News and Current Events

Afasic: Unlocking Speech & Lanaguage, new family support group

Monday, 10 June 2013 13:26

Do you have a child of any age with speech/language problems?

Would you like to meet other families in similar situations?

We hold regular support groups, where you can pop in and chat to other families. Children of all ages are welcome, and we have toys, books and craft materials available. Parents can chat over a coffee in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, sharing their knowledge and experience.

We both have children with speech problems, and can offer advice on how to help your child, and getting professional and playgroup/school support. Or we can just be here to have a chat, and help you realize that you are not on your own, there are other families in similar situations.

“I was told that there was no process to help my child as he did not have a clear diagnosis, I felt like my child was the only one in the world like it, until I went along to the Afasic Support Group, where I chatted to other parents and got lots of good advice on how to get help for my son”.

To find out when our next support group is, or just to get some advice, please contact us Amy 07429 632414 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tracy 07941 137380 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or contact The Afasic helpline: 0845 3 55 55 77.

Doesn’t matter what stage you’re at, children do not need to have a diagnosis or had any professional intervention.

Families from anywhere in Norfolk and Suffolk welcome.

For further details please download a copy of the promotional flyer (pdf, 371Kb)

Well done to the SEN Art Club!

Tuesday, 16 April 2013 09:43

Every Thursday lunch time a group of students gather to take part in the SEN Art Club. We recently participated in the Hobbycraft Easter Bonnet competition where we were given a bag of goodies to create a bonnet.

The students spent two weeks creating their bonnet which was then put out for voting in the store. The bonnet was very innovative and comprised of eggs and chicks going round the base of the bonnet in the various stages of hatching.

We have recently been informed that we came 2nd out of the 10 groups who entered and eagerly await our prize.

Learning Support Assistant awarded for her achievements

Tuesday, 04 December 2012 00:00

Elke Rose pictured with Mr John

Elke Rose is a committed Learning Support Assistant within the SEN department and a highly valued member of our support colleagues in school.  We are delighted to report that Mrs Rose is one of the first support staff in the whole of Norfolk to achieve an apprenticeship in ‘Supporting, Teaching and Learning’.  She has been awarded the City and Guilds Level 3 Apprenticeship, and is pictured here with Mr John celebrating her success.  This is very well deserved and congratulations, Mrs Rose!!

Students, if you are interested in a career as a learning support/teaching assistant, please talk with the SEN department or with one of our careers advisors, and chat with our LSAs too!

Excellence awarded to Sprowston High

Monday, 15 October 2012 12:12

On Monday 1 October, Chris Davies (SENCO) and I attended a presentation of awards at Neatherd High School, Dereham. A Certificate of Excellence was awarded to Sprowston High School for outstanding achievement in implementing the county approved travel independence training scheme (TITAN). We shall also be entitled to display the Titan logo on  the school letterhead.

The certificate was awarded by Lisa Christensen, Director of Children's Services following a short speech by her which highlighted the benefits of this scheme. Titan has trained many students of high school age and beyond, in a wide range of skills  in order to enrich the lives of our more vulnerable students.

The scheme is entering it's 5th year at Sprowston and will be training 16 pupils this year to enable them to be happier, safer young people as they leave school to enter the world of further education or employment.

I feel honoured to be coordinating the scheme here and to see the positive changes it brings to so many.

Amanda Burvill
Learning Support Assistant

Action for Animals Committee visit PACT

Wednesday, 26 September 2012 13:37

The 'Action for Animals' committee visited Pact animal sanctuary in Hingham on the last week of term. They delivered cat and dog food, plus some old blankets for bedding.  Many thanks to all the pupils who contributed to the appeal.  Everyone had a great time and enjoyed a guided tour of the the sanctuary.  A cake bake is planned for this term to help raise more funds.

PACT Animal Sanctuary Food Collection

Friday, 15 June 2012 07:58

The Action for Animals Committee is collecting cat and dog food for PACT Animal Sanctuary.  Please bring tinned or dried food, (not fresh), to the Learning Zone. This will be delivered to the sanctuary on the last week of term.

If you have any queries, please contact Mrs P Thorpe or a member of the committee at the Learning Zone.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Website - A New Resource

Tuesday, 24 April 2012 10:59

A new special educational needs website www.norfolk.gov.uk/SEN has now been launched.  This is where you can find information on what services and support the County Council provides for children with special educational needs (SEN).

The website contains useful up to date information for parents and carers including:

• What to do if you are worried that your/a child may have SEN.
• What support children should receive at different ages and stages.
• Useful explanations and how to access support for families.

There is also information about support in schools and other types of education provision and lots of links to support provided by other people such as the NHS, voluntary and community groups. 

School Cake Sale in aid of the Shire Horse Appeal

Friday, 30 March 2012 00:00

On the 27 March 2012 a group of pupils who are part of The Hillside Animal Sanctuary Action Committee, baked and sold cakes to raise money for  The Shire Horse Appeal.  They raised the sum of £50.00 to contribute towards the horse's food and care.

Many thanks to all staff who supported us and well done and thank you to the following students for all your hard work:
 
Year 8: Jacob Royal, Year 9: Matthew Collier-Ball, Lauren Jacobs, Callum Jacobs, Toby Paige, Emily Doggett, George Miller, Jess Mead, Ben Frost, Year 10: Ryan Bedwell-Woods, Matthew Smith, Jacob Fleet, Madeleine Topley, Udai Nikhab.  

The Learning Zone Team

World Autism Awareness Day - 2 April 2012

Friday, 23 March 2012 13:54

On 2 April 2012 it will be World Autism Awareness Day.  Over 500,000 people in the UK have autism and together with their families they make up over two million people whose lives are touched by autism every single day.  Despite this, autism is still relatively unknown and misunderstood. Together, we can change this.  We will be promoting autism awareness in the school assemblies all this week to highlight the challenges faced by people with autistic spectrum disorders.

Learning support assistant Mrs Thorpe, has written four books on the subject of supporting pupils and adults with Autism.  Published by the National Autistic Society these can be found in the school library with other books on the subject, including one written by a teenager with Autism, Luke Jackson.

Hillside Action Committee Visit

Wednesday, 04 January 2012 10:30

On the 15 December a group of students paid a visit to the Hillside Animal Sanctuary, where they delivered much needed blankets and towels, that will be used as animal bedding. The delighted staff then treated the children to a guided tour of the sanctuary.