Curriculum Overview
Our expert team of staff are currently in the process of redeveloping our school curriculum in order to provide a highly-adapted and ambitious curriculum that considers pupils specific interests and diverse learning needs. We use each learning experience as a platform upon which our pupils will learn, both formally and informally. Our ultimate aim is to guide pupils to develop transferable skills, knowledge and cultural capital that will prepare them for adulthood and life beyond school, so that they can contribute to and be a part of their community, as well as achieving personal fulfilment.
The curriculum meets the statutory requirements of the Early Years Framework and the National Curriculum in England, whilst ensuring personalised and bespoke pathways for every pupil.
Each of our pupils is a unique individual with their own personality, abilities and challenges. Our curriculum is being designed to provide the flexibility and clarity of intent to allow a high degree of adaptation. This means that all pupils engage in the most relevant, targeted learning, regardless of their age or ability.
There are three curriculum pathways that our pupils follow:
- EYFS Pathway
- Pre-Formal Pathway
- Semi-Formal Pathway
Pathway progression for each pupil is highly individual and reviewed regularly. In making a decision about which pathway a pupil follows, a holistic view of the child is taken in to consideration.
There are long-term plans in place for each key stage, relevant to the planning cycle. There is an over-arching topic for each half term which is further broken down in to topic areas for each subject or area of learning. To enable pupil progression over time, the chosen topics on the long-term plans are categorised in to six areas, with increasing complexity throughout each academic year.
For many of our pupil’s regularly revisiting learning over the course of their education, is key to them developing and maintaining knowledge and skills, so that these can be transferred to their long-term memory. The curriculum is constructed so that pupils are engaged in a broad range of learning experiences in which they can apply their knowledge and skills in line with their individual development.
Please see the Pitcheroak School Curriculum Policy for more information about our overall aims, as well as our intent, implementation and impact of our different pathways.
Staff take a practical and creative approach to learning. We use a range of specific teaching methods including ALDs (Aided Language Display’s), Attention Autism, Intensive Interaction; PECs (Picture Exchange Communication System); Signalong and TEACCH.
Our reading scheme is Rhino readers. Phonics is taught using Twinkl Phonics, as appropriate to individuals learning needs. Daily reading is facilitated for all pupils.
