Vicarage Park School Curriculum | Compass Schools

We aim to provide every pupil with a curriculum that is varied, balanced, challenging, engaging, personalised and motivating to them as individuals. Staff provide a seamless blend of group work and specific teaching around personal goals rooted firmly in Education Health Care Plans, as well as being responsive to the day-to-day experiences and development of every child.

 

Preparation for adult life is at the heart of the curriculum and the development of communication, independence, confidence, emotional resilience and self-help skills are key components of this, supporting pupils to access both the school and wider community and to continue to learn. Our curriculum is based on a multi-tiered curriculum approach.

 

We want our pupils to develop strategies in communicating their emotions and develop strategies to self-regulate so that they can develop opportunities to engage with others within their circles.

 

The curriculum is designed for pupils with learning difficulties, either moderate or severe, who require experiences and opportunities which promote the development of functional skills, communication, emotional wellbeing, confidence and independence – this encompasses our semi-formal curriculum.

 

The general principles governing our curriculum and schemes of work are that they are:

• Developmental in nature and open to personalisation – they start at the beginning of the pupils learning journey and aim for the highest level of independence possible.
• Cover all stages of education but are not directly related to age or key stage – pupils fit into them according to their individual abilities, interests and learning journey.
• Lateral in their approach – pupils can work across the curriculums dependent on area of need. The curriculums are not defined by age, but by need and achievement; allowing pupils to move flexibly between the two at any point during their school career.

 

Our curriculum enables pupils to become:

• Successful learners who engage, enjoy, make progress and achieve.
• Assertive, independent, confident individuals who are equipped to live safe, healthy and happy lives.
• Active citizens who can engage and make a positive contribution to the community.
• Resilient to be able to explore and learn.

 

A Triangulated and Seamless Approach
We place children at the heart of our decision making and we seek to work in seamless integration with the residential setting and/or parents and carers, as well as a variety of therapeutic experts such as Occupational and Speech and Language Therapists.

 

Where children are cared for by Compass Community Children’s Homes, a 24 hour curriculum ensures that learning takes place in the wide range of situations and activities that young people experience during a typical day.

 

In order to facilitate this, we operate in a triangulated way which allow us to:

• Create personalised pathways and timetables
• Ensure regular, clear and open communication between all parties
• Ensure transparent, appropriate and purposeful information sharing to
  build a full and accurate picture of the child, their needs and their barriers
  to progress
• Facilitate a joined-up and consistent approach to identifying and meeting
  a child’s needs in a positive and solution-focussed manner
• Facilitate reflection and providing an opportunity for child-focussed
  discussion

 

This may be in the form of half termly pupil consultations, weekly professionals’ meetings, calls home, daily handovers, communication books or any other manner which is appropriate or necessary.

you can view our Summer 2021 GCSE results here.