CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

First School (Ladybird Cluster)

First School (Ladybird Cluster) is made up of the youngest students in the school, from Nursery through to Year 3.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The EYFS consists of seven areas of learning and development. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly crucial; these are the prime areas for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and be independent. The prime areas are: Communication and Language; Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. There are also four specific areas through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are: Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the world and Expressive Arts and Design.

Once a student has exceeded the Early Learning goals of the EYFS, they begin learning objectives from the Manor Green curriculum. These strands form targets on students’ individual ACE plans, which are reflected and updated termly. The ACE model is a holistic approach to student learning, which mirrors the EYFS framework of ‘Every Child Matters’. All classes in First School have a Learning Journey display to showcase students’ progress over a term. Students also have their own Learning Journey to record their progress over a year.

We use the Characteristics of Effective Learning model, alongside our Golden Rules, to celebrate and promote individual's attitudes to learn. We have a strong emphasis on learning through play throughout and our planning and teaching is guided by the student's current interest. Our weekly timetable ensures that phonics, mathematics, swimming and physical development is also embedded, as well as the student's individual therapy programmes.

Middle School (Penguin, Puffin and Usborne Clusters)

Middle School is made up of Year Groups 4-9. The classes are grouped according to student need and communication style. The curriculum delivers cross-curricular project based learning with the addition of Read Write Inc. and Number Counts and Real PE.

Project-based learning is a student-centred teaching method involving a dynamic classroom approach. It is believed that students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. Our students gain knowledge and transferable skills by working for an extended period of time (a long term) to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex project, problem, or challenge. As a result, they develop deep content subject knowledge as well as critical thinking, creativity and communication skills in the context of a termly project.

Our projects are based around the Enabling Enterprise’s Skills Builder.  They develop the essential skills of our students such as Listening, Presenting, Problem solving, Creativity, Staying positive, Aiming High, Leadership and Teamwork. Subjects covered throughout the projects are English, Maths, Science, Humanities, PSHE and RE.  PSHE and RE are also covered through assemblies and diversity celebrations throughout the academic year.

Physical development is delivered through the Real PE programme that focuses on fundamental movement. The areas covered are Physical, Social, Personal, Health and Fitness, Cognitive and Creative to encourage cross curricular learning. Physical development is also promoted through therapy targets.

TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE - PUFFIN

INDEPENDENCE - PENGUIN

SPECIALIST - USBORNE

Students are assessed on Earwig on their specific outcomes.

As we are a nurturing school we regularly assess our students’ emotional well-being using the Boxall Profile.

Upper School (Oxford, Phoenix and Orchard Clusters)

Upper School is made up of Year Groups 10-14. The classes are grouped according to student need and communication style.

With the emphasis on preparing them for adulthood, students have the opportunity to participate in work experience on-site. Opportunities involve working in the school café, reception, administration office and facilities.

Upper School delivers a diverse curriculum based on the students’ destination. We introduced a specially designed Life Skills based curriculum that delivers a holistic, cross curricular approach with four key areas such as kitchen skills, personal skills, home management, accessing the community and independent travel alongside functional communication, reading, writing and maths where appropriate.

The framework is differentiated to meet the needs of the students; most areas of learning also link to various accredited or certificated units/models which are being submitted for certification on a regular basis.

Topics such as Diversity, Internet and road safety, RSE and stranger danger are important and being covered through the curriculum.

Students are assessed on Earwig on their specific outcomes in preparation for adulthood.

As we are a nurturing school we regularly assess our students’ emotional well-being using the Boxall Profile.

Courses available to students at KS4

• GCSE English and Maths
• Functional Skills / Entry Level Certificate in English and Maths
• ASDAN - Short Courses, Personal Development Programme, Towards Indpendence, New Horizons, Transition Challenge (Progression/Sensory)
• AQA Unit Awards
• Kitchencraft
• ECDL