Teaching and LearningEnglish
Text
Learners with Autism can face distinct challenges when learning to read and write. Autism is a spectrum, so the range of challenges is different for every learner. But for many young learners with Autism, it affects the development of foundational language and social skills. This impacts reading readiness, comprehension skills, and their overall approach to learning.
At The Pines Special School, we recognise that English skills underpin all elements of the school curriculum, and are an essential life-skill. Considering the fundamental importance of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing in everyday life, we are driven by the need to develop each learner’s ability to their full potential and provide our learners with the knowledge and skills they need to gain accredited qualifications or the skills to be able to live as independently as possible.
The key aim of the EYFS curriculum is to provide high quality play to support pupils in acquiring new skills, develop socially and become better communicators. Specific books are identified to support the theme focus and planning is based on these themes allowing pupils a holistic approach to learning. Pupils will have the opportunity to engage with play that is child led, play which is sensitively supported and extended by adults and play that is guided towards specific educational outcomes. Within the continuous provision children have the opportunity to explore the reading area and a writing/messy play area. Books, rhymes and songs are used at group time daily. From spring term children begin to engage in phonics sessions and independent learning trays with some English activities being introduced in the summer to preparation for transition to key stage 1.
The English curriculum aims to offer a broad and balanced gateway to a range of literary and non-fiction texts. It encourages creative thought and mastery of the craft of writing. It aims to engage and inspire our young people to visit other realms and paint pictures with words. The pathway may lead to GCSE and Entry Level exams but as important is the chance to experience great novels, to feel the emotion of poetry and to develop a love for creativity, writing and reading. By exploring a range of texts, we hope our pupils will be able to learn about people and places, develop independent thinking to interpret and evaluate society, and grow the confidence to communicate openly and fairly about a range of topics. From the fields of Flanders, to the farms of the American mid-west during the great depression, great stories reflect life and life should offer stories. Accreditation in ASDAN, Entry Level and GCSE opens the world to further access for our children and higher aspirations.
The school’s English provision is recognised by the achievement of the nationally recognised ‘Primary English Quality Mark’, which the school currently holds at silver level.
