Teaching Approaches

We use a variety of techniques and approaches at the Chiltern School in our teaching and learning, all with the needs of the individual child at the heart of what we do.

Our core approaches are described in more detail below. Should you have any questions relating to our teaching and learning methods, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the school.

MOVE
The MOVE programme is an integral part of the pupil’s curriculum. MOVE is an activity based approach which uses the combined knowledge of education, therapy and family to teach children with severe motor disabilities the skills of Sitting, Standing, Walking and Transferring.

The programme is designed to develop maximum independent physical movement, thus promoting a wide range of life experiences. Benefits of the approach are the improvements in cognitive development, communication skills, health and social inclusion. Greater mobility increases the ability to take an active role in school, home and the wider community. Movement is seen as the foundation for learning.

MOVE IS:

MOVE IS NOT:
Intensive Interaction

Intensive Interaction is a practical approach that supports early levels of development.  It is a process that aims to enable communication and social interaction for people with varying disabilities.  It occurs between a skilled communicator and an emergent communicator, offering the adult an opportunity to be part of the young person’s world and for adults to be ‘in-tune’ and create positive connections.

The fundamentals of communication are designed to develop and support communication and early interaction.  At The Chiltern School we use these intents to flow naturally through our bespoke curriculum frameworks and into the school environment.

TACPAC

Tacpac is a sensory communication resource using music and touch to help communication and social skills. There is a compatible link between the sensory world of touch and the sensory world of music and Tacpac focuses on aligning these sensory forces.

Fundamentally we are looking for the pupils to feel special, have fun and relax! In addition we are looking for signs of communication.

The teacher intentionally communicates verbally and non-verbally through the mediums of touch and music, taking the learner on a physical, emotional and sensory journey through 6 activities in a safe and secure relationship during which communication takes place on many different levels.

Attention Autism

Attention Autism is a four stage learning intervention model, designed by Gina Davies (Specialist Speech and Language Therapist). These sessions aim to provide our pupils with “an irresistible invitation to learn.”

The aims of Attention Autism are:

  • To engage attention
  • To improve joint attention
  • To develop shared enjoyment in group activities
  • To increase attention in adult-led activities
  • To encourage spontaneous interaction in a natural group setting
  • To increase non-verbal and verbal communication through commenting
  • To build a wealth and depth of vocabulary
  • To have fun!
The Attention Autism programme progresses through four stages, building on each skill level. Each stage is introduced when the pupil is ready to expand their attention skills. 
The four stages are:
  1. Attention Bucket (to focus attention)
  2.  Attention Builder (to sustain attention)
  3. Interactive game (to shift attention)
  4. Individual activities (to focus and sustain attention in a group, then transition shifting attention to an individual activity and then refocus on the group)

Attention Autism is used at The Chiltern School to teach all areas of the curriculum in an engaging and highly motivating way. The sessions establish the essential skills of listening and joint attention, as well as being part of a group, as essential building blocks for future learning.

I can sense the energy of the teaching staff. It feels like the kind of school where my child will thrive rather than stagnate/plod along.
Parent