Curriculum Pathways & Sequence

The curriculum is sequenced to develop individuals that can self-advocate, be independent and are socially and emotionally resilient with functional skills that enable them to lead as full a life as possible both now and in preparation for adulthood. Each personalised learning pathway is sequenced to provide a rich, broad and balanced curriculum experience that engages, motivates and maximises opportunities for learning.

The curriculum is designed to follow the trajectory of learning from pre-birth cognition through to that of a neuro-typical 5-year-old whilst ensuring that each individual is challenged appropriately to achieve their full potential. However, whilst it is set out in a linear format, learners at The Ridgeway rarely learn in a linear way and therefore, the curriculum is designed to layer learning and support small step progress.

This layered learning centres around the individual and consists of;

Personal Outcomes: Priority areas as identified within the EHCP and in response to the developing needs of our young people.

Thinking Skills: A range of metacognitive skills that our learners require to interact with the world around them, problem solve, and they therefore enable new knowledge to be explored and secured.

Knowledge Progression: The sequence of knowledge acquisition reflects the cognitive start points of our learners and focuses on the core learning that is required for individuals to access the wider world effectively and as independently as possible. Core knowledge is identified within Communication, Early Awareness, Literacy, Mathematics, PSHE and Understanding the World (Science). This core knowledge is embedded across the curriculum and provides a focus alongside Thinking Skills to support individual progress.

Depth of Learning: To ensure that small step progress is both recognised and celebrated, depth of learning is used to identify how independent the learner is and how generalised a skill or knowledge item is.

This learning is then delivered through a rich thematic cycle of experiences that ensures that all learners access a breadth of opportunity whilst also enabling them to revisit experiences to secure and enhance their understanding. These experiences are the vehicles for the above layers of learning to take place.

The curriculum has been matched to nationally recognised curriculum frameworks and assessment tools.  

Curriculum Pathways Overview -> PDF Document