Curriculum

Key Principals

At New Avenue School, our curriculum supports every pupil’s social, emotional and academic growth in a caring, inclusive setting. We recognise each pupil’s strengths and challenges and help them build the skills they need to succeed as confident, capable individuals.

Our approach, therefore, is guided by the following key principles:

Holistic Development
We focus on the whole child, giving equal weight to physical, intellectual, emotional and social growth. We aim to build resilient, well-rounded pupils who are prepared for life beyond school.

Personalised Learning
We adapt learning to meet each pupil’s needs. Content, activities and interventions are tailored to individual strengths, challenges and goals, making learning accessible and meaningful.

Closing Gaps
We know that some pupils need support to secure key skills. We use retrieval practice, repetition and small-step teaching to address gaps and help pupils move forward confidently on age-appropriate pathways.

Positive Behaviour Support
We build a culture of positive behaviour and personal responsibility. Pupils learn to self-regulate and respond to challenges with resilience, even when things go wrong.

Community and Belonging
We involve pupils, families and staff in daily school life and wider planning. Open communication and collaboration help everyone feel valued and connected as part of our school community.

Curriculum Intent

At New Avenue School, we build a curriculum that meets the needs of every pupil. We aim to:

Support academic and personal growth equally, using therapeutic principles across everything we do.
Teach in ways that work for each pupil, using SEN research to personalise learning to individual needs, strengths and goals.
Offer qualifications that fit each pupil’s abilities and ambitions, helping them move on to further education, training or work.
Make learning real and practical, with hands-on activities that build life skills, teamwork and curiosity.
Help pupils build self-awareness, social skills and resilience, while encouraging them to explore personal interests and develop their talents.

Curriculum Implementation

Our curriculum integrates the core and foundation subjects of the National Curriculum (2014), supplemented by a personal development pathway. It is structured to support pupils through four key phases, ensuring a coherent and flexible learning journey tailored to individual needs:

Five Key Phases of Learning

Phase F - Working at Year 1 and 2 level of the National Curriculum (NC)
Phase 1 - Working at Year 3 and 4 level of the NC
Phase 2 - Working at Year 5 and 6 level of the NC
Phase 3 - Working at Year 7, 8, and 9 level of the NC
Phase 4 - Working at Year 10 and 11 level of the NC

*Note: We recognise that pupils may have varying levels of ability across different subjects. Our approach ensures content remains age-appropriate, even when objectives from earlier NC years are needed.

Structured and Flexible Learning

Our curriculum plans are thoughtfully sequenced to build skills and knowledge over time. We integrate flexibility to allow for overlearning, repetition, retrieval, and targeted interventions, helping pupils reinforce their understanding and improve their learning schemas.

Multi-Sensory Learning Approach

To make learning accessible, we teach in a multi-sensory way, incorporating various delivery methods that cater to different learning styles. While modern research suggests that labelling specific learning styles can be limiting, we believe that a diverse, engaging approach is key to pupil progress.

Personal Development

Learning Beyond the Classroom is an integral part of our curriculum. These outings provide real-life, outdoor experiences that connect classroom learning with the world, enriching pupils’ cultural capital and broadening their life experiences. This is complemented by a bespoke personal empowerment pathway, which helps pupils better understand themselves, others, and the wider world.

Interdisciplinary Learning

While we don’t strictly follow a topic-based learning model, we do make connections across subjects where appropriate. By planning lessons that interleave skills and knowledge across different areas, we create meaningful links that enhance pupils' understanding and retention.

Core Subjects

At New Avenue School, Reading, Writing, Maths and Science are at the heart of our curriculum. We build essential skills in ways that are engaging, respectful and matched to each pupil’s stage of learning.

For early reading and phonics, we use the Read Write Inc programme. This structured approach helps pupils secure the building blocks of reading and writing before moving on to wider literacy skills.

We know that pupils may have gaps in their skills or knowledge. Our curriculum fills these carefully, using age-appropriate material that respects pupils’ interests and experiences. Lessons are structured but flexible, with personalised support where needed.

Below, you’ll find links to our curriculum overviews for each core subject, where you can explore our approaches, goals, and key learning themes in greater detail.

Reading

Writing

Maths

Science

Foundation Subjects

At New Avenue School, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum that gives equal value to foundation subjects alongside core learning.

Pupils study Art, Computer Science, Humanities, Food Technology and Physical Education (PE) every week. These subjects help pupils develop creativity, practical skills, critical thinking, digital literacy, cultural understanding and physical well-being.

Each foundation subject is carefully planned to build knowledge and skills over time, providing real-world experiences and opportunities for personal achievement. Lessons are adapted to meet the needs and interests of our pupils, with a strong focus on engagement, accessibility and purposeful learning.

Below, you’ll find links to our curriculum overviews for each foundation subject, where you can explore our approaches, goals, and key learning themes in greater detail.

Art

Food Tech

Computer Science

Humanities

Personal Development

At New Avenue School, our Personal Development Pathway is an essential part of our holistic approach, supporting the growth of pupils beyond academic learning. This pathway ensures that every pupil develops the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive both in school and in life. Our programme is structured around five key components:

PSHE Core Programme

Our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) Core Programme is designed to equip pupils with essential life skills, knowledge, and understanding. It covers a range of topics, including emotional well-being, relationships, health, and safety, all delivered in an age-appropriate and engaging manner. Through this programme, pupils learn to navigate the complexities of modern life, building self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills.

Beyond the Classroom

Our Beyond the Classroom programme enhances classroom learning by offering a range of activities and experiences that build cultural capital, teamwork, and leadership skills. Regular outdoor excursions, creative arts, and other extracurricular activities allow pupils to explore new interests, gain confidence, and make connections between their learning and the wider world. These enrichment opportunities are designed to foster curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning.

Please see below

Pursuing Personal Passions

We believe in nurturing the unique interests and talents of each pupil. Our "Pursuing Personal Passions" component supports pupils in engaging with their hobbies and interests, whether that’s music, sports, art, or any other pursuit. By encouraging pupils to explore and develop their personal passions, we help them build self-confidence, creativity, and a sense of identity. We provide the resources, time, and support needed for each child to thrive in their chosen pursuits.

Therapy Offer

Therapeutic support is embedded in all aspects of school life at New Avenue School. We create a nurturing environment where therapeutic principles are integrated throughout daily routines, lessons, and interactions, ensuring that pupils receive continuous emotional and mental health support. In addition to this embedded approach, we also offer one-to-one therapy sessions for those who need more targeted support. Our goal is to ensure that every pupil feels safe, understood, and empowered to express themselves.