A form will be sent via text and priority will be given to those who have not had the opportunity to attend before. You will appreciate that 50 tickets don’t go a long way in a school with 170+ students. Hence, we are restricting the number of tickets to 4 per family. Please do apply if you have been before. As it is on a school day, as it was last year there may be a lower uptake.

It will be held at The Fed, Lancaster Road, Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9JR (it is very near The Metrocentre).

Those who have attended in the past really enjoyed it. This is free of charge, with local businesses sponsoring it.

There are a limited number of wheelchair accessible spaces available.

Please ensure that you do so promptly to avoid having it cancelled by North Tyneside Council. As part of the HAF, this is funding given to the Local Authority from central government to help with the increased cost of living.

Those of you who requested printed vouchers will have received them, as I sent them home yesterday with your child.

This week’s online safety blog subject: There has been a new trailer for GTA6 released (mentioned by a few students in school already) so the blog focuses on what parents should be aware of relating to the game/trailer.

If you receive information on proposed changes from your LA, please take the time to share views about your child/ren’s needs. Campaigns from disability related groups do make a difference.

Newcastle County Council is carrying out a consultation with families on Post 16 transport. This closes on Sunday 25^th May at 17.00. If you live in Newcastle, you will have received a letter. You can find the draft policy on the Local Offer and the link below will take you to it and the form to submit your views.

Contact-for families of disabled children included the following in their most recent Newsletter which I think is  important:

Welcome to What’s new

This week, we’re encouraging you to invite your MP to our school transport survey findings event in parliament.

Transport for disabled students to be highlighted in Parliament.

We had more than 3,000 responses to our Transport Matters survey – thank you to everyone who answered.

We will share the findings at a meeting in Parliament on Monday 2 June.

At this meeting, hosted by Jen Craft MP, families have an opportunity to speak out about school transport. This will give MPs the chance to hear first-hand from families how important transport is and the impact if it’s stopped or changed when a disabled student turns 16.

It is important that we get lots of MPs to attend this meeting so they can hear from families. We’ve set up a pre-written email so you can quickly and easily ask your MP to join the meeting in Parliament.

Another place you can check on the law on all matters SEN transport is:
SENTAS  (Special Educational Needs Transport Advocacy Service)

What is Wetwheels?

Well, here is their vision: To ensure everyone can access the water with a safe, barrier-free, enriching experience. So, in short it is access to sailing for people with disabilities including those who are wheelchair users.

It’s not local, but there are a few venues around the UK. The nearest is Whitby, North Yorkshire.

Visit their Facebook page where if you scroll down, you will see not one, but two of our students.

Other venues include:

• Edinburgh
• Jersey
• Falmouth, Cornwall
• Hamble, near Southampton
• Portsmouth
• Dover

There are no age restrictions and up to 3 wheelchairs can be accommodated, from lightweight to powerchairs.

“We want everyone to feel welcome at the fair – and that includes our visitors who may find loud music or busy environments a little overwhelming.

That’s why we’re introducing a special reduced noise session on Wednesday the 28th from 1pm until 2pm at Northmoor’s Giant Funfair – Half Term 2025 (Farringdon, Sunderland).

During this hour, we’ll be turning the music right down and creating a calmer atmosphere so that children and adults with sensory sensitivities, autism, or additional needs can enjoy the fairground in a way that works for them.

We know how magical the fair can be – and we want to make sure everyone gets the chance to experience it – North Moor Lane Field, Sunderland, SR3 1TQ”.

It is usually for younger children, aged 0-5, hence I haven’t shared but can see there are some activities that may suit some of our families. The Owl Tree Children’s Café, John Street, Coxlodge, NE3 3XH

Reviews, if you go would be welcome.

Meeting:

It was great to welcome new faces to our meeting on Wednesday. Much of the discussion was around the summer fayre. We’ve been asked to contribute towards the This is Me festival along with the Student Council. I wouldn’t want to spoil any surprises, but the activities look promising. FoPHS is contributing £500, and the Student Council £180.

We have also been asked to support the Summer MOVE event to the value of £300 which was also agreed. Your support means we can continue to fund enhancements to learning.

We need your help, from donations of bottles, chocolate (please send chocolate as this tombola is so popular with the children), gift sets, your time and most importantly your presence. The fayres are a wonderful opportunity to mix with the school community, raise funds to make your children’s school experience even better in a place they know well.

We are getting some nice prizes for the raffle.

A final call for any parents/carers who have small businesses. Would you like a stall at the fayre at a reduced rate? If so, please get in touch.

To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.

Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.