Our Curriculum
‘Pupils have access to a rich, ambitious curriculum and experience a broad range of activities. ‘ Ofsted 2022
Abigail’s Place is a school that promotes Playful Learning in an Attachment based, Child focused Environment. The approach at Abigail’s Place encompasses the knowledge of a ‘bottom up’ approach to learning.
Our curriculum is thematically designed, and considers the National Curriculum, whilst not being bound by its requirements. Our curriculum aims to:
• Help students gain the knowledge, skills and understanding that they need in order to lead fulfilling lives.
• Use the learning pyrmid as the basis to understanding barriers to learning and ensure learning is underpinned by a stable base.
• Use sensory integration and sensory diet to support children in accessing learning.
• Provide happy memories and social joy.
• Develop trust and build secure attachments to adults through playful relationships and learning opportunities
• Be flexible and fluid so that students unique interests and developmental needs can be planned for accordingly.
• Use a curiosity based approach to promote awe and wonder and engage the seeking and play systems as described by Jaak Panksepp.
• Include opportunities for play for both therapeutic benefit and learning development.
• Support students to lead fulfilling lives.
• To use the latest neurobiological research to underpin practice.
• To develop the student’s language around emotion, feelings and sensations thus improving self regulation.
• Encourage students to recognise the importance of pursuing a healthy lifestyle and keeping themselves and others safe
• Recognise that students may show their understanding of ideas and concepts in multiple forms, such as print, art, drama, music, puppetry and not just through conventional forms such as writing.
• Recognise that enriched environments are novel environments which engage the child cognitively, physically, socially and sensorially.
