Nurture Pathway & Avenue

The Nurture Pathway and Avenue are designed for children with Severe Learning Difficulties. It provides experiences and opportunities that promote communication, functional skills, emotional well-being, confidence, and independence. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate and seeks to teach relevant and meaningful skills to improve life opportunities for all pupils.

The Nurture Pathway and Avenue offer a subject-based curriculum delivered through sensory and interactive elements, experiences, and practical activities. The Nurture Curriculum covers Early Reading, English, Maths, and The World Around Us as early scientific skills. Additionally, foundation subjects such as Art, Music, PE, and PSHE are taught. The subject knowledge and skills provide a functional base for pupils to apply this knowledge to their broader world experiences through curriculum activities and visits.

The Pathway timetable is structured to capture pupils’ attention and focus, with highly structured learning in the morning where subject-based learning and skills are taught. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to enrichment, developing physical, social, and play skills that support pupils in expressing themselves, understanding play, and practicing core social skills.

Planned trips and visits provide opportunities for pupils to develop skills across different domains, such as visits to local parks, theatre performances, or local shops/cafés.

When pupils move into the Nurture Avenue at 14, they continue to access daily reading practice. Additionally, they work towards the Moving On Equals Award and some Entry Level 1 qualifications. The curriculum is designed to give them access to a broad and balanced education that encourages the development of life skills. It is subject-based, with practical life skill practice woven throughout, including work-related learning and citizenship. This continues from 14-19 years, ensuring pupils will leave with a minimum of 20 Moving On qualifications. There is a strong focus on applying learning in the real world, preparing students for life beyond Stanton Vale and into adulthood.