Schools Extended Local Offer Response

How will the curriculum be matched to my child's/young person's needs?

Curriculum Overview

We offer broad, balanced and differentiated learning programmes based on the National Curriculum, designed to encourage the development of confidence and personal skills as well as academic skills.

As part of our commitment to promoting physical activity at Aurora Keyes Barn, we offer two PE sessions a week, incorporating individual sports, team games, swimming as well as more adventurous activities and trips outside of school. 

Many of our pupils face significant barriers to learning as a result of their additional social, emotional and behavioural needs.

We therefore place great emphasis on differentiation of activities and materials to take account of individual learning styles, using a combination of class-based, group and individual strategies involving a wide range of teaching skills, perspectives and resources.

Our small class sizes allow us to provide a focused and personalised education, with close monitoring of individual targets and behaviour to identify and avoid potential problems.

Where required, we offer enhanced support throughout the school day to facilitate access to the curriculum and participation in activities.

We also offer an inclusion policy allowing for mainstream support and the provision of ‘time-out placement’ each week.

Our Curriculum Intent

At Aurora Keyes Barn School, we provide a wealth of opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge for pupils to get Life Ready!

We aim to provide a challenging and stimulating curriculum which encourages the pupils to develop a love for learning and foster intellectual curiosity, creativity and personal growth. We highly value learning outside the classroom and are always looking for opportunities to take learning beyond the school through educational visits and trips.

Our curriculum is rooted in the objectives of the 2014 National Curriculum, but tailored to meet the needs of our pupils and allow them to explore their creativity.

The curriculum is a major component of a pupils' education, plus the dedicated social and emotional support enables pupils to grow into a well-rounded confident individual.

What specialist services and expertise are avaliable at or accessed by the setting/school/college?

Your experience with us

Many of our pupils face significant barriers to learning as a result of their additional social, emotional and behavioural needs. We therefore place great emphasis on differentiation of activities and materials to take account of individual learning styles, using a combination of class-based, group and individual strategies involving a wide range of teaching skills, perspectives and resources.

Our small class sizes allow us to provide a focused and personalised education, with close monitoring of individual targets and behaviour to identify and avoid potential problems.

Where required, we offer enhanced support throughout the school day to facilitate access to the curriculum and participation in school activities. We also offer an inclusion policy allowing for mainstream support and the provision of time-out placement each week.

Behavioural, emotional and social wellbeing of pupils are monitored throughout the week, with our on-site Clinical Psychology team working alongside our teaching staff to offer prompt and timely support to those pupils who need it.

The Clinical Psychology team’s work is underpinned by attachment and traumainformed principles and strategies, to ensure that pupils’ needs are understood in the context of their life experiences.

How accessible is the setting/school/college enviroment?

Our Facilities

Aurora Keyes Barn is situated in Salwick, a rural village near Preston in Lancashire. The main part of the school consists of a converted barn, with two additional classrooms, a multipurpose room and various break-out areas alongside it.

Our pupils have access to a range of specialist facilities during lessons and in break times, including a fully equipped ICT suite and a music space with guitars and an electronic drum set. Outdoor areas include a soft area with a climbing frame and trampoline, a hard court area for riding scooters or playing ball games, and a horticultural area for growing vegetables and plants.

In addition to the facilities on site, our pupils have access to a range of sports and outdoor education centres within the local area.