My Body
Curriculum offer for ‘My Body’
At The Meadows, our aim is to provide a curriculum that accommodates and supports the needs of every individual student so that they have the opportunity to develop their physical movement through enrichment, play and build positive social interaction with adults and peers. This will enable our students to participate in the wider community and be prepared for their next steps to adulthood after the Meadows. Therefore, across our four Key stages and three Pathways our students have the opportunities in the community to access physical education at Tipton leisure centre, Malthouse stables and Portway leisure centre.
This bubble includes; Physical Education, Physiotherapy, Swimming/Hydrotherapy, Forest School, Rebound and posture management.
Pre-formal:
Each pupil works on an individualised curriculum, and different goals we are aiming to achieve per activity, however, we look to recognise that our pre-formal learners present in different ways, and as such we are able to ensure our curriculum activities are designed appropriately for all learners. Experiences and activities are done ‘with’ the learners rather than ‘to’ them in a learner led approach so to support our holistic EQUALS foundation. We place heavy emphasis on the importance of ‘turning into the learner’ in order to observe their responses in their world, so that we may interpret these responses in the most accurate way.
Our curriculum focus is highly individualised per learner, though we do recognise that within our PMLD cohort, there are three main levels to our pre-formal pathway. This enables us to recognise what ideal expectations we can have for our learners and how to stretch and challenge them appropriately in order for them to achieve these expectations.
Lower pre-formal- Those working at maintaining skills at a very delayed pace, with the understanding that regression may occur.
Mid pre-formal- Those with the ability to maintain skills and potentially develop skills over a prolonged period, whilst developing anticipation and communicative abilities.
Upper pre-formal- Those with the ability to develop and enrich certain skills, working towards levels of independence.
At The Meadows, our pre-formal curriculum pays homage to the EQUALS pre-formal curriculum, Routes for Learning, and The Engagement Model. Due to the cognitive levels and medical needs of our learners, we do not focus on development through the key stages, but more of an individualised curriculum per child based upon their EHCP targets as well as theirs and their family’s goals for the future. The aim is to enable our pupils to have the best possible outlook to life after The Meadows, to ensure they are able to express their wants and needs as best as possible and living which as much independence as they can, whether that be physically, cognitively or communicatively.
My Body within Pre-formal pathway involves a range of physical rich experiences for the students such as:
Physiotherapy (fine/gross motor)
Many, if not, all of our PMLD learners will be working with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to ensure the health of the bodies does not deteriorate over time. Physio is addressed daily throughout activities, with postural care of the utmost importance. On occasion, classes will timetable in a specific lesson for physiotherapy at the start of the week, to allow pupils the chance to regain the trust and tolerances of the staff working with them through their physio programme for the rest of the week. Each pupil will have different physio programmes which all staff are to be made aware of in order to naturally embed this into the school routine.
Swimming
Swimming is an important element of physio which our pupils are fortunate enough to gain access to with a swimming pool and trained staff on site. Many of our pupils may not be able to access swimming off site and therefore they are granted access weekly to ensure additional physio needs are met. Swimming staff liaise with the class teams regularly in order to support the development and progress of the individual pupil.
Bodyworks
A series of songs promoting movement and proprioceptive awareness of different areas of the body. A fun interaction between staff and pupil which appear as though it is a creative arts lesson whilst focusing on tolerances, body parts and body awareness. Bodyworks supports relaxation, engagement and anticipation in our learners and is much loved by pupils when staff are enthusiastically singing along to the songs.
MATP PE
The Motor Activity Training Programme was developed by Special Olympics and is a movement-based sports programme that provides meaningful sports and physical activity for young people with severe/profound, multiple impairments and complex support needs. It is a unique programme which does not exclude any athlete. With a focus on achieving, it is designed to provide individualised training programmes to all athletes with significant disabilities. With significant emphasis on fine and gross motor independence, the MATP programme focus on mobility, dexterity, kicking and striking. Though not all our pupils will access all of these areas, they will be able to have areas adapted to suit their needs, providing them with a sense of community and value in this group session.
Rebound
Rebound therapy is a key physio focused activity allowing pupils to explore the capabilities of their bodies when unrestricted. Pupils work with staff to develop social and physical skills, whilst also ensuring they are developing skills based upon previous sessions. Each student will follow an individualised plan tailored to their physical needs and prior learning.
