Jeans for Genes Day at Witham Prospect School
This special day was part of the school’s initiative to offer pupils diverse, hands-on learning experiences. The school’s curriculum is tailored to the developmental age of each child and young person, from Emergent Learners to Towards Independence Learners.
The day was a fun and meaningful way for us to raise money for Genetic Disorders UK and celebrate what makes each of us unique. Both children and young people and staff were encouraged to wear their favourite denim and participate in a range of activities.
The day included a number of activities. For creative tasks, pupils decorated paper jeans and an old pair of jeans and even used chalk to draw and colour jeans on the floor. For sensory exploration, a variety of “tuff trays” were set up with different materials, including denim and blue-coloured items, allowing children and young people to investigate textures and colours.
The activities for Jeans for Genes Day were directly linked to the school’s curriculum and core principles, ensuring the day was a valuable learning experience. The curriculum uses four categories based on developmental age.
For Emergent Learners, the day provided opportunities to explore denim and blue-themed sensory experiences, helping them engage with the theme in a meaningful way. For Informal Learners, activities were focused on playful and sensory-rich experiences that supported early communication and interaction. For Semi-Formal Learners, the goal was to promote independence and preparation for adulthood by encouraging children and young people to make choices and participate in activities that celebrated individuality and difference. Finally, for Towards Independence Learners, this group was supported in using symbols, signs, or words to talk about differences and kindness through themed activities.
The day’s activities also aligned with broader curriculum principles, including PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) and promoting self-regulation, self-awareness, self-knowledge, self-esteem, and self-confidence.