September has brought the start of a new academic year and plenty of fresh starts across Storyy Group. Across Storyy Education, young people have returned with a really positive attitude, adapting well to new expectations and taking on creative and practical projects, while our younger learners at Storyybrook have been travelling the world and heading into space without leaving site. Within Storyy Homes, it has been a month of new routines, new opportunities and big steps towards independence, along with a few emotional goodbyes and a very welcome visit from a familiar face.
We are also looking forward to welcoming visitors to our Milton Keynes site for its open day on Wednesday 14 October. Here are some of the highlights from September’s chapter…
Alternative Provision
Finchampstead
It has been great to welcome young people back to Finchampstead for the new school year. One of the biggest changes this term has been the introduction of a no-phones policy on site, and it has been lovely to see how positively young people have responded and how well they have all managed. A big thank you to parents and carers for supporting us with this.
So far this term, PSHE sessions have covered Physical Health and Fitness, Mental Health and Awareness, and Positive Relationships. Young people have taken part in discussions and shared their ideas, with some even designing their own exercises and circuits to get ready for the day and burn off some pent-up energy! Next, the focus moves to British Values and how young people’s own values support them in everyday life. This term’s group project, Storyy Apprentice, is also underway, with young people working together to design and create their own idea before presenting it to members of our senior team. We are looking forward to seeing plenty of teamwork and creativity over the coming weeks.
New RESET booklets have been introduced to support young people’s wellbeing and encourage them to reflect on their thoughts and feelings. As well as helping young people better understand their own needs, they give our mentors a clearer picture of any barriers that may be standing in the way of them reaching their potential. Air-dry clay modelling has also become a popular activity during breaks and interventions, encouraging creativity and fine motor skills while giving young people something to focus on when talking through topics they may find difficult.
Trades
Our Trades sessions have continued to give young people the chance to learn through hands-on projects. One young person designed and built his own table, then painted a chequered pattern on the top, using masking tape to keep every square the same size and showing great problem-solving skills and resilience along the way. Another has been installing wooden slats into sleepers and treating them to make them weatherproof, learning why different types of timber need treating, especially when used outdoors.
A recent PSHE session also focused on the risks of vaping. Young people answered questions, took turns drawing what a vape looks like and learnt about its side effects, before completing written work on the differences between smoking and vaping and discussing the topic together in a small group.
Birch Hill
Young people at Birch Hill have made a great start to the new term, combining their learning with plenty of time spent getting active. Our sport-focused setting, with its AstroTurf and basketball courts, gives young people the chance to burn off energy, work as a team and build healthy routines alongside their studies.
Boxing has continued to be a big part of life at Birch Hill this term. As well as building fitness and strength, our dedicated boxing programme helps young people develop focus, discipline and self-control, and gives them a positive way to manage their emotions. It has been brilliant to see the confidence and determination young people bring to each session, both in the ring and in the classroom.
Storyybrook
We were delighted to welcome everyone back to Storyybrook for the new term and are looking forward to supporting our learners as they work towards their goals and celebrating their successes along the way. As the weather begins to change, please make sure young people come prepared with wet weather clothing, including a waterproof coat and suitable footwear, so they can stay comfortable during outdoor activities.
This term, young people have been exploring countries around the world through creative, hands-on activities. They created African desert scenes, placing animals in their correct habitats, and made their own African masks, before designing Greek vases and bringing them to life in air-dry clay. A food-tasting activity gave everyone the chance to sample and record their thoughts on Indian food, while a trip to France included a themed word search and making their own chocolate croissants.
Topic sessions also took young people out of this world, with a week dedicated to space. They mixed and kneaded dough to make space bread shaped into miniature moons, unscrambled space-themed words in a scavenger hunt and designed their own planets on shrink paper to make key rings. Shaving foam painting produced some impressive swirling planets, and young people worked together to paint the solar system for a group craft.
Milton Keynes Open Day
On Wednesday 14 October, we are opening the doors to our Milton Keynes Alternative Provision, giving schools, Local Authorities and professionals the chance to come and see Storyy Education for themselves. Drop in any time between 10am and 4pm to meet our team, explore the site and find out more about how we support children and young people across Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.
Our nature-based provision supports children and young people aged 5 to 16 with SEMH and behavioural needs. Set within eight acres of woodland and open space, the site offers therapeutic, holistic learning shaped around each young person, from core academic tuition and therapeutic mentoring to vocational and practical learning. The open day takes place at Coates Grounds, Thornton Road, Milton Keynes, MK17 0RF, and if you haven’t booked your space yet, there’s still time. Book your space now.
Supported Accommodation
September has been a slightly quieter month across our Storyy Homes as young people return to education and settle into new routines. Our three homes are currently home to 15 young people, with nine students and six actively seeking employment. Across the homes, young people have been coming together for arts and crafts, movie nights and communal meals.
The boys in one of our homes have continued to enjoy cooking together, most recently making homemade pizzas with dough prepared from scratch, and the results wouldn’t have looked out of place in a restaurant! They have also welcomed a new housemate, who has settled in really well and shares their enthusiasm for FIFA and cooking. Alongside his studies, he recently completed a trial shift at a local café and was offered a part-time job. A huge well done to him!
Another young person enjoyed a taster session at Enemy of Boredom and is now hoping to continue with a music production course. He is also looking forward to a potential tour of the Waitrose warehouse, which could lead to a work experience opportunity.
September has also brought some emotional goodbyes. We said a fond farewell to a much-loved young person who has moved into her own accommodation, four years after first coming to us for a few weeks of respite and two years after making one of our houses her home. We are sad to see her go but incredibly proud of everything she has achieved. Another young person, who has been with us for two years, has been accepted for his own flat and could move in as early as October. He has truly become part of the furniture, and we are delighted to see him taking this next step towards independence.
We were also delighted to receive an unexpected visit from Madi, one of our former young people and our very own social media hero! Madi recently passed her driving test and called to say she was on her way to show us her new car. With just 20 minutes’ notice, staff quickly printed congratulations signs and were ready and waiting to celebrate with her when she arrived.
Another Chapter to Celebrate
September has been all about fresh starts. Across Storyy Education, young people have adapted to new expectations, taken on creative and practical projects and started thinking more about their wellbeing, while Storyybrook’s younger learners have travelled the world and explored the solar system. Across Storyy Homes, we have celebrated new jobs, new friendships and important steps towards independence.
If you would like to see our work in person, we would love to welcome you to our Milton Keynes open day on Wednesday 14 October. To learn more about Storyy Group and the support we provide, get in touch with our team or make a referral.
hello@storyy.group 01344 987 877 www.storyy.group
