Archdale Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S2 1PL

01142726165

Archdale School

 

Our Curriculum pathways

Archdale School has reviewed the curriculum offer and from September 2025 has four curricula: Purple, Yellow, Orange and red.

In the EYFS, our youngest pupils follow a Purple Pathway that is based on Development Matters. From Year 1, we have reshaped our curriculum offer and pupils now follow either a Yellow, Orange or Red Curriculum pathway.  We recognise that pupils may have particular strengths in some areas and so the curriculum offers fluidity and is developmental. Pupils’ learning through the curriculum is individually tailored and linked directly to their EHCP outcomes.

There are three core threads that run throughout teaching and learning: Engagement - Independence - Communication

Please refer to the following diagrams for a brief overview of the curriculum pathways at Archdale School. Should you require further information about the Archdale curriculum, please contact the school directly.

 

Curriculum: Purple pathway

Based on Development Matters in the EYFS

Play, discovering and encountering

Placing the unique child centrally, the curriculum is personalised to address the following areas:

Key Areas

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Physical Development

Communication and Language

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

Curriculum: Yellow Pathway

Based on an Informal curriculum

Engaging, linking and responding

Pupils with complex learning needs at the earliest stages of learning

Key curriculum areas

Communication

Thinking and Problem Solving

Creativity

Physical Development and Independence

Personal Development and Wellbeing

 

Curriculum: Orange pathway

Based on a pre- Semi-formal curriculum

Engaging, long life learning

Pupils with severe learning difficulties supporting key areas of learning, and challenging pupils to meet their full potential. These pupils are not yet ready for subject specific learning but are working on steps towards

Key curriculum areas

Communication

Thinking and Problem Solving

Creativity

Physical Development and Independence

Personal Development and Wellbeing

My World

 

Curriculum: Red pathway

Based on a Semi-formal curriculum

Engaging, long life learning

 Pupils with severe learning difficulties supporting key areas of learning, and challenging pupils to meet their full potential. Some subject specific content is taught through the curriculum

Key curriculum areas

Communication

Thinking and Problem Solving

Creativity

Physical Development and Independence

Personal Development and Wellbeing

My World

 

Curriculum organisation

 Teachers plan around a set of termly themes

 

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 1: 2024-2025

All about me and my body

All around the world

Now and then: sequences in time

Year 2: 2025-2026

All about me and my community

The universe and beyond

The United Kingdom

Year 3: 2026-2027

All about me and my environment

Land and sea life

Transport

 

The curriculum themes link to a longer term curriculum plan so that pupils have access to a broad and balanced well sequenced curriculum that incorporates RE and SMSC. Teachers use progression documents to inform teaching and learning and to plan specific sequences of learning for individual children.

 

Please follow the link to the long term overview of curriculum planning: Long Term Overview

Curriculum Intent Overview

Curriculum intent/aims:

Pupils will communicate effectively using their preferred communication styles

 

Pupils will make progress on their personalised learning journeys, making simple links and focusing their attention 

Pupils will be happy and engaged with learning and will develop a curiosity in their surroundings

Pupils will develop as much independence in all aspects of their day to day lives

Areas of need:

Communication and interaction

Cognition and learning

Social, emotional and mental health

Sensory / physical needs

 

Core focus areas for learning:

Communication systems in place and opportunities to develop personalised communications in as many ways as possible

To be able to solve  simple problems in own day to day life and develop organisational skills

Relevant, skills for life that enable confidence and independence

Multisensory approach placing the child and their physical and emotional well-being centrally

 

Four core curriculum:

Purple                       Yellow                   Orange                        Red                                        Red

Purple Pathway: EYFS

 What is EYFS?

A child’s experience between birth and the age of five is vitally important for their future life chances. At Archdale School we believe that:

  • Every child deserves the best possible start in life and should be given the support that enables them to fulfil their potential.

  • A secure, safe and happy childhood is important for every child no matter what the child's individual needs may be.

  • A holistic approach of high-quality early learning provides the foundation a child needs to make the most of their abilities and talents.

For the EYFS:

  • We will provide enabling environments which caters for the unique needs of the individual child

  • We will create a happy, caring and enthusiastic atmosphere

  • We recognise and celebrate all cultural and religious backgrounds

  • We will provide a caring, respectful and happy environment in which all children no matter their needs and their families feel safe, secure and welcome

  • We will offer an adapted EYFS curriculum for each individual child with learning through play, exploration and first-hand experience in a multi –sensory way being at the heart of all we do

  • We will promote communication, physical development and social and emotional well-being

  • We will work as part of the wider school team in growing together

If you need more information about the EYFS curriculum please contact the school office.

Yellow Pathway

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Orange Pathway

 

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Red Pathway

 

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