Pioneering Pathway

Learners in our Pioneering Pathway are based at both the Ffordd Derwen site and at our Grange Road site with access to specialist resources as well as additional learning opportunities within Rhyl High School.

Pioneering Pathway learners are our pupils with mostly moderate learning needs displaying difficulty or delay in acquiring numeracy and literacy skills and maybe presenting under developed social skills.

Learners in the Pioneering Pathway are from Years 3 up to Year 14. Prior to this, learners may have been in a mainstream setting or in the Ysgol Tir Morfa primary and early years class which follows the Explorational Pathway.

A learner in the Pioneering Pathway will access the Curriculum for Wales, which is creatively presented and targets basic skills in a variety of contexts. Health and Wellbeing provision is integral to the Pioneering Curriculum with a focus on emotional literacy including breakfast (7-11yrs), ‘Cwtch’ – a timetabled nurture provision staffed by a trained trauma informed, emotionally availably adult and a variety of outside learning opportunities.

Learners are chosen for the Pioneering Pathway based on both their academic ability and their social skills. Pioneers are learners from year 3 upwards who are usually working on the Progression Steps 1 and above with Blank Level 3 and 4 questioning and understanding. Consideration is given also to how well a learner will thrive in a Pioneer classroom and sometimes their learning route through the school will give them access to Pioneer learning opportunities whilst maintaining their nurture support in a Discovery classroom.

The Pioneering Pathway route provides the learner with opportunities every day to enjoy active learning, achieve their potential, believe in themselves and express themselves whilst preparing them for independent living, further educational opportunities and employment.

All learners in the Pioneering Pathway from 7-16 years are taught in all 6 ‘Areas of Learning and Experiences’ with progression determined according to where each learner is at with consideration for the relevant ‘Principles of Progression’. Medium term plans are in the form of Topic plans, where the theme is the ‘vehicle’ that drives the content whilst the curriculum supports the required skills and knowledge as appropriate to the pupils’ level and needs. This ensures a progressive curriculum that is delivered through experiences as well as skills and knowledge. We are committed to providing ‘Enabling Environments’ with our school and community learning contexts, ‘Enabling Experiences’; teaching across the entire curriculum and ‘Enabling Adults’; supporting progression with all our school staff and community links. The MTP addresses each AOLE providing an outline of the subject specific learning outcomes and details the coverage of all the ‘What Matters Statements’ in each AOLE. LNF references and Digital Competency are also identified on the MTP.

7-11 years – learners are based at Ffordd Derwen. The six areas of learning and experience (AOLEs): Expressive arts, Health and wellbeing, Humanities, Languages, Literacy and Communication, Mathematics and Numeracy and Science and Technology are addressed through themes and daily provision.  Developing learners’ communication skills, alongside pupils’ emotional and physical wellbeing, ensuring our learners have the skills necessary to start and continue their learning journey, underpins the practice of teaching and learning. We place a considerable emphasis upon developing pupil’s communication skills and these are accommodated for in whatever mode the pupil is using, e.g. AAC devices, eye pointing, Makaton, PECS.

11-14 years – most secondary learners in the Pioneering curriculum route are based at the Grange Road site where they have access to some of the secondary school facilities including the School Canteen. Some learners of this age remain at the Ffordd Derwen site for a few more years if it is felt more appropriate to their emotional well- being, stage of development or social needs. Learners in this group continue to be taught across all 6 AOLEs and also start to access a CWRE curriculum including the Kings Trust Achieve programme. They also have opportunities to work on Social Enterprise projects and in the School Enterprises working in the 3 areas; Blooms, Brews and Bargains whilst they are closed to customers.

14-19 years - Learners begin an accredited route where at 14-16yrs all 6 AOLEs are accredited through the WJEC Entry Pathways qualifications. They complete the Kings Trust Achieve ‘Personal Development and Employability’ accreditation at Entry 3 level and have weekly Forest School experiences following the John Muir accreditation. Learners have the opportunity to do their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. At Post 16 there is a greater focus on developing independent and employability skills. At this stage leaners follow the Accredited BTEC Sweet ‘Personal Growth and Wellbeing’ and ‘Work Skills’ and Essential Skills Wales courses in Communication and Application of Number’ as well as continuing the Kings Trust Achieve accreditation at level 1. Learners can complete their Trinity Arts Award at Bronze level and City and Guilds cycle mechanics at Entry 3. All learners in 14-19 work in the school enterprises as well as having external work experience opportunities. They have regular community visits as well as frequent opportunities to collaborate with outside providers such as North Wales Wildlife Trust, Keep Wales Tidy, Wicked Wales, Jiwsi and STAND.