English

Intent

At Educate U, our English curriculum plays a pivotal role in fulfilling our mission of providing a high-quality education for children and young people aged 5 -16 with a wide range of complex special educational needs and disabilities. Our curriculum intent aligns seamlessly with the principles and values outlined in our school's overarching intent document, catering to the unique needs and challenges of our students, all of whom have an EHCP.

Our Curriculum Intent for English at Educate U Aims to Achieve the Following:

Personalisation for Every Pupil: We are committed to placing each child at the centre of their learning journey. Our English curriculum is designed to be flexible and personalised, taking into account the diverse needs of our students, including those with ASC, ADHD, high anxiety, and attachment and trauma barriers to learning.
Creating a Safe and Nurturing Environment: Our English lessons provide a calm, safe, and nurturing learning space where students can feel secure and supported in their learning. We understand the importance of a positive emotional environment for effective learning.
Holistic Education: We believe in a holistic approach to education, integrating guidance and strategies from support agency partnerships such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and more.
Building Resilience and Self-Regulation: English lessons are structured to help students develop resilience and self-regulation skills, empowering them to manage their emotions and navigate challenges effectively.
Embodying Educate U's Values: Our English curriculum reflects Educate U's core values of safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. These values underpin all aspects of our English education.
Essential Life Skills: In addition to language and literacy skills, our curriculum places a strong emphasis on developing essential life skills. This includes personal and social well-being, communication skills, social skills, physical and health skills, ICT skills, and independence and study skills. We believe these skills are crucial for our students' success in life.
Progression Towards Mastery: Our curriculum begins with mastering foundational skills in English, ensuring that students have a solid foundation in language and communication. As students progress, we provide opportunities for them to work towards the full English GCSE, enabling them to achieve their academic potential.
A Broad and Balanced Curriculum: We recognise the importance of a broad and balanced curriculum that goes beyond English language and literature. Our curriculum integrates a wide range of subjects and activities to enrich students' learning experiences, fostering creativity and exploration with English skills being the bedrock throughout.
Promoting Physical and Emotional Well-being: Our English curriculum recognises the importance of physical and emotional well-being. We incorporate activities and discussions that promote mental health awareness and physical health, creating a holistic learning experience.
Preparation for the Future: We aim to prepare our students for the next stage of their education and equip them with the skills they need to succeed beyond Educate U.
Ensuring Positive Outcomes: Our commitment is to ensure that all students, regardless of their starting point, leave Educate U with outcomes that reflect the best of their ability. Our English curriculum supports this goal by nurturing growth and progress through our skills-based approach.

Through our tailored English curriculum, we aspire to empower our students with the tools they need to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. We recognise that each student is unique, and our curriculum reflects our dedication to their individual growth and well-being.

This statement embodies our commitment to excellence in English education at Educate U and aligns seamlessly with our overarching educational vision. It will guide the development and implementation of our English curriculum, ensuring that it remains responsive to the ever-evolving needs of our students, while also emphasising the path to mastering functional skills English and progressing towards the full English GCSE.

Implementation

We will support your children to improve their English skills throughout their time with us at Educate U. We focus specifically on skill building in three key areas of English: Reading; Writing; Speaking and Listening. With these foundational areas being the key focus during, not only our English lesson, but our topic-based lessons as well. These skills will be the foundation for their progression through Functional Skills and allow them to aspire towards GCSE and beyond.

Reading will be taught throughout many of our schemes of work in our topic-based curriculum delivery with a range of texts being encountered, from 19th Century, Renaissance, Fiction and Non-Fiction texts across a range of genres which are introduced to students at KS3 in either full or extract form.

Writing skills will be evident across the school in the topic-based curriculum as students are empowered to find their voices and articulate their ideas across a range of different curriculum areas. So too will their voices come to the forefront through their practice of speaking and listening skills during their time with us.

Impact

At Educate U, we measure the success of our English curriculum through rigorous, continuous assessments that are pivotal in tracking and enhancing student progress across key competencies in reading, writing, and speaking. Our assessment process, led by specialised English teachers, ensures that each student's individual learning path is effectively supported. Feedback from these assessments aids teachers in tailoring instruction to meet each student's needs, ensuring personalised progression.

Our targeted approach guarantees that all students, regardless of their initial proficiency, experience significant improvement in their English skills during their time with us. We focus on:

Reading: Students will encounter a diverse array of texts—ranging from 19th Century to contemporary genres in both fiction and non-fiction—integrated throughout our curriculum. This exposure not only enhances comprehension skills but also fosters a deeper appreciation and understanding of different literary styles and contexts. Due to the nature of our provision, class teachers are empowered to change texts to meet the needs of the students, this can be related to reading age but also personal interests as the skills teaching is our key priority.

Writing: We emphasise the development of writing skills across various formats and subjects, encouraging students to articulate their ideas clearly and creatively. Our curriculum supports students in finding their unique voices, boosting their confidence and ability to express themselves effectively.

Speaking and Listening: Our curriculum prioritises the cultivation of strong oral communication skills, ensuring students become adept at expressing their thoughts and engaging with others' ideas in every lesson.

By integrating these skills not just in English lessons but across all subject areas, we ensure a holistic educational experience that equips students with the essential skills required for academic success and beyond. Our commitment to a skills-based curriculum prepares students for advanced qualifications, including Functional Skills and GCSEs, positioning them for success in future educational endeavours and in life.