Pupils in our Yellow Pathway are creative and critical thinkers. They can think of their own ideas and find new ways to do things. They make links, notice patterns and make predictions.

Pupils in the Yellow Pathway maintain focus for longer periods of time and persist with activities when challenges occur. They show satisfaction when reaching their goals and pride in their work.

Pupils in the Yellow Pathway can plan how to approach a task, review their approach and change their strategy if needed.

The majority of pupils within this pathway are communicating at a conversational partner stage. This means that they communicate regularly with communicative intent using creative word combinations. They typically seek spontaneous communication, communicate with intent with a range of people and across different contexts for both functional and sociable purposes.

 

The Yellow Curriculum within the primary phase is a topic based curriculum with a linked key text that is relevant, meaningful, exciting, multicultural and reflects life in modern Britain. Each subject area has a scheme of work linked to the topic that is well structured and sequenced to ensure that pupils experience a wide range of ambitious learning opportunities and experiences designed to widen their worlds and increase their cultural capital.

We ensure a wide range of subjects are taught throughout the week enabling pupils within this pathway to develop their Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge in these key areas. Pupils also make progress within their personalised learning plans which have been written with the support of our therapy colleagues and link seamlessly with their Education, Health and Care Plans.

Please see the below Topic Grid for The Primary Phase:

The following subject areas are taught throughout the week to ensure a wide breadth of experience:

• Literacy
• Numeracy and Problem Solving
• World Studies (RE, Geography, History, Identity and Belonging)
• Science
• ICT
• Expressive Arts (Art, Drama, Dance, Music)
• PE and Movement
• RSHE and Wellbeing (Yoga, relaxation, mindfulness, sensology)
• Community

The Yellow Curriculum within Key Stage 3 is centred on a Key Text which is relevant, meaningful, exciting, multicultural and reflects life in modern Britain. Each Subject Area has a sequenced scheme of work that is well structured and sequenced to ensure that pupils experience a wide range of ambitious learning opportunities and experiences designed to widen their worlds and increase their cultural capital.

We ensure a wide range of subjects are taught throughout the week enabling pupils within this pathway to develop their Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge in these key areas. Pupils also make progress within their personalised learning plans which have been written with the support of our therapy colleagues and link seamlessly with their Education, Health and Care Plans.

Please see the below Topic Grid for The Key Stage 3 phase:

The following subject areas are included within each pupil’s timetable to ensure a wide breadth of experience:

• Literacy and Communication
• Numeracy and Problem Solving
• World Studies (including History, Geography, RE and Culture)
• Science and Technology (Inc. Cooking, ICT, Design)
• Expressive Arts (Art, Drama, Dance, Music)
• Personal Development (RSHE, PE and Community Careers)

 

In addition to these subject areas, pupils within Key Stage three also start their Arts Award accreditation, facilitated by the Expressive Arts Team. The Arts Award takes our pupils on an artistic journey as they explore the arts and culture all around them, investigate different art forms, research an artist, and then share their discoveries with others. As well as developing their knowledge and understanding of the arts, the Arts Award boosts our pupil's creativity, curiosity, confidence and communication skills.

Every pupil within Key Stage 3 also has a Passport of Experiences. This documents and celebrates the variety of Experiences and Opportunities within and outside Riverside School that pupils may not ordinarily access.

For example:

• Attending a Theatre or Opera Performance
• Experiencing an Art Exhibition
• Toasting Marshmallows during a Camping Experience

 

Within Key stage 4 pupils in the Yellow Pathway work towards completing a qualification in English and Maths. Pupils also complete a variety of carefully selected AQA accreditations. These are focussed on areas that will widen their world and develop their Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge across a wide range of areas. There is an increased focus on developing lifelong independence as well increasing their knowledge and understanding of the world, preparing them for adulthood and life beyond Riverside school.

The following preparing for adulthood areas are also included within each pupil’s timetable to ensure we are preparing our pupils for life beyond Riverside school:

• Literacy (including Current Affairs)
• Numeracy
• Arts and Culture
• STEM (Science, Engineering and Technology)
• Humanities (History, Geography, RE, Identity and Belonging)
• Physical Education
• Community Inclusion
• Independent Living
• Health and Wellbeing (including RSHE)
• Employment and Participation (Community and Careers Education including being actively involved in Enterprise Initiatives)

Within Key Stage 4 there is an increased focus on the skills required to be part of the world of work and/or the wider community. Pupils will participate in at least two specific meaningful encounters with employers within this time.

Pupils in KS4 work towards completing a personalised Essential Skills Tracker. This tracker consists of 8 skills essential for the world of work:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Creativity
• Problem Solving
• Staying Positive
• Aiming High
• Leadership
• Teamwork

The Skills Builder Framework breaks each of the eight skills down into a sequence of steps, supporting each pupil’s personal development from absolute beginner through to mastery.

