About the Explorers Pathway
The Explorers Pathway is an inspiring, personalised journey designed for children whose learning is best supported through a life skills–focused, thematic and structured approach. Tailored to support their individual strengths and interests, this pathway focuses on building essential life skills, communication, independence, and self-confidence. With hands-on learning and real-world experiences, our Explorers Pathway prepares children not just for the classroom but for life beyond it. The Explorers Pathway nurtures each child’s unique abilities, encouraging them to shine in their own way and build a future filled with dignity, purpose, and possibility.
Our Goals for Your Child
The Explorers Pathway aims to help children become:
• Successful Learners: Achieving personal success at their own pace, making measurable progress.
• Respectful citizens: prepared for life beyond school
• Confident individuals: Effective communicators who build relationships and self-regulate.
What does the pathway offer?
The Explorers Pathway provides:
- Support in communication, literacy, and numeracy.
- A secure, predictable environment with consistent staff.
- Hands-on, sensory based, practical learning, including outdoor activities.
- Opportunities to develop crucial independence skills.
What Will My Child Learn?
At each stage our curriculum and areas of learning will enable Explorers to focus on:
- Personal and Social Development: Building relationships, working cooperatively, and managing transitions.
- Functional Communication: Expressing needs and making choices through personalised communication methods.
- Independence: Skills in dressing, hygiene, meal preparation, and personal safety.
- Community Awareness: Engaging in real-world experiences to build confidence in the wider world.
- Sensory Regulation: Developing coping strategies for self-regulation and wellbeing.
At each phase of education Explorer’s learning will be organised around immersive themes that are relevant and engaging; provide multisensory, tactile, and experiential learning; and allow time for consolidation at each learner’s pace.
At KS2/3:
- Communication and Language – Language Link
- English for Life – Early reading and writing including Talk for Writing SEND, Little Wandle (SEND), comprehension programme and fine motor skills.
- Maths For Life – Functional maths for everyday tasks
- Physical Education
- Understanding the World – ½ termly themes – to include Sci/His/Geog/RE/ICT
- Creative arts – incorporates Art, Music, Drama
- Life Skills – incorporates PSHE, Cooking, Independence
- Personalised, bespoke interventions weaved throughout the curriculum
At KS4:
Our Explorers curriculum at KS4 will build on the knowledge and skills learnt at KS2 and 3. This will be based on life skills-based learning experiences in Communication, English for Life, Maths for Life, PSHE, Creative Arts and Understanding the world. Our key values of success learners, confident individuals and respectful citizens will be at the heart of this curriculum pathway.
Accreditations and options at KS4 will continue to build on knowledge and skills and help prepare pupils for their next steps.
Environment
- Regulation space
- Role play area – linked to applying learning, enabling sharing/turn taking
- Own space/desk for learning
- Group learning space
- Reading area
- Access to specialist rooms; Cooking room, hall for PE, library, science, movement room, sensory garden.
Approaches to Learning
- Structured and organised learning space and day
- Weighting timetable for appropriate learning
- Sensory toys to support focus and learning e.g. fidget toys
- Length of learning – lesson duration
- Strong focus on ASD strategies
- Using specialist areas and exposing pupils to the upstairs to aid transition
How Do We Measure Progress?
We regularly review your child’s progress to ensure they’re getting the support they need. This includes:
• Checking progress against personal learning goals (PLGs) and EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plan) objectives.
• Assessing functional skills like reading, writing, and numeracy.
• Evidence of social, emotional, and academic development
Preparing for the Future
The pathway integrates preparation for adulthood into all learning. It focuses on:
• Preparation for adulthood, self-care, independence and practical life-skills
• Developing communication and self-regulation skills, building positive relationships and social skills.
• Self-advocacy and communication skills to navigate personal and professional settings.
• Accreditations and qualifications that are appropriate and relevant to individuals.
We prepare children for:
• Further education, whether in mainstream or specialist colleges where appropriate. • Apprenticeships or supported internships.
• Employment pathways, with or without support. Transition planning is personalised, with one-on-one guidance and collaboration with families and external professionals.
Partnering with Families
We believe in working closely with you to support your child’s success. Regular communication, progress reviews, and transition planning ensure that you’re involved every step of the way. Your child’s potential is at the heart of everything we do, and together, we can help them thrive and achieve their goals, preparing them for a fulfilling adult life.