--- title: "Blackthorn Class" url: "https://saxonhillacademy.org.uk/the-saxon-hill-approach/classes/blackthorn-class" school: "Saxon Hill Academy" --- # Blackthorn Class **Blackthorn Class teacher is:** **Joy Ward** **![](https://saxonhillacademy.org.uk/images/images/Joy_Ward.png)** You can email Joy at: ### Blackthorn Class – Investigators Department Welcome to Blackthorn Class! We are a fun – loving class within the investigators department following the informal pathway. We follow the leaders curriculum, based on stimulating and engaging learning challenges, whilst meeting our pupils individual EHCP areas. Investigating learning challenges through modelled play, sensory stories, pre phonics and communication sessions, continuous provisions alongside focused adult led tasks. All pupils within Blackthorn class have sensory impairments and require sensory integration through out the school day. Our pupils benefit from using tactile strategies alongside visual and auditory cues. We use musical references to provide predictability and understanding of routines and ensure cues used within Blackthorn class are not dependant on visual strengths. We develop communication skills through intensive interaction, Makaton, PODD, Tactile sign AAC devices and symbols each are adapted to suit the needs of each pupil. Our pupils engage and learn through a variety of activities throughout the week which link to the curriculum and our topic. These include Art, Music, Cooking, PSHE, Positive looking, Forest school. We enjoy developing our physical skills through out the week through sensory circuits, hydrotherapy and rebound therapy. Blackthorn Autumn newsletter 2026 262 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/saxon-hill-academy/files/documents/Blackthorn_Autumn_newsletter_2026.pdf) Blackthorn News letter summer term 26 1.13 MB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/saxon-hill-academy/files/documents/Blackthorn_News_letter_summer_term__26.pdf) Blackthorn News letter spring term 2026 1.14 MB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/saxon-hill-academy/files/documents/Blackthorn_News_letter_spring_term_2_26_(2)_(2).pdf) Blackthorn Class Newsletter Autumn Term 2025 1.13 MB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/saxon-hill-academy/files/documents/Blackthorn_News_letter_autumn_term_25.pdf) [Embedded content](https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2419.0719598613555!2d-1.822361823155188!3d52.67673832461318!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x4870a792ffadcd03%3A0x418e32c3c2ec43a9!2sSaxon%20Hill%20Academy!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sen!4v1725956460267!5m2!1sen!2sen) ![Saxon Hill Academy](https://files.schudio.com/saxon-hill-academy/images/logo/logo-bottom-saxon-hill.png) **Saxon Hill Academy** Kings Hill Road Lichfield WS14 9DE Tel: 01543 414892 Email: [![Shaw Education Trust](https://files.schudio.com/shaw-education-trust-2/images/logo/set-misc/footer-logo-v1.png)](https://shaw-education.org.uk) **Shaw Education Trust** Kidsgrove Secondary School Gloucester Road Kidsgrove ST7 4DL VAT: GB 358822467 Tel: 01782 948259 Email: Company Number: 09067175 ### Social Media - [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/saxonhillacademy) © Copyright 2024–2026 Saxon Hill Academy School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://saxonhillacademy.org.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)