Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 27th September 2024

The first of the departmental coffee afternoons were on Wednesday and Thursday where our Post 16 and KS4 appropriate accreditation pathway students baked cakes for parents/carers. Thanks also to parents who donated cakes. They raised funds for MacMillan cancer support. I always feel that it is important to teach our students to do something to support others and think this is a positive thing for them as they prepare for adulthood.

Just a reminder that the Christmas cards should reach you by today (for those not in school it could be Monday). There is no compulsion to purchase, and we respect the right of students who choose not to do them too. From past experience, many of you love them and enjoy sharing your child/young person’s work with family and friends. My 26-year-old still does one! If you would like to purchase, please get orders back to me by Friday 3rd October as they will be sent off on Monday 6th.

If I require evidence of eligibility for your child, I have sent forms and texts. Without evidence I am unable to order the holiday vouchers for your child/young person. These vouchers are from the central government Household Activity and Food fund for those on very low incomes and the government has committed to continue until March next year. Please help me to help you.

You will find links to school calendars below:

Students with additional needs attending school receive home to school transport if the Local Authority names the school. It’s a contentious subject. For some families, it is a choice to transport their children for different reasons and they may receive a personal budget from the LA. This could be because the child has (medical) needs which can’t be met by home to school transport. For others it isn’t a choice but may be because the school is named on an EHCP as “parental preference”. For some parents this can be very difficult; things like work, transporting other children to school, appointments etc all restrict them if they have to transport themselves and some live quite a distance from school. If you want more information on home to school transport and SEN there are a few places you can look:

As your children get older it’s a good idea dependent upon their needs (I am aware that there are students with profound medical and complex needs for whom this may not be feasible) for them to have a concessionary bus pass. You can order these through your local authority. The majority of PHS students would require a “companion” version, meaning they can access local buses with a companion free of charge. For those living near a Metro station an additional £12 enables them to travel with a companion on the Metro and Shields ferry in off peak hours. At school we ask those in KS4 and above have a bus pass, which enables school to do some level of independent travel training with them and get them into the community or work experience. Independent, loosely used here is appropriate to the student as training can be done on using their ticket, communication, interaction etc.

Blue Badges. These allow those who are eligible to park in disabled bays. Not always free of charge, they vary from area to area. The eligibility was extended a few years ago to enable those with some hidden disabilities to use them. A very contentious issue I know, there are clearly those who need larger bays for wheelchair access. For those with hidden disabilities it isn’t easy to get these passes.

There is support out there for those with challenges relating to transport.

A final word, advance planning will make things easier. There is help available for those with sensory needs too.

All parent carers of disabled children in the UK have a right to ask for their family’s needs to be assessed by social services through a Needs Assessment and a Carer’s Assessment.

Below are some key differences between the two assessments, but you’ll find much more information in the links below — including template letters you can use to ask for either one.

If you, or the person you care for, needs a companion to make some journeys, the card can give you free travel on buses across Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland, and Darlington.

The card also includes free, or a reduced fee, to travel on the Metro, Northern rail services and the Shields Ferry.

To see if you are eligible, or to apply for a Companion Card, please visit the NEXUS website.

You can also get in touch with us on our Carers Information Line (0191 275 5060 – open 9am-5pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and 1pm – 5pm on Tuesdays). Or email, info@newcastlecarers.org.uk.

Alan Shearer Centre

When my son was younger this was a favourite place to visit. We had some of his birthday parties there and as it is tucked away in a cul-de sac was peaceful and felt safe. Membership is free, they have a lovely garden with a play area, an activity centre with sensory room, gaming room, crafts and more. Hydrotherapy pool is free to access but I am told it is very difficult to get a booking. There is also an onsite café. Have a look at their website. There may be more Halloween activities as it draws close. It is a 5-minute drive from the A1/A69 roundabout.

Woodland Play Patch in Durham are hosting a SEND Santa visit on Saturday 7th December at 3pm after the success of this session last year!

This session will be for an hour, and it will be a free flow session where they will take the children’s lead. It will involve some songs and storytime and then we’ll leave it up to the children. There will also be bubbles and balloons!

Places are very limited to make sure to book up quickly!

I have read that the price has reduced this year.

Under 5’s are free and child price applies up to 16 years.

It is also worth mentioning for those who require suitable changing facilities that there is a “Changing Place” at Alnwick Garden.

Our Accessible Santa Bus is coming back to Toon this Christmas!

We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Stagecoach and NE1 to bring our FREE and inclusive grotto experience back to Newcastle City Centre for its 6th year – and this year we’re here for TWO weekends!

Northumberland Street (opposite TK Maxx)

Week 1: Fri 6th – Sun 8th Dec

Week 2: Sat 14th – Sun 15th Dec

This is part of an even bigger Christmas campaign and we can’t wait to share more over the coming months

We’re very excited to bring our day of Relaxed Performances to Kielder Winter Wonderland once again.

We have been working closely with North East Autism Society to tailor this magical experience for people who are autistic and for those who have other learning disabilities.

Our relaxed day will include:

All sessions will be at 50% capacity.

Reduced noise.

Raised lighting.

Quieter spaces

Staff trained in autism awareness.

In addition to this we will have a social story available to download in advance of the event to help assist you in your preparations for the ‘most wonderful time of the year’

This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy Hedley School, where you can share news and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you MUST answer the question stating your link with school. This is to keep it as safe as we can for our school community. We decline requests from those we don’t recognise as being parents, staff or family members/friends

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.