The majority of pupils involved in Primary Ambitions are facilitating sessions for our local partner primary schools at Emanuel School. In addition to the onsite programme, we have some lower sixth pupils working offsite too. They are working with autistic children, the elderly and with partner primaries at their sites.
One of our lower sixth teams is facilitating activities at Park House School. The team is composed of Andrew, Fleur, Atitya, Katherine, Clemmie and Patrick. Andrew (L6AEM) shares their experience below.
‘This year, as part of Emanuel’s Primary Ambitions programme, six pupils from lower sixth have been providing activities for the students of Park House School on a Friday afternoon. As an Independent Special School for autistic children aged 4-11 years, this has been an initially challenging but rewarding experience. At first, some of us were a little apprehensive as most of us had not been in an environment like this before but following an introduction from the Park House deputy head, and in the knowledge that there were lots of experienced and supportive staff, we became confident and comfortable interacting with and helping the children.
After providing our first activity we started to enjoy our experience and learnt a great deal about working with autistic children from the staff and our own experiences there. As for our sessions, we provide enjoyable activities to celebrate then end of the week for the pupils. These have included baking cookies and cake and making sculptures from clay. During these activities, we layout the materials, give instructions to the Park House School pupils and staff and then help carry out the activity itself.
Overall, it has been a very enriching experience. It has been great to just help the school, albeit in a small way, and provide some fun experiences for the pupils there.”
Alexander (L6AEM)
