Curriculum

The views of our stakeholders (staff, parents, pupils and Governors) have been used to create six statements that highlight what we want our pupils to learn about before they leave school.  These are:-

1. Learners are fully involved in the process of looking after themselves.
2. Learners have high levels of wellbeing and happiness.
3. Learners are able to communicate their wants and needs to others.
4. Learners are able to be part of their communities.
5. Learners are able to self-regulate and manage their emotions.
6. Learners are prepared for the next stage in their lives and continue to be interested in learning new things.

 

In addition to this, information from staff teaching different aged pupils has been used to break down these statements to clearly show what we intend the majority of pupils to learn by the end of each Key Stage, from when they arrive in early years until they leave at the end of Year 14.  These statements form the basis of the curriculum.  An example of this is shown below showing the expectations for the end of Key Stage 1:-

 

 

Curriculum implementation

 

How is our curriculum organised in order to achieve our curriculum intent?

 

Reynalds Cross subjects – making subjects meaningful

Information from the curriculum intent has been used to determine subject headings that address priority areas of learning for Reynalds Cross pupils in a meaningful way.   Subjects are split into ‘Core subjects’ and ‘Explore subjects’.  ‘Core subjects’ cover the basic everyday skills learners need (such as communication, living skills and reading) and need to taught in a personalised way. ‘Explore subjects’ are those that allow pupils to explore the wider world – providing a broad and balanced curriculum through lots of different experiences and opportunities.

 

The subject headings are shown below along with their definitions, the National Curriculum coverage for each subject (additional information about meeting the National Curriculum requirements can be seen section 4) and links to the EYFS framework.

 

 

Curriculum sequencing – ensuring progression through the different subjects

In order to ensure progression in each of the subject areas, the curriculum intent statements have been used to provide more detail about what pupils need to learn in each Key Stage.  This ensures that previous knowledge is built upon and learning is sequenced.  Two examples for the subjects ‘my community’ and ‘my health’ are given below.

These may seem challenging as learners get older as they cover concepts that are more complex, however, these will be carefully differentiated by teachers when planning.  For example ‘travel training’ – could mean catching a bus independently but could also mean teaching early pedestrian skills such as cooperating with a member of staff when moving around school or role playing crossing the road in the classroom.

 

As some classes may contain pupils from different Key Stages teachers will accommodate for this – providing the appropriate opportunities and working with other teachers, for example, grouping pupils in Key Stage for some sessions and sharing planning to reduce workload.

 

If a learner arrives in school without having previously followed the Reynalds Cross curriculum (e.g. transferred from another school, moved to the UK from another country) teachers should continue to plan using progression descriptors for the relevant Key Stage.  However, learners should be given time to adjust and be baselined using the school’s assessment tools so that appropriate targets can be set.

 

Curriculum design – a thematic approach to allow everyone to work together

The curriculum has a thematic approach to give some context to learning and to allow the whole school to work on the same topic at the same time.  This gives opportunities for both pupils and staff to work together.  Topics therefore cover relatively basic concepts so they are accessible for younger pupils and are functional for the older pupils.

 

The topics are grouped into three categories which are linked to a range of National Curriculum subjects.  These are covered during different terms as follows:-

 

• Autumn term = creativity (art & design and design & technology)
• Spring term = humanities (history and geography)
• Summer term = Music

The curriculum has been designed so that the majority of the time topics can be used to support learning.  However, there may be some areas of the curriculum where the topic is not relevant.  In these cases discrete lessons, not linked to the topic, will be taught (for example when teaching Sex and Relationships education).

 

Curriculum coverage – long term planning providing a broad and balanced curriculum

Each subject has a long term plan outlining what is to be taught in each Key Stage and, where relevant, National Curriculum links.

 

Additional information about Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – meeting the needs of our youngest pupils

The EYFS is based at the 'Green Lane Site'.  It caters for children of Nursery and Reception age (3-5), giving them access to an Early Years style of curriculum, with adaptations to suit different learning needs and styles.  Children attend for 3 hours a day for their nursery year, and full time for their Reception year.

 

The EYFS department acts as an assessment setting.  While many of the children continue to Reynalds Cross for their Year 1 year, some are assessed as having learning needs that may be better met in other provisions.

 

The EYFS focuses on the 'Prime Areas' of; Communication, Physical Development, and Personal Social and Emotional Development.  These areas underpin much of children's early learning and development, and so are evidenced through all learning opportunities in some form.  Then the 'Specific Areas' of Mathematics, Literacy, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design form additional aspects of the children's learning.

 

The learning opportunities within the EYFS comprise a mixture of free play opportunities through 'Continuous Provision', and adult directed learning opportunities either 1:1 or in small groups.  Every part of the day is considered a learning experience, with learning opportunities embedded throughout routines such as mealtimes and self-care tasks, as well as within discrete 'lesson' activities.

 

Children's progress towards 'Early Learning Goals' is assessed using small step target trackers, ensuring that every achievement is valued.

 

Additional information about 14-19 Stage (Key Stages 4 and 5) – meeting the needs of our oldest pupils

The 14-19 Stage was created so students in Key Stages 4 and 5 have the opportunity to spend a full five years working on preparation for life after school and their next destinations.  The students study the same subjects as the rest of school, however, learning is more personalised as each follows their own accredited programme of study (including meeting the National Curriculum statutory requirements for pupils in Key Stage 4).   There is a wide range of activities on offer including opportunities for students to choose their own enrichment options, complete life skills work, use community facilities and experience of range of tasks to support future destinations such as work experience and tasters, college link course and positive alternative to work sessions. 

Achievement in the 14-19 Stage is accredited through a range of Entry 1, 2 and 3 qualifications.  The awarding body we use is ASDAN and we currently offer Personal Progress, Employability and Personal & Social Development.  Work is undertaken in units and students leave with a range of awards, certificates and diplomas.

The diagram below outlines the reasons we work on qualifications with our pupils.

Curriculum impact

 

How do we measure how successful our curriculum is?

 

Measuring the success of the Reynalds Cross curriculum in on going and is done by looking at how well the aims of the curriculum are met.  A report summarising the outcomes of these factors is created at the end of each academic year and an action plan for curriculum development activities for the next year is also created at this time, ensuring any successes are built upon and any areas for concern are addressed.

 

The table below shows the different areas that are measured when assessing the success of the curriculum.

For further information about our curriculum please contact Jacqui Lucas (Assistant Headteacher) via the school office.