Merstone School Emerald Department – Intent and Implementation

Intent

Emerald Department is Merstone Schools higher ability SLD Department. It has three classes, made up of KS1 (Emerald 1), KS2 (Emerald 2) and KS3 (Emerald 3). We aim to ensure pupils have access to a subject specific curriculum that includes key aspects of the national curriculum incorporated with sensory, exploratory, personalised and adaptive areas of learning that encourage a balance of academic attainment with life skills development.

Our intention and vision is for pupils to progress through Emerald Department developing skills in key areas such as Maths, English, Science and PSHE; while also developing their knowledge of the world around them (RE) and wider curriculum enjoyment (art, music etc). We intend to provide a rich curriculum that can be contextualised through a range of external visits that introduce pupils to their local and national community, in order to hone key skills to support them in becoming as independent as possible in adulthood.

Through teaching opportunities, we hope to foster a growth mind-set approach, where our pupils will experience the joy of learning ‘how’ and ‘why’, whilst gaining valuable skills, such as how to look after their own physical and mental wellbeing, keeping themselves safe, recognising who can help them in their daily life and opportunities available to them when they leave our school.

Implementation

Emerald department now work towards a subject specific curriculum. This means pupils have daily / weekly exposure to phonics, English, maths, science, PE, RE, music, history, geography, science, PSD, art and design, computing (Key Stage 3), ASDAN transition challenge (Key Stage 3) and bi-weekly educational visits. Pupils also have exposure to specialist rooms and facilities such as shared sensory rooms within class, swimming, dark / immersive room to meet their sensory needs. While still ensuring pupils EHCP needs are met, this structured subject specific approach to learning means that pupils academic abilities are being stretched and challenged to provide them with a high level of academic input for them to develop their independence and key skills.

When pupils arrive in our Emerald department, staff will ensure that they are aware of each individual pupil’s needs and will work with them to ensure the pathway that is right for them.

The three Emerald classes are broadly grouped within age (stated above KS1, KS2, KS3) and allows natural progression into the next age stage. Pupils are encouraged to interact with peers of a similar age and academic ability but have ample opportunity to engage with others, not only across the department but across the school, on a weekly basis.

Pupils are assessed on SOLAR curriculum, which incorporates NC and P level assessment linked to the equals adapted curriculum that is in place across the Emerald Department. In the KS3 Emerald class pupils will also take part in ASDAN transitional challenge.