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Autumn term, academic year 2024 to 2025
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Welcome to the first addition of our Elective Home Education (EHE) newsletter.
We hope to be able to produce this newsletter on a regular basis in the future and it would be really positive if some of our EHE children and parents/carers are able to contribute to this as well.
You can contribute to our future issues. We would love to share examples of some of the children’s work that they are proud in future issues. If you have examples, please do email us and confirm that you are happy for the images to be published.
We’d also like to include a section where parents and children share information, tips and ideas for new EHE families or those looking to expand what they are doing, as well as information and links to events, clubs, Facebook groups or anything else you might feel is helpful and useful.
To contribute, please email ehe@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk. You can also send feedback about our newsletter to that email address.
There are occasions where we would like to be to share information with you more quickly than via this newsletter and it would be very useful for us to create a block email address list of EHE families so we can contact you. These emails would be sent in a way where other recipients wouldn’t be able to see who else had received it, therefore maintaining your confidentiality. If you would like to be added to this list, please let Fiona know.
Contents
- meet the team
- your voice matters: our local plan
- winter term ideas
- useful resources
Meet the Education Engagement Team
Sam Barrington, Vicki Kesseru and Fiona Coskun, elective home education (EHE) officers and adviser
We all really enjoy hearing about all the different learning styles and experiences our families use. Please contact us if you would like some advice, support, signposting or simply someone to talk to about your home education experience.
Sam is the EHE Officer for Dunstable and Mid Bedfordshire.
Vicki is the EHE Officer for the Ivel Valley and Biggleswade areas.
Fiona is the EHE Adviser for Leighton Buzzard, Houghton Regis and young people in Central Bedfordshire who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Melissa Hoetzinger, Education Engagement Officer
In my role as Education Engagement Officer, I support families across Central Bedfordshire to identify and access suitable education for their children. This could include help with completing school applications, applying for school transport, attending pre-admission meetings or any other support required. Please contact me if you need any advice or support to apply for a school place.
Alison Ambridge, Business Support Officer
I work for the Elective Home Education team as a support officer. I have been in this role for one year and I enjoy the engagement with families and schools and strive to assist people with their queries.
Rachael Brydges, Traveller Education Liaison Officer
Rachael has just joined our team and is getting settled into her new role. Rachael will be building relationships with the Gypsy and Traveller community, colleagues and other professionals and supporting access to suitable education for members of the community within Central Bedfordshire.
Katharine Flegg, Tracking Officer
You may hear from me if you have recently moved into or out of the area. My main role is related to children missing education across the whole of Central Bedfordshire but I also support the EHE team.
Your voice matters: our Local Plan
We need to plan for more homes and jobs for people who want to move here and young people who want to stay in the area.
The place you live in can have a big impact on your life. We don’t want to just build more homes, we want to create places to live that help you have the best life, and we want your help to do this.
Our new Local Plan for the area is for you and your future – it’s about where you live now, and where you might live in the future.
The Local Plan has to look forward at least 15 years, but it could be as much as 25 years! How old will you be in that time? How will your local area change over that time? There is a lot to think about!
We want to create great places to live, and we want young people to have their say and make their voices heard. We have launched a survey for all young people between 13 and 18 years old (up to 25 years old with SEND). Take part in the survey. If you are under 13 ask a parent/ guardian to submit on your behalf.
Autumn and winter term ideas
English
Seasons. There is a lovely picture book range about seasons and weather by Sam Usher which you can find on You Tube and slideshares free online. These books are also great for learning about alliteration and onomatopoeia.
There is also a good Tom Fletcher book for later in the term called Christmasaurus, which you may wish to have a look at. Check to see if your local library has a copy.
Then there are always the old favourites like The Snowman and The Polar Express films. Before or after watching The Polar Express, you may like to go on a train journey with your children as an outing and to put the film into context.
Another lovely idea for this time of the year is creating seasonal poetry.
There are also some good traditional tales for the younger children, like Little Red Hen (this book is about harvest and friendship, PSHE link). Another good take is The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.
Maths
Seasons and time.
Calendar countdowns days until Halloween, Bonfire night and Christmas.
Measurements.
Science
You could go on autumn walk to discuss the seasons and how they change and record your findings. Use all your senses; does it smell, feel, look, sound different in the autumn and winter compared to the summer and spring time?
Jelly Baby experiment: place Jelly Babies in ice cube trays and freeze. From this you can look at the best way to save energy, design and carry out experiments to investigate how to melt ice in fastest time.
Harvest – you can look at food packaging and nutritional content, sort into the different food groups, and discuss the importance of a balanced diet.
Look at toys and the materials they are made from.
History
Look at toys through the ages and how traditions have changed throughout the years. There is a fantastic display of older toys at Milton Keynes museum.
Geography
Where is the North Pole on the globe?
RE
Research how Christmas is celebrated around the world.
Design and technology
Design, make and evaluate Christmas decorations. You could even add a circuit and make them light up!
Art
Firework art – splatter painting or salad spinner in the style of Jackson Pollock.
Pointillism using cotton buds or fingers painting to create snowy/winter scenes great on black/dark blue paper in the style of Seurat.
On an autumn walk, collect objects to create autumn artwork, use leaves to create leaf rubbings or artwork, and conkers to create outdoor art sculptures.
PSHE
Fireworks and road safety.
Useful resources
Home education opportunities at Woburn Safari Park
The Woburn Safari Park Education Team runs educational days every month for home-educated children aged between 5 and 17 years old. Find out more about the Woburn Safari Park Home Educator Sessions.
AQA unit award scheme – September 2024 Units
There is an information booklet included in the newsletter with further information about the AQA unit award scheme. Find out more about the AQA Unit Award Scheme.
Don’t forget about what else is on offer!
Visit our elective home education web page, which includes resources you may find helpful. Our children’s centres offer regular activities. Find your local children’s centre to see what’s on. And don’t forget about our libraries! Find your nearest library and find out how to join.