During times filled with different emotions, it helps to focus on what we can learn from significant events. 

Her Majesty The Queen leaves behind a legacy of unconditional service and unwaivering commitment. These are traits that we can aspire to in everything we do.

We take that spirit with us as we look ahead to the autumn term.  

Quality education for all our pupils and students 

We remain committed to excellence by offering a broad, balanced and creative curriculum to meet the needs and development of our young people:  

We sharpen our skills on inset and training days 

To provide the best service to our pupils, students and their families, Sybil Elgar School runs a minimum of 5 training days in an academic year. These days are invaluable in bringing teaching and management teams together to refresh and extend knowledge and refine skills and services that will benefit our students, pupils and their families.    

Our first training day for the year began at Havelock Road with an inspiring presentation by Principal Chloe Philips, reflecting on successes from last year and ambitions for the year ahead. 

This was followed by a detailed carousel of training from our therapy Team, teaching best practice and introducing new resources to staff. Therapeutic integration in lessons is an integral part of our approach and is key in supporting emotional regulation.      

Further training will happen at Woodlands, where staff are looking forward to having the Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation coming  to deliver training, after many weeks in planning. This will be in preparation for an exciting autumn term whole school drama project. Rehearsals will start early next month, students and staff alike can’t wait to get started! 

All teams are geared up and ready to take on the term, with commitment and determination,  supporting students towards their goals and having a great time doing it. 

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award - Getting involved  

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is a prominent feature in how we support our young people to build confidence by taking on new challenges.  

Woodlands received a grant for £1850 for expedition equipment. We are proud to receive this and will put it to good use.   

In October, Sybil Elgar will be completing a successful transition, from being a satellite center for Ealing local authority, to being directly responsible for its DofE provision. This means we can assess and verify our own progress with each section.  The support of the Regional DofE office will provide the confidence and advice to enable this to happen.   

With a high proportion of students having completed the work of at least one section of their Bronze Award, many two or three sections, we should see some presentations of Bronze Awards towards the end of the Autumn Term. We are committed to providing motivating opportunities for pupils and students to receive and celebrate awards.  

Smooth transition for year 11s  

It can be hard for anyone to face significant changes. Transitions are made easier by knowing where you are going. For our year 11s transitioning from secondary at Havelock Road to Post 16  at Woodlands, this process is made easier with a number of transition visits, meetings with teachers and key workers in advance.  

Staff have started with their new groups and pupils and students seem thrilled to be back in the structured environment of school.  

Water sports continue all year round 

The popular swimming sessions have started at Woodlands again, with bespoke tuition from Leisure Centre staff and teachers. With focused work and support for each student, swim programmes are set up in a way to support exercise and swim technique, with plenty of time to just have fun in the water.     

A few students attended the Bisham Abbey Sailing and Navigation School. They ventured into open water during a day of canoeing, even braving the rain to achieve their goal of spending a whole day on the River Thames. 

A full programme of exciting events 

We are off to a good start with our special events calendar in full swing.  

There are so many wonderful opportunities during the year to celebrate and take part in events and initiatives happening around the country and the world.  

We are looking forward to:  

• The festive feel in the air that comes when days get darker 
• Supporting new leaders with the student council election 
• Having a hearty broth for the Big Soup Day 
• Getting into drama with The Shakespeare Project 

Keep an eye out for updates on these and future events. Click on the gallery below to see what has been happening so far this term.