Beechwood College is very excited to be starting a new academic year and has lots of fun new initiatives planned to engage the students and promote learning and the development of new life skills.
Expanded curriculum
With the addition of new lecturers, the College has been able to expand the curriculum. The weekly student forums last year highlighted that students wanted history added as an option – and dance had been added, too.
Go-kart repair workshops
One of the most popular activities in the evenings and weekends at Beechwood is racing on the go-karts. Inevitably the go-karts get damaged regularly, so the college’s Vocation Centre has started go-kart repair workshops, where the students get involved in the upkeep of the vehicles.
Bicycle-powered smoothie machine
Another fun enterprise project the students have set themselves this term is to adapt a bicycle to power a smoothie-making machine! Everyone is sure to be queueing to check out the results of this activity.
Reminder prompt cards
Students are also designing their own PEAC prompt cards. Students can then carry around the cards and use them as reminders of what tasks need to be undertaken to complete some of the activities that will expand their confidence and independent living skills.
For example, students who plan community visits have included reminders of what clothes they need to get ready depending on the weather and what else they may need to take with them such as money and a shopping bag.
One of the handmade items for sale on Beechwood College’s Etsy site
Students’ Etsy shop goes from strength to strength
And finally, the students would like to remind Autism Eye readers to check out their Etsy shop, BeechwoodBitsandBobs. They will shortly be launching their Halloween range and then will be gearing up to offer a wide range of Christmas gifts. So don’t forget to check out their shop when you are looking for original gift ideas!
Follow our students
To follow the progress of the Beechwood students this term and see how they are getting on with their many projects, why not follow them on Facebook.com/BeechwoodColl or Twitter.com/Beechwood_Coll?
