record relevant learning activities and evidence against individual goals and, where applicable, course or qualification requirements. This helps us see what a young person has achieved, where they may need more practice and what to plan next.

We review the records alongside staff observations and conversations with young people and families. This matters because progress at Orchard can include engagement, confidence, independence and practical skills as well as completed work. Learntrek supports our professional judgement and helps us share a clearer picture of progress at reviews; it does not replace direct discussion with you. You will also get the opportunity to take part in half termly tutor meetings with your young persons allocated tutor. Please do email them if you would like to schedule this in.

Safeguarding update for parents and carers

Each report will include a safeguarding topic that families may find useful. This half term, we are focusing on online safety as young people settle back into routines. Calm, regular conversations can help them recognise uncomfortable messages, pressure to share images and requests to meet someone first contacted online.

Top tips:
• Talk about who your young person chats with online and how they can ask for help.
• Check privacy and location sharing settings together.
• Reassure them they can tell a trusted adult if something goes wrong.
• Please tell us about any concern that could affect your young person’s safety or wellbeing at Orchard so we can work with you to support them.

Travel and traffic for the week beginning 28 September

Please check your route before setting off and allow extra time where roadworks or changes to traffic arrangements may affect your journey.

M4 update

Earlier information circulated for the M4 closure on 18 to 21 September relates to the previous weekend and does not apply to next week. Traffic arrangements can change at short notice, so transport providers and families should check live updates from Oxfordshire County Council and National Highways.

Working together and looking ahead

We value the information families share about changes, achievements and challenges outside Orchard. Please let us know about progress at home as well as anything that may affect your young person’s day. We will continue to share observations and celebrate achievements with you.

Future reports will bring together curriculum and qualification updates, safeguarding information, practical notices, developments at Orchard and young people’s achievements.

Thank you for your continued support.
Emily Mayne Head of Centre Orchard Therapeutic Farm