Our Curriculum Journey 

At Ysgol Ty Coch, our curriculum has been developed through collaboration between pupils, staff, parents, governors and multi-agency partners. It has been designed around the needs of our learners and is fully aligned with the Curriculum for Wales. 

Our curriculum is flexible, responsive and bespoke to the needs of children and young people with complex, severe and profound learning difficulties. It promotes communication, wellbeing, independence, achievement and lifelong learning, ensuring that every learner can make meaningful progress throughout their educational journey.  

Parents, carers, pupils and professionals have played an important role in shaping the curriculum through consultation, pupil voice activities and curriculum reviews. Using a backward-design approach, we have identified the knowledge, skills and experiences our learners need to flourish when they leave Ysgol Ty Coch. 

Curriculum development has been an ongoing process shaped through professional learning, collaboration and reflection. Staff have worked alongside partner schools, multi-agency professionals and curriculum networks to review practice, refine curriculum design and ensure learning experiences remain ambitious, relevant and responsive to learner needs. The curriculum continues to evolve through stakeholder feedback, pupil voice, curriculum review and engagement with developments within Curriculum for Wales. 

 

Rights Respecting School 

Ysgol Ty Coch is a Rights Respecting School. Human rights are embedded throughout our curriculum and school culture. We promote equality, dignity, respect, participation and inclusion. 

The curriculum reflects the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and supports learners to understand their own rights and the rights of others. We believe education should help children develop their personalities, talents and abilities to their fullest potential while respecting their culture, language and identity. 

 

Communication at the Heart of Learning 

 

Communication is central to the curriculum, ensuring all learners can understand and respond in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them. 

Ysgol Ty Coch adopts a Total Communication approach using: 

• Intensive Interaction 

• Signalong 

• PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) 

• Eye Gaze technology 

• E-Tran Frames 

• Objects of Reference 

• AAC and assistive communication technologies 

These approaches ensure that all learners can express choices, participate in learning and develop their independence.  

 

Therapeutic Curriculum 

The holistic needs of our pupils are supported through a therapeutic curriculum approach. Learning is enhanced through planned use of: 

• Speech and Language Therapy 

• Occupational Therapy 

• Physiotherapy 

• Counselling services 

• Assistive technologies 

• Multi-agency partnerships 

This ensures barriers to learning are reduced and learners are supported to achieve their full potential. Learners may also benefit from a range of specialist educational approaches tailored to their individual needs. These may include TEACCH strategies, Attention Autism, sensory approaches, structured routines and environmental adaptations that support engagement, communication, independence and wellbeing. These approaches are used flexibly to reduce barriers to learning and promote meaningful participation across the curriculum. 

Curriculum Design 

The curriculum has been designed around the Four Purposes of the Curriculum for Wales and the six Areas of Learning and Experience (AOLEs): 

• Languages, Literacy and Communication 

• Mathematics and Numeracy 

• Science and Technology 

• Humanities 

• Health and Well-being 

• Expressive Arts 

Learning is delivered through a thematic, skills-based curriculum with progression at its core. The curriculum is mapped against the What Matters Statements to ensure breadth, balance and continuity.  

For our youngest learners, the Explorers Department follows the Non-maintained Nursery Curriculum (DAISY), supported through play-based learning, Continuous and Enhanced Provision, Attention Autism, sensory learning opportunities, structured routines and outdoor learning experiences. 

Learning is continually reviewed and refined through pupil voice, staff reflection and stakeholder feedback, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant and engaging.  

Learning is designed to promote engagement, ownership and meaningful progression, helping learners understand what they are learning, why it is important and how it connects to the Four Purposes, the Areas of Learning and Experience, and their individual next steps. 

The Four Purposes in Practice 

The Four Purposes are at the heart of all learning and experiences at Ysgol Ty Coch. 

Ambitious, Capable Learners 

• High expectations for all learners 

• Challenging individual targets 

• Problem solving and enquiry 

• Digital technology to support learning 

• Literacy, numeracy and digital competence across all AOLEs 

• Learner involvement in target setting and self-assessment 

• Development of independence skills 

Enterprising, Creative Contributors 

• Creativity embedded across the curriculum 

• Music, art, drama and digital media 

• Enterprise projects 

• Heritage and Community Focus Days 

• Opportunities to think creatively and solve problems 

• Partnerships with external organisations to develop talents 

Ethical, Informed Citizens 

• Pupil voice and participation 

• Human rights education 

• Understanding diversity and inclusion 

• Sustainability and environmental awareness 

• Learning about local, national and global issues 

• Developing respect, tolerance and empathy 

Healthy, Confident Individuals 

• Positive relationships 

• Trauma-informed approaches 

• Restorative practice 

• Health and wellbeing support 

• Forest Schools and outdoor learning 

• MOVE and physical literacy programmes 

• Emotional regulation and resilience 

Respect, Communication and Enjoyment underpin everything we do at Ysgol Ty Coch.  

Welsh Language and Cynefin 

Cynefin is embedded throughout the curriculum and reflects the rich culture and heritage of Wales. 

