Boxing on the Engagement Pathways

 Pupils on the Engagement Pathways have the opportunity to do boxing as part of their timetables. Pupils work with professional coaches at either Southampton ABC in Sholing, or Golden Ring in Millbrook.

As well as being a fantastic way of getting fitter, boxing training can also significantly improve mental health by reducing anxiety and providing a healthy, focused outlet for stress.

Boxing is a popular part of the Engagement Pathways timetables, and pupils who attend are also able to gain AQA accredited boxing qualifications.

Benefits of Fishing with the EP Pupils

 Fishing sessions have been an important part of the Engagement Pathways team’s work, giving pupils the chance to try and build skills in angling. Through regular sessions, pupils are introduced to fishing in a safe and supportive environment, helping them feel comfortable taking part.

As pupils gain experience, many grow from beginners into confident participants who can use equipment, understand techniques, and feel proud of what they achieve. This progress builds confidence and helps keep them engaged.

Fishing also helps pupils develop important skills such as patience, concentration, and resilience. It encourages them to focus and problem-solve, while also supporting teamwork and communication. For pupils who find the classroom challenging, fishing provides a different way to succeed and build self-esteem.

Spending time outdoors also adds to these benefits. The calm, natural environment helps pupils relax, reduce stress, and support their wellbeing.

Offsite Personal Development

 As part of their personalised timetables, pupils on the school’s Engagement Pathways all benefit from the opportunity to engage with some form of Personal Development.

Previously referred to as ‘Engagement’, Personal Development allows pupils to learn new skills individualised to their needs, gain new experiences that will benefit them in their education and future employment and help them to enjoy school in a non-traditional way, which they may have previously struggled with.

Some examples of this include:

 

Pupils going to the shop to buy supplies for future projects, this helps them to learn about budgeting and interacting with others.

Outdoor activities in the New Forest or large wooded areas that helps pupils to learn about and engage with nature in ways they may not have previously had the opportunity to.

Trips to museums and car showrooms which are tremendously beneficial for pupil’s education and building a better relationship with their schooling

MoHo Front Garden Transformation

The front garden at Morris House has had a transformation over the half term break.

   

It is now a clear area with the borders covered with bark chips and various plants. 

Over this term as the weather (hopefully) brightens up, we plan to build a picnic bench to set up on the patio to provide an outdoor area to sit for the pupils. 

Personalised Transitions on the Engagement Pathways

All new pupils who come to the Polygon School are given a transition program. However, some of our new pupils benefit from fully-personalised transition periods before they start with us in September. Staff work closely with these pupils, their families and current schools to develop positive relationships.

Engaging activities and academic sessions are provided to support the pupil's transition to the Polygon.

We want our new pupils to feel confident and supported when they join us in September.

PE - Baseball Throwing And Catching

 As we approach the end of term, the sun has been shining and gave the pupils a fantastic opportunity to learn a sport from overseas! 

Throwing and catching is an important skill, one that will help the pupils learn co-ordination and the challenges of using their strong and weaker hand. KS3 definitely having fun out there. Those baseball gloves do a great job covering their hands.

One strike and you're out!

Golfing with the EP Boys!

Throughout the academic year, a number of Engagement Pathways pupils have been given the opportunity to take part in a Golf session as part of the Personal Development portion of their timetable.

The sessions, which take place at Chilworth Golf Club, give pupils the chance to learn a new skill while also engaging in a physical activity that they most likely would not have had the opportunity to previously.

These sessions have improved pupil attendance and engagement and those that have attended consistently have showed significant improvement in their Golf swing, with some now being able to drive the ball around 200 yards.

Avon Tyrrell Day 1

 

        

Engagement Pathways Unit Award Scheme Update

On Engagement Pathways the pupils have had the opportunity to take part in the AQA Unit Award Scheme.  This is a flexible scheme where students receive certificates in recognition for completing short units of work or activity.

So far, pupils have completed units in cooking, fishing, boxing  and practical tasks in Morris House and the school allotment, to name but a few. This approach means  we can tailor achievements for the Engagement Pathway pupils directly to their interests and appropriate academic level.

Overall we have gained 57 certificates this year so far across the pupils engaging in the scheme since introducing it to our timetables and it has been really successful!

Fires, Food and Frogs at Forest School with the Engagement Pathway Boys!

Forest School sessions, run by Youth Options at Itchen Valley Country Park, allow pupils to learn new skills such as witling and fire building as well as an opportunity to engage in nature in new ways that they would have likely not experienced before. As well as the activities put on in the Youth Options private area, pupils are also given the opportunity to explore the park as a whole and learn about the wildlife and boscage that they are surrounded by.

Our boys also get to experience cooking outside, where they make and share a range of different foods. Due to being out in the wild, we sometimes stumble on some wildlife they normally wouldn't see on their day to day.