The Meadow – Curriculum Overview

At The Meadow, we are committed to providing a developmentally appropriate, play-rich and highly personalised curriculum for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Our curriculum is based on the Equals Curriculum, recognised nationally as best practice for learners with complex, sensory and communication needs. This framework is carefully adapted to match the individual learning profiles of our pupils, ensuring every child can access meaningful, purposeful and engaging learning experiences.

Our aim is to equip pupils with the skills, knowledge and independence they need to thrive both in school and within their wider community. We promote a culture of curiosity, engagement and achievement, where every child feels valued, supported and celebrated for who they are. The Meadow is a calm, caring and aspirational environment where pupils are encouraged to grow at their own pace, supported by a skilled and nurturing team.

Our curriculum is shaped by a holistic, child-centred approach that recognises the importance of communication, emotional wellbeing and positive relationships. Sensory exploration, play and hands-on learning are at the heart of daily experiences. We prioritise opportunities for pupils to develop regulation, social interaction and real-world understanding in ways that are meaningful and motivating to them.

Learning in The Meadow is carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge while gradually introducing new concepts and skills. Topics and themes are revisited to support deepening understanding and long-term retention. Our flexible structure allows learning to be integrated across different areas, reducing fragmentation and helping pupils make meaningful connections.

Pupils follow one or a combination of tailored curriculum pathways, determined by their individual needs, stage of development and preferred learning style—rather than their age. This flexibility enables pupils to move between pathways as they grow and ensures that each child receives a curriculum that truly reflects their strengths, challenges and aspirations.

At The Meadow, we are proud to offer a curriculum that is responsive, inclusive and designed to help every child flourish.

Equals Curriculum Model

Informal Pathway

Intent

The Informal Pathway is designed for pupils who are at the earliest stages of development. It provides a personalised, play-based curriculum that focuses on the foundations of learning, recognising the importance of movement, play, sensory experiences, and multi-sensory approaches.

The curriculum aims to develop essential skills and understanding that underpin future learning, including:

• Active engagement skills

• Social communication, including response and initiation

• Emotional regulation and sensory-motor development

• Physical development

• Making sense of the environment

• Encountering and experiencing topics

• Functional and meaningful activities

• Developing interests

• Building relationships with adults

• Building attention and anticipation skills

• Exploration and investigative skills

• Developing a sense of self

Our approach ensures that learning is meaningful, motivating, and tailored to each child’s needs, prioritising early communication, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Implementation

The Informal curriculum is delivered through a personalised, play-rich approach, guided by each child’s engagement profile and EHCP targets. Subject-specific lessons are not appropriate at this stage; instead, learning is individualised and focused on functional, purposeful, and motivating activities.

Strategies used include:

• Attention Autism

• Intensive Interaction

• Objects of reference, widget visuals, AAC communication boards, and Makaton

• Multi-sensory environments and resources

• Structured routines, consistency, and repetition

• Play-based learning

• Sensory-motor regulation strategies

• Sensory stories

This approach ensures that children are supported to explore, engage, and develop foundational skills in a safe, stimulating environment. Activities are designed to be desirable, accessible, and meaningful, providing opportunities for success and enjoyment.

Impact

Assessment is integral to teaching and learning in the Informal Pathway, ensuring the curriculum remains appropriate and responsive to each child’s needs.

• Engagement Model: Identifies and celebrates progress at a level meaningful for each child, recognising both linear and lateral development.

• BSquared Assessment Framework: Tracks holistic progress and captures achievements across personalised targets.

Progress is also observed through additional skills such as fluency, independence, maintaining skills over time, and generalising learning across contexts. This ensures all progress is recognised and celebrated, preparing children for future learning pathways.

Semi-Formal Pathway

Intent

The Semi-Formal Pathway builds on the skills and understanding developed in the Informal Pathway. It provides a structured, play-rich curriculum designed to support pupils in becoming more independent learners.

The curriculum focuses on developing skills in core areas including:

• Communication and language

• Early literacy and mathematics

• Physical development

• Personal, social, and emotional development

It also addresses additional needs in areas such as:

• Sensory integration and regulation

• Attention and focus

• Social skills and independence

• Emotional regulation

Our approach ensures that learning is accessible, relevant, and meaningful, with a strong emphasis on functional skills, engagement, and confidence-building.

Implementation

The Semi-Formal curriculum is delivered through a play-rich and thematic approach, with learning tailored to each child’s stage of development and EHCP targets. Core skills in early literacy, early numeracy, and PE are taught through discrete sessions, while PSHE, communication, and social development are integrated across all activities.

Foundation subjects, including The World (Science, Computing, and Citizenship), Music, Creative Arts, and Religious Education, are taught either discretely or within thematic topics, depending on relevance to the child. Semi-Formal pupils focus on generalised skills across subjects, ensuring learning is meaningful and transferable.

Teachers select topics each term that are motivating and engaging, enabling children to make connections across learning areas and apply knowledge and skills in different contexts.

Impact

Assessment ensures the Semi-Formal curriculum is responsive to individual needs and evidences progress.

• BSquared Assessment Framework: Records progress across all areas of the curriculum, capturing both academic and functional skill development.

• Engagement and Observation: Monitors engagement, independence, and ability to generalise skills to new contexts.

This approach ensures that all achievements are recognised and celebrated, supporting pupils to develop skills, confidence, and independence as they progress towards more formal learning pathways.