Curriculum -Overview
Discovery Curriculum Intent:
Our Discovery Curriculum is designed with the clear intent of empowering each pupil to lead safe, independent, lives. It is highly personalised, recognising and responding to the unique strengths, and needs of every learner. Through a flexible and responsive approach, our skilled practitioners ensure that each pupil remains at the centre of their learning journey, promoting meaningful engagement, personal growth, and long-term independence.
The Discovery Curriculum is a Semi-Formal curriculum intended for learners who are at the very early stages of learning and development and for those who will work consistently below the National Curriculum with aspiration to work towards end of key stage 1 expectations.
The term ‘Semi-Formal Curriculum’ is based on the ideas of Penny Lacey (2011). At Springfields our Discovery curriculum is designed for pupils with autism, communication and learning needs.
Semi - formal Discovery learners:
- have communication needs
- require additional support to grasp abstract concepts
- require support to develop concentration and attention
- need support with short and long term memory, sequential memory and working memory
- need support with ‘general knowledge’.
- require support with generalising understanding.
Discovery learners learn best when their curriculum is related to their own experiences and when they are given plenty of opportunities to overlearn.
Discovery (5- 13) Implementation:
To ensure each individual pupil is on their own unique journey towards a ‘safe, independent life’ we ensure they are placed at the centre of the curriculum experience. Every child has a ‘personalised learning plan’ (PLP) which details their enablement strategies and outcomes linked to the four areas of SEND code of practice (2015). These plans are central to curriculum planning and delivery.
Our therapy-first approach underpins all learning, ensuring pupils are emotionally and physically ready to engage. This foundation supports access to a curriculum delivered through well-structured classroom routines and a multisensory approach, allowing pupils to progress at their own pace using their preferred methods of communication. This ensures learning is accessible, engaging, and meaningful for all.
The Discovery Curriculum prepares pupils for the Discovery Pathfinder Curriculum.
Discovery Pathfinder (14+) Implementation:
Discovery Curriculum Impact:
Discovery pupils leave us with a range of personalised curriculum outcomes giving them a platform for their post school destination:
- Unit Award/Entry Level English
- Unit Award/Entry Level Maths
- OCR Life and Living Award/Certificate/Diploma
- Subject based unit awards/entry levels by option
- Option for Duke of Edinburgh Award
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