Lapwing Newsletter December 2014

Lapwing

Newsletter December 2014

The future’s bright Page 2

Jayne’s fight Page 6

Lapwing on tour Page 3

Term dates Page 8

Student news Page 4-5

What’s on Page 8

Editor: Wendy Quantrill Lapwing HQ: 01473 621762

wquantrill@lapwingeducation.com lapwingeducation.com

Lapwing Newsletter

The future’s bright by educational consultant Lynn Cross I began working at Lapwing in April 2014 in a consultancy role, looking at what worked well at Lapwing as well as identifying areas for improvement.

Another key role was to network, introducing Lapwing to other local organisations and to develop local partnerships. This has led to a number of funding opportunities as Lapwing’s profile has been raised. The amazing work being done has been brought to the attention of other third sector organisations as well as statutory services and local government.

Throughout my time with Lapwing I have been inspired by the commitment of the staff here and the amazing outcomes they achieve with the young people they work with. I am very concerned that without Lapwing some young people in Suffolk would be without any educational provision at all as there is no other organisation that offers the individualised programmes they do.

Recently, Lapwing have been developing their learning and support provision and have some exciting news. In October several Labour party councillors at Suffolk County Council pledged £7,400 for a ‘Teen Expectations’ - a pilot scheme for providing bespoke education for teenage mothers-to-be.

This will provide learning to 15 students who could otherwise have temporarily been excluded from education and risk never returning.

This project was inspired by the great progress of Lapwing student Jess Brame whose baby boy, Logan, was born in October.

In November Lapwing became a City and Guilds Approved Centre, delivering and assessing functional skills Maths, English and ICT from Entry Level One through to Level Two.

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At the same time Lapwing was also awarded the Safe CIC Child Safeguarding Award. These innovative programmes and awards and staff commitment is why I am very proud to be associated with Lapwing and I look forward to new ventures in 2015.

Help sought Fundraising The Ryan Insurance Quiz Night was a great success. Over £100 was raised and staff were able to give out newsletters and spread the word about Lapwing’s work to the team at Ryan Insurance. The Call Connection Dress Down Day raised a further £224.

Please let us know of any fundraising opportunities or grants that you hear of. Whether you want to cycle to Kathmandu or swim to Swanage please consider raising funds for us. We are now registered on the MyDonate website so your supporters can donate online. https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/lapwing Volunteers wanted We are looking for a Newsletter Editor and a Fundraising Volunteer. If you’re passionate about helping young people and able to donate some time please email Jo Shevlin at work@ lapwingeducation.com.

Lapwing Newsletter

Spreading the word Lapwing on tour Thanks to generous support from Ryan Insurance we’re hoping to make our debut at the Suffolk Show in May 2015. Full details will be available in our next newsletter.

Some of our students have been asked to take part in a ‘Question Time’ panel on BBC Radio Suffolk with journalist Jon Wright in the new year. Watch this space.

CEO Sue shared Lapwing’s story with The Rotary Club of Ipswich East meeting on Tuesday 2nd December 2014 at Gresham’s. We’re very much hoping that we will be able to work together in the future and possibly put together a fundraising team for their Orwell Walk on Sunday 21 June 2015.

Sue was also invited to talk to students at University Campus Suffolk about career options and how she went from rebellious child to Head Teacher of a special school and finally the CEO and founder of Lapwing.

Student Craig on the airwaves Craig on BBC Radio Suffolk Lapwing student Craig Battle’s radio experience is going from strength to strength.

As well as working at Felixstowe Radio and TV he was invited to chat with the BBC’s Jon Wright on Wednesday 12th November. Jon asked Craig about his journey over the last few years and the progress he has made as well as what he is doing with Lapwing.

Craig conducted himself brilliantly and was very considered and articulate with his responses. The interview will be broadcast in the near future. Well done Craig!

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Lapwing Newsletter

Reece does Banksy

Grafitti work

The Wishing Well

Proud Reece

When 13 year old Reece came to Lapwing on a part-time basis we wanted to know about his interests with the aim of developing his confidence as a learner. Helping Reece maintain his mainstream school place was the priority.

Reece expressed an interest in learning more about Street Art so we developed a plan allowing him to work towards an AQA Unit Award Scheme in Street Art . He has been designing skateboard graphics with his Skills and Development Coaches and has recently purchased some new spray paints to experiment with. He has also completed a project on the history of Street Art from prehistoric times to the present day. This whole project has given him the confidence to bring his ideas to life.

We wanted Reece to take on a longer term project, seeing it through from planning to completion. Creating a Wishing Well for Reece to give to his Nan as a gift fulfilled this brief. Reece created the Wishing Well from a template, marking out the pieces, varnishing them and putting it all together. Reece focused really well all day in the workshop, learned about the safe handling of tools, and improved his concentration skills.

With the support of Lead Tutors Jayne and Claire, Reece has also started Functional Skills - Maths and English using the BKSB learning system. This is a computer-based learning and testing system which enables Lapwing to fully understand an individual’s needs and create an appropriate and bespoke learning programme. When asked about his first functional skills English session Reece commented “When I see something hard I think ‘boring’ and I don’t want to do it. Today I kept going even though it was hard.” Great work Reece, keep it up!

Louise’s animal ambitions New student Louise is 12 and Lapwing is working hard with her to help her maintain her school place and avoid exclusion. She has long-term ambitions to be a veterinary nurse and has started writing up what she has learned about animal care at Downham Cottage Care Farm.

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Lapwing Newsletter

Lottie finds her voice Lottie started with us back in October as a result of her mum coming into the Lapwing Offices to see if we could offer her daughter some support and whilst this was only ever meant to be temporary because of other commitments, it has proved so successful that her mum is keen to find a way of continuing with us.

