R.E.A.L. Independent School Hinckley raised an amazing grand total of £126.37 for Children in Need last month.
Learners designed t-shirts which were auctioned off amongst staff and learners, as well as holding a cake and biscuit sale, with everything selling out.
Dawn Besa, Receptionist said: “The learners and their tutors put so much hard work and effort into designing their t-shirts and they had a fabulous time doing it.
“I and my fellow colleagues are stunned at the amount we raised for a small hub like Hinckley. The auction itself was very competitive. We all enjoyed it and the staff and learners made it a fantastic event.”
When you think about Christmas, the copious amount of food on offer is up there in the top list of things to enjoy over the festive season.
Learners and staff across all R.E.A.L. sites got together to make a banquet worth of food goodies to sell at the R.E.A.L. Christmas market.
Ellen Longmate, Learning Manager said: “The market was full of lovely sweet treats and craft items that the learners had made from all school sites.”
There were mince pies, Christmas cake puddings, jam crumble slices, wax melts and decorations on sale.
Ellen added: “We had learners from Blidworth, City Hub, Ilkeston and Woodhouse Road selling gifts. It was really well received.”
Christmas music was playing and hot chocolate and marshmallows were served by the kitchen staff.
Ellen said: “The learners loved it. A few of them definitely have that sales streak in them, as we all left with no money!”
R.E.A.L. Education’s newest site, in Hinckley, only opened its doors in 2020, but just over a year later has now received its first Ofsted report.
Ofsted completed their inspection in September 2021, concluding Hinckley’s first overall rating as ‘good’, and to be a school with a ‘calm and purposeful atmosphere.’
Adrian O’Malley, Director of Education said: “We’re really pleased Ofsted have recognised the good work that we do with the children on a day to day basis. For us to get such a positive report when the school has only been open for just over a year is fantastic and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved.”
Hinckley offers full-time placements for children with complex needs, with a wide range of alternative provision courses for pupils who have additional learning needs or social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The report states ‘pupils appreciate that their work is adjusted to meet their needs and to enable them to learn well.’
Throughout the visit inspectors met with the headteacher, senior and subject leaders, directors and governors as well as pupils. They did a deep dive into subjects such as English, Science, PE and PSHE and discussed school life with groups of pupils.
The report said pupils are ‘very proud to be part of this school’. They also ‘feel happy’ and ‘safe’ in school and ‘they appreciate the support and guidance given.’
Nikki Purcell, Head of Schools said: “To hear the comments that learners made to inspectors about our school was heartwarming. They inspire us to continue working hard to ensure they achieve great things and have a positive future.”
It found the staff have ‘high aspirations’ and ‘high expectations’ of what the pupils, including those with SEND, can achieve. That staff ‘tap into pupils’ interests, such as learning to play tennis, squash and golf in PE’ and ‘support them to either gain appropriate qualifications, or prepare them for their next steps in education or training.’
Ofsted said the directors, governors and leaders are ‘driven by a clear moral purpose’ stating ‘they’re focused on the needs of each pupil and are aspirational for everyone’s future.’ They acknowledged R.E.A.L.’s values of ‘trust, innovation and achievement’ and said these values are built into all aspects of Hinckley’s work.
Nikki added: “I’m really pleased with our inspection result. It was great to showcase the brilliant work that our learners and staff have completed since we opened last year.”
Staff and learners respectfully created lots of reflective artwork in honour of Remembrance Day, to remember those who have died in wars around the world.
Tutor, Vicky Lane, was proud of the various artwork produced at R.E.A.L’s Nanpantan site. She said: “There’s been lots of hard work at Nanpantan over the last few weeks, a fantastic poem by Learner J, 3D poppies completed by a very talented Learner A, and hands to acknowledge the past and present of those serving.”
Learner Zac from R.E.A.L’s Ilkeston site created this poignant acrostic poem:
Remember the people died
Everyone risked their life
Medals were given out to soldiers
Everyone wears poppies/pins
Marching over the hill
Blasting guns stop
Enemies retreating
Returning from the battlefield
Meerkats and Plant Hire machinery; they’re not things you’d often hear together but tutor Claire Wallett has given learners the chance to experience both these things on trips that enhance our curriculum at R.E.A.L. Education.
Claire and learner McKenzie visit Willow Tree Farm each week and recently got the amazing chance to meet the meerkats.
Claire said: “There were around 5 or 6, they had a little snoop at first and once they trusted us they ran and climbed all over us. They tried to get in my pockets, snuggled in my hood and sat on McKenzie’s head.”
McKenzie really liked the cheeky character of meerkats – they had to trust and get to know people before they would engage and socialise with their handlers.
Claire also visited a Plant Hire site with learner A, where he learned about different machinery and how it works. Claire said: “It was a social skills activity, as Learner A struggles with socialising. It worked a treat as machinery is his passion, the men that work there were hit with many questions.”
By tapping into our learners interests – we build relationships and motivate young people to become excited about learning new things and widening their experiences.
To find out more about the different provisions on offer and arrange a visit, please email: enquiries@real-education.org.
Based in the quaint Old Library building in Mansfield, learners can develop skills in music technology in industry-standard facilities.
They offer a Level 1 and 2 Advanced Diploma in Music Technology, a hands-on, industry focused course for young people interested in music and media studies.
James Mills, Tutor, said: “We also have in-house work experience opportunities, such as; recording professional artists, supporting running a live theatre, lighting and sound at a live gig, and much more.”
In September 2022, the Old Library will offer music, drama and art too. James said: “It’ll be formed under our new name, ‘Real Creative Arts’.
“We’re really proud to offer a state of the art facility with a nurturing environment ethos.”
To find out more about the different provisions on offer and arrange a visit, please email: enquiries@real-education.org.
Learners and staff got their creative juices flowing even more than usual throughout October, by drawing pictures and displays to help celebrate Black History Month.
Black History Month was first launched in the 1980s as a period for people to educate themselves on British history and challenge racism.
Learners studying Sports and Public Services at Pleasley Landmark drew posters and wrote information about their chosen famous icon.
Tutor Sharnnie Wagstaffe said: “Learners had the choice to either design a poster or draw their famous icon, whether that was in sports, or music or actor and actress etc. We then had a discussion about why they chose that person.”
Displays from other R.E.A.L sites included the fantastic ‘Black Spies Matter’ board, made by learner Kai, which included pictures of black actors in spy films.
It’s always nice to get good feedback and R.E.A.L. Directors have been sharing the good news from their recent site visits.
Rich Smith, Co-founder and Joint Managing Director of R.E.A.L. said: “Teamwork makes the dream work” after his visit to Sandhills.
“It was nice to attend the Sandhills staff meeting this week and see some of the great work happening from the site,” he added.
Kelsey Hill, Director of People & Business Operations said: “What an incredible staffing team we have! Our learners are so lucky to work with such innovative and resilient people who go the extra mile everyday. I am so proud to be part of this team.”
Adrian O’Malley, Director of Education for R.E.A.L. has been to several sites: “It was great to get out and visit Blidworth, Music, Concorde, Ilkeston and Pewit sites. There was some really good stuff happening at all venues and it was pleasing to see all of our learners engaging well with staff.”
Adrian also visited Hinckley and Nanpantan when learners had returned from half term. Adrian said: “There was some great cooking happening across both sites, with pumpkin soup, curry and Halloween biscuits on the menu.
There were also other purposeful learning sessions taking place, including work on a balanced diet and targeted careers discussions.”