School Curriculum
The Curriculum at Chadsgrove seeks to reflect the individual Special Educational Needs and Disabilities of all pupils. It recognises the crucial importance of fully utilising the professional skills of the multi-disciplinary team who work to support our pupils and the essential part played by parent carers in the education of their children.
Curriculum Aims
At Chadsgrove, the Curriculum has the following aims:
- To allow each individual pupil to develop their full potential
- To promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils
- To prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life
The Curriculum is characterised by breadth, balance, relevance, adaptation/personalisation, progression and continuity.
All staff ensure that the curriculum:
- Is delivered at a level and rate suited to the age and learning ability of each individual pupil
- Takes full account of each pupil’s Education, Health and Care Plan
- Reflects teaching approaches and methods which best enhance an individual pupil’s ability to learn
- Encourages each pupil to recognise, record and celebrate positive achievements in all areas of personal, educational and community life
- Is monitored, evaluated and revised as necessary, reflecting initiatives and any developments identified in the School Development Plan
Curriculum Pathways
In order to ensure that each pupil accesses a curriculum that is appropriate to their individual needs, curriculum pathways have been developed at Chadsgrove. These are as follows:
- Adventurers – This pathway is for our youngest pupils in Early Years. It follows the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum with a focus on play, exploration and building relationships. The aim is to support a happy and settled start to school life.
- Discoverers – This pathway is for pupils who learn through sensory experiences. It focuses on early communication, thinking and motor skills. Pupils learn through routines, sensory play and one-to-one interaction. The aim is to build awareness and encourage meaningful responses, helping each pupil to feel valued, connected and part of their community..
- Explorers – Explorers will follow a curriculum across five key areas including communication, independence and physical well-being. Pupils are encouraged to express choices, build relationships and take part in daily routines. The focus is on developing independence and active engagement with their peers and the wider community.
- Navigators – This pathway supports pupils to build life skills alongside subject learning. Pupils explore areas like the world around them, communication and independence. As they progress through the school, they will begin working towards qualifications in Life and Living Skills, with a focus on preparing for more independent living.
- Pioneers – Pupils in this pathway are supported to work towards formal qualifications such as Functional Skills and Entry Level Certificates. Alongside academic subjects, pupils also learn about life skills, relationships and the wider community. This pathway helps pupils prepare for possibilities such as volunteering, supported employment or further training as they move on from school.
Throughout all of the pathways, pupils have access to additional provision such as Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy or input from sensory impairment specialists.
Each curriculum pathway is explained in more detail in the document entitled ‘Summary of each Pathway’.
Phonics
Phonics is taught across the school for those pupils for whom it is appropriate, using the 'Little Wandle' programme. The teaching of phonics and reading is supported by the use of phonics based books, levelled to ensure appropriate progression and sequence of phonological awareness.
Extra-Curricular Activities
To enhance the curriculum we provide a variety of out-of-school activities, visits, residential trips and lunch time clubs. All pupils are encouraged to attend to promote independence and the transference of skills across the curriculum, and to promote healthy lifestyles and positive mental health.
Relationships and Sex Education
This is an integral part of the curriculum and it is taught with care and sensitivity at an appropriate level depending on the child’s age, learning ability and physical disability. Further information can be found in the Long Term Plan for PSHCE and in the Policy document.
Religious Education
RE lessons focus specifically on the curriculum from the Worcestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Pupils may also access RE through a thematic approach, incorporating the learning which is appropriate to their needs. This also includes participating in the ‘Festival of the Month’ initiative, Multi Faith and Culture Curriculum days and other special assemblies and events. Further information can be found in the RE Long Term Plan and in the Policy document.
Curriculum Newsletters
Curriculum Newsletters are completed termly to enable families, pupils, governors and staff to see the curriculum offer for the term.
Further Information
For further information on the curriculum, please contact Melanie Bullivant (Assistant Headteacher) at Chadsgrove School.
Phonics is taught across the school for those pupils for whom it is appropriate, using the 'Little Wandle' programme. The teaching of phonics and reading is supported by the use of phonics based books, levelled to ensure appropriate progression and sequence of phonological awareness.
Extra-Curricular Activities
To enhance the curriculum we provide a variety of out-of-school activities, visits, residential trips and lunch time clubs. All pupils are encouraged to attend to promote independence and the transference of skills across the curriculum, and to promote healthy lifestyles and positive mental health.
Relationships and Sex Education
This is an integral part of the curriculum and it is taught with care and sensitivity at an appropriate level depending on the child’s age, learning ability and physical disability. Further information can be found in the Long Term Plan for PSHCE and in the Policy document.
Religious Education
RE lessons focus specifically on the curriculum from the Worcestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Pupils may also access RE through a thematic approach, incorporating the learning which is appropriate to their needs. This also includes participating in the ‘Festival of the Month’ initiative, Multi Faith and Culture Curriculum days and other special assemblies and events. Further information can be found in the RE Long Term Plan and in the Policy document.
Curriculum Newsletters
Curriculum Newsletters are completed termly to enable families, pupils, governors and staff to see the curriculum offer for the term.
Further Information
For further information on the curriculum, please contact Melanie Bullivant (Assistant Headteacher) at Chadsgrove School.