Description of school

 

Rosewood is an urban special school for boys of secondary age who have Social, Emotion and Mental Health difficulties.  Pupils are drawn from all over the borough and reflect a wide social mix and very varied family backgrounds.

 

Nature of Subject

 

Pupils at Rosewood often arrive with a negative attitude towards themselves and school. ‘Environment is a subject designed as a therapeutic activity to boost confidence and self-esteem.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Understanding

 

There are three main aims of this subject:-

 

• To develop a knowledge of the wider environment;
• To develop a respect for nature and all it has to offer;
• For pupils to experience the satisfaction of growing produce and knowing how it gets to their plates.

 

Teaching and Learning approaches

 

The pupils have opportunities for gardening at school, and at the school’s allotment. During classroom based lessons, boys are taught essential rules for using gardening tools correctly and safely. They also engage in ‘nature’ lessons.

 

Assessment and Reporting

 

Although there are no formal assessments, pupil’s confidence and self-esteem are measured against previous P.A.S.S. data.

 

Cross Curricular Links

 

‘Environment’ is closely linked to both Geography and Science.

                                                         

Monitoring and Evaluation

 

Monitoring by senior management.

 

Management of the subject

 

The budget and resources are managed by Miss N Evans.

 

Special Needs

 

Subject will follow the guidelines laid out in the Special Educational Needs Policy.

 

Health and Safety

 

All activities, whether in school or off site, will be guided by the school's Health and Safety Policy.

 

Risk assessments are completed for all off site activities on each occasion and each pupil's participation is considered on the basis of the individual, the group and the activity.  Risk assessments are held centrally by the Health and Safety Co-ordinator.

 

The Health and Safety Policy Risk Assessment Procedure should be seen as a positive process to enable as many students access to activities as possible.

 

Equal Opportunities

 

Rosewood School is committed to working towards equality of opportunity in all aspects of school life and aims to provide access to the curriculum for all its pupils.