• Be working below or at the lower end of the standards set out by the National Curriculum, though have some age-appropriate knowledge and skills
• Have non-traditional learning needs such as feeding independence skills in managing transitions, medical needs, personal care or requiring specific therapies.

'Curriculum Tiers' Pitching Content and Progression Routes at the Right Level

St Luke's Curriculum Tiers

Accreditations

Pupils following our benchmarked and carefully constructed curriculum will be working towards external examination accreditations in Year 11 and sometimes in Year 10.  Along the way, other accreditations may be taken.  Our school's Curriculum Tiers pitch learning and teaching at the right level for the individual.   Accreditations offered by the school include: our own certification, Entry Levels, ASDAN, GCSE, BTEC and adult industry certification in areas such as First Aid, Health and Hygiene.  Our use of the College Link courses in Key Stage 4 continue to promote preparation for adulthood in supporting pupils move from school to their next destination.

EHCP Outcomes

Each pupil in our setting has an EHCP with identified Outcomes over the course of the year.   These Outcomes are designed with families and the child to be purposeful, meaningful and relevant to the individual at that time in their life.   Progress towards these Outcomes are measured by Teachers and other stakeholders, reviewed throughout the year and formally in the EHCP Annual Review. 

All pupils have access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum, based on the National Curriculum, which is differentiated and modified for pupils with complex SEND. We have strong processes for assessment, planning, teaching and reviewing to help each pupil make the maximum progress in learning.  We teach through practical and highly visual approaches, using learning from experience, signing, pictures and symbols to support understanding. We emphasise developing academic, personal and social skills to improve each child’s independence, confidence, and resilience.

All pupils' teaching is differentiated according to their personal needs and curriculum tier.   The curriculum focuses on the development of functional skills in literacy and maths, speech, language and communication, social interaction and independent living.

The curriculum includes a wealth of routes for learning, which may include lunch-time and after-school clubs, with high levels of skilled staff who continue to educate and support learners. There are planned integration experiences, for example with pupils from local mainstream schools, and educational outings as part of the curriculum.

Timetables at The St Luke's School follow a primary style manner of teaching, with pupils having a 'learning group' which most of their lessons are taught in.  However, specialist teachers and/or teachers who developed expertise in a primary or secondary setting work with our children over the course of the week.  School organisation is flexible to meet the changing pattern of pupil needs. 

Organisation is responsive to the needs of the pupils through the Key Stages. Small classes, and variable adult/pupil ratios depending on the needs of the group, ensure that learning can be tailored to a pupil’s individual needs. Included in this offer of a personalised approach is the assurance that intimate care and attention to all basic functions is guaranteed.

Teaching uses a wide variety of methods to teach key skills and abstract concepts. Children learn in different ways so knowledge is delivered and skills taught using kinaesthetic, visual, practical and concrete approaches. Pupils are likely to require access to a high level of visual support, e.g. objects of reference, photographs, the use of symbols and appropriate signing strategies.

Pupils are given regular opportunities to learn new skills and to generalise those already learned through frequent repetition and the chance to practise skills in different situations.  This will include a large range of curriculum enrichment activities, such as visits to museums and subject-related facilities in the wider community.

We enable pupils with complex learning needs to access education and engage in learning in preparation for adult life. This is provided in a safe environment. All our pupils have learning difficulties and cognitive barriers to learning to differing degrees.  As such, our curriculum focus' on the child's needs and progress through a relevant curriculum.

Our Curriculum Tiers

Our curriculum and subsequent planning is divided into three main sections, based on the differing needs of our pupils within the lower, middle and upper school - with relative and meaningful aspirations.  The learning intentions are aligned to the National Curriculum, but topics are chosen that are relevant to the needs, skills and understanding, as well as interests of the pupils. We strive to ensure that the topics chosen reflect the ages of the pupils exploring them; otherwise, they are left vulnerable, particularly when out in the community. e.g. young adult with Thomas the Tank engine lunchbox. There are no perceived limitations to what pupils can achieve.

Functional Skills Learning

The curriculum has a focus on the ‘functional’ so that pupils develop the skills necessary to thrive and live as independently as possible. Some topics are also chosen to excite and motivate our pupils e.g. myths and legends - we have a large group of pupils who enjoy playing with mythical figures at playtime. Links are made between elements of learning e.g. letter writing to a figure from history. Where possible, learning is linked to first-hand experiences such as going to the shop for money handling. This puts the learning within a context, making it more meaningful and useful. Wider skills such as reading are also laid out across the subjects to build comprehension.

Measuring Progression

Assessment information feeds into curriculum planning which ensures that there is progress in concepts from year group to year group, department to department. One of our progress measurements is  STAPPS, a system designed by staff.  Staff are able to track next steps in learning and highlight pupils who need intervention and/or further challenge. They are also used to identify curriculum areas that need strengthening. STAPPS enables staff to pitch the curriculum at the correct level and to ensure topics are progressive across the school.  We use additional measures for assessment to judge standards against national measures including age-related expectations for neurotypical children.

