ARUNDEL FLOOR

Much has been achieved on Arundel floor this academic year. We have been busy learning how to use public transport, with two of our pupils earning their independent travel certificates. This is an excellent outcome as they look to enter college and become more self-reliant. We have noted a huge improvement in their confidence and esteem because of this.

Learning is a core principle of Arundel, and the pupils have been working well to complement their learning from education and taking part in relational learning and activities. The pupils enjoy sitting around the dinner table, opening up the laptops to undertake their learning with a cup of tea and snacks in reach for sustenance. This has been a great way of linking the educational and residential to show the pupils how to work together in different environments to achieve a long-term goal. 

We take the environment extremely seriously on Arundel and recycle everything we can. This includes Terra cycling, for which we are fortunate to have a drop-off point in the village. This helps to promote the pupils and the school and build strong community links. 

On Arundel, we understand the importance of leisure and play. We keep the pupils physically and cognitively fit with a range of activities to stimulate the body and the mind. We enjoy evenings of football, cricket, runouts (hide and seek), and trips to the local gym. We also enjoy completing jigsaw puzzles; we have completed eight 1000-piece puzzles this year, and the pupils enjoy sitting down for a couple of minutes to put in a few pieces. This has been a great communal activity and teaches the pupils about the benefits of occupying their minds, as well as sequencing, forward planning and strategising. 

We have enjoyed trips out as a group, often visiting the coast for a paddle and fish supper. We have also enjoyed cinema trips, bowling, the escape rooms at Tully’s farm, and many other group activities, all of which help the pupils practice their social skills with their peers and the public.  

We promote the importance of independence in all parts of their lives, and the pupils are now cooking for themselves, baking delicious delights, and helping to prepare the evening meals. Again, this is a great way of engaging the pupils positively to work on their life skills, and as usual, they always rise to the occasion. 

So, it was an excellent, productive, and enjoyable term on the Arundel floor, where we laughed, cried, and supported each other as we grew into well-rounded, thoughtful, and independent young men.