Hello November! We’re excited to get back to business after a refreshing half-term break, ready to build on the momentum from October. Last month was a whirlwind of activity, filled with impactful programmes, new beginnings, and festive celebrations across our Alternative Provision, Children’s Home, Supported Accommodation (16+), and Apprenticeships & Training divisions.
From launching new initiatives to creating memorable experiences for young people, October was all about growth and community. Here’s a quick look back at everything that took place and the milestones we achieved together.
Alternative Provision
As we kicked off the Autumn term, we warmly welcomed 19 new students across both our Secondary and Primary provisions, marking a positive start to the season.
Early Help Programme: This term saw the successful rollout of our Early Help programme across four schools. Our mentors have been actively engaged, delivering early interventions and 1:1 mentoring to support students of all age groups. For more information, please reach out at [email protected].
Anti-Knife Crime Initiatives: We launched our first Anti-Knife Crime assembly this term across Secondary schools, receiving positive feedback on the assembly’s engagement and impactful message. The “Stay True to You” theme, aligned with the Slough Violence Prevention Team’s project, emphasised safety and resilience, helping young people understand the importance of staying safe and steering clear of crime.
Halloween Festivities: At Storyybrook, our Primary Alternative Provision, the term ended on a festive note with a Halloween Party for the Primary students, featuring pumpkin painting, costume parades, and a treasure-filled pumpkin hunt.
Staff Training: Over the October half-term, our Alternative Provision staff participated in training focused on Trauma-Informed Practices and supporting SEN needs, equipping them with enhanced tools to support the well-being and development of our students.
Exciting Changes: We’re excited to announce that Storyybrook School is set to open in early 2025, depending on DfE approval. Set in over 5 acres of beautiful countryside, we currently have the capacity for 30 full-time learners from year 3 to year 8 with a range of Social, Emotional, or Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Our vision is to create a community of caring, creative, and aspirational learners where each unique child is valued and nurtured to thrive, grow, and excel in a world with no limits. For more information or to organise a tour of Storyybrook School, please email [email protected].
New faces: We’re excited to welcome Kurt Wilson-Luck as our Alternative Provision Partnerships Manager! With over 8 years of experience in the corporate world, Kurt was focused on building relationships, maximising value, and ensuring customer satisfaction for renowned global brands. Now, he’s bringing his expertise to Storyy Group, driven by a passion for helping young people reach their full potential. Kurt is committed to building meaningful partnerships with schools, councils and local authorities to create opportunities to empower the next generation and set them up for success. To speak to Kurt about our Alternative Provision services or to book a meeting, please email [email protected] or give him a call on 07742 065903.
Children’s Home:
This month, we welcomed a new young person to our Children’s Home, who settled in well and added a personal touch to their new room.
One young resident enjoyed a gaming night, complete with snacks, bonding with staff and adding a fun twist to the evening. Another resident took a major step in independence, travelling alone by bus as preparation for future transitions.
Supported Accommodation (16+)
Community Growth: We currently house 14 young people across 4 homes. In October, we said a heartfelt goodbye to one of our long-term residents, who moved on after nearly two years with us. We shared a final breakfast, gifted her with a memory book of photos, and celebrated her journey with small gifts and a gathering in her honour.
Homecomings and Creativity: Another past resident shared that she missed the community vibe of Storyy’s Supported Accommodation (16+), prompting an invitation for her to join in a Halloween-themed painting session. She joined other residents for creative time, ending her visit with a trip to visit staff and her beloved guinea pigs.
New Arrivals: At one Home, we welcomed a young person and her cat, Magic. We celebrated with a fun cooking night where everyone joined in to make tacos. The warm welcome was truly a testament to our supportive community.
Games Night: One home had the new addition of a PS4, so the young people enjoyed gaming nights together with plenty of homemade snacks, whilst residents of another home preferred a more classic board game evening.
Sports Enthusiasm: A young resident who plays rugby was thrilled to have a cheering squad of support workers at her match. She shared her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much for coming. It meant the world to me.”
Apprenticeships & Training
Our Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship is launching in January 2025! This comprehensive course covers key areas such as child development, health and well-being, and leadership in early years education. There are no specific prerequisites, though candidates should have lived in the UK for three years and work daily with children aged 0-5. The course fee is £8,000, with funding options available.
Enrolment is now open, so please contact Lisa Parkinson, our Partnerships Manager, to express your interest or to register an employee. You can give her a call on 07523 277566 or email [email protected].
If you’re considering other apprenticeships or training opportunities, Lisa can also guide you through applying for 100% Levy Transfer Funding available for all age groups. In addition, our online CPD course licenses are available for just £65 throughout November, valid until March 2025. Reach out to Lisa for further details!
If you have any questions or queries about any of our services, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you’d like to make an urgent referral for our Alternative Provision, please click here.
