Pathways

KEY STAGE 3 LEARNING PATHWAYS

CONTEXT

Students in Key Stage 3 access a curriculum that has been designed and planned to meet all aspects of their needs without barriers to potential progression.  Our curriculum is based on three core levels.

• EXPLORER
• ENGAGER
• CHALLENGER

Learning journeys and experiences will differ for students on each pathway with the intention of preparing those students for their intended pathways in Key Stage 4.  Though the pathways different, themes and topics will allow all students to be a part of an adapted and inclusive curriculum.

All students are assessed at regular intervals and this supports each individual journey for students and the potential to move between different pathways at times suited to their needs and learning.

Key Stage 3

EXPLORER

ENGAGER

CHALLENGER

Students accessing this pathway follow a more informal structure to the curriculum but with close ties to the Engager and Challenger curriculum.

Students explore their learning world and their experiences are linked to the senses.

Students are emerging communicators and developing ways to communicate in a way that is right for them and following a 'Total Communication approach.

Through their varied experiences, students will react to the stimuli presented to them and begin to anticipate the effect of their input.

Bespoke interventions, individualised learning experiences and a solid focus on EHCP outcomes form the backbone of this pathway.  Cultural capital is embedded within this pathway to ensure the students have every opportunity to thrive in the wider world.

Learners on this pathway will potentially access ASDAN Transition Challenge accreditation when accessing the Key Stage 4 Curriculum.

Students accessing this pathway will access a broad curriculum that has been adapted to the needs of students.  There is a focus on cultural capital for students including opportunities to develop skills for life beyond school.

Students are engaging with their experiences and journey's more purposefully and and communicating with the world around them both intentionally through expressive and receptive means and in a way that is right for them.

They are beginning to understand and use questioning throughout their experiences and through their engagement in learning.

Learners on this pathway will potentially access Entry Level 1,2 or 3 accreditations when accessing the Key Stage 4 Curriculum.

Students accessing this pathway have identified potential that may need to be supported through additional academic experiences or through 1:1 opportunities to access learning pathways at a level that will challenge their knowledge, understanding and skills.  As with Engager students’ cultural capital is a fundamental part of learning to ensure they have the skills to thrive in life beyond school.

Students are on the way to becoming more abstract thinkers and question the knowledge and skills they are experiencing and becoming able to evaluate and critically think about their experiences.

Through their experiences they will communicate in a way that is right for them with a broad range of people both familiar and unfamiliar and be able to listen to and debate through informed responses.

Learners on this pathway will potentially access Level one or two accredited pathways when accessing the Key Stage 4 curriculum.

KEY STAGE 4 LEARNING PATHWAYS

CONTEXT

KS4 curriculum focusses on preparing for the next steps in education whether that be moving on to our own KS5 provision or local college provision, the curriculum offers a wide range of opportunities to develop interests and build on key skills.

The range of pathways support pupils working at a sensory level through to those intending to leave West Lancashire Community at the end of Year 11 and who need specific accreditations to do so.   The curriculum is based on three levels but these are taught fluidly with the same topics being taught across all classes so pupils can move between classes to support and challenge in different subjects at a relevant level.

Key Stage 4

EXPLORER

ENGAGER

CHALLENGER

Students who access the explorer curriculum do so through more practical opportunities.  The aim is to give students the skills to communication their wants and needs and make choices for themselves. A total communication approach is used, objects of reference, symbol, exchange, PECs, sign and images are combined to make the curriculum accessible for all.

The curriculum content links in closely with the Engager and Challenger pathways meaning pupils have shared opportunities with their peers

Many opportunities focus on initiating interactions and actions with objects and people, this is done through a wide range of activities including intensive interaction, sensory stories and attention autism sessions.

Students will be encouraged to explore the world around them in meaningful ways, they will be working towards individual EHCP targets throughout the curriculum.

See KS4 Accreditation pathways documents for more information regarding accreditation routes.

