This term has been a truly remarkable chapter for The Element, filled with exciting developments, new beginnings and meaningful opportunities for our young people. Most notably, we celebrated the opening of our new designated provision at the Maritime Knowledge Hub—a dynamic space designed to serve our local community by fostering opportunity, access and hope. At the heart of this initiative lies our commitment to prioritising wellbeing and cultivating a deep sense of belonging for every student we support.
We’ve been delighted to welcome over 50 young people and their families to The Element this term, alongside several new staff members who share our mission. This milestone is a testament to what it means to be part of an inclusive Trust, going above and beyond for vulnerable individuals in our community.
An Aspirational Curriculum for Key Stage 4
At The Element, we believe education should be both inspiring and forward-thinking. That’s why our Key Stage 4 curriculum goes beyond the core subjects of English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and PHSCE. Students here have unique opportunities to develop skills and gain qualifications in practical, real-world settings.
Our fully operational Hair and Beauty salon enables students to achieve Level 1 and 2 qualifications, while the Engage for Change programme offers opportunities to earn Sports Leadership credentials and gain valuable work experience in local primary schools. Additionally, some of our young people participate in extended work placements with local businesses such as Cammell Laird, equipping them with essential skills for future careers.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to introduce ASDAN and COPE courses in the new year. These additions will provide even more experiences and qualifications for our students. Furthermore, next term, some of our Year 10 students will attend the Talent Foundry workshop in Liverpool—a dynamic event designed to connect young people with industry professionals, boost confidence, and help them explore future career opportunities.
Supporting Key Stage 3 Students to Thrive
For our Key Stage 3 students, we continue to offer tailored support through two distinct models. Our nurture group provides a safe, supportive environment for our most vulnerable students, while another group focuses on preparing learners for reintegration into mainstream education. Both groups follow a creative curriculum that includes English and Mathematics alongside therapeutic sessions such as yoga and mindfulness.
Expanding Rhythmic Movement Therapy
Our Inclusion Team has seen extraordinary success with Rhythmic Movement Therapy (RMT), an innovative tool that’s become a cornerstone of our outreach programme. Following a highly impactful pilot scheme, which demonstrated significant benefits over a 12-week period, we have now extended RMT to children in every school within the Trust and beyond.
Currently, seven members of staff are completing their Level 1 and Level 2 RMT training. Once qualified, they will return to their schools to support the next stage of embedding RMT into our universal support offer.
A Groundbreaking New Provision for Primary Students
We are thrilled to announce the opening of a new designated provision for primary students in January. This provision will be based in the presbytery in Wallasey Village, adjacent to St Mary’s Catholic College. This groundbreaking initiative combines reflex integration with a brand-new, innovative and creative curriculum. As the first of its kind in the UK, we are incredibly proud to be leading the way and have been invited to share our best practices at the Developmental Practice Association Conference in April.