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​​Curriculum Pathway - Explore​
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As part of our Explore Pathway, we provide children with solid foundations to equip them with the skills they require in order to access the more formal, subject-specific learning found within our Discover and then Connect Pathway. We use the Engagement Model Principles (see below) to support children in developing new skills and acquiring knowledge within our Explore Pathway Curriculum.
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Exploration - Realisation - Anticipation - Persistence - Initiation
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Our Explore Pathway learners require a higher level of adult support, both for their learning needs and their social and personal care needs, and are likely to need sensory stimulation with their curriculum broken down into very small steps. Some of our learners on this pathway are pre-verbal and communicate by gesture, eye-pointing, and at times very simple language or vocalisations. Children on our Explore Pathway will usually be supported by an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
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We understand that our Explore children are likely not follow a straight, linear pathway because of their individual needs and strengths. We recognise that there needs to be fluidity between our pathways for these children, allowing for a more personalised approach, and we achieve this by knowing our children, their strengths and their needs exceptionally well.
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What is the aim of our Explore Pathway?
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To develop learners’ innate sense of curiosity about the world around them.
To enable learners to enable learners to live safe, healthy and happy lives, promoting physical development and communication.
To encourage a sense of awe and wonder in interactions.
To enable learners to be valued and active members of their community, interacting and building relationships.
To support learners to develop communication strategies so that they have a voice.
To enable learners to be valued and active members of their community, interacting and building relationships.
​​​How do we do this?
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​We provide opportunities for learners to:
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Build up engagement and interaction using the Engagement Model as a guide.
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Engage in reciprocal interactions with key people and sustained attention within a breadth of familiar activities.
Make sense of the world around them - routines, objects of reference, transitions, classroom environment, recognising their impact on the environment through cause and effect.
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Familiarise themselves with a range of school environments and routines and make transitions within the routines.
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Be exposed to simple concepts across the 7 areas of learning including basic maths and literacy skills.
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Develop varied interests and motivators, encouraging flexibility of thought through experiential learning.
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Develop their readiness for learning through emotional and sensory regulation, routines and relationships with adults and peers.
​​​​​​​​What is the impact?​
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Children receive a broad and balanced curriculum offer based around the '7 Main areas of learning' and our Preparation for Life commitment. This curriculum offer will be personalised for their needs (academic, social, emotional, physical and sensory), in line with their own level of development and appropriately adapted for their age.
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Children are encouraged, and supported, to join their peers in class and at break and lunchtime, where possible, and will be given the same opportunities as other children in accessing (with additional support or adaptations if required) whole school events, extra curricular trips and enrichment opportunities.
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The achievements of children will be recognised via. regular monitoring and assessment using both the Engagement Model Profile and our own Discovery Steps Framework. These are shared regularly with parents and carers, via Evidence for Learning, as a way of celebrating their child's achievements as well as recording progress towards individual EHCP outcomes and PSP Targets.
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