Intent 

At Earley Springs, we believe every child deserves a personalised, meaningful education that celebrates their individuality and supports them to reach their full potential. Our curriculum is carefully designed around three tailored pathways—Explorers, Discoverers, and Investigators—to meet the wide range of needs within our school community.

We focus on developing key life skills, including communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and independence. By building strong, trusting relationships and embedding consistent routines, we create a safe and supportive environment in which children can flourish.

Our approach is inclusive and flexible, grounded in real-life experiences that encourage engagement and foster curiosity. We draw on trusted educational frameworks such as Development Matters, P Levels, SCERTS, TEACCH, and the EYFS to shape our curriculum, ensuring it is developmentally appropriate and responsive to each child’s progress

Implementation 

We deliver our curriculum through a balance of structured teaching and child-led exploration. Learning is planned around engaging themes, sensory experiences, and high-quality texts that reflect children’s interests and developmental stages. Activities are multisensory and broken down into manageable steps to build understanding and reduce anxiety.

We use a Total Communication approach, including Makaton, visuals, and assistive technology, to ensure every child can express themselves and understand the world around them. Children benefit from individualised timetables, high staff-to-pupil ratios, and targeted interventions.

Real-life learning plays a key role in our approach—whether it’s developing independence through practical tasks, exploring the community, or engaging in therapeutic experiences. Planning is guided by careful observation and assessment, with ongoing collaboration between school staff, therapists, and families to support each child holistically.

Progress is tracked using B Squared, allowing us to monitor development across all areas and adjust support accordingly.

Impact 

The success of our curriculum is seen in the progress our children make—not only academically, but also in their confidence, relationships, and independence. We celebrate each small step, recognising that progress looks different for every child.

Children at Earley Springs become more engaged, curious learners who are able to communicate more effectively, regulate their emotions, and connect with the world around them. They develop the confidence to try new things, build resilience, and gain the essential skills they need for life beyond our school.

Most importantly, our children experience success in a way that is meaningful to them, and leave us well-prepared for their next stage of learning.