Core Purpose of the Curriculum
The curriculum at Ty Coch reflects the holistic needs of all of the children. Its priorities’ are the learning outcomes for our children who experience complex, severe and profound learning disabilities. It has therefore been designed by staff, parents and pupils who have an acute knowledge of the learning needs of the children.
When designing the curriculum, staff have incorporated statutory and non-statutory guidance and the following broad range of principles. The curriculum has been designed for National Curriculum requirements, including Literacy and Numeracy Framework with specialized consideration being given to the future of education in Wales, to ensure a curriculum which is flexible, reflective, takes into account stakeholder views and which will evolve to reflect the needs of the pupils. We ensure that the teaching of all curriculum areas is fully inclusive and all pupils irrespective of race, gender, colour or additional need have equal access and opportunity.
The Curriculum for All Learners Document states:
- To enable all learners’ access to relevant skills, knowledge and understanding at an appropriate level, schools may select content from the foundation phase or any key stage within the curriculum and use it flexibly together with the skills framework 2008 in order to:
- Provide a meaningful, relevant and motivating curriculum to their learners
- Meet the specific needs of their learners and further their all round development
This is the principle on which we base our curriculum and assessment.
Curriculum for Wales - Please click this link to access official materials relating to CfW
Its here! On 28.01.20, the Welsh Government published the final version of the new curriculum in Wales. Entitled 'Curriculum for Wales 2022', this new approach to teaching and learning is a major shift in thinking and one most welcome in Ysgol Ty Coch. Please click on the link above to find out more, but basically, the new curriculum is organised as follows:
|4 Key Purposes||Areas of Learning and Experience||Cross Curricula Themes|
|Healthy, Confident Individuals||Language, Literacy and Communication||Literacy|
|Ambitious, Capable Learners||Mathematics and Numeracy||Numeracy|
|Ethically Informed Citizens||Health and Wellbeing||Digital Competence|
|Enterprise, creative contributors||Humanities|
|Science and Technology|
Our Curriculum Strategy and Readiness
- Our strategy for curriculum reform started in 2015 with an investment in staff professional learning, wellbeing and resilience in the face of once in a generation curriculum change. This essential first step ensured that staff are excited by the prospect of change rather than being daunted by it.
- A full review of the curriculum arrangements in Ysgol Ty Coch was undertaken in October 2015 with subsequent reviews in 2018 and 2019. This involved pupils, parents, staff, Governors and Multi-Disciplinary Agencies
- A crucial recommendation from the curriculum review detailed a requirement to promote thematic learning to increase relevance for our pupils from Foundation to KS4, with a modular approach to learning in KS5
- Current NC subjects (curriculum 2008) have been aligned to the 'Curriculum for Wales 2022' Areas of Learning and Experience (AOLE) to form an holistic and thematic approach to learning for subjects from Foundation to KS4.
- All staff have been involved in developing exciting and motivating teaching and learning activities which align to Areas of Learning and Experience but which meet the individual needs of learners as identified in their Statement of Special Educational Needs
- The LNF and a draft Digital Competence Framework are now embedded in curriculum delivery for Foundation to KS5
- A "spiral curriculum" has been designed for pupils aged 3-14 based on a four year thematic rolling programme for sensory, foundation, KS2 and KS3.
- At 14-19, there is a two year thematic rolling programme for KS4 regarding the Learning Core, a three year modular rolling programme for KS5 Learning Core.
- At 14-19 there are three "Options" afternoons based on pupil voice and choice, planned as a three year rolling programme.
- In 2018-2019, Ysgol Ty Coch was involved in a Welsh Government Pilot for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) reform. This approach will become statutory in 2021 and will replace the current statutory assessment procedure. As a school, this gave us a chance to focus on 'What Matters' for our learners. We launched exciting initiatives around The MOVE Programme and ASD strategies and interventions
- In 2018-2019, a curriculum enrichment programme was developed. All staff are placed into an AOLE group depending on their expertise, skill set and interests. In year 1 (2018-2019) six AOLE enrichment days were planned with an exciting theme. Each day was evaluated for its impact on learning, enjoyment and engagement. Each day was also evaluated for its impact on professional learning relating to the National Mission.
- In 2019-2020, we launched phase 2 of the enrichment day programme. The aim of the 2nd phase is to focus on the 4 key purposes, cross curricula skills and assessment.
- in 2019-2020, all teachers now plan their lessons using the new AOLE structure. New Topic Captures have been developed to improve the way we engage with families
- In 2019-2020, we formed an assessment and accountability staff network who have begun articulating our vision for assessment in 2022 and beyond.
Next Steps Towards 2022...
- In 2020, we will be striving to ensure pupils have a good understanding of the 4 key purposes by engaging them in fun, age appropriate work through animation and Avatars
- We will continue to invest heavily in staff professional learning to ensure that teaching approaches are first class. To do this, we need to continue to embed our culture of self and peer reflection with the work force
- A Curriculum Review is planned for July 2020 where SLT and teaching staff will digest the CfW materials and apply it to our successful curriculum structure. Our focus will be on skills, knowledge and experiences and we will use staff and pupil feedback from previous years
- Our aim for the end of 2021, is to have a curriculum design which builds on our already excellent practice, focusses appropriately on what matters for our learners, provides rich teaching and learning and which dovetails effectively with ALN reform.
- Parent workshops will be established to give parents information and to invite their views
To view each individual curriculum area, please select from the options on the drop down menu.