Learners engage with: 

• Welsh language 

• Welsh stories and traditions 

• Welsh history and geography 

• National celebrations 

• Local heritage 

• Bilingual learning opportunities 

The work of Criw Cymreig supports the promotion of Welsh language and bilingualism throughout the school.  

 

Cross-Curricular Skills 

The Curriculum for Wales requires all learners to develop: 

• Literacy skills 

• Numeracy skills 

• Digital competence 

These skills are taught both discretely and across all Areas of Learning and Experience, ensuring learners can apply them in a range of meaningful contexts. Planning is informed by the Literacy and Numeracy Framework and Digital Competence Framework.  

Cross-Cutting Themes 

Cross-cutting themes are woven throughout all Areas of Learning and Experience and support learners to realise the Four Purposes. 

These include: 

• Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) 

• Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) 

• Human Rights Education 

• Diversity and Inclusion 

• Careers and Work Related Experiences (CWRE) 

• Local, National and International Contexts 

These themes help learners understand themselves, their communities and the wider world. 

Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) 

Relationships and Sexuality Education is a statutory requirement and forms an integral part of the curriculum. 

RSE supports learners to develop: 

• Healthy relationships 

• Positive identity 

• Understanding of rights 

• Safety and protection 

• Respect for themselves and others 

• Emotional wellbeing 

RSE is developmentally appropriate, inclusive and delivered within a safe and supportive environment using a rights-based approach. 

Human Rights and Diversity 

As a Rights Respecting School, Ysgol Ty Coch promotes equality, dignity and inclusion. 

Learners are taught to: 

• Respect differences 

• Celebrate diversity 

• Understand equality 

• Challenge discrimination 

• Value different cultures and perspectives 

The curriculum reflects modern society and provides representation, ensuring all learners feel included and valued.  

Careers and Work Related Experiences 

Careers and Work Related Experiences are woven throughout learning from ages 3 to 19. 

Learners are supported to: 

• Understand the purpose of work 

• Explore future opportunities 

• Develop employability skills 

• Build resilience and independence 

• Participate in enterprise activities 

• Prepare for lifelong learning 

Ysgol Ty Coch works closely with Careers Wales and external partners to provide authentic work-related experiences and opportunities.  

Local, National and International Contexts 

Learners develop an understanding of themselves, their communities and the wider world through meaningful learning experiences. 

The curriculum promotes: 

• Local heritage and community engagement 

• Welsh identity and culture 

• National events and celebrations 

• International partnerships 

• Global citizenship 

• Sustainability and environmental awareness 

These experiences help learners develop their understanding of their place within Wales and the wider world.  

Progression and Assessment 

Progression and assessment are central to learning at Ysgol Ty Coch. 

Assessment supports teachers in identifying next steps and ensuring every learner makes meaningful progress through the curriculum. 

Five Principles of Progression 

Learning is planned and assessed through: 

1. Increasing effectiveness as learners 

2. Increasing breadth and depth of knowledge 

3. Deepening understanding 

4. Refining and applying skills with increasing sophistication 

5. Making connections and transferring learning into new contexts 

These principles underpin all teaching, learning and assessment across the school.  

Assessment Approaches 

Learners are assessed through: 

• Connecting Steps (3-16) 

• Steps4Life (16-19) 

• Routes for Learning 

• Seesaw Learning Journeys 

• Motional Programme 

• Salford Reading and Comprehension Assessments 

• Individual Development Plans (IDPs) 

• Assessment for Learning strategies 

• Teacher observations 

Assessment information informs planning, target setting, progression and reporting. Learners are encouraged to participate in evaluating their own progress wherever appropriate.  

What Follows This Curriculum? 

The curriculum for learners aged 3-16 provides the foundation for personalised Post-16 pathways. 

Learners continue to develop: 

• Communication skills 

• Functional literacy and numeracy 

• Independence skills 

• Personal and social development 

• Employability skills 

• Vocational skills 

Assessment through Steps4Life helps identify the most appropriate pathways, including accreditation, enterprise opportunities, work experience, community participation, college links and independent living skills. 

For learners aged 14-19, personalised pathways may include OCR Pathways qualifications and other accredited learning programmes. These opportunities support learners to develop communication, employability, independence, community participation and personal development skills while working towards meaningful accreditation that recognises individual achievement and prepares them for adulthood, further learning and future opportunities. 

 

Our aim is that every learner leaves Ysgol Ty Coch equipped with the skills, experiences and confidence they need to move successfully into adulthood. 

 

Universal Provision for Ysgol Ty Coch  

All pupils attending Ysgol Ty Coch enjoy the wide mixed menu of provision 

available. Pupils in different areas of the school population access a variety 

of strategies and support methods depending on the bespoke needs of the 

child. In this way learners will access areas of provision to best support them 

overcome their barriers to learning. 

This will be reflected in their Individual Development Plans (IDPs). 

All pupils have moved to IDPs, although year 14 remain on the statement process, which will complete at the end of 2024/2025. Our Universal Provision document is available on the website.