This pathway is for students who are ready for a slightly more formal curriculum in preparation for their next steps which may be KS5 at West Lancashire or moving on to local college provision.

Within this pathway learning are given opportunities to purposefully communicate and engage with their learning.  They are encouraged to express themselves as a learner through a range of methods.

Again, opportunities throughout the curriculum are taken to work towards individual EHCP targets and where relevant generalise skills and use them in meaningful contexts.

Students will engage in a wide range of learning opportunities using both formal and informal approaches as relevant to support productive and meaningful learning experiences.

See KS4 Accreditation pathways documents for more information regarding accreditation routes.

The Challenger pathway is for pupils capable of academic study and engaging in focussed learning for longer periods of time.  They will be capable of sitting extended exams and accreditation by the Year 11 summer term. Pupils following this pathway may be aiming for specific accreditation to move on to their desired next steps when transitioning out of West Lancashire Community High school or be completing more in-depth study on an area of interest.

The purpose of this pathway is to develop independent learners who are able to use abstract thinking skills such as reasoning and inference to make predictions about outcomes.  They will be able to apply their learning to a range of situations including out in the community and transfer skills to new setting.

Students will have opportunities to work with external agencies and staff where possible to prepare them for transition.

EHCP targets will continue to be a focus throughout this pathway.

See KS4 Accreditation pathways documents for more information regarding accreditation routes.

KEY STAGE 5 LEARNING PATHWAYS

CONTEXT

KS5 at West Lancashire Community High School specialises in supporting young adults in preparation for adulthood.  Our aim is to offer a learning programme which focuses on personal and social development, independence and employability. 

KS5 offers learning which encourages achievement and success while building friendships & respect. 

Our aim in KS5 is to prepare students for adult life. 

KS5 offers a varied timetable which includes experiences and opportunities in college, work placement, sport and leisure, community links, accredited learning, maths and English and careers learning. 

KS5 students are encouraged to further develop their skills as part of the Skills Builder Expanded Framework.  

Through the framework students take ownership of their skills level and ways in which they can improve using their personlised programme to support skill development.

Key Stage 5

EXPLORER

ENGAGER

CHALLENGER

Students will access both sensory and a practical curriculum through ASDAN’s Towards Independence Programme which offers and introductory and progression route to learning and development in key life skills.

Students will be provided with the opportunity to take part in a supported work placement or work simulations on site. 

Students will have the opportunity to experience P19 learning and social care options where they will be fully supported as part of the inclusion programme.

Students will have a personalised curriculum.  They will be given the opportunity to access an intensive programme, depending on their individual needs.

Students have the opportunity to complete and participate in accreditations in a variety of skilled areas. 

The accreditation route is tailored to the individual learner.

This programme will allow the necessary time to help students gain confidence in their preparation for adult hood.

Students will develop their skills through the Skills Builder Programme.

Students will access and have the opportunity to participate in supported and unsupported work placements in relation to their future aspirations and goals.

This is supported through the ASDAN Personal Development Programme.

Students will have access to a personalised curriculum. 

Students will have the opportunity to complete accreditation in a variety of skilled areas. 

The accreditation route is tailored to the student’s needs, allowing them the experience to develop their skills for everyday life and living and help prepare them for adulthood.

Students will develop their skills through the Skills Builder Programme.

Students use this learning pathway as a transition period between KS5 at West Lancashire Community High School and their chosen further education, training or career setting provider.

Student learning will be supported through the ASDAN Personal Development Programme and Life Skills Challenges.

Students will be provided with the opportunity to take part in unsupported work placements were every effort will be made to find placements that are of interest to the student and where they can gain skills and build confidence in a working environment to help them with future employability.

Students will be given the opportunity to attend local colleges as part of their learning experiences.

 Students will be also be provided with opportunities to complete accreditation routes with the aim for them to develop skills for everyday life and living in preparation for adulthood and future independence.

Students will develop their skills through the Skills Builder Programme.