Grove
Overview
Grove pathway students are working academically below GV4 and are assessed using the 5 areas of engagement. They have full access to the curriculum content; however, they are assessed through general skills rather than subject specific skills. Grove students access a sensory curriculum and benefit from a total communication approach. Students following the Grove pathway typically communicate using vocalisations and/or gesture, supported by Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), as well as objects of reference and touch cues.
Curriculum
Students have full access to the national curriculum which is differentiated to meet the needs of each individual learner, and taught in a sensory way, assessed through the 5 areas of engagement. Activities are varied and link to the national curriculum lessons studied by their peers. Through sensory based activities and experiences students will develop skills in the following areas:
- Realisation – responding and reacting to a new stimulus or activity.
- Exploration –building on their initial reaction to a new stimulus or activity.
- Anticipation - showing excitement or prediction before a familiar stimulus or activity
- Persistence – developing continued effort (may be in short bursts)
- Initiation - self-directed request, movement or indication
Social communication and interaction groups – mixed ability communication groups provide students opportunities to interact with their peers using their different forms of communication. Activities include call and response and the use of AAC e.g. switch work.
Hydrotherapy – all students with a physical impairment have a weekly hydrotherapy session. The students work on their individual programmes set by the physiotherapists which helps to maintain and develop their physical strength and mobility.
Physiotherapy - All students with a physical disability have a weekly physiotherapy session. The students work on their individual physio programmes devised by the physiotherapists in order to help maintain their strength and mobility.
In addition, all students with physical difficulties will be offered a change of position daily. For some students this may mean using a standing frame, walker or the Acheeva Learning Station.
LSB sessions - the Learning Support Base provides a stimulating environment for some students on Grove pathway. The room is designed so that it has key areas set out to work on specific skills e.g. dark area for visual skills work, an area for switch work, etc. The rest of the room is left as a blank canvas so that it can be a flexible working space that can be adapted for the needs of the individual student or group. The LSB aims to provide a safe and secure working environment that is distraction free allowing for focused work and the opportunity for students to reach their full potential and achieve the targets set for them. Relevant resources/specialist equipment is provided for all students to aid them in their development. In addition, the Learning Support Base works closely with the speech therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to provide each student with the specialist support, in order to maximise their full potential.
Interactive room- can be accessed weekly alongside their peers in class. This room has an overhead hoist, allowing an easy transition for students who like to be closer to the equipment. This room contains lots of specialist equipment that can be directly controlled by the student allowing full autonomy over their environment. Within the interactive room there is a switch controlled bubble tube, wind machine, LED colour wash wall, Solar projector and light scanner. There is also a variety of equipment focussed on visual work including projectors, UV area and a large touch screen. The Interactive Room also contains an omiVista and omiBeam that encourages the students to develop their gross motor skills by visually and audibly reacting to their movements.
The sensory garden - is aimed to provide a stimulating and relaxing environment for the students to work in. There are a range of activities that can be explored in this area including tactile pathways and boards, wind chimes and glockenspiel as well as plants.
Accreditation
KS4 - ASDAN Sensory Transition Challenge
KS5 - AQA Unit Awards
Arts Award Discover and Explore
Enrichment
Each student on Grove pathway should have the opportunity throughout their time at Greenvale to experience:
- Creative arts – for example live music, theatre
- Community engagement – for example access a local shopping centre
- Physical – for example cycling
- Weekly assembly
- Termly whole school events
Assessment areas for recording
- 5 areas of engagement
o Realisation
o Exploration
o Anticipation
o Persistence
o Initiation
- Enrichment
- LSB targets
- Other