01202 763697

01202 763697

Curriculum Overview

Victoria School offers a broad and balanced curriculum that helps prepare all students for increasing involvement in a fulfilling social and cultural life.

All learning pathways aim to provide a curriculum that delivers LIFE: a love of learning, promotion of independence, a focus on the future and high quality enrichment.

After completing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), students will follow one of three learning pathways:

  • Pre-Formal – communication
  • Semi-Formal – communication, life skills
  • Formal – communication, life skills, active citizenship

These skills are delivered discretely through lessons, but also permeate all aspects of the curriculum. The curriculum will:

    Inspire a love of Learning through:

    • Developing learners’ levels of engagement by finding out what interests and motivates them
    • Igniting curiosity
    • Equipping and supporting learners to persist through difficulties and setbacks
    • Supporting learners to grasp new opportunities

    Promote Independence through:

    • Providing explicit instructions and sufficient time for learners to repeat, practise, maintain and consolidate skills to develop independence
    • Providing the appropriate degree of scaffolding to lead learners to great independence
    • Building self-esteem and confidence
    • Developing a sense of belonging and importance to support them to contribute to society
    • Fostering self-reliance, allowing learners to feel they have control over their life

    Focus on the Future through:

    • Making explicit reference to how learning is relevant to life
    • Linking learning to life skills
    • Maximising opportunities to experience and interact with the wider community

    Provide Enrichment opportunities and experiences through:

    • Offering a wide range of enrichment opportunities through our LEAP Programme
    • A comprehensive expressive arts curriculum offer, delivered by specialist teachers and involving a range of specialist visitors and enrichment visits
    • Themed weeks off timetable in sport and creative arts
    • A wide range of trips and external visitors to enrich aspects of the taught curriculum

      Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

      We plan an exciting and challenging curriculum based on our observation of children’s needs, interests, and stages of development across the EYFS seven areas of learning.
      All seven areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.

      The three prime areas are crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas are:

      • Communication and Language
      • Physical Development
      • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

      Children are also supported through the four specific areas, through which the prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:

      • Literacy
      • Mathematics
      • Understanding the World
      • Expressive Arts and Design

      Formal Learning Pathway

      Formal Pathway
      Formal Pathway Overview

      Semi-Formal Learning Pathway

      Semi-Formal Pathway
      Semi-Formal Pathway Overview

      Pre-Formal Learning Pathway

      Pre-Formal Pathway
      Pre-Formal Pathway Overview

      Teaching & Learning

      Every moment is a learning opportunity at Victoria School. We provide lessons which are meaningful, accessible, motivating, contextualised and appropriately challenging to maximise progress for each child.

      The teaching team has a thorough understanding of each child’s point of learning; their interests, strengths and barriers, developmental stage and learning level.

      Learners are supported to develop attention, self-motivation, a “have a go” attitude and to take risks in their learning. They will be enabled to use their skills in a range of contexts, to become increasingly independent, resourceful and resilient when faced with challenges.

      Learning is promoted through well organised classrooms and routines, appropriately paced and motivating activities with assessment for learning firmly embedded across all contexts.

      Courses and accreditation

      As students progress through the school there is an increasing emphasis on preparing them for life beyond Victoria.

      Alongside accreditation in a range of subjects, students can access a wide range of enrichment and vocational opportunities where they can develop their individual interests and skills.

    Off-Site Learning and Activities

    Learning that takes place away from the classroom is an important part of the curriculum.

    Recognising the value of off-site opportunities, we provide a rich programme of activities and events that capture the imagination and provoke a genuine excitement for learning.

    All classes have regular opportunities to take part in educational trips and activities and to meet visitors for example they go to the theatre, local farms, other schools, sporting venues, musical events. 

    Read our Educational Visits Policy