Intent

At Bennerley Fields we ensure that our curriculum meets the needs of our pupils and reflects all pupils in our school community. The intent of our curriculum is to provide all pupils with the knowledge, skills, understanding and breadth of experience to allow them to develop independence to be valued, respected and to be the best that they can be. The curriculum is designed with pupils at the centre, to prepare them for life beyond Bennerley Fields and to reflect the school value and vision.

Underpinning our curriculum and linked to our vision and values are three curriculum drivers. These are threaded through all curriculum areas to support and develop communication, aspiration and nurture.

Adopting a centrist pedagogical approach, blending the traditional and progressive approaches, ensures pupils move beyond memorisation. This is a balance of knowledge and skills which can be seen throughout our curriculum outcomes. The knowledge, defined as substantive knowledge, is built on over time and sequenced to ensure learning leads to understanding. Skills, defined as the application of disciplinary knowledge, allows the pupils to build functionality and give the knowledge a sense of purpose. Knowledge and skills are intertwined, sequenced and are mutually beneficial and supports pupils being able to not just recall but connect knowledge.

Curriculum Pathways

Progressing through EYFS, Primary and Key Stage 3 there are 3 different curriculum stages following a three-four year cycle. These stages each follow a spiral curriculum design where learning is revisited and built upon within these cycle years so that pupils are regularly reviewing learning to allow for knowledge and skills to be further embedded and developed over time.

These curriculum stages implement bespoke cross curricular projects so topics are exciting, varied, relevant and meaningful. Each curriculum stage builds on substantive and disciplinary knowledge from the previous one.

Stage 1

A topic based, holistic, sensory curriculum. Pupils learn through carefully planned teacher led tasks whilst allowing opportunities for learning through pupil led activities and play. Learning also takes place through participation and experience.

Stage 1 ‘Nurture’ incorporate learning for English, Communication, Language and Engagement, How My World Works, My Physical Development, My Creativity, My Community, in addition to Maths, PSHE/ RSE and RE. This also incorporates learning towards the Early Learning Goals for EYFS pupils at an appropriate level to suit the needs and abilities of the pupils.

Stage 2

A topic-based curriculum building on the foundations laid in Stage 1 ‘Nurture’, by reviewing topics taught in Stage 1. Learning continues to build on real life experiences; however, knowledge and skills are extended through a greater balance of practical and paper-based activities. Sensory regulation is integrated into the curriculum.

Our Curriculum Stage 2 ‘Support’ consists of three pathways: early engagement, engagement and progression. The early engagement pathway supports complex learners working within the Engagement Framework to begin to access topic specific learning through holistic, sensory approaches used in Stage 1. This extends from learning content in Stage 1 and incorporates learning outcomes from the end points of documentation such as Development Matters, Birth to 5 and the Early Learning Goals and links these outcomes to themed topics.

Our engagement pathway has a greater focus on topic specific learning with outcomes tailored to show how pupils are beginning to work towards and explore knowledge and skills linked to the Stage 2 Progression pathway.

For Curriculum Stage 2 progression pathway, pupils begin to work more independently during projects that incorporate English, Science, Creative, Humanities, Technologies and in addition to Maths, PE, PSHE, RSE and RE.

Stage 3

A more challenging topic-based curriculum which has a more subject based approach to learning. Stage 3 builds on the knowledge and skills taught within Stage 2 and allows students to consolidate previous learning and apply curriculum content to new or different situations. Pupils are able to learn more abstract knowledge concepts and access more formal learning methods alongside practical skills activities.

For Curriculum Stage 3 ‘Aspire’, projects incorporate English, Science, Creative, Humanities, Technologies and in addition to Maths, PE, PSHE, RSE and RE.

Stage 4

During Stage 4 ‘Achieve’ for Key Stage 4 pupils, the curriculum offer is broad and balanced whilst providing opportunities for pupils to achieve and improve their skills, knowledge, understanding, social and emotional development, wellbeing and physical development. Similarly with the other stages, Stage 4 builds on prior learning and further develops knowledge and skills pupils have acquired previously. Stage 4 consists of two pathways: pre-entry and entry. Pupils on the pre-entry pathway access the same subjects and coverage as pupils on the entry level pathway but with a greater focus on life skills and community experience. We support our pupils to attain the highest level of recognised qualification relevant to themselves. They are encouraged to be proactive learners through planned tasks, independent learning and problem solving. The core offer comprises of accredited courses in Entry Level Certificate in English, Functional Skills in Maths, Science AQA Unit Award Scheme certificates, as well as bespoke Careers, PSHE, RSE, RE and PE schemes of learning. In conjunction with Culture Studies and Pathway to Adulthood, this prepares pupils for further study, training and employment. Accredited courses are offered at varying levels dependent on the needs of the pupils ranging from Pre-Entry through Entry Level up to and including Level 1, where appropriate.

Please note as a parent you have the right to withdraw your child from the teaching of Religious Education and Relationships and Sex Education. If you wish to do this or discuss the options, please contact school and speak to Gaby our Curriculum Leader. 

For more information about our curriculum please contact Jenni, our Headteacher, via the school office.

Assessment

At Bennerley Fields School our early learners working below subject specific learning, are assessed on our bespoke BF Engagement Framework that tracks progress in 5 key areas: the Engagement Model, Communication, Social and Emotional, Motor Skills and Sensory.

When pupils start learning at a subject specific level, we assess each pupil's progress towards our curriculum outcomes and qualifications in small steps through our BF Progress Steps framework, and outcomes booklets for foundation subjects.