Phoenix School is the education provider for all young people admitted to Cygnet Hospital Sheffield. Teaching happens within a well-resourced school unit, with specialist teachers and is equipped with classrooms and an ICT suite. The school also has access to a kitchen, gymnasium, outside courtyard and therapeutic garden. School Vision “Our vision at the Phoenix School is to provide a safe, inclusive and stimulating environment, in which, by working with community schools and medical professionals we create a pathway to allow students to positively engage in education and support the young people with their reintegration into the community. We do this through the Cygnet Values of having integrity, being trustworthy, empowering our students, and promoting mutual respect in a caring environment.” Katy Edmondson – Head Teacher, Phoenix School “We have created a safe and stimulating environment where students are encouraged to take risks and challenge preconceptions so they can move forwards and live full, rewarding lives.” Ed Hall – Head of Education Photo Gallery Curriculum The intent of our school curriculum is to maintain and develop current educational pathways and/or promote future re-engagement with education, employment or training. In doing so, we believe that young people leaving our provision will stand the best chance of reintegration with community life and therefore a successful recovery journey. Curriculum Aims Our curriculum aims to: Provide a broad and balanced education, prioritising the core subjects where necessary. Meet individual needs through collaborative planning with the home school (if in place), parents, and the young person themselves. Ensure equal access to learning, with high expectations for every pupil and appropriate levels of challenge and support. Ensure the acquisition of skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT/computing for all young people. Reinforce the links between subjects so that learning connections are made across curriculum boundaries. Be aligned with the Cygnet values of care, respect, empowerment, trust and integrity. Be adaptable, according to current mental health presentation, in order to support well-being and wellness. Be complementary to, and consistent with, the hospital therapy programme. Promote British values and social, moral, and cultural development. In order to deliver these aims, Cygnet schools follow three curriculum delivery models. Curriculum Model A – Enhancing and supporting current educational pathways e.g. continuing subjects and topics being studied in community school/college setting. Curriculum model B – Should personal circumstances dictate, a bespoke program based on subjects, skills and knowledge that expand on personal interests of the learner e.g. accessing a program geared to potential future aspirations. Curriculum model C – Educational activities with a primary focus on developing the personal and social skills and mental health functioning in education e.g. school allotment project. Academic Timetable Here is an example of an academic timetable to support Curriculum model B: Awards and Accreditations The Phoenix School has bronze status as a Rights Respecting School and are working towards silver status. The Rights Respecting School Award is an initiative run by UNICEF UK which encourages schools to place the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of its ethos and curriculum. A Rights Respecting School teaches about children’s rights and also models rights and respect in all its relationships. Phoenix School are demonstrating the British Values in PHSE lessons in addition to promoting specific rights e.g. LGBQT+ within the curriculum. The Phoenix School is a registered provider of the John Muir Award, which is described on their website as “inclusive, accessible and non-competitive, though should challenge each participant. It encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment through a structured yet adaptable scheme, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration.” We understand the therapeutic value of becoming one with nature by spending time in wild spaces. Studies have shown that being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Sometimes when young people come to us they are unable to access academic work immediately, and so we have to be flexible around providing meaningful activities that can help to make our young people feel that they are being productive. We are also aware that climate change is a very real and imminent threat to the future of the current generation, and feel that it is our responsibility to foster a sense of ownership towards the conservation and preservation of biodiversity in the natural environment. Through the use of our allotment and the provision of the John Muir Award, our young people are taught practical skills to nurture plants and promote growth. Contact Katy Edmondson, Head Teacher, Safeguarding Lead and Children Looked After Designated Teacher, Tel: 0114 279 3350 Mary-Jo Brayford, Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Tel: 0114 279 3350 Alicia Ramsden/Rebecca Price, Education Officers, Tel: 0114 279 3350 Rachel Rix, National SENCO Lead, Tel: 07738 716408
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