What is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects 5% of school-aged children, this equals 500,000 children

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Cameron Short
6 years ago
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2 What is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects 5% of school-aged children, this equals 500,000 children Many children go through education undiagnosed or labelled just as naughty children. Attention deficiency: Short attention span Careless school work mistakes Forgetful Unable to complete time consuming tasks Struggle with listening and tasks Organisation Hyperactivity: Unable to sit still Fidgeting Hard to concentrate Excessive physical movement Excessive talking Unable to wait their turn Acting without thinking Interrupting conversations

3 Imagine being a child with ADHD trying to conform to a classroom like this

4 Why our school is different Our school focus is on helping educate children more effectively suffering from ADHD and other learning difficulties Our no technology scheme Flexi subject selection Tutoring programme Discipline procedure catered to individual students Sports and Arts focus Optional examination scheme Excellent student wellbeing and pastoral care team

5 Ethos One of the main ideas promoted throughout our school is that ADHD is not a negative thing. All too often, within mainstream classrooms, children with ADHD are labelled as naughty struggling to sit still, not call out and focus on tasks for a long period of time. Children within our school will constantly be reminded of the benefits of living with ADHD e.g. creativity, enthusiasm, energy.

No Technology On average, kids from 8- to 18 spend 7 hours and 38 minutes a day using entertainment media, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report of January 2010.

6 No Technology On average, kids from 8- to 18 spend 7 hours and 38 minutes a day using entertainment media, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report of January Studies have shown this no technology policy to have a positive impact on educational achievement and is seen in Steiner Waldorf schools across the country. Exposure to screen media was associated with attention problems in a sample of 210 college students. This study contributes to a growing body of research that shows media may have an effect on attention, Dimitri Christakis, MD At Unigol we emphasize the importance of understanding how young children naturally learn to learn, and of providing educational experiences which build on their natural interests and curiosity, - Rudolph Steiner

7 Tutoring Students will meet with their tutor every morning All tutors are trained in counselling and pastoral care Opportunity to discuss the learning objectives for the day Set targets and goals

A day in the life of our students 8:15am - Breakfast 8:35am - Morning energise (exercise) 9am - Tutor Meetings (pick daily subjects) 9:35am - Lesson 1 10:25am - Break 10:50am -

8 A day in the life of our students 8:15am - Breakfast 8:35am - Morning energise (exercise) 9am - Tutor Meetings (pick daily subjects) 9:35am - Lesson 1 10:25am - Break 10:50am - Lesson 2 11:40am - Break 12pm - Lesson 3 12:50pm - Lunch 1:50pm - Lesson 4 2:40pm - Break 3pm - Lesson 5 3:50pm - Afternoon Activities (Exercise) After school Optional prep and dinner

9 Personalised Learning Plan At our school, we believe that every child is unique and each child learns in a different way Each child will decide what they would like to learn each day, from a selection of subjects on offer By the end of each week, each child needs to have completed a certain number of core subjects We stream students by mixed ages, of two year groups, based on their personal learning styles

10 Personalised Assessments Less academic pressure more focus on personal development Too much classroom knowledge Focus on strengths and not weaknesses Researchers suggest that increased academic standards since the 1970s have contributed to the rise in diagnosis of ADHD. Personalised assessments with individual goals and targets GCSE s are optional and student-dependant We only enter children in for GCSE s if their parent(s), teacher(s), and the child themselves feel they are able to, and will be beneficial for the child

11 Student Wellbeing Diet- Protein rich, Fibre Filled with vitamin supplements Sport- Mixed age groups, for all abilities in over 15 sports Anti-bullying- 0-tolerance policy Parent and Teacher Relationship- Parents School board

12 Pastoral care Treatment for ADHD has two important components; Psychotherapy and medication. Onsite 3 nurses available 24 hours a day Psychotherapists and CBT therapy by appointment Fantastic relationship with great north hospital and local GP s ODD Bipolar Anxiety or depression Tourette syndrome Dyslexia

Discipline A focus on preventative strategies

allow regular discussions about child s behaviour

with ADHD as naughty for fidgeting, calling out

13 Discipline A focus on preventative strategies Communication links between parents and teachers allow regular discussions about child s behaviour A particular emphasis on not labelling children with ADHD as naughty for fidgeting, calling out and reduced capability to work on tasks for long periods of time

14 Classroom Design Pastel colours in rooms that teach subjects that require focused attention on a particular task e.g. Maths, English etc. The walls will be plain with very few distractions apart from the back wall which will be used to display work but will not distract the students during the lesson. The rooms will be a lot larger than average classroom to move around. A variety of working spaces. Desks arranged in semi-circular shape so attention is focused towards the teacher. This shape also promotes discussion amongst students- students can be assessed Children sat in pairs according to their learning style

15 Semi-circular design Reading/chill out zones Variety of work spaces Colourful back wall Standing Desks

Attention deficit means it s hard for you to concentrate. Hyperactivity means you are more active than other kids/ young people your age.

ADHD ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Attention deficit means it s hard for you to concentrate. Hyperactivity means you are more active than other kids/ young people your age.