Curriculum

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We have a “Preparation for Life” curriculum which is appropriate for our pupils. We teach them the knowledge and skills to enable them to successfully access the world around them, with an overarching sequential framework of outcomes that pupils work towards. The aim is to prepare pupils for the next stage of their development and for their subsequent steps in life. For some this may be college or work-based learning, whilst for others it may be preparing them for life with as much relative independence and communication skills, to ensure their safety and enrich their lives.

This is supported by progression step continuums in the four broad areas of need, plus Maths and Reading, giving teachers an extremely detailed understanding of a pupil’s current developmental stage and next steps.

We use a combination of the “preparation for life” framework, progression step continuums and the EHCP process, to create personalised learning intentions for pupils, which are used to assess pupil progress.

We engage and motivate pupils through themed sequential planning, differing across each pathway, that provides the context for learning of the world around our pupils.

Learning intentions and therefore EHCP outcomes are carefully threaded into this contextual planning, to allow opportunities for the children to successfully develop their knowledge and skills.

We have implemented a 3-tiered approach to our curriculum as set out below, although we are aware that a combination of approaches is required at times to meet more multifaceted needs.

Pre-Formal Curriculum

A highly individualised approach, providing a suitable learning environment to meet the profound, medical and complex needs of pupils. We aim to promote relative independence, whilst developing engagement, communication strategies and choice making, to ensure pupils are able to enjoy happy and healthy lives. Staff are extensively trained to meet the medical, physical, communication and sensory needs of learners and activities are designed to build upon this foundation, in an appropriate, cross-curricular, therapeutic and highly sensory manner. To see more information on our Pre-Formal Pathway and classes click here.

Specialist Autistic Pathway

A highly individualised approach, providing a structured and predictable, low stimulus learning environment to meet the complex and diverse needs of pupils. We aim to promote relative independence, engagement, emotional regulation and communication strategies to ensure pupils are able to enjoy happy and healthy lives. Staff are highly trained in autism specific approaches such as SCERTS, TEACCH and Attention Autism. To see more information on our Specialist Autistic Pathway and classes click here.

Semi Formal Curriculum

A holistic approach that makes links between key areas of curricular learning, in a creative and life skills context. An emphasis on independence, problem solving, and communication skills are encompassed in every classroom and beyond, with regular access to the community. There is a commitment to cross-curricular and contextualised learning where pupils are engaged and enthused in real life situations, within a flexible framework, which is responsive to their personalised needs. The concepts of over learning and repetition are key in our semi-formal approach, to support the memory difficulties synonymous with pupils who have severe learning difficulties. To see more information on our Semi-Formal-Pathway and classes click here.

For more information regarding these Curriculum pathways, please contact David Matthews (Curriculum Lead) via the School Office or Contact Us Page.

To view our Teaching and Learning Policy and our Whole School Assessment Policy click here and view them under general along with our other policies.

How We Promote Phonics and Literacy

Reading is an important life skill so it is something we strive to equip all of our young people with. One of the ways we will teach our young people to read is through a Systematic Synthetic Phonics Programme (SSP) validated by the DfE. The scheme we have adopted at Durham Trinity School & Sports College is Essential Letters and Sounds as it develops early, pre-reading skills in phase 1 before accessing letter sounds from phase 2 onwards. Staff are currently undergoing training before it will be rolled out to those young people who will access it. More information to follow.

Accelerated Reader

Please click on the document below to access information about this programme in school.