Our provision

Rushey Connect is an intervention hub located within the grounds of Rushey Mead Academy. It provides a bespoke pathway for our students, including core subjects, the King’s Trust Awards and online learning from EdClass. Students may attend half day or full day sessions, and this is combined with mainstream provision and, for some, offsite alternative provision.

Rushey Connect offers a structured, supportive space for students to re-engage with their learning in a smaller, quieter setting. The provision supports academic progress, emotional wellbeing, and the development of positive routines, with a clear aim of reintegration into mainstream lessons. With small class sizes, targeted teaching, and a calm supportive atmosphere, we believe every student can progress and re-connect with their learning.

Rushey Connect is located in a purpose-built building behind D block, within a suite of specialist rooms, equipped with the most up to date technology and resources to support the students’ learning. These include:

• A bespoke classroom, equipped with desktop computers as well as specialist ipads and headsets, and an interactive whiteboard;
• An intervention room where small group and one to one sessions take place;
• A kitchen area within another classroom, where life skills can be taught, including cooking, washing and cleaning;

We are also fortunate to benefit from a Wild Garden which students can access during the day and where small group lessons and one to one interventions are sometimes delivered.

Rushey Connect is accessed via its own separate gate next to the staff car park, and students are greeted by a member of the team, to ensure they have a safe and confident start to their day. They are also accompanied to the gate at the end of the day when leaving the school site.

Expectations

Our students are an integral part of the Rushey Family, following our core values: Be kind, Work hard and Develop your whole self. We want all students to try their best. We expect you to show respect to others in the school and display acceptable behaviour. We want you to participate in all lessons and ask for support when you need it.

It’s pretty simple – show the school, the staff and other learners the respect that you yourself would like to receive from others.

Students in Rushey Connect follow the same behaviour policy as Rushey Mead Academy, with reasonable adjustments made to any sanctions, if deemed necessary. You can view our Behaviour Management Policy here: – linked here. Our reflective curriculum allows students to reflect on any poor decisions that they might have made, to ensure that negative behaviour is not repeated.

Uniform

There is no expectation for Rushey Connect students to wear the Rushey Mead Academy uniform. We encourage you to wear smart casual clothes that you feel comfortable in.

Curriculum

Students at Rushey Connect access a bespoke, personalised curriculum. All students will undertake qualifications in:

• English and maths
• King’s Trust Awards

In addition, all students have lessons in PSHE and receive careers support, and will take part in bespoke mentoring to support their behavioural and social, emotional needs. Our focus is to provide experiences that parallel the mainstream provision with the additional focus on therapeutic programmes and a heavy emphasis on wellbeing, social skills and life skills. Targets are set collaboratively and reviewed after 6 weeks:

Timings of the day

Rushey Connect follows the same term dates as Rushey Mead Academy.

Our day starts a little later, and students should arrive at the Rushey Connect main gate for 10am. Each student has a meet and greet with a member of staff to start the day.

The day finishes at 2.45pm, and students will be accompanied to the gate when leaving the school site.

Break and Lunch

Lunch and break times allow you to have a break from lessons and have some refreshments. School provides water and fruit for break times.  You will be asked to make a choice for lunch time and staff will deliver it to you at lunch time.

There may also be time for some downtime at lunch and break. Activities may be provided, or this may be a time you can socialise with others, participate in an interest led activity or catch up with some work.

We do not allow students to bring in their own entertainment unless it has been approved by staff in advance.

Families

We pride ourselves on being one Rushey Family, and Rushey Connect is an integral part of this family. It is important to us that we work closely with our community to ensure we have positive relationships with all of our parents and carers, and these relationships are central to our work. Families are always welcome to come into school and see the work we are doing, and regular telephone and/or email contact is available as required. We hold regular family events where everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about the students’ experiences at school and how to support their learning at home.

Staffing