Evaluation of Residential Visit 19^th June to 23^rd June 2006

Sea Mills Junior School, APOD, AJN

Objectives

· To provide pupils with stimulating academic and social experiences outside of the classroom environment.

· To show pupils contrasting environments and for pupils to identify the differences in contrasting environments.

· To provide pupils with experiences not available to them in their home environment.

· To provide pupils with challenging situations to improve their self confidence and self esteem.

· To give pupils the opportunity to improve social skills.

· To give pupils the opportunities to improve self help skills and understand the importance of personal hygiene.

· To provide parents a short period of respite.

Evaluation.

· This year 23 pupils accompanied by 9 staff attended a 5 day residential visit, they stayed at The Sheldon Centre, Dunsford, Devon.

· The mix of Primary and Secondary pupils was very successful. Autistic older pupils helped younger pupils.

· The calm, idyllic environment of The Sheldon Centre had an immediate affect on pupils. They were quickly relaxed and stress levels were reduced.

· Pupils visited coastal and moor land environments and identified differences.

· They saw animals in a farm environment and were allowed to touch, milk and feed the animals. Some pupils had not seen farm animals in close proximity before and some pupils had to overcome their fears to touch them.

· Pupils saw animals the different environment of water. They enjoyed seeing the seals and penguins feeding. They saw a very young seal pup, the way its mother looked after it and protected it from the male.

· Many of our pupils do not have the opportunity to play or socialise with friends or young people outside school. The pupils we took away enjoyed each others company. They socialised and played together very well.

· The pupils went to Woodlands Adventure Park and enjoyed the physical activity. It also gave them physical and emotional challenges. The pupils went on the indoor play area and many overcame their fear to slide down the ‘Death Slides’ and ‘drop’ rides. Outside play areas had other challenges such as dark tunnels, zip wires, toboggan runs, pedal boats and steep water chutes. The pupils were nervous to begin with, but persevered and were excited and thrilled by the experience. Many were much more confident by the end of the experience.

· Pupils experienced many activities to improve social skills ranging from laying tables, working as a team to play skills. They interacted well together. Some students shared bedrooms and experienced a ‘sleep over’ for the first time. As our pupils come from all areas of Bristol, many do not socialise out of school with their friends, over the 5 day residential visit the pupils enjoyed developing friendships and spending time together.

· They were encouraged to make choices for themselves, such as what to wear each day and what they wanted to eat. At home a lot of parents tell us that it is quicker for them to make the decision rather than the child. Parents were surprised that their child had made these decisions.

· Pupils were encouraged to get dressed by themselves and get their own swimming kit and towel to take out if required. Staff gave each pupils the level of support that was required.

Some parents were again surprised at how much their child could do for themselves.

· Each day pupils were reminded to clean their teeth in the morning and evening. They were bathed or showered daily. Many pupils loved the experience of using bubbles!, using deodorant and making their hair look nice. Hopefully this experience will encourage pupils to take pride in their personal hygiene and appearance.

· 23 pupils parents/carers were given a short period of respite care.

This year’s residential visit was excellent! The mix of Primary Inclusion pupils and Secondary Autistic pupils was a great success. The pupils were very well behaved, interacted well together and took part enthusiastically in the activities.

This year we were the only group at Sheldon. Much of the centre has been recently refurbished providing an even better residential environment. The larger kitchen and a separate dining conservatory made catering easier.

The Autistic pupils were given the opportunity to have single rooms.

The refurbishment also increased the number of showers. Some rooms now have en-suite facilities. This made it easier for staff to encourage the pupils to shower every day.

The Sheldon Centre Staff were extremely helpful and supportive.

The high level of staffing was extremely beneficial. We were able to offer different activities at the different places we visited. These activities were tailored to be appropriate for different age groups or levels of ability.

The Staff gave up their time to give the pupils this experience. The staff worked very hard. They were very dedicated and determined to provide the best possible experience for the pupils in their care, because of this, the pupils were extremely well looked after and given a wonderful, hopefully memorable experience.