Skip to content ↓

Purple Oaks Academy

CURRICULUM: Intent, Implementation and Impact

Intent

Our vision is to provide an inspiring curriculum which prepares students for a successful working life, stable relationships and rewarding community engagement. The key drivers for our curriculum are Communication, Independence and Emotional Regulation as we believe the promotion and development of these drivers will support our students to be successful learners.

General principles

Our curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

• see clear links between different aspects of their learning

• develop new skills through a variety of interesting contexts

• develop and demonstrate their creativity

• experience the challenge and enjoyment of learning

Purpose

The individual Special Educational Needs of our students mean that it is crucial that students are able to learn in a way that helps them make sense of the world around them. They need support to make links between different areas of their learning in order to generalise their learning and make progress.

Spiritual Moral Social Cultural and Fundamental British Values

Our curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

• Social - Use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict

• Democracy - Be part of a system where everyone plays an equal part

• Rule of law - Learn that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable for their actions and behaviour

• Tolerance and respect - To respect and tolerate the opinions or behaviour of others

• Cultural - Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity

• Individual liberty - Be free to express views or ideas

• Spiritual - Explore beliefs, experience and faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and reflect on experiences

• Moral - Recognise right and wrong and respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views

Purpose

In order to develop both their emotional regulation and independence students need to be able to develop a wide range of social skills and experience a wide range of opportunities - which will be very challenging for them and their families. Our curriculum strives to provide a wide range of opportunities to students. When developing their communication, in a way that is functional and effective, students need opportunities to express their views, ideas, thoughts and feelings in response to the exciting themes.

Well-being

Our curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

• learn in a peaceful and supportive environment

• recognise that people are good at different things

• develop self-esteem and confidence in their abilities

• follow their own interests and be themselves

• work in a range of groups and settings

Purpose

As we strive to develop students' communication, independence and emotional regulation we know this will only happen if we prioritise our students' well being and approach to learning. Young people with Special Educational Needs need every opportunity to develop their own self esteem and confidence so that they can be successful adults.

Pedagogy

Our curriculum will be taught through a pedagogy that:

• offers all students a memorable experience at the start of every theme

• promotes problem solving, creativity and communication

• excites, promotes and sustains student’s interest

Purpose

The memorable experience is crucial to the Purple Oaks Academy pedagogy, we firmly believe that students need a hook for their learning and benefit from a wide range of experience including visitors to the academy and visits offsite. Teachers plan theme lessons which promote communication in its widest sense and provide opportunities for students to express themselves creatively.

Enrichment

We will enrich our curriculum by:

• providing on and off-site theme related activities

• developing partnerships with external providers that extend student’s opportunities for learning

• welcoming parents and carers to take part in student’s learning and experiences

• offering opportunities for students to learn outside of the classroom

Purpose

At Purple Oaks Academy we value the learning that takes place both within and outside of the classroom. For students to engage and be motivated to participate in our themes we strive to provide exciting memorable experiences to launch and end themes. We value the contribution of parents and carers to students' learning and offer an opportunity each half term for them to join us within the academy to experience a learning opportunity alongside their child. This may be linked to our theme or to a personal and social development opportunity.

In Early Years, Lower and Middle Phase are schemes of work are based around the Cornerstones Curriculum, more information can be found on their website https://cornerstoneseducation.co.uk/about/ 

Early Years Foundation Stage 

Lower and Middle Phase 

Upper Phase