We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of one of our Year 10 pupils, who has made an outstanding start to his placement with Apple CAST.

As part of our commitment to providing engaging and meaningful learning opportunities, we work with a range of specialist providers that help pupils develop practical skills, confidence and independence.

Apple CAST is a charity that provides alternative education opportunities through hands-on learning experiences in an outdoor setting, helping young people engage with learning beyond the classroom.

During his placement with Apple CAST, this Year 10 pupil has developed a strong understanding of the basic principles of health and safety, animal welfare on the farm, and the safe handling and management of birds of prey. He has embraced every opportunity presented to him and has impressed staff with his enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

In particular, he has made exceptional progress during the birds of prey sessions. Over a short period of time, he has developed the confidence and skills required to independently hold a bird on the glove and take it for a walk. These activities require a high level of concentration, responsibility and confidence, making his achievements all the more impressive.

The team at Apple CAST have praised the significant progress he has made, highlighting the hard work and determination he has demonstrated throughout the programme.

Shannon from Apple CAST said: “This student consistently puts his absolute best effort into every task and approaches each session with a fantastic attitude. The fact he has progressed to this stage in just four weeks is an incredible achievement and a real testament to his hard work and dedication.”

It has been wonderful to see this pupil grow in confidence and independence in such a short space of time. His commitment to making the most of every opportunity has been clear from the outset, and he should be extremely proud of everything he has achieved so far.

Everyone at The Acorns School is incredibly proud of his progress and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop his skills, build his confidence and thrive during the remainder of his placement with Apple CAST.