Marshfields School

Every student matters at Marshfields School and every decision we take is based on what is in the best interests of the individual student. We firmly believe that the students and staff at Marshfields are its most important asset, with the staff having high expectations and aspirations for our students’ health, safety, happiness, knowledge, skills and independence.

Explorers Pathway

Our Vision

The Explorers Pathway supports learners with the most complex learning needs, enabling them to develop communication, interaction, regulation and independence through highly personalised, sensory-rich learning experiences.

Learning is rooted in positive relationships, emotional security and purposeful engagement.

Our Learners

Learners within Explorers may:

• have profound or complex learning needs;
• require significant adult support;
• be developing intentional communication;
• communicate in a range of verbal and non-verbal ways;
• benefit from sensory-based learning;
• require highly structured and predictable environments;
• require significant support with emotional or sensory regulation; and
• have associated physical, medical or sensory needs.

Placement within Explorers is determined through holistic assessment rather than diagnosis alone.

Curriculum Priorities

The Explorers curriculum prioritises:

• communication and interaction;
• engagement;
• sensory processing and regulation;
• early cognition;
• physical development;
• relationships;
• play;
• emotional regulation; and
• independence.

Learning opportunities take place throughout the whole school day rather than being restricted to traditional individual lessons.

How Learning Is Delivered

Teaching may include:

• continuous provision;
• sensory exploration;
• Intensive Interaction;
• Attention Autism approaches;
• structured play;
• highly personalised routines;
• repetition;
• predictable structures;
• communication opportunities; and
• low-arousal approaches where appropriate.

Explorers Pathway Timetable Key Stage 2/3

Communication

Communication is central to everything we do.

Depending upon individual need, learners may communicate through spoken language, objects of reference, photographs, symbols, British Sign Language, AAC devices, switches, communication books, eye gaze, gesture, body language or vocalisation.

Staff presume competence and recognise and respond to all meaningful attempts to communicate.

The Explorers pathway is designed to enhance curiosity and develop engagement skills.

The three prime areas crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and building readiness for learning, as well as forming relationships are:

– Communication & language

•  Listening, attention & understanding
•  Speaking and/or alternative communication methods

– Physical development

• Gross motor skills

• Fine motor skills

– Personal, social and emotional development

• Self-regulation
• Emotional Literacy
• Building relationships

The curriculum planning ensures play-based activities to support children all developmental areas, engaging them in learning through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. All students will have daily access to a range of activities in the following areas:

– Literacy

•    Comprehension

•    Phonics and word reading

•    Mark making/ pre-writing skills. Developing writing

– Mathematics

•    Number

•    Numerical patterns

– Understanding the world

•    Past and present
•    People, culture and communities
•    The natural world

– Expressive Arts & Design

•    Creating with materials

•    Being imaginative and expressive

Assessment

Progress may be assessed through:

• the Engagement Model;
• Routes for Learning;
• teacher observation;
• Evidence for Learning;
• communication profiles;
• sensory profiles; and
• progress towards EHCP outcomes.

Preparing for Adulthood

Preparation for Adulthood begins from admission. Within Explorers this includes developing communication, independence, self-care, positive relationships, emotional regulation and participation in school and community life.