Our School Day

Our school day begins at 9:15am for all students. Each morning, staff are ready to warmly welcome students with breakfast, a drink, and the opportunity to ease into the day. This time can be spent chatting with peers and staff, or engaging in a chosen activity to help students feel settled and ready to learn.

Personalised Timetables

At GEM Hereford, we understand that every student learns differently. That’s why the core part of the day is designed around individual needs. Some students follow a structured timetable, while others may take a more flexible, project-based approach. We prioritise emotional regulation and wellbeing as the foundation for academic success. While we encourage all students to achieve their full potential, we recognise that happiness, confidence, and readiness to learn must come first.

Students are supported in working both independently and in groups. While we encourage them to join group sessions where appropriate, this is not essential. We let the student’s learning style, interests, and emotional needs guide their experience.

All learning at GEM Hereford is meaningful, challenging, and student-led. We ensure that our curriculum supports progress at every level while keeping each individual’s wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

Communication with Families

We use Seesaw, a secure online platform, to share timetables, updates, and student work. This tool allows parents and carers to see what their child is doing in school, celebrate their achievements, and communicate directly with staff. Parents can send and receive messages through the platform during the school day, making it a quick and effective way to stay in touch.

Student Enrichment and Community Day

We dedicate one day to Student Enrichment and Community work. This is a chance for students to revisit a piece of work they enjoyed, extend a project, or explore their own interests. Activities are shaped around the student’s motivation and curiosity, and may sometimes include offsite visits that link to their projects or support real-world learning experiences.

End of the Day: Social Time

At 2:40pm, the school day begins to wind down with social time. This is a relaxed part of the day where students can spend time with friends or staff, ask any final questions, enjoy a snack or drink, and prepare for the transition home. This time helps ensure every student leaves feeling calm, supported, and ready for the journey home at 3:00pm.

Keeping Parents and Carers Informed

We believe strong communication between home and school is essential. Staff will always contact parents or carers if any issues arise during the day, or if there’s something a student may need to talk about at home. This helps support calm, positive conversations outside of school and ensures that student needs are responded to quickly and consistently.

To support this, staff hold two briefings each day to share updates and key information. This ensures that all staff are kept informed and that students receive consistent support from everyone working with them