Three students from Oaklands and their teacher, Beverley Parker, recently attended a demonstration by the legendary Monty Roberts – the original horse whisperer.

Monty grew up in California and his own experiences with a violent father helped to shape his non-violent approach to training horses.

By watching horses in the wild and working with his own horses from a very young age, Monty learned the language of Equs – and set about using it to show the world that horses respond to leadership and that once you have established a bond – or “join-up” that horse will quite literally follow you anywhere.

Monty has worked with horses all over the world – including the Queen’s racehorses!

One horse was brought by his owner to the demonstration because he bucked her off all the time and was scared of everything.  The students watched on as Monty taught the horse not to be frightened, so that it would accept a plastic bag being rattled at it, over it, under its feet; and after about half an hour the same horse happily accepted a rider on his bag without bucking.  Amazing!

The students were then able to practice some of the techniques Monty taught them on the College horses, and produced a classroom display.

Monty the Legendary horse whisperer

David Biddle, Principal

Congratulations go to our Director of our Autism Services- Anna Kennedy, who has won Tesco Mum of the Year 2013.

Tesco judges said: ‘‘Anna’s singlehanded determination to help families living with autism, while also being a full-time carer to her two sons, is truly inspirational.’’

Anna says, ‘People with autism shouldn’t be hidden. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I want all children, including my own boys, to have the chance to make a mark on the world just like everybody else.’

Anna with her award

Our new personalised creative curriculum is now fully rolled out across the primary school.

Over the course of two years a new curriculum was carefully planned and developed to ensure we were meeting the diverse needs of our pupils.

The curriculum is skills based which focuses on individual needs and is delivered through different topics each half term. The topics we have covered since September include ‘All about Me’, ‘Around the World’, ‘Vile Victorians’ and ‘Earth the Moon and beyond’.

The feedback from Parents, staff and children has been very positive. Many parents have commented on how children are now talking about their learning more frequently and teachers are noting how engaged the pupils are with the topics.

Hillingdon pupils 'Around the World'

Ciaran Walsh Assistant Head Teacher

Some of the young people went on an activity to one of London’s big attractions.

The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe at a height of 1,016ft (310m). The young people travelled to the 68, 69 and 72nd floors, in a high speed elevator, to see a 360degree view of London.

They enjoyed using the digital telescopes to identify famous landmarks and buildings throughout London.

One of the young people showed off the photography skills he is learning at school by taking a number of photographs on a staff member’s professional camera.

The Shard, London

View from up high

Coleen Ashman, Home Manager

Poppy Lodge boys and staff recently organised and took part in a Come Dine With Me Competition.

Each child and their key worker teamed up together to cook a three course meal for the rest of the house. This took place every Sunday for 4 weeks.

The meals ranged from Thai style dinners to large American meals.

Everyone enjoyed all of the meals and it was a great opportunity for the boys to show off their cooking skills.

At the end of the competition, two of the boys came joint first and earned themselves a £10 voucher each to spend at the shop of their choice.

Well done boys!

This month one of Beachlands young people turns 18!

Daniel will be leaving Hillcrest and moving on to Independent Living.
Daniel has spent the last 6 months preparing for this in the Independent Living flat at Beachlands, where has made great  progress gaining many new skills and confidence in his abilities to care for himself.

We wish Daniel a very Happy 18th Birthday, and every luck in his new home and future plans.

Beachlands Birthday Boy!

James Barlow Home Manager, Beachlands

January saw one of Beachlands young people take part in the awards night at his sea cadets at T.S. Chichester.

Matthew looked very smart in his uniform showing great pride in his work with the cadets.

Matthew was honoured during the ceremony achieving an award for “Best Improved Cadet” and being promoted from “Normal Cadet” to “Able Cadet”.

Well done Matt, from all the staff and boys at Beachlands!

Matt accepting his Sea Cadet Award

As part of our efforts to build positive links with external organisations, young people form HIllcrest Oaklands College enjoyed two trips to local farms nearby.

The land based students field trip started at Home Farm a local dairy farm milking around 180 cows.  Staff and students watched cows having their feet trimmed – which involved the cow being suspended in mid-air! They were also able to see new born calves and see how a modern dairy cow is housed and fed.

Their second trip was to the National Forest Adventure Farm. Here they enjoyed meeting the alpacas and reindeer along with the guinea pigs and chickens.  One young persom enjoyed the guinea pigs so much that she has used her rewards to buy a new (pink!) cage to house her new pet guinea pig!

The farm also donated to Oaklands ‘Joey’ a pygmy goat which has settled in with our existing goats really well.  It is the College’s intention to continue to arrange external curriculum trips to broaden the experiences of our land based students and to foster good links with the local businesses and communities.

David Biddle- Principal; Oaklands College

Land Based students field trip

Hillcrest announced the closure of its special school in Wales, Hillcrest Pentwyn, on 5th December  2012.

All staff and placing Authorities were informed of the decision to close the school and arrangements were made to transfer boys and staff to other Hillcrest homes.

The reasons behind the decision to close Pentwyn were largely strategic. Pentwyn was the only Hillcrest Children’s home in Wales and its geographical remoteness, together with the different regulatory regime that exists in Wales, meant the home became increasing difficult to sustain.

Richard Greenwell, Managing Director

A group of senior students at West London Community College have recently undertaken their biggest challenge yet – running their own market stall in The Pavilion’s shopping centre in Uxbridge, all in aid of Anna Kennedy Online.

Anna approached the staff at the college at the beginning of the year with an offer we couldn’t refuse.The charity would pay for the stall on a bi-weekly basis if we assembled a team of students to produce products and the manpower to work behind the counter.

The students were delighted to have the opportunity to gain invaluable work experience, not to mention safe-exposure to the community.
We opened the stall selling waffles with delicious toppings but quickly realised it wasn’t working so after a brainstorming session, followed by extensive market research, the students decided they would try homemade jams and chutneys.

I’m delighted to announce that this latest line of produce has developed a following of loyal customers and is seemingly flying off the stall.
What started as a one-day-a-week session has now monopolised their timetable to become their major focus. Since opening the students have taken more and more ownership of their Social Enterprise and are now responsible for the finances, monitoring our ever decreasing stock levels, producing more stock, designing advertising artwork, assessing profit margins and inventing new and exciting products.

Our head designer, Ross Lee, has said that the stall has “given me the opportunity to use my artistic talents while designing the posters”.

Whereas sales assistant and chef, Damien Bardou said “the Social Enterprise sessions have improved my confidence and interaction skills with my fellow team members and the public”.

There is no doubting that the hard work and enthusiasm the students give to the session is an incredible advert for the college. An effort the staff team at WLCC are extremely proud of.

Jamie Wilson, Senior Vocational Training Officer
West London Community College

Out team at the market stall