Massage and reflexology
Reflexology and massage help to enter the body into a deep state of relaxation. Our special needs children often need support to unwind after a physically demanding day, and the correct use of massage or reflexology can support with easing the mind and promoting mental wellbeing. Many of our pupils will suffer from joint or muscle issues, and therefore embedding massage into their daily routine helps to ensure these joint/muscle issues continue to hold the ability to relax and prevent further stiffening which is crucial for comfort, and in turn, engagement.
Semi Formal:
All students within the semi-formal pathway are offered a range of termly provisions to support the delivery of ‘My Body’. These include Forest school, off-site swimming, on-site swimming, PE delivered by WBA instructors and BikeAbility.
Key Stage 3 / Key Stage 4
The semi-formal pathway in Key stage 3 and Key Stage 4 includes discrete Physical Education lessons, which covers gymnastics, games, athletics, dance, teamwork and outdoor adventure. Swimming and water therapy will be offered on weekly or termly slots, depending on the needs of the student. Students will have time in the forest school, completing various projects relating to cross-curricular links, including environment and Design Technology. Some students will have the opportunity to access swimming in the community and all students are offered weekly bike riding sessions with learning to ride specialised session through out the year. In Key Stage 4 students will also be offered to take part and work towards achieving a Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) award which will run alongside their other units of study for the different curriculum areas. The DoE areas focus on skills, physical and volunteering.
Key Stage 5
The semi-formal pathway in Key stage 5 will include Physical Education Sessions underpinned by accreditation Lifeskills Challenge WTE1-Level 1 where students explore PE and Leisure they enjoy. Students will complete a module each term and where possible complete PE using different equipment and out in the community. Swimming and water therapy will be timetabled depending on the needs of the student. Students will have time in the forest school, completing various projects relating to cross-curricular links, including environment and independence skills. Students will continue to take part and work towards achieving a Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) award which will run alongside their other units of study for the different curriculum areas. The DoE areas focus on skills, physical and volunteering.
LSC – Participating in different leisure activities.
LSC – Taking sports in the community.
LSC – Team competitiveness
LSC – Using a community fitness trail.
MTP – Health/Therapy
MTP – Hobbies and pastimes / Joining a club
MTP – Competitive sport
MTP – Residential experience
MTP – Community action
Formal:
Key Stage 3 / Key Stage 4
The formal pathway in Key stage 3 for Physical Education follows the National Curriculum guidelines covering gymnastics, games, athletics, dance, teamwork and outdoor adventure. They will also learn about aspects of living a healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise. Additionally, students following this pathway will also have opportunities to have swimming lessons in school and out in the community. Some students will have the opportunity to access swimming in the community and all students are offered weekly bike riding sessions with learning to ride specialised session throughout the year. In Key Stage 4 students will also be offered to take part and work towards achieving a Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) award which will run alongside their other units of study for the different curriculum areas.
Key Stage 5
In Key Stage 5, Physical Education is delivered through units of work from accreditation in ASDAN Life Skills Challenge at WT – Level 1. PSD units also support PE and Leisure in the community giving students to confidence to take part in exercise in different contexts. Students will aim to get out into the community, using facilities like Malthouse Stables and the Portway leisure centre to get their physical exercise. Students they aim to take part in residentials and will also complete their physical section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Silver and Gold level.
In addition to this, students across all pathways are exposed to exercise and enrichment opportunities during theme days, off-site visits in the local community and whole school events including Sports Day. We also have working partnerships with other agencies and charities who support Physical Education including West Bromwich Foundation, MENCAP and Ormiston Forge Academy.
LSC – Participating in different leisure activities.
LSC – Taking sports in the community.
LSC – Team competitiveness
LSC – Using a community fitness trail.
MTP – Health/Therapy
MTP – Hobbies and pastimes / Joining a club
MTP – Competitive sport
MTP – Residential experience
MTP – Community action
DoE volunteering links – Helping people in need, work in charity shop, nature walks, fundraising, road safety, personal safety.
DoE physical links – Learning a new sport – Yoga, Cycling, Paddling.
DoE skills links – Public speaking, debate, information skills, vlogging, writing, cookery, money management, skills for employment.
Kieran Bradley - kieran.bradley@themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk
