Nursery

The Nursery is a specialist provision within the Early Years Department and they follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.

Children are referred from Early Support, LIFT and SENDIF. Most children also access a weekly Stay and Play session, where parents and children are invited to play, and parents are offered advice and guidance.

Children attend the Nursery for an agreed period of time for Observation and Assessment. During this period evidence is collated and parents are supported through the statutory process.

The Nursery provision is based on stimulating and sensory play experiences covering termly topics.  Each child’s individual development is considered for suitability of learning and their particular developmental stage, this ensures progression and achievement.

The Nursery experiences help to build towards a secure foundation for learning.  The activities and opportunities are planned to ensure maximum learning takes place throughout the day: this helps children learn new skills, gain confidence and form relationships with staff and pupils alike.

 

Reception

Pupils are educated in needs led provisions in environments adapted to meet their needs and follow the National Guidance for Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) and early Primary National Curriculum. The curriculum for EYFS includes time and opportunity for child initiated play and exploration as well as adult initiated learning. This phase includes a PMLD class for our younger learners who follow a combined EYFS and, depending on pupil need, the MOVE Programme.

Pupils’ characteristics of effective learning are fostered throughout the learning opportunities as they are encouraged to play and explore, engage in active learning and to create and think critically.

Pupils are encouraged to take part in regular inclusive opportunities with their peers from the range of classes within Zone 1. An ethos of mutual respect and support is fostered as pupils of varying needs learn and play alongside each other.

 

The Early Years Foundation Stage

Pupils in our Nursery provision and in Reception follow a curriculum based on the Early Years Foundation Stage which includes seven areas of learning and development. These include three prime areas:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

And the following four specific areas through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Art and Design

 

Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play and a range of adult-led and child-initiated activity.  Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think and relate to others.

Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play and a range of adult-led and child-initiated activity. Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think and relate to others.

 

Key Stage 1

In order to meet their developmental needs pupils in Year 1 learn in classes which follow a combined curriculum which follows both the National Guidance for EYFS and for Year 1.

Pupils in Year 2 follow early Primary National Curriculum which has been adapted and differentiated to suit their range of abilities and their progress is measured using P levels.

 

Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3

These key stages follow P levels and early Primary National Curriculum which has been adapted and differentiated to suit their range of abilities and individual needs.

There is also a class within Key Stage 2 and 3 for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), a class for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Conditions who have low attainment levels in literacy and PSHE, a class for those with additional sensory needs (including visual impairment and hearing impairment) and/or ASC, classes for pupils with ASC (autistic spectrum conditions) and/or SLD (severe learning difficulties), and classes with complex learning difficulties.

 

Key Stage 4

Learners aged 14 plus are able to gain accredited outcomes as well as learning life and employability skills which prepare them for life beyond school.

 

Sixth Form

The curriculum blends both academic and vocational, including work experience and courses at College.  The majority of pupils transfer to Sixth Form within The Beacon, a few transfer to local colleges and some are able to enter into employment with the necessary support and training in place.