Provision for pupils with complex disabilities.
Provision for pupils with complex disabilities.
Woodlands School has a specialist class for pupils with complex disabilities on the Upper School site. The class has a high staff to pupil ratio and pupils spend the day in their specialist base class, socialising at lunch time with their peers.
Aims of the specialist base class
Communication is at the heart of the curriculum. Lessons focus on the development of symbolic understanding; beginning with recognising objects using touch, sound and vision, associating objects with images and increasing comprehension of vocabulary. Individual communication skills are developed and may include using vocal output communication aids or eye pointing skills.
Physical development and mobility
Activities promoting body awareness and pupil's physiotherapy programmes take place daily. Pupils are encouraged to develop as much independent movement as possible and the principles of MOVE are used throughout the school. A SMART platform enables all pupils to experience using a powered wheelchair operated via an accessible switch.
Information Technology
IT provides a vehicle for communication, making choices, learning about cause and effect and developing some control over the environment. Pupils use communication aids to repeat or produce a sound or word; this may be to request something or as part of a story or drama. Switches can be attached to any piece of electrical or battery operated equipment enabling a pupil to operate apparatus such as an electric food mixer or to choose their own leisure activity, e.g. listening to a story tape.
Aims of the specialist base class
- To develop each learner's ability to have control over their environment.
- To develop communication skills so that every learner is helped to reach their full potential.
- To develop the senses to maximise each learner's access to their enveironment and curriculum.
- To develop self awareness as pupils are encouraged to become active learners.
- To maintain or develop physical skills.
- To provide a relevant and engaging curriculum that will motivate learning in all its aspects.
- To provide an environment that is clearly structured and visually non confusing.
- To provide stimulating activities that help to develop attention skills.
- To develop knowledge and understanding of the environment through exploration leading to recognition of familiar objects and places.
- To provide routines which enable each learner to recognise and anticipate events.
Communication is at the heart of the curriculum. Lessons focus on the development of symbolic understanding; beginning with recognising objects using touch, sound and vision, associating objects with images and increasing comprehension of vocabulary. Individual communication skills are developed and may include using vocal output communication aids or eye pointing skills.
Physical development and mobility
Activities promoting body awareness and pupil's physiotherapy programmes take place daily. Pupils are encouraged to develop as much independent movement as possible and the principles of MOVE are used throughout the school. A SMART platform enables all pupils to experience using a powered wheelchair operated via an accessible switch.
Information Technology
IT provides a vehicle for communication, making choices, learning about cause and effect and developing some control over the environment. Pupils use communication aids to repeat or produce a sound or word; this may be to request something or as part of a story or drama. Switches can be attached to any piece of electrical or battery operated equipment enabling a pupil to operate apparatus such as an electric food mixer or to choose their own leisure activity, e.g. listening to a story tape.