This autumn has been full of creativity, learning, and celebration! From hands-on seasonal projects and awareness weeks to exciting achievements in Supported Accommodation (16+), our young people continue to impress us with their confidence, resilience, and teamwork.
Alternative Provision
At Storyybrook, our primary students have embraced the season through a range of creative and practical learning experiences. They explored autumnal arts and crafts, making beautiful tissue-paper trees inspired by the colours of fall, and applied their learning outdoors by planting seeds in our new herb garden.
Our Halloween celebrations were a major highlight, full of energy, creativity, and fun! Young people crafted decorations, carved pumpkins, and joined a Halloween party at the pumpkin patch, complete with apple bobbing, games, delicious treats, and some seriously impressive costumes. The event was a perfect example of how confidence, creativity, and teamwork come together in our provision.
As part of Hate Crime Awareness Week, our Secondary students explored important discussions around different types of hate crime, real-world impacts, and how to recognise and report incidents. The conversations were insightful and respectful, showing empathy and maturity in how our young people approach sensitive issues.
Alongside this, learners have been focusing on online safety, developing essential knowledge about social media use, digital footprints, cyberbullying, and respectful communication. These sessions give them the tools to stay safe online and seek support when needed.
Our ongoing PSHE sessions continue to build confidence and resilience, helping young people navigate day-to-day challenges with empathy and self-awareness.
Looking ahead to November, we’ll be exploring toxic masculinity, understanding how beliefs and behaviours shape identity, relationships, and mental health. This learning will support young people in breaking stereotypes, forming healthy self-identities, and building respectful, emotionally intelligent relationships.
Students at Finchampstead and Birch Hill have also showcased their culinary talents, cooking delicious dishes such as homemade lasagne and millionaire’s shortbread! They even created recipe cards to take home, helping build independence and pride in their achievements.
Across our Trades provision, learners have been hands-on with exciting real-world projects, including designing and building a BBQ, creating a landscaped garden area, purchasing and laying paving slabs, constructing a timber flower bed, and decorating the workshop containers to create a welcoming indoor space for winter. These projects are helping students build practical skills, teamwork, and resilience, with fantastic results.
We’re incredibly proud to share that our young people have achieved 211 AQA certificates this term, a true testament to their hard work, engagement, and commitment to progress. Each certificate will be displayed in their personal record of achievement books, celebrating their journey and growth.
Alongside our on-site provision, we continue to offer flexible outreach support for young people who benefit from additional 1:1 mentoring, bespoke learning packages, and community engagement. This tailored support helps maintain engagement, stability, and success for learners at risk of disengagement.
If you’d like to discuss referrals or explore how our outreach team can support your setting, please get in touch, we’d love to collaborate.
Supported Accommodation
It has been another busy and fulfilling month across our Supported Accommodation (16+), filled with activity, achievement, and fun.
Our young people enjoyed walks to Dinton Pastures and Lily Hill Park, soaking up the autumn scenery and fresh air. There were also thrilling outings, including go-karting and a memorable trip to Thorpe Park, which everyone attended and loved.
We’ve seen some fantastic individual progress too: one young lady has started driving lessons, another enjoyed her first holiday with her partner, one young person started a new job, and a provisional driving licence application has been completed.
Both girls have now begun full-budget independence training, showing real dedication to learning life skills and managing their responsibilities with confidence.
Halloween was another wonderful highlight, all our young people got involved in decorating their homes and celebrating together. We also celebrated a young person’s 15th birthday, marking the occasion with smiles, laughter, and community spirit.
We’d also like to recognise how well the Ruby House team has been supporting Emerald House, showing teamwork and leadership that makes a real difference.
These experiences big and small showcase the growing independence, resilience, and ambition of our young people. We’re so proud of their ongoing progress and the supportive community that surrounds them.
A Message from the Team
As we step into the colder months, we’re reminded of how warmth, kindness, and connection shine through everything our young people do. Their achievements from cooking and crafts to confidence and community, remind us that growth happens in many forms.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters who make this work possible. Together, we continue to create spaces where every young person can thrive, discover their potential, and look forward to the future with confidence and pride.
If you’d like to reach out, make a referral or share feedback, you can contact us at: hello@storyy.group or 01344 987 877
Until next time, The Storyy Team
