Curriculum

How is the Learner Journey Achieved?
Learning takes place within an holistic curriculum which identifies and includes learning opportunities within the College, on the residential units, out in the community and, where appropriate, on work experience placements.

Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)
An ILP is the basis of a student’s journey. This sets out the student’s Primary Learning Goal, which is the overall aim of the College placement. The student works with the tutor and key worker to agree goals for key areas, including communication, Skills for Life (Literacy, Numeracy, Communication, IT), personal development and independence training. These goals are then broken down into small and accessible steps called Targets.

As well as a College curriculum programme, each student will follow a selection of subjects to help to develop social and life skills and skills for employment. During unstructured time, the extended curriculum includes independence training, Skills for Life and a wide variety of enrichment, social and leisure activities.
 
The development of RARPA (Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement) portfolios allows each student’s achievements towards their goals and targets to be evidenced.

Skills for Life is embedded in everything we teach and in all activities.
Through the ILP activities, students develop self advocacy, self confidence, personal effectiveness, self esteem, life and social skills, communication skills, as well as acquiring skills for their future.

Every Learner Matters (ELM)
In line with government ideals, five key themes run through all aspects of the College experience:

• Enjoying and achieving
• Being healthy
• Keeping safe
• Making a positive contribution
• Economic well being

Complex Needs Strand
The curriculum for this strand emphasises communication, sensory awareness, mobility and self help. For the group who present with severe autism, much of the curriculum is delivered by the TEACHH method. The highly structured approach is designed to help students cope with change in small doses, to make choices and communicate with others. Every day their curriculum offers a balanced mix of exercise, independence training, pre-literacy and pre-numeracy.

Communication
A total communications approach using speech, signing, pictures, objects of reference and the PECS (Picture Exchange System) is used to help each student to learn to express themselves. There is dedicated support from the speech and language therapist and specialist communications staff. Full use is made of technology such as switches and eye pointing devices.    

Sensory Activities
Students make use of a wide range of sensory activities, with sensory stories being very popular in College or on the houses. Massage and body contact are other methods which enable our young people to learn to relax.

Sport and Exercise
Physical activity helps to promote health and is also very calming. All students in this strand undertake regular exercise.

Creative Arts
Using a variety of media techniques, a wide range of art, music and performance activities help students to express themselves and learn skills.

Independence
Students learn to express choice, make simple drinks and snacks, and assist with their personal care. Wherever possible, students are encouraged to do things for themselves.

Community Access
There are regular trips in the community to use local facilities such as the supermarket, library, leisure and sports facilities and visits to places of interest.

Core Strand
This is followed by the majority of students and comprises an individually designed programme which includes literacy, numeracy, ILT, independence training, sport, health and PHSE, communication skills, community access and citizenship.

Individual programmes also encompass a mix of subjects to match individual needs, abilities and interests, to develop social and life skills and, where possible, to prepare for working life. Subjects on offer include performing and creative arts, vocational access and work experience

Skills for Life
These are the functional skills of literacy, numeracy, communications and ILT. Because these skills are so crucial to everyday life, they are embedded in everything the students do. For example, money skills might be practised in the snack bar, on community access, on the house or at the leisure centre.

Communication
The key to success in adult life is communication. We adopt a total communication approach and every lesson helps to develop these skills.

Community Access and Citizenship
One day a week, the tutor group works together on a cross-curricular theme related to citizenship. Work includes community access visits to museums, places of interest and community facilities.

Introduction to Work Experience
Students will undertake tasters in vocational activities and work experience according to their individual interest and needs. There are also Skills for Life classes for some students to develop skills.

All students access ICT and this ranges from the use of switches and roamer to taking qualifications in word processing, emailing and using the internet. Qualifications include OCN entry 1 and 2, CLAIT and EDCL.

There is also the opportunity to take the English Speaking Board examination in communications. Some students take qualifications in literacy and numeracy. All activities in Skills for Life are made to be practical, fun and relevant to the students’ present and future everyday needs.

Performing and Creative Arts
Most students have the opportunity to include some work in the arts arena. This aids development of social and life skills, communication and self confidence.

Activities in art offer a wide range of creative opportunity. There are classes in art, pottery, craft and needlework, whilst  music and drama are extremely popular. With the emphasis on team work, communication and expression, students benefit from the therapeutic effect of creativity and are also able to reach high standards of performance.

As well as researching and producing art work using a variety of media, students use modern technology to produce videos, slide shows and animated film. Arts Week and the Fashion Show are highlights of the College year. Modern technologies used include soundbeam and sound recording.

Individual talent is nurtured and students may be supported to attend external college.

Independence Strand
This strand focuses on students whose aim is to prepare for independent living in the community (possibly with some support), who wish to gain employment or who may continue education. They follow a challenging programme to prepare for employment which involves communications, Skills for Life, performing and creative arts, PSHE, sport and physical activity.

Whilst at College, these students progressively gain independence. They live in houses on site then may move to our community house in Macclesfield which provides valuable life in the community experience.
They are encouraged to specialise in areas of interest and aptitude, attend the local college, yet have David Lewis as their ‘rock’. Just as they are encouraged to gain recognised qualifications to lead to employment, students are encouraged to develop their talents in sporting activities and creative and performing arts to suit their capabilities. The high quality and diversity of curriculum opportunities offered by the College enables students to flourish.

Preparing for Employment
We believe in helping our students to overcome the barriers to entering employment. To do this, we prepare students for the world of work, provide a progression through a range of work experience opportunities both on and off site, provide learning opportunities and accreditation in Skills for Working Life, support opportunities to undertake further training at local sector colleges and simulate how to run a business through the Team Enterprise Scheme.

Students taste a wide variety of vocational activities, on and off site, which will help them in their goal for independence. Students are assessed in the workplace to monitor progress, then tutorials provide feedback and learning points.

The College supports students to attend local colleges to gain qualifications. We have excellent links with the local community and through local sector colleges, students have accessed courses such as hairdressing, sports and recreation, animal care, social care, IT and media.

Team Enterprise is a very successful initiative in which student groups develop a commercial idea and learn how to set up and develop a business, with support from a business adviser from the local area as well as College staff. This enables students to develop communication skills through business meetings or organising their own events and involves teamwork, planning and schedules in order to progress the idea.