Lottie comes with her own communication programme, Proloquo2Go, already installed on her personal iPad and this has been the main focus for Lapwing staff Tracy and Julian to help Lottie initiate communicating her own needs and emotions to those around her.

It is clear that she thoroughly enjoys using the photos to find important people in her life; out of 600 photos she will often hunt out a photo of a friend that she is currently thinking of it.

Lottie is also beginning to make choices offered to her to inform us of her choices of drink, lunch, and activities she would like to take part in. It is extremely important and beneficial for non-verbal students like Lottie to ‘have a voice’ and have a choice in their lifestyles.

All the time, we are using the iPad, we are also talking and encouraging Lottie to use her own voice, this too is improving and there is a small vocabulary of words that Lottie is now regularly using.

Shannon turns it around Thirteen year old Shannon is working with Skills and Development Coaches Beth and Shelly to re-engage her in school. Her parents are thrilled with her progress so we far, “We have our daughter back. We don’t know what you guys do at Lapwing but it is amazing” they told us.

Shannon was in danger of being expelled and is now back in the environment where she should be and where long term she will be happy.

She is completing an AQA Unit Award in Anger Management and a Work Experience AQA Unit Award at Downham Care Farm.

Fashion-conscious Shannon also worked on a project devised by lead tutor Jayne, in the style of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. Shannon was briefed to come up with several outfits suitable for different occasions and then she wrote an article to present to ‘fashion editor’ Jayne. She put 100% in it and Jayne commended her on her contextual awareness.

Next up is some in depth role-play work to help Shannon deal with emotions in difficult situations.

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Lapwing Newsletter

Jayne’s fight When Lead Tutor Jayne Kingshott’s gym Grange Fitness and the Suffolk Punch Boxing Club mentioned a white collar charity boxing match she didn’t hesitate to sign up. As well as a challenge for herself Jayne wanted her students to benefit too.

Our debut boxer and champion fundraiser made us all incredibly proud when she stepped into the ring in front of a packed crowd at Liquid Nightclub, and fought hard for herself and for Lapwing. Her boxing bout raised a superb £616.25 and the benefits haven’t stopped there.

Jayne is now imparting her new skills to Lapwing student Daniel, who is enhancing his fitness through boxing training with Jayne. This is part of a holistic approach to improving his wellbeing. He has learnt new skills, discipline and adapting to new environments. Although Jayne does not plan to step in the ring again she is thoroughly enjoying sharing her recently-acquired knowledge with a willing student.

Photo credits: nathanjsmith.org.uk and shanahanphotography.co.uk

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Lapwing Newsletter

Staff news We’re a studious lot Programme Coordinator Marion has just passed level 1 with Open University. She now has a Certificate in Higher Education Open as well as a Certificate in Health and Social Care. We wish her well as she embarks on level 2, which is a Diploma with Open University.

Programme Manager Bar Lawer is studying at UCS for a Masters in Childhood and Youth Studies. Bar recently got a distinction for her 15,000 word dissertation on the use of Social Networking by young people on the autistic spectrum.

Our CEO Sue is studying at the University of Cambridge for a doctorate in education focusing on those with profound and multiple learning difficulties. We have an ongoing programme of learning led by Head of HR and Staff Development Jo Shevlin and our Administration Apprentice Chloe is working towards an Apprenticeship in Business and Administration.

Fresh out of the ring, Lead Tutor Jayne is embarking on a diploma in psychology with the aim of using it to improve her understanding of student behaviour.

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New fledgings for Lapwing Communications and Fundraising Manager Wendy welcomed a shih tzu puppy called Lola (left) into her family in July. She may have mentioned Lola a few times since... ‘Her name was Lola, she was a show dog’...

In more exciting news Head of Manager Karina is expecting a second baby, due in April. She will be heading off on Maternity Leave in February. We wish her all the best and look forward to welcoming her new arrival!

Farewells Learning and Skills Coach Kat McGinity is heading off to join the Mental Health team at Potsford Care Farm in December. We wish her every success in the future and no doubt our paths will cross again as we all work towards improving the lives of young people.

Faye Pyecroft is also leaving us to spend more time with her family.

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Lapwing Newsletter

Term dates

Lapwing Volunteer Hannah Berresford’s What’s on this spring...

Spring term 2015 Tuesday 6 January - Friday 27 March Non student day Monday 5 January Half term Monday 16 - Friday 20 February Easter holiday Monday 30 March - Friday 10 April Summer term 2015 Monday 13 April - Wednesday 22 July Non student day Thursday 21 May Half term Monday 25 - Friday 29 May Summer holiday Thursday 23 July - tbc At least one month’s notice of staff training days will be given to students, schools and families.

The Green Children

23-25 April 2015 Red Rose Chain, Gippeswyk Hall Gippeswyk Avenue, Ipswich

An innovative new piece of sensory theatre inspired by the famous myth. The Green Children explores our ideas of integration of different worlds, how we communicate with each other and the relationships we develop with nature.

The Green Children is for an audience of up to 25 young people with disabilities and additional needs, aged 13-21 and their companions.

Kingpin Bowling

Open daily from 10am Gloster Road, Martlesham Heath

This Lapwing newsletter is kindly sponsored by Ryan Insurance Group.

Call them on 01473 343434, or visit their website, to see if they can insure your family, home or business.

www.ryan-group.co.uk

lapwingeducation.com

Suffolk’s Premier Bowling Centre welcomes you with a host of features to provide you with an excellent bowling experience. There are special ‘Bowl and Meal’ packages for youth groups

Ipswich v Wigan 3pm, 31 January 2015 Portman Road, Ipswich

Support the Blue Army as they take on Championship club Wigan at home. Pull on a blue bobble hat and shout heartily for the Tractor Boys! Look around and you may see ITFC fan Lapwing director Sophy Jones supporting!

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