The Principles of Our Curriculum
At Churchill every learner is entitled to a curriculum that is rich and varied, challenging and inspiring, which enables every individual to fulfil their potential to the highest possible standard.
At Churchill we recognise that many of our students first need to be equipped with the tools to learn; our curriculum teaches the basic skills such as focusing on a task, tolerating sitting beside another students, that are prerequisites to learning.
The curriculum, including the enrichment programme, is designed to meet the needs of our learners so they are developed intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. We aim to raise aspirations and broaden the horizons.
- The Family Liaison Officer supports engagement with school, promoting good attendance and access to the school or classroom. Relationships between home and school are developed and enhanced.
- Teachers deliver an academic curriculum supported by high quality support staff. Learning is made real, exciting and inspirational.
- Speech and Language Therapists support the development of communication and social skills.
- An Occupational Therapist supports the development of fine and gross motor skills.
- Specialist staff, including the Pupil Support Co-Ordinator, assist students with the development of their learning behaviour
- The Life Skills Co-Ordinator fosters life skills essential to developing independence
The National Curriculum is followed as appropriate, but with flexibility to meet diverse and individual needs. For some students in some subjects, the Programmes of Study will be for their Key Stage. For others, the Programmes of Study for an earlier Key Stage may be more appropriate.
Our schemes of work in each subject are designed to ensure that students are able to access and progress through programmes of study that are appropriate to their levels of ability.
There is:
- A focus on raising aspiration so that every student makes excellent progress both academically and socially, whatever their starting point.
- Teaching that engages all students so that each one participates, is creative, able to express their views and develops the emotional resilience to succeed even when facing difficulties. Some children, such as those with autism, need a lot of structure and security in order to function well. They need to know exactly what will happen in the day. We use visual schedules in order to help the students maintain their awareness of the timetable and use the Meeting Time to go through the day’s demands.
- A strong drive on improving learning through engaging with carers and the local community values, to support our principles of equality and access, also respect for local people and local culture.
- A strong emphasis on building children’s repertoire of communication, spoken and written language so that they become confident and effective communicators, using systems such as visual strategies where appropriate; every interaction is seen as an opportunity to develop language.
- Personalised planning that enables students to access mainstream opportunities.
Students are organised into teaching classes of up to a maximum of 11 or 12 students, according to a mixture of age and level of need, each with their own form tutor. During lessons a combination of whole class, group and 1-1 teaching may take place on any one occasion according to the demands of the task, supported by two or more teaching assistants. Please visit our class pages by following the link below to find out more about each class and the curriculum the class follows.
Enrichment
We believe that enrichment opportunities are an essential part of our students’ education. For three afternoons a week at the end of the school day from 2:50pm to 3:40pm there are opportunities for students to access a programme of curriculum enrichment activities.
Work Experience
Students have the opportunity for vocational learning and personal development in the work place. This provides them with a chance to engage with the community through work experience, shadowing or integrated approaches depending on what is most appropriate.
Further Information
If you require further information about the curriculum at Churchill School please address your queries to Mr Komodromos via the School Office.