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The Chiltern School curriculum is based on developmental stages. It is a spiral curriculum that allows pupils to revisit learning adding new knowledge that is stage appropriate and process based. For many of our pupils their progress will not be chartered in a linear way but they will show their developments in a more lateral sense.
Our practice is based on the fundamentals of communication. We recognise that relationships with others help us make connections in our brains.
We plan medium term coverage and daily plans using the curriculum frameworks. These frameworks have been written with specialist knowledge about child development and communication. Using our expertise we have been able to create meaningful and purposeful frameworks that support the pupils at their developmental stage as opposed to their chronological age. We tailor and adapt planning frequently to encompass the pupil’s interests to ensure they are engaged in learning. Learning starts the minute they walk through the door whilst they develop their ability to transition to different destinations, greet and interact with people around them.
The aim of our Curriculum is to ensure all our young people leave us with meaningful and practical skills to ensure they can live as happily and independently as possible.
Explore
The Explore Curriculum offer is made up of 5 frameworks.
- Functional Skills
- Creativity
- Physical Development
- RHSE
- Understanding The World
Our Explore learners are those that are generally working on bands one and two of our curriculum although many have a spiky profile and may have some Band 3+ skills in certain areas. Explore learners are in the moment, they learn by doing, therefore teaching needs to be hands-on, practical and engaging. We take a holistic, child centred approach and measure progress using The Engagement Model alongside our assessment tool, Evidence For Learning to capture meaningful and robust observations.
At the earliest stages of development there is a big focus on building trust and relationships and really getting to know our pupils. Progression for our Explore learners comes from a real understanding of their interests, needs and experiences. We use a variety of teaching styles to deliver the curriculum, consisting of some adult led teaching, some facilitative activities, closely observing our pupils, responding to them and getting connected with them. The day will include facilitated learning opportunities with thoughtful activities and a physical environment that reflects this. It will also involve small group activities and lessons that are delivered by highly trained staff using up evidence based practice.
Teaching methods include
- Intensive Interaction
- Curiosity Programme
- Rebound Therapy
- Forest school
- Facilitated Play
- Continuous provision
- Sensology
- Sounds of Intent
- Sensory Massage
- Sensory Stories
- Shared Attention
Evolve and Establish
The Evolve and Establish Curriculums are a bespoke curriculum that is made up of 6 frameworks.
- Maths
- English
- Creativity
- Physical Development
- RHSE
- Understanding The World
The frameworks are based around developmental levels to ensure that teachers can provide a personalised learning experience.
We offer a practical curriculum that encourages skills to support generalisation and maintenance within a nurturing environment. We use a variety of pedagogical approaches that provide pupils with opportunities to discover their strengths whilst encouraging independence and promoting our school values.
The bespoke frameworks enable teachers to use concrete resources that are developmentally appropriate to support personalised learning. The frameworks offer ways in which our learners can become as independent as possible by ensuring that the delivery is meaningful, functional and transferable. It is often delivered through a ‘practical approach’ as pupils move through the phases of the school.
Pupils will access a variety of subjects woven through their day such as English, Maths, Understanding the world, Physical Development, RSHE and Creativity. Some of these subjects are taught through a topic based approach and others in discrete lessons. Pupils revisit skills and knowledge in order to support generalisation and to encourage them to be used in real life, purposeful situations.
Evolve
The Evolve Curriculum at The Chiltern School is based on a developmental continuum curriculum model across the school, with pupils typically working between Band 3 (developmentally 18 months-3 years) and Band 4 (developmentally 3-5 years).
It emphasises individual pupil needs, strengths, and interests, adapting the curriculum to meet specific learning goals.
It focuses on developing functional and life skills through engaging and personalised learning experiences, often using thematic or topic-based learning and real-life scenarios. Continuous provision, and facilitate play complement and enrich the pupils experiences alongside more structured sessions and learning experiences where appropriate.
Approaches such as Shared Autism and Intensive Interaction are used to promote and develop the fundamentals of communication and attention, listening and turn taking skills.
The day is structured to support organisation and routine with young pupils having visual timetables and schedules in place to support this. Pupils will also use other visual and teaching support including social stories, comic strips to develop understanding and communication boards to scaffold communication.
Establish
The Establish Curriculum builds on skills learnt within the Explore or The Evolve curriculum. Pupils are introduced to purposeful learning opportunities where they can practice skills in preparation for the community and adulthood.
The Establish curriculum refers to a structured, subject-based approach to learning, teaching skills based on an adapted National Curriculum Framework. It focuses on developing cognitive skills, academic knowledge, and independent learning.
The Establish curriculum aims to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary for future academic pursuits or vocational training. The curriculum also incorporates life skills development, for example communication, independence, and social skills, to promote well-rounded development.