Toot Hill is an academy school located in the thriving market town of Bingham, which is on the outskirts of Nottingham. From school years 7 – 11 and a sixth form college, Toot Hill already has its range of ages, as well as the extra activities they hold for younger children, adults, the elderly and families – making Toot Hill School a very community friendly environment.
Toot Hill Extra is a community placement based within a Secondary school in Bingham, Nottingham. This placement strives to improve the community with a range of activities for adults, children and teenagers. Toot Hill offer many workshops such as Family Art Day, Glass Making, Cartoon Drawing, 'Masterchef' and many more suitable for all members of the community.
This placement demonstrates how organisations within the community try to involve every individual within the community by organising a range of activities that can appeal to everyone.
The activities held for non-pupils range from art based events such as cartoon drawing and glass making, to photography and drama, to science days making bottle rockets and Christmas tea dances; the school really caters to all tastes and preferences, whether trying new things or perfecting old hobbies. There is also a programme held for year 6 children in surrounding areas to integrate them into the school and give them a chance to make friends with their new class mates and get a sense of feeling within the community. All of these events are part of ‘Toot Hill Extra’, for more information and to access this website, click the link below.
http://www.toothillextra.co.uk
Helping within the Toot Hill and Bingham community really makes you feel like part of a family and Toot Hill’s statement proves this:
‘We are immensely proud of Toot Hill School. At the heart of our learning community is the belief that every child matters and that every child will succeed.
We promote ambition, commitment and independence. High standards are set in the knowledge that hard work and discipline secure lifelong achievement.
Toot Hill School will support your child with care, consideration and understanding and we promise to always challenge, motivate and engage.
Educating your child is a great privilege and solemn responsibility.
We will not let them down.’
You cannot fault Bingham’s transport: Trent Barton’s bus service is very commendable, this service can be accessed from either Clifton Campus by catching the NCT bus directly from campus to the Council Houses of Trent Bridge and walking a short distance to the bus stop opposite Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and catching the ‘Rushcliffe Greens’ bus to Premiere in Bingham on Nottingham Road, which is a very short distance from Toot Hill; from town this bus is accessed from either Friar Lane or Broadmarsh Centre and run every 15 minutes; on average taking 20 minutes from A to B. Alternatively there is a train from Nottingham train station to Bingham train station, however this will add another 5 minutes onto your walking journey to Toot Hill.
If staying in West Bridgford or Nottingham city centre, the social and night life is very lively and there is a lot to do; with many bars, clubs and restaurants to choose from, as well as activities such as mini golf, the cinema and ice skating close by. Whereas if you’re staying in Bingham, the social and night life is a little more quiet, however with a lovely range of pubs such as The Chesterfield, The Horse and Plough and every students favourite; The Buttercross which is a Wetherspoons, there is a market every Thursday and the town is well equipped with shops, salons, take aways and cafes.
Things to do, things not to do
Toot Hill is a very friendly but professional school, it is important to be punctual and efficient. Contact the person that is handling your placement when you intend to join them and especially if you’re going to be absent during your arranged times. Do not be rude, all of the staff at Toot Hill will try their best to help you and if they are not able, will suggest someone that may be better equipped. Mind your language, Toot Hill is a school with Pupils as young as 11 and an admirable place for elder students who deserve your respect. If you’re smiling, being polite and being helpful – you’ll easily fit in at Toot Hill School!
This community placement at Toot Hill School is set within a secondary school, therefore it is vital that you are just an ‘extra hand’ and are willing to help in any way you can. There is a lot of work that goes into organising community activities for adults and children within the community, this is because some may sign up and then not attend and the school has to accommodate for people of all ages. Therefore anything that is asked of you may not be completely based on what you are observing or studying however it will give you an insight to the on goings of a community based project.
Furthermore this placement relies on time keeping, therefore always be on time, or let the setting know if you are going to be late or are not going to be attending.
Fiona Farmer; Fiona, with others, handles the community side of things, she organises the adult days, the children’s days, the family days and the primary school ‘Toot Hill Extra’ afternoons.
ffarmer@toothillschool.co.uk
01949 863068
It is important to remember that Toot Hill is a school, with added extras. This makes it a very suitable placement if you wish to become a teacher or teaching assistant, as working within a school gives you a real feel of how it will be once qualified, and working with children in this environment gives you the experience that will stay with you for life.
It also gives you an idea on what schools in local areas can do for the community, and how they try to involve all types of people within the community. Before you go familiarise yourself with the community in Bingham, to give yourself an idea of the people you may encounter and what the community is like as a whole.
Comments (1)
Charlie Nicole Reeves said
at 11:34 am on Apr 24, 2015
References
Rahman, A. (Date unknown). A thriving community. [online: www.toothill.notts.sch.uk] [accessed on: 15.04.15]
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