Highfield Schools
Curriculum And Assessment
Information for Parents and Carers
Intent – what do we want to achieve?
• An individualised learning programme based upon the level and type of needs of our students
• Independent, confident, happy learners who have been challenged, stretched according to their ability and ready to take on the next challenge
• ‘Preparing for the next step’
Implementation – How are we going to achieve this?
• We have adopted a ‘Pathway’ model where there are three distinct curriculum pathways based upon the level and types of needs of our pupils
• We group students dependent upon which Pathway best meets their needs rather than grouping solely on chronological age.
• A consequence is pupils are grouped sometimes with a wider age range, but with pupils who’s learning style and level of cognitive ability are similar.
Blue Pathway
• The Blue or ‘pre formal’ pathway is designed for learners who have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties and have a very sensory profile and style of learning.
• Sensory and exploratory activities based solely on their Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) Outcomes.
• Learners will have other, associated additional needs such as communication and medical.
• Learners will have around 1:1 staff support due to their reliance on an adult in all aspects of learning and care.
• Thematic through the age range with a bespoke timetable.
• Learners access a range of specialist therapies such as music, speech and language, Physio, Occupational Therapy and Hydrotherapy.
• Progress is likely to be in very small steps, or may be about maintaining skills over time.
Green Pathway
• The Green or ‘semi-formal’ pathway is for learners who learn best through a topic based, exploratory curriculum differentiated according to their individual needs.
• Timetables reflect individual EHCP outcomes, especially focus on building attention skills as well as progress in other curriculum areas.
• There will be some subject specific teaching e.g. teaching phonics skills to use in reading. Activities will make learning ‘real’ e.g. handling money within real life contexts.
• Progress for learners is measured against EHCP outcomes as well as pathway progression steps for curriculum targets.
• Learners will access a range of specialist therapies according to their individual needs such as Lego Therapy, Horseriding, music, speech and language, physio and OT.
Yellow Pathway
• The Yellow or ‘formal’ pathway is for learners who learn best in a mainstream style curriculum differentiated to each individual.
• Learning groups are based in Key Stages with a progression of level of study running through each year group.
• Learners will receive teaching in a topic based curriculum within Early Years and KS1. Then in subject specific sessions from KS2 and upwards.
• From KS3 pupils will have some changes in teacher and classroom for some lessons in a reduced secondary mainstream ‘style’ approach.
• During KS4 each learner is studying towards qualifications at an appropriate level.
• Where appropriate pupils within the Yellow Pathway will receive additional therapy or personalised curriculum additions such as horseriding, Lego Therapy, Music Therapy, Forest Schools or Rebound.
Qualifications
• Learners in all pathways work towards qualifications during KS4 at a level appropriate to them.
• We offer a range of qualifications at a range of levels from Entry Level 1 to 3 to Functional Skills Level 1 and 2.
• We also offer the ASDAN qualifications in each pathway and AQA Award Schemes.
Enrichment
• Pupils can access lunchtime clubs, residentials, cooking, dance, PE languages, interest clubs and singing.
• Pupils can access to therapies to meet their needs in their EHCP including OT, Physio and Speech Therapy delivered by health employed staff.
• Referrals to Lego based Therapy, Talking Partners, TEACCH, Horseriding, Rebound Therapy, Play based Therapy and Music Therapy.
• Pupils access learning in the local community regularly learning road safety and life skills.
