Curriculum

Foundation Phase

At Ysgol Bryn Derw we provide a Person Centred Curriculum where pupils and their individual needs are at the heart of the curriculum. This includes bespoke IEP targets as well as Literacy and Numeracy targets at pupils’ individual levels following Roots for Learning and the Foundation Phase Profile.

Individual development priorities are agreed with families and professional and are wide ranging – including communication, toileting, eating, independence, extending engagement and successful transitions.

The following Areas of Learning and Experience are covered through thematic approaches ensuring cross curricular links developing the Digital Competency Framework & the Literacy, Numeracy Framework. The six Area of Learning Experiences are;

  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Language, Literacy and Communication
  • Mathematics and Numeracy
  • Humanities
  • Science & Technology
  • Expressive Arts

Following the Foundation Phase Principles our pupils learn through first-hand experiential activities with ‘play’ providing the vehicle. Through their play, children practise and consolidate their learning, play with ideas, experiment, take risks, solve problems, and make decisions individually, in small and in large groups. First-hand experiences allow our pupils to experience the world around them, engage with their surroundings and develop communication, supported by a total communication approach. The development of children’s self-image and feelings of self-worth and self-esteem are at the core of this phase with the aim of developing the four purposes of the curriculum;

Pupils to be;

  • Ambitious, Capable Learners.
  • Enterprising, Creative Contributors.
  • Ethical, Informed Citizens.
  • Healthy, Confident Individuals.

Pupils’ communication is supported by the Total Communication Approach – including using TEACCH, PECS, Attention Autism and Signalong. Pupils have regular access to the outdoor areas, Forest School, Soft Play and Sensory Rooms as well as targeted interventions such as Rebound Therapy, Music Therapy, Pets as Therapy & an onsite Communication Lead who works alongside a Speech and Language Therapist.