Here at Cambridge we have two mighty pods which operate as separate departments within our school;
Pacific Pod
Our SEMH (Social Emotional Mental Health) Pod caters for the emotional and mental needs of our learners by establishing a nurturing environment to enrich their learning.
Pacific Pod aims to understand our learners and what their behaviour is communicating to us. The approach is based on the six principles of nurture, it is reflective and trauma informed.
Our paradigm is relationship centred. We prioritise building positive relationships with our learners because we believe in the importance of building strong connections. We approach issues around discipline through a relational lens rather than behaviour management.
Pacific Pod delivers standalone sessions of Emotional Intelligence and Executive functioning to prepare our learners for life and work. We challenge our learners to achieve to the best of their abilities by adapting and personalising learning. Ensuring learning is tailored to individuals. Additionally, learners work closely with learning mentors, behaviour mentors and therapist as a support system.
Our learners are provided with the opportunities to partake in enrichment programs every term to foster team building, confidence, resilience, and independence. This includes Rock climbing, trampolining, fitness programme and external links with further educational colleges and vocational providers.
Pacific Pod has two KS3 classes: Akala and Rashford class; and three KS4 classes: Armstrong, Rowling and Bevan. We teach our KS4 learners to become mentors for our KS3 learners.
We are all working to achieve a common goal which is to develop Emotionally Intelligent learners.
Atlantic Pod
Learners in Atlantic Pod have a diverse range of needs, but most learners have an ASC diagnosis. All of our students have access to a wide and rich curriculum. Learners are placed in classes according
to their needs and conditions. Some learners follow an examination accredited pathway whilst others are on a Preparing for Adulthood route.
Learners in Atlantic Pod have access to a wide range of support from our Speech and Language Therapist, our Occupational Therapist and our Drama Therapist. We believe in a holistic approach to learning and we ensure that our learners have the emotional and social support that they need to succeed.
Each class has a class teacher and a Higher Level Teaching Assistant as well as a team of Teaching Assistants. This ensures that your child has support in all aspects of their learning, both academic and pastoral.
Atlantic Pod students have a wealth of enrichment activities as a golden thread through their curriculum including lunchtime clubs and off site visits to theatres and museums.