To support children with SEND through a multi-therapeutic approach to learning, that focuses on the whole person. Students at Gesher are profoundly well known, both as people and as learners, and learning is founded on relationships and attachment, Many of our students also have historically poor relationships with the education system so this innovation also re-engages them with their learning.
We have used Lego Thera-Build techniques to create short films that allow for projective self-expression, opportunities to role-play, and chances to work through any anxieties or social confusion. The sessions provide a space to develop school engagement through the support of wellbeing and self-esteem, whilst also providing academic evidence when referencing the PIVATS framework integrated alongside the National Curriculum objectives. The use of film-making allows for easy and accessible documentation that presents the objectives in a fun way to the pupils, particularly for traditionally challenging subjects such as literacy. Furthermore, the use of the Lego Movie Maker and iMovie software provide some ready-made structures that require minimal adult input to utilise, promoting independence and technical understanding. Progress has been seen in all the pupils who have accessed it where they had previously appeared to plateau with their learning outcomes.
The main achievement of the innovation is the progress that has been made by the children that have accessed it. This will now be implemented across the whole school and we will cone to capture and evidence the impact the intervention is having. Our intention is to share our practise, codify it and showcase it so that other learning communities can access it and translate it to their learners and environment.
Recruitment of trained creative arts therapists to facilitate the sessions is important to ensure that themes and concepts are explored in a safe and contained way. The therapy time should be provided to all pupils and should be protected and scheduled appropriately. For more information on this particular model of education and therapy provision, please contact chris.gurney@gesherschool.com
