Phase 1 at Milestone Academy is currently made up of 9 classes ranging from 3 – 8 years old. The students are grouped into classes which meet their individual learning needs. This means the students receive a differentiated Foundation Stage Curriculum/National Curriculum delivered at a pace that is appropriate for them. Within the Phase there are classes for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties and those that follow a very sensory approach enabling us to deliver a highly personalised and individualised curriculum. The classes at Milestone Academy provide a warm and welcoming environment for the children.
Active learning is the key to all experiences in the Phase One classrooms and access to structured programmes provides for the development and generalisation of these skills. Within this environment additional emphasis is placed on the development of the child as an active communicator with the development of mobility and self-help skills to enable the child to become as independent as they possibly can.
There are currently 8 Phase 1 classes based on the main site at New Ash Green and the Specialist Intervention Nursery Class (Stepping Stones) based at Cherry Orchard Primary Academy.
These classes are:
Stepping Stones
Penguin
Koala
Giraffe
Dolphin
Tiger
Leopard
Bear
Lion
We are very keen to provide a broad range of learning experiences which include our children sharing their learning with local primary schools. Opportunities are sought and planned for those children who will benefit from the experience of inclusion, such as Milestone children accessing part of their learning in a different setting and mainstream children visiting us to broaden their learning.
I hope this has given you a flavour of the opportunities for our children within Phase One. We always welcome visits from parents as well as telephone discussions with further details on how the provision can support individual pupils.
phase 1 curriculum
upper phase 1 (years 1-4)
- Pupils accessing the Brook pathway experience profound and multiple learning difficulties. Therefore, they access an individual needs curriculum in which learning targets are interwoven into the pupils’ individual profiles across curriculum areas.
- Pupils may be at very early stages of development therefore it is most appropriate for them to access an individualised curriculum using individual learning plans (ILPs).
- Pupils follow the Brook curriculum framework which is a target setting, assessment and monitoring tool.
- The Brook curriculum framework offers a specialised curriculum in five key skill Areas: Communication, Cognitive Skills, Environmental Control Technology, Social and Emotional Well Being and Physical Skills (Gross and Fine Motor).
- Planning is pupil centred with all targets within a pupil’s ILP developed from the Brook Curriculum framework and in collaboration with Specialist Teaching Services (HI, VI, MSI, Physiotherapist, Occupational) and therapists where appropriate. Parents are invited to contribute to target areas.
- To further enrich learning and support generalisation of skills, students are taught via a three-year transdisciplinary curriculum framework based on the National Curriculum, highly adapted to meet the individual needs of each student.
- Curriculum planning is built around a Transdisciplinary Theme and a strong central idea, enabling students to learn about themselves, other people, and the world around them across a wide range of lines of inquiry.
- Each Pathway follows the same Transdisciplinary Theme. In the Brook pathway, this is incorporated through rich and sensory based learning experiences.
- Learning is inquiry-based, promoting curiosity and enabling a culture of student agency, where students can influence the direction of their learning through exploration and experimentation.
- Sensory activities allow for highly motivating learning engagements and experiences, and enable students to make their own inquiries.
- Based on individual pupil needs, pupils can access specialist learning environments and experiences such as Aqua Learn, interactive room, soft play, Rebound therapy, Rainbow room and therapy room.
- Individual needs such as therapy programs, personal and medical needs are prioritised which ensures that students are ready to learn and achieve.
- Students are taught via a transdisciplinary curriculum framework based on the the National Curriculum, highly adapted to meet the individual needs of each student
- Self help
- Social skills
- Science
- Maths – counting and cardinality, comparison, composition, shape, space, pattern and measure
- English – reading, writing, expressive communication, receptive communication
- Physical – motor skills
- Functional – citizenship
- Group lessons taught with links to Phase transdisciplinary theme-based curriculum
- Independence skills – through personal care, hand washing, carrying dinner, making choices, showing preferences
- Physical Education is taught throughout the Phase in the form of PE lessons, Aqualearn, Dance, Specialist-led sports clubs and Rebound (where appropriate).
- Students are taught via a transdisciplinary curriculum framework based on the the National Curriculum, incorporating Science, History, Geography / History and RE; adapted to meet the individual needs of each student
- Physical Education is taught throughout the Phase in the form of PE lessons, Aqualearn, Dance, Specialist-led sports clubs and Rebound (where appropriate).