Laura Trinder
Parents see a big change in their children, after they’ve joined LVS Oxford. Their journey through the school begins in Year 7, when they undertake a 12-week programme for all new starters. It helps them settle into the school, and covers everything from forging new friendships to learning coping mechanisms to deal with the transition from primary school, including having to move classrooms for different lessons.
“We use strategies that work well for them,” says Laura. “We have colour charts in all of the classrooms, with emotional zones displayed on them, so that the students can identify what zone they’re in, by saying ‘I’m feeling yellow or blue’, which helps us understand how they are feeling at that moment.
“If someone is feeling like they don’t want to talk in class, that’s fine. We give them space, perhaps getting them to do some mindful colouring to help get them back in the green zone.”
“Everyone here at LVS Oxford is very supportive both of each other and the students, and we’re very lucky to be based here, in this amazing building and its grounds.”
Tutor time, held on arrival at school and in the afternoon, is good for encouraging the students to build relationships. “It’s the time when we check in with them. We have a programme for each day: Wellbeing Wednesdays, when we will go for a walk and a chat; Thoughtful Thursdays, where we share a quote and discuss its meaning in class. It inspires the students to write their own quotes,” says Laura, who teachers PSHE and social thinking to the lower school, and is also the Wellbeing Officer, with weekly meetings to offer targeted support to any students who might be struggling.
On Fridays, there are enrichment classes, where students can take part in a variety of different clubs, from a camera club to taking part in various sports. “There is something for everyone,” says Laura.
“There’s even horse care. There are horses in the meadow and students are given the opportunity to help look after them. There is always something interesting going on. We have a yurt that we use for drama and social thinking games and in camera club, students make their own animated films, using Lego figures. Every day brings variety, I see it as a perk of the job.
“Everyone here at LVS Oxford is very supportive both of each other and the students, and we’re very lucky to be based here, in this amazing building and its grounds.”