Portfield School has a broad and balanced curriculum:

Foundation Phase: Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and 2

Children’s learning is largely play based using high quality, age appropriate resources. Children are supported to join in with both child initiated and adult led activities.

Our practice is largely informed by the Welsh Government Foundation Stage Guidance which is adapted to meet the needs of each individual child.

There are 7 areas of learning and development:

* Personal, social and emotional development (PSD)

PSD helps children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others. We aim to help them to develop a respect for others, social skills and the curiosity to want to learn.

* Communication, language and literacy (CLL)

CLL supports children to develop their understanding and expressive language. Developing communication skills is a key part of the work we do within the department. Staff also provide opportunities for children to hear and share stories and books and to support and extend children’s emerging reading and writing skills.

* Mathematical Development

Mathematical development is encouraged through solving maths problems, communicating and reasoning mathematically. Opportunities exist to experience number, measure, money, shape, position and movement through a multi-sensory approach.

* Knowledge and Understanding of the World ( K & U)

K & U provides children with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. To help children to do this we enable them to use a range of tools safely. We provide opportunities for them to encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments and in real life situations. Children are supported to participate in practical ‘experiments’ and to explore a wide range of materials.

* Creative Development (CD)

CD includes art, music, movement, dance, imaginative and role play activities. Staff support and extend children to develop their creativity using a wide range of activities.

* Physical development (PD)

PD helps children to learn by being active, enabling children to gain confidence in what they can do and to develop a positive sense of well-being. Children are supported to make healthy choices about the food they eat both at snack and lunchtime.

* Welsh

Pupils experience Welsh on a daily basis, learning songs and rhymes and simple greetings. We are proud of our Welsh heritage and use every opportunity to promote our language and culture at appropriate levels.

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Pupils really enjoy using the sensory room, taking part in sensory programmes using a combination of music, colour, fragrance and fabrics to stimulate the senses within a relaxed environment.

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Keystage 2: Years 3-6

KS2 classes provide a well planned, vibrant, broad curriculum which is underpinned by a knowledge of each individual child and an understanding of the ways in which children with severe and complex needs learn and develop- physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, culturally, and spiritually.

We acknowledge the links between Foundation phase and Key Stage 3 [secondary department]. Central to the KS2 curriculum at Portfield School is the teaching of communication skills and personal development, leading to high standards with appropriate achievable targets to develop skills in literacy, numeracy, PSD and ICT.

The curriculum is timetabled and supported with medium term planning in the form of themes and some subject specific units. Individual pupils are supported by ‘Assessment for learning’ strategies and termly Individual targets to make small step progress that is relevant, engaging and appropriate.

Pupils’ additional needs are supported as appropriate with physiotherapy, rebound therapy, hydrotherapy, sensory stories, aromatherapy, augmentative communication, sound beam activities, riding for the disabled and inclusion in mainstream activities.

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Keystage 3: Years 7-9

KS3 classes provide a well planned, vibrant, broad curriculum which is underpinned by a knowledge of each individual child and an understanding of the ways in which children with severe and complex needs learn and develop – physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, culturally, and spiritually.

We acknowledge the links between Key stage 2 and KS4. Central to the KS3 curriculum at Portfield School is the teaching of communication skills and personal development, leading to high standards with appropriate achievable targets to develop skills in literacy, numeracy, PSD and ICT.

Knowledge and skills are learnt though thematic teaching based on subject units of work and themed days / weeks where the content is delivered in a topic based cross curricular way or has a subject focus, for example History days “WW2” or “Local Industry” and Science week. All subject areas of the National Curriculum are taught – English, Mathematics, Science, PSD, ICT, History, Geography, PE, Art, Music, DT, RE, Welsh and MFL. Statutory areas of study including sex education and careers education are appropriately provided, supported by external agencies and the School Nurse.

Pupils’ additional needs are supported as appropriate with physiotherapy, rebound therapy, hydrotherapy, sensory stories, aromatherapy, augmentative communication, Soundbeam activities and inclusion in mainstream activities.

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Keystage 4: Years 10 -11

Keystage 5: Years 12-14

There is a distinct curriculum, with units of work being linked to a published scheme from Equals ‘Moving On’ and accreditation through ASDAN, OCR. All students, irrespective of the severity of their learning difficulties, have access to accredited courses. Students are encouraged to make decisions and take some control of their lives. New experiences are developed during this time, such as supported experiences in the world of work; college taster courses; options day – choosing two activities to follow per term which include:

Film making
Pottery
Dance
Electronics / Lego construction
Farm studies
Horticulture
Hydrotherapy
Sound beam/music creativity
Aromatherapy/massage
Hair and beauty
Food technology
Screen printing
Horse riding

Statutory areas of study including sex education and careers education are appropriately provided, supported by external agencies and the School nurse.

Termly Planning

The link above will take you to the planning webpage….