Teaching, Learning & the Curriculum

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Teaching, Learning and the Curriculum

Teaching, Learning and the Curriculum

At Durham Trinity School & Sports College, we believe that inclusive education means providing all pupils with appropriate education and support.  The Curriculum is a highly differentiated framework which promotes learning within functional skills, preparation for adulthood, RSE as well as the holistic development of the young person.  

Our curriculum pathways include the functional aspects of the National Curriculum such as applying maths skills in real world situations, but also a range of additional opportunities that the school provides in order to enrich the experiences of our children. Our curriculum also includes the social aspects that are essential for life-long learning. 

For further information you can view the Teaching & Learning Policy in the School Policies section of our website. 

How we identify and assess children with special educational needs 

Most children and young people will have their special educational needs met in mainstream schools through good classroom practice. This is called Quality First Teaching. 

In line with the SEND code of practice Durham Trinity School & Sports College follow a graduated support approach which is called “Assess, Plan, Do, Review”. 

This means that we will: 

  • Assess a child’s special educational needs 
  • Plan the provision to meet your child’s aspirations and agreed outcomes 
  • Do put the provision in place to meet those outcomes 
  • Review the support and progress 

As part of the above approach teachers work closely with SENCO’s to ensure provision, as detailed in the EHCP is personalised to the individual. The EHCP document is essential is ensuring the needs of pupils are met. EHCP outcomes and steps to success are monitored termly.   

Full details can be found on the Local Offer website. 

You can find details of how we adapt the curriculum and make it more accessible for pupils with SEN below: 

All our pupils have clearly identified special educational needs. All pupils have access to Quality First Teaching. This includes: 

  • Teaching from staff who have knowledge, skills and experience in special education; 
  • A fully accessible, purpose built building with specialist facilities (such as learner pool, therapy room, sensory room, specialist teaching rooms with adjustable furniture); 
  • An inclusive community; 
  • A small steps approach to teaching and learning; 
  • Staff trained in behaviour management and positive handling; 
  • Staff trained in working with pupils who have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder; 
  • Small class sizes; 
  • A variety of staff to support education, health and welfare needs; 
  • National Curriculum adapted and differentiated to meet individual needs; 
  • External agencies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, improving progression team; 
  • Extra-curricular activities including after school clubs, lunch time clubs; 
  • Appropriate external accreditation at Key Stage 4 and Post 16; 

We evaluate our provision through the use of progress data, parent and pupil feedback, governor and link inspector monitoring visits. 

The progress of pupils is measured in a variety of ways including Early Years Foundation Stage Milestones, National Curriculum, MAPP targets, External Accreditation. 

Staffing and any Specialist Qualifications/Expertise 

Our staff have the appropriate qualifications and training opportunities to support children with a range of needs such as; 

  • National Award for SEN Coordination 
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 
  • Asperger’s Syndrome 
  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) 
  • Aspects of physical and coordination needs 
  • Sensory processing difficulties 
  • Medical needs 
  • Special dietary requirements 
  • Speech and Language needs 
  • Moving and Handling 
  • Trauma 
  • Adverse childhood experiences 
  • Thrive 
  • Play therapy 
  • Attention Autism 
  • SCERTS 
  • TEACCH 

Durham Trinity School and Sports College prides itself on the development of its staff in order to provide your child with the best possible learning experience. Staff have a range of qualifications such as rebound therapy, advanced first aid, Team-Teach and MAKATON, and specific medical training such as tracheostomy and epilepsy training. 

If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment