At Pond Meadow, we hold high aspirations for every learner. Guided by the four areas of need in each learner’s EHCP, our curriculum is designed to be meaningful, engaging and focused on preparing pupils for life beyond school. 

We provide a nurturing, safe and caring environment where every learner can grow through personalised, progressive learning experiences. Our values: Learning, Respect, Equality and Independence shape everything we do and form the foundation of our curriculum. 

Intent 

EHCPs sit at the heart of our approach. Working closely with families, pupils and professionals, we create a cohesive learning pathway tailored to each child’s needs, motivations and interests. Our curriculum follows the broad aims of the National Curriculum alongside subject specific schemes of work which are tailored to the needs of our pupils, for example White Rose Maths and the SEND PSHE Association schemes of work.  We offer a wide range of personalised opportunities that help pupils build knowledge, develop core skills and make meaningful progress over time. 

At every phase, our curriculum is learner-centred and designed to support each individual learner’s development and readiness for their next stage of education. 

What does this look like at each phase of education?

Primary (EYFS, KS1 & KS2) 

In Early Years, we follow the EYFS framework and adapt it to each child’s needs, focusing on communication, early learning skills, routines, independence and personal care. 
Through KS1 and KS2, pupils follow a progressive, balanced curriculum based on the aims of the National Curriculum and subject specific programs of study. Learning is practical, engaging and rooted in developing functional skills and independence.  Core subjects such as Literacy, Phonics, Maths, PE and PSHE (including  RHE) are taught weekly, supplemented by topic based and cross-curricular learning with rotations of Science, Music, Art, RS, Geography, History, DT and MFL. Our aim across the primary department is to nurture confidence, independence and readiness for secondary learning. 

Secondary (KS3 & KS4) 

Our secondary curriculum blends key elements of the National Curriculum with a strong focus on functional skills, independence and life skills. Students follow personalised pathways through the ASDAN Life Skills Challenge program which provides practical learning opportunities based on the termly topics, all of which are also linked closely to their EHCP outcomes. This program is centred around 4 key areas: Science and Humanities, Art, Design and Media, Functional Skills and Sport and Leisure, to incorporate foundation subjects 
Teaching supports students to develop and generalise skills, applying literacy and maths in real-life situations to best prepare them for life after school. PSHCE and RSHE continue to be embedded throughout the secondary curriculum to support pupils to develop the appropriate skills they need as they mature. 

Post‑16 

Post16 students follow the ASDAN Personal Progress qualification, tailored to the Preparing for Adulthood outcomes of Employment, Independent Living, Community Inclusion, and Health. 
English, Maths and ICT are taught through functional, vocational pathways, and each learner takes part in personalised work experience opportunities which are tailored to their individual interests and needs. These include onsite work experience, enterprise and volunteering as well as offsite supported placements. The program builds confidence, independence and the skills needed for life beyond Pond Meadow. PSHCE and RSHE continue to be incorporated into the Key Stage 5 curriculum as well as opportunities to engage in sport and leisure, creative arts, independent living skills, community participation and vocational learning activities. 

IMPLEMENTATION

Our teaching focuses on developing strong specialist SEN practice, enabling staff to use a wide range of strategies that enhance learning and support individual needs. This expertise allows teachers to design personalised learning pathways that reflect each pupil’s learning style and curriculum goals. 

Our ethos is strongly centred in ‘teaching the way pupils learn’. We believe pupils learn best when they feel safe, secure and ready to engage. Our nurturing class environments prioritise positive, trusting relationships and an understanding of each child as an individual. 

A variety of teaching approaches are used at different stages of learning to reflect how our pupils learn and to ensure they can access and succeed within the curriculum. We have a robust and comprehensive program of CPD that supports staff expertise in delivering these approaches.  

IMPACT

We have high expectations for all our pupils, and our curriculum is designed to help every child develop the skills they need to understand, interact with and navigate the world around them. It enables each pupil to rise to appropriate challenges and celebrate their achievements. 

Through careful tracking and assessment, we monitor the impact of the curriculum on individual progress. This evidence shows how pupils meet our high expectations and how well they are being prepared for their next steps and future pathways. 

If you would like to discuss more about the curriculum then please contact:

Jill Inglis (jinglis@pond-meadow.surrey.sch.uk)

Mel Harmes (mharmes@pond-meadow.surrey.sch.uk)