Independent Living
Quality of Education
Curriculum
At Elms Bank School, Independent Living curriculum provides pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of their school and communities. The Independent Living SOW promotes independence and equips pupils with the skills leading into adulthood, whilst working alongside the PSHE (RSE) curriculum.
Through all aspects of the curriculum the functional skills of literacy and numeracy are interwoven, concentrating on those skills required for everyday living and enrichment. Progression of development and achievement is identified through the strands of ‘Pivots’ those being:
o Emotional Development
o Personal Development
o Social Awareness.
Through this process of assessment, all progress that pupils make is tracked enabling teachers to identify any barriers to learning and any additional bespoke interventions i.e. EHCP targets can be implemented.
Discover Pathway: Students study Independent Living for one lesson a week with some pupils working on more bespoke programmes, depending on academic level or level of regulation. The emphasis is to:
o promote independence through practical areas of daily living
o to promote the development of life skills that maximise wellbeing and enjoyment
o to develop appropriate skills and understanding, through accessing a diverse range of life skills-based opportunities, supporting pupils to be independent in all areas of personal development
In Specialist Provision, focus is on sensory and behavioural regulation using behavioural resources and TEACH tasks to engage students and prepare them for learning.
Wellbeing: The Independent Living department supports the development of positive learners. This is demonstrated through using the marking and feedback policy, supporting students to aspire to achieve and respond positively to regular praise, use of stickers and stamps, pathway champions and postcards. Independent Living is also promoted through wellbeing times and pupils are encouraged to participate in discussions and opportunities to express their opinion and views whilst respecting others.
Values: The Independent Living department supports the development of positive learners. This is demonstrated through using the marking and feedback policy, supporting students to aspire to achieve and respond positively to regular praise, use of stickers and stamps, pathway champions and postcards. Pupils explore questions of identity and how we value our own identify and the uniqueness of other people.
SMSC is woven into every element of our practice and our school ethos, which broadens pupils’ horizons through a range of spiritual, moral, social and cultural opportunities. SMSC is ‘at the heart’ of the school development and requires pupils’ to think about the kind of people they aspire to be, the kind of world we aspire to create and the kind of education we aspire to provide.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities: Extra-curricular experiences also form an integral part of the school’s provision. Educational visits, visitors and key whole school events make learning meaningful and engaging for pupils, linked to real life experiences.
CEIAG Throughout the curriculum pupils learn about independence, skills required for employability, and financial capabilities supporting their journey into adulthood.