Pupil’s Essential Skills Trackers are recognised beyond Riverside with many Businesses using the Framework in their recruitment practices, as well as in outreach and work experience programmes.

Pupils work towards completing an Entry Level Qualification in English and Maths and complete a variety of carefully selected AQA accreditations and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. These are focussed on areas that will widen their world and develop their Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge across a wide range of areas. There is an increased focus on developing lifelong independence as well increasing their knowledge and understanding of the world, preparing them for adulthood and life beyond Riverside school.

Please see a selection of example AQA accreditations below:

• Employability – Punctuality and personal presentation
• An Introduction to completing a personal exercise program
• Buying Items within a given budget
• Team building – Cooking a meal as part of a team
• Helping the Local Community

A key focus within the 6^th form is to ensure pupils have been provided with the necessary opportunities and skills for life to prepare them for the world of work in areas of personal interest enabling all pupils to fulfil their potential and find true fulfilment. Families, pupils and professional work together to identify the next steps beyond Riverside school.

Within our 6^th Form, pupils in the Orange Pathway work towards completing BTECs in Pre-Vocational Study (Entry Level 2) and Personal Growth and Wellbeing (Entry Level 3)

In Year 13 and Year 14 pupils also complete a BTEC in Work Skills (Entry Level 2)

BTEC Pre-vocational Study – Entry Level 2

Pre-vocational Study qualifications are designed around practical skills and tasks that place an emphasis on pupils demonstrating what they can do rather than what they know in theory.

This qualification gives pupils the opportunity to acquire and develop transferable skills to complete tasks and demonstrate a level of achievement enabling them to work towards independent living skills and progress to supported employment or to further education.

Units of study include:

• Taking part in a creative activity
• Preparing a meal
• Handling own money

BTEC in Personal Growth and Wellbeing – Entry Level 2

This qualification is designed around practical skills and tasks that place an emphasis on pupils’ personal responses to everyday life situations and scenarios. Pupils are encouraged to reflect and demonstrate their understanding.

Units of Study include:

• Finding Ways to be Resilient              
• Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities

BTEC in Work Skills – Entry Level 2

This qualification is designed to:

• develop knowledge related to employability
• develop skills related to employability
• achieve a qualification to prepare for employment
• achieve a nationallyrecognised Entry level qualification
• develop own personal growth and engagement in learning

Units of study include:

• Being Aware of Job Opportunities   
• Exploring Work Related Activities

Pupils in Sixth form also continue to complete a variety of carefully selected AQA accreditations. These are focussed on areas that will continue to widen their world and develop their Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge across a wide range of areas. There is an increased focus on developing lifelong independence as well increasing their knowledge and understanding of the world, preparing them for adulthood and life beyond Riverside school.

The following subject areas continue to be included within each pupil’s timetable to ensure we are preparing our pupils for adulthood and life beyond Riverside school:

• Community Inclusion
• Independent Living
• Health and Wellbeing
• Participation (Employability). (Community and Careers Education including being actively involved in Enterprise Initiatives)

Pupils are also immersed in weekly Arts and Culture sessions, linked to different termly Music Genres. Within these sessions pupils’ social skills and personal interests are promoted and developed.

All pupils in 6^th form will also select an Option Subject from a choice of:

• Horticulture
• Sport and Leisure
• Health, Beauty and Wellbeing
• Hospitality and Catering
• Construction
• Citizenship
• Expressive Arts

Pupils will be supported to choose an Option Subject based on their own interests and families are invited into an Options Event to support their young person in making their meaningful choice. Pupils will complete AQA unit awards linked to their chosen Option Subject adding to their Accreditation Portfolio.

Within 6^th Form there is a continued focus on the skills required to be part of the world of work and/or the wider community. Pupils will have further opportunity to participate in additional meaningful encounters with employers within this time including 30 hours of Volunteering. Pupils will continue to build upon their Essential Skills Tracker in order to demonstrate their skills and readiness for life beyond Riverside school.

Through bespoke Career Guidance, pupils and families will explore a range of future opportunities; this could be future college/education, training placements, volunteering and/ or employment.   CV writing, interview skills and vocational profiling will form a big part of their curriculum and they will have ample opportunities to develop the interpersonal skills required to make a positive contribution to their community in the most appropriate way for them. 

Keeping in touch with our families and Alumni is incredibly important as it provides us with key information regarding our pupil’s successes and ways in which we can develop our curriculum offer further. We are never complacent and continue to reflect and evolve, meeting the ever-changing needs of our pupil population.