ADAPTED NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Pupils experiencing our formal curriculum (those operating within the National Curriculum) access the range of National Curriculum subjects for their Key Stage, modified in the light of their developmental level and special educational needs.
Specialist areas (the ‘additional curriculum’) are covered both within National Curriculum subjects and in discrete lessons (e.g., a pupil may be withdrawn to work on visual perceptual skills or independent mobility). Life skills and independence skills will also form a large part of the curriculum. We nevertheless avoid making the formal curriculum too abstract; teachers ensure that learning is linked to practical activities and consolidated and applied in practical sessions. Older pupils working at the formal level may pursue accreditation pathways (e.g., Entry Level/ Level 1/GCSE courses and exams); they follow the appropriate syllabus in each exam subject.
Arrangements are made on an individual basis for students to access mainstream lessons where appropriate, and in consultation with parents, which may include for example PE, art, DT, music and English.