Inclusive sessions designed to re-engage students through a series of internal and external providers. Diamond sessions aim to reduce attainment gaps, develop student wellbeing, engagement within school and the wider community through a range of projects. Sessions are delivered with ‘No limits’ for student development and growth through high expectations and coaching.
There are six broad aims of the Diamond sessions; raising aspirations, improve cognition and learning, resilience and self-esteem, empathy and understanding others, social communication and peer relationships and finally, sensory and regulation.
Diamond sessions provide small class sizes with experienced staff and increased support to develop students ability to re-engage with education. All students have full access to the Ruby, Emerald or Quartz curriculum and the sessions run parallel to the school day to provide a blended, supported approach which is bespoke to each student. The key target of sessions is to remove a range of barriers and develop mechanisms, so students can attend increasing numbers of mainstream lessons.
Student testimonies
“Year 8 and the start of Year 9 was the worst time for me. I had lots of things going on in my life that affected how I would behave from day to day. I was given diamond sessions which have helped me with my confidence. I particularly liked my art intervention as I could just be myself. I still take part in the dance interventions which I love. I know that I’m always going to struggle and I’ll always need help. I know there’s always going to be people I can turn to if I need support. I like to be there to help other people but struggle to listen to my own advice.”
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“In the past I would have kicked off at the tiniest problem. I found it easier to react in this way rather than sit and talk to people about how I was feeling. I felt that I was putting too much stress on my mam and realised that I had to change my ways. I feel that my interventions have helped me change how I behave. By attending more hands-on sessions, I have been able to come to terms with my anger and emotions, and deal with them in a positive way.”
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“I am now in Year 9, almost 10, and feel more confident. I still access some interventions and have just started to attend Y-Engage on a Tuesday. This is something I would probably have struggled with in the past. I use my zone pass less and feel I have now made some really good relationships with adults and other students. I have also signed up to the school rugby team this year which I would never have done in Year 7 and 8.”
“I like it in Diamond Sessions. The teachers help me with my anger and they are always calm when they speak to me. If I do something wrong they give me timeout to let me calm down and talk about what I should do next.”
“I enjoyed doing the boxing; it is my second favourite thing I have done, my favourite is engineering. I liked starting in the breakfast club with Diamond when I came in September. I am proud of myself for moving sets from R9 to R2 and I know my teachers are too.”
Diamond Sessions Contacts
Mr D McNiff – [email protected]
Mr P Robinson – [email protected]
Tel: 01482 349600