Targets are set in collaboration with pupils, parents and other professionals and reviewed together on a regular basis. Assessment is moderated across the county and regionally. Information and data is held at school, local authority and national level. 

Challenge and Relevant Outcomes

Pupils may move up the Curriculum Tiers at any time, where a greater, challenging pathway is needed and appropriate.  Key methods of teaching such as revisiting and reinforcing, building on prior knowledge and skills, teaching in a logical sequence building to an outcome transfer across all ages.

A range of professionals works with the pupils, parents and staff of the schools to ensure that the best possible guidance is provided to encourage and support educational development. These professionals include Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Music and other therapists, School Nurses, Consultant Paediatrician, Educational Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Counsellors and Advisory Teachers for Autism, Hearing Impairment and Visual Impairment, Youth Connexions Personal Advisers and FE College tutors.

Schools work with a variety of external professionals to provide for the holistic needs of children and young people.

Lower School 

The Lower School's curriculum focus is on developing classroom readiness, as many pupils come to school having been on a reduced timetable or only having attended a pre-school. Communication and language form the basis of their curriculum either through language, or communication supports such as PECS. Many of the pupils have significant sensory needs and time is built into planning to facilitate their sensory diet, including working towards O.T targets. Younger children often struggle to rationalise their emotions and as such, the curriculum has an emphasis upon developing emotional regulation. 

There begins a focus on understanding number such as counting and one to one correspondence so that the basic blocks are set up. Lessons around phonics (we use Read, Write Inc.) and spelling strategies occur daily, which develop an understanding of the text and an excitement and love for reading. For many of our pupils, the art of writing begins with the ability to mark make, form letters and then basic sentences. Writing is cross curricula as repetition of skills is the key to progress. The pupils study history, geography and science as part of a series of topics, mainly centred on their own community. STAPPS ensures there is progression in skills. As with the other departments in school, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and values such as friendship, kindness, respect, happiness and respecting each other remain high on the agenda. 

Middle school

The skills within lower school continue, to be built upon. Communication and language becomes more functional, such as writing a list for shopping. Pupils are encouraged to question and form opinions. They begin to understand responsibility, democracy and tolerance and strategies are explored to teach empathy. Maths, has a stronger focus on time, money and number skills such as times tables. Strategies for problem solving are key and in particular, how these relate to the outside world e.g., How many rolls of wallpaper are needed. Writing takes on a more functional role. For instance, completing a form to join the library, sending an email. Basic spelling, punctuation and grammar remain as a focus so that the skills become embedded. Although staff still teach through topic, there is a greater emphasis upon specific subjects such as history and science. This way, the subjects can be explored at a deeper level. PCSHE and life skills is the area given the most curriculum time. There are so many skills that our pupils need to learn to be independent citizens that the focus has to increase in the middle school. As our pupils start to become more independent and start to use technology more readily, internet and social media safety is paramount to their well-being, so safety features highly in the curriculum.  There are more opportunities to engage with the community, develop leadership roles and engage in events to support local charities. Children continue to develop creative skills applying these to projects such as designing Christmas cards.

Upper school

The skills in Upper school build upon the skills from middle school. Whilst it is important to study for accreditation, there is a greater focus on the skills and knowledge needed to support our pupils when they leave to go on to the next stage. This includes drug education, protection from extremism, online safety and sex and relationship education. Functional maths and literacy remain high on the agenda. Communication is also a skill to be developed, particularly in relation to the world of work. E.g., Interview skills. As part of the curriculum pupils experience the world of work, volunteering, travel training, charity work, being a prefect and representing the school council. There are opportunities to experience competitive sport and to develop coaching skills. There is a focus on practising the skills that may be used in the place of work such as barista training and food preparation and safety. Pupils gain a greater understanding of themselves in relation to their community as well as the cultures that determine it.

Executive Headteacher - Quality of Provision Analysis and Impact

The Blue Tangerine Federation Governors - Monitoring of Quality of Provision

Head of School - Development of Framework, Intent, Standards, Training Needs

Deputy Head of School (From September 2021) - Curriculum Leader of Teams: Strategy and Operation, Delivery and Training Needs, Analysis

Curriculum Learning Areas Teams (Leaders, Teachers, TAs) - Evaluating the provision across the Tiers of learning from Y2 to Yr11 and beyond; triangulating content, teaching and progress. Curriculum Area Audit, Overview, Topic Coverage, Age-related content and Teaching Resources, Learning Sequencing and Analysis

• Communication
• Personal Development
• Understanding My World
• Literacy
• Maths
• Expressive Arts
• Physical Development

Heads of Department - Coverage, Standards, Assessment, Implementation, Interventions, Action Planning, Analysis

Teachers - Triangulation of planning, assessment, teaching and learning through delivery and Pupil Progress Meetings, feeding back to curriculum development. Feedback to pupils and parents, collaborative practices, reporting, termly pupil progress, contribution to curriculum area development and analysis

Teaching Assistants - standards, consistency of delivery, adaptation to needs, contribution to curriculum area development and analysis