The Navigators Department provides a broad, engaging and personalised curriculum that supports learners to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need both in school and in preparation for adult life. Learning experiences are carefully tailored to meet individual strengths, interests and needs, enabling pupils to make meaningful progress while developing independence, resilience and self-belief. 

Our curriculum promotes the development of communication, literacy, numeracy, digital competence, creativity, physical development and personal wellbeing across all Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLEs). Primary and Secondary learners follow a topic-based curriculum, providing opportunities to explore learning in meaningful contexts while developing transferable skills that can be applied across a range of situations. 

Communication remains at the heart of everything we do. We adopt a Total Communication approach, recognising that every learner communicates in different ways. Learners are supported through a range of communication methods, including verbal language, Signalong, PECS, Pyramid approaches and augmentative and alternative communication systems (AAC). Through these approaches, learners are encouraged to express their wants, needs, feelings and opinions, make informed choices and develop positive social relationships. 

We place a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on learning that develops problem-solving, enquiry and decision-making skills. Learners are encouraged to take increasing ownership of their learning, develop confidence in their abilities and apply their knowledge in real-life contexts. Through creative experiences, physical activities and opportunities to explore the wider world, pupils develop the skills needed to become active and valued members of their communities. 

A key focus of the Navigators Department is preparing learners for their next steps beyond school. As pupils progress through the department, they are supported to develop essential life skills, independence and employability skills through community-based learning, enterprise activities and work-related experiences. Learners also have opportunities to work towards recognised OCR and vocational qualifications that are carefully matched to their individual abilities and aspirations.