Communication and Interaction Curriculum Pathways
Curriculum Intent
We strive for our learners to live independent lives. We recognise our learners as individuals, support their development and enable them with tools they can apply to the world outside of Connex.
Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of pupils aged 4–11 years who have been identified with communication and interaction barriers to learning.
The curriculum is person learner-centred, ambitious and enables learners to make progress from their individual starting points. It is underpinned by a Total Communication Approach, which is embedded in daily routines and teaching approaches.
We focus on developing skills in:
- Social communication – expressing preferences, wants, needs and ideas.
- Listening and attention –such as following routines and instructions and engaging with adult led sessions.
- Social interaction – enabling engagement in group activities and social situations.
- Social imagination and flexibility – coping with changes and transitions.
- Building relationships – interacting with and share experiences with others.
- Emotional understanding – recognising and understanding of emotions.
- Self-awareness – developing a sense of self.
- Gross and fine motor – developing physical skills.
- Independence – building independence in health and self-care.
The curriculum is ambitious and enables learners to make progress from their individual starting points. Learners are supported to develop functional communication using a range of methods, including spoken language, signing, symbols, visual supports, objects of reference, and through Augmentative and Adaptive Communication devices. Communication is prioritised as a key enabler for learning, emotional regulation, social interaction, and independence.
The Connex Curriculum is the driver for the learner to work towards their Placement Goals, and their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes. We focus on developing skills in the areas of Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Physical Development. Our aim is to support learners to become independent communicators in their own style and preferred way of communication.
Delivery is through carefully planned, engaging, and responsive teaching approaches that are matched to each learner’s developmental stage and includes their interests and motivators.
Key elements include:
- The Total Communication Approach embedded across all areas of the setting.
- White Rose Maths supports structured mathematical development and is linked to the ranges within Birth to Five Matters.
- Little Wandle, a systematic synthetic phonics program teaches early reading and spelling. Further information on the scheme can be found at: https://www.littlewandle.org.uk/
- Drawing Club supports early mark making and writing, sparking creativity, and promotes language development.
- Connex Steps track progress in the areas of Communication and Language, Personal Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
- The Immersive curriculum develops understanding in the areas of Understanding the World and Creative Arts.
- Outdoor learning is incorporated into our everyday offer to promote physical development, curiosity, and wellbeing, including Forest Schools.
- Music sessions encourage engagement and curiosity.
- Explicit teaching of independent life skills and self-help skills daily.
Impact
The impact of our curriculum is seen in learners who:
- Make sustained progress from their individual starting points
- Develop functional communication skills using learners preferred methods
- Show increased engagement, confidence, and emotional wellbeing
- Build independence in learning and daily routines
- Connex Steps, Connex Core and Personalised Learning Goals
- Accelerated Reader, Little Wandle Phonics, and Engagement and Wellbeing observations.