How we Learn

At Old Farm School we aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes experiential learning and a thirst for knowledge. We provide an environment which allows pupils to take risks and develop the resilience, determination and tolerance required to lead successful lives in modern, democratic Britain.

At Old Farm School we believe the curriculum encompasses all aspects of school life. Many pupils that arrive at Old Farm School have had negative experiences at prior educational placements. As such, they have an adverse image of education which often leads to low self-esteem, low attendance and disjointed engagement.

The purpose of the Inclusion Triangle is to ensure no pupils are left behind!  It is there to support the needs of pupils and help staff coordinate a plan on how best to move forward, mapping out the desired outcomes.

Trust, relationships and having a specialist knowledge on the pupils in our care is what the Inclusion Triangle is based upon.  The Inclusion Triangle is a 3 tiered approach and should represent the population of our school community and what the school offers to support.  Pupils can be a transient in all three tiers but we ultimately keep them all within the triangle, knowing what we want the outcomes to be.

Tier 1
What it looks like	Curriculum (diet for life – Learning Is For Everyone) Learning for life Confidence in life Preparation for working life
Purpose	Achieve the outcomes for pupils to progress into adulthood. Support pupils’ progress socially, emotionally and academically. Prepare pupils for life beyond Old Farm School.
Pupil profile	Able to access small groups with teachers, commissioned curriculum ‘real’ life staff and teaching assistants.
Outcomes	Progress tracked using criteria which is linked to national expectations and progression guidance Progress Check Points (PCPs x 6 annually) – completed with supporting evidence. PRAG rating (weekly behaviour, attitude, engagement and attendance analysis).

Tier 2
What it looks like:	1:1 Small groups Threaded through curriculum areas Whole school activities Extra-curricular
Purpose	In-school/house interventions to support pupil’s specific needs Support engagement in lifeTherapeutic and counselling supportSpecialist support services including education psychologists, speech and language and occupational therapists.
Pupil profile	Through weekly analysis of behaviour, attitude, engagement and attendance pupils will be supported either in learning sessions or taken out discreetly with the aim of removing barriers to learning and supporting pupils’ wellbeing.
Outcomes	Progress tracked on pupils individual starting points

Tier  3
What it looks like:	Positive Re-engagement Programme
Purpose	To engage pupils in learning – inside or outside the classroomIncrease pupils through a phased reintegration into learning
Pupil profile	Non-engagement in Old Farm School’s inhouse curriculum offer. In-school interventions tracked and evidenced External agency involvement
Outcomes	Potential reintegration timetable (reviewed weekly)Work Related Learning (L1 and L2 courses) combined with 1: 1 teaching Combination interventions and p/t timetable resulting in f/t timetable Weekly analysis

Curriculum Executive Statement

Please view our curriculum executive statement:

SEMH

As an independent special school we cater effectively for the varying needs of all our pupils. For those children with SEMH we deliver our core offer to them across all curriculum areas. The link below details our SEMH policy.

Please find our school’s SEMH Policy via the following link: Policies

Further details of our SEND provision can be obtained from our SENCO, Emma Gibson.

BRITISH VALUES

The Department for Education has stated that there is a need:

“To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.

British Values are defined by the Department of Education as follows:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

Old Farm School reflects British values in all aspects of school life. We aim to nurture, guide and support our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.