Cloughwood Academy Primary Department
Why choose Cloughwood Primary’s Department?
Cloughwood Academy’s Primary Department caters for referred pupils who have an EHCP for Social Emotional and Mental Health needs and are aged between 8 and 11 (years 4 to 6).
We deliver a child-centred, skills-based curriculum which takes into account our pupils’ complex needs. The vast majority of our pupils present with sensory and attachment difficulties and these aspects of their development are supported by the way we plan the learning that takes place. We pride ourselves on being an Attachment Friendly Provision We consider our pupil’s needs when implementing the curriculum, designing the environment and delivering our teaching and learning via individual pathways for all our pupils, both academic and when supporting their social, emotional and mental health needs.
Our nurturing approach allows us to work with the children and help them grow in confidence in a way that allows them to re-engage with their learning and begin to develop the skills necessary to self-regulate behaviour, better understand their feelings and emotions, work better with others. Most importantly, it allows them to feel safe and secure in our learning environment. Increased success enables our pupils to be able to make positive choices and decisions, reduce anxiety and to develop pro-social behaviours and independence that leads to them becoming confident learners and capable young people. Key to the success of all of this is how this approach enables all of our pupils to make secure and positive relationships with their peers and all of the teaching staff.
We constantly develop and improve our curriculum so that it gives the children exciting, fully supported experiences which may not have been possible in a mainstream setting. As a result, our children enjoy school and our attendance and punctuality is excellent.
What will your child learn?
How do we intend our Primary Curriculum to reflect Cloughwood Academy’s overall aims?
‘To develop skills to become socially, emotionally and mentally resilient so that our pupils can be their best possible self.’
Our Curriculum focusses on a topic -based approach as a foundation for the pupils’ learning experiences combined with a strong emphasis on Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). We use high quality texts which supports our topic and builds our pupils’ basic skills and further develop and broaden their vocabulary.
We blend lessons and subjects together for a holistic approach which builds up to the bigger picture and helps deepen knowledge. In addition, we provide meaningful experiences outside of the classroom to enrich the children’s experiences and increase their cultural capital.
Our curriculum works alongside the revised National Curriculum maths, English and computing. This curriculum promotes the children’s independence, enjoyment of learning, thinking and collaborative skills as well as understanding knowledge concepts. Our children are learning to learn and learning how to be successful young people, eventually able to function successfully in society.
Please find below a link to the Cloughwood Academy Mathematics Calculation Structure:
Due to the increasing complexity of needs of our children, we now have a significant number who have sensory and attachment needs. As such, we have developed sensory spaces inside and outside the classroom. Our classrooms have a sensory area which allows children to have time to self-reflect and self-regulate. Outside, our outdoor learning environment facilitates the pupils’ physical health development and allows physical feedback for those children with sensory issues.
In our wider role in the Academy, we are also developing closer links with pupils and staff in all departments. Wherever possible, the primary pupils join their secondary peers to enhance transition opportunities. We don’t see transition as a tokenistic, short period of orientation at the end of Year 6 but a gradual and regular experience that builds from the day our Primary pupils join us. Our pupils join in sessions and after school clubs with the secondary department and we share assemblies as a whole school. Successful transition means the pupils can continue to feel secure and enable them to continue with their learning in an environment that holds no fears for them.
Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum for Maths and English and our curriculum map can be found here:
Primary Curriculum Map 2021-22
A detailed breakdown of one of our half terms can be found here:
LP MTP and UP MTP recent planning to be added here!
As part of the curriculum, Primary enjoy a number of regular off-site educational visits.
In the last 12 months we have visited:
- The Hartford School of Gymnastics
- The Grange School, Hartford,
- Winsford Lifestyle Centre,
- Lady Lever Art Gallery
- Chester Zoo
- The Blue Planet Aquarium
- Barnton Circus
- Petty Pool
- Anderton Boat Lift
- The Grange Theatre
- The Halle Orchestra, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
- St John’s Church, Hartford,
- The Deva Museum, Chester
- The Lewis Carroll Museum in Daresbury Church
- Tatton Hall
- The Salt Museum
- Liverpool World museum
- Jodrell Bank (online visit)
In addition, our pupils work for a team rewards visit.
This year, the pupils have enjoyed a VR experience, Zorbing and a Cinema visit.
What will your child gain from attending Cloughwood Academy’s Primary Department?
Improved knowledge about the world – The Primary Department teach all national curriculum subjects and engage the pupils through cultural enrichment through visits and activities.
Functional and Independence Skills to support them throughout their adult lives
Opportunities to access age/level appropriate tests.
They will become confident learners and curious about the World around them.
Development of the whole child.
Confidence and self-esteem
Social skills
Interpersonal skills
Practical skills
Empathy
Case studies:
Lower Primary Case Study
Before enrolling at Cloughwood Academy, Pupil X was not being his ‘best self’. He found it difficult to regulate himself in a typical school setting. Pupil X was frequently unable to control his emotions and would lash out at staff and peers. He was reacting by hitting, biting, throwing objects and up turning furniture. Sadly, Pupil X was lacking confidence in his learning abilities, and this was impacting on his engagement in all learning tasks, refusing to follow adult-led tasks and instead working away from peers in an isolated environment.
Since enrolling at Cloughwood Academy, Pupil X has found a love of learning, built positive relationships with peers and staff, has learnt to regulate himself and is being his ‘best possible self’. He is now settled and has a strong sense of belonging to his class and school. As Pupil X has been nurtured, supported and encouraged every step of the way by the staff around him, he is engaged in all learning areas and continuing to develop his independence. He has shown strengths in reading comprehension, mental maths, physical education and a want to investigate through ‘Topic’ lessons. As a result, his self-esteem increased and his periods of struggle decreased.
Cloughwood Primary Department have a strong focus on learning outside of the classroom which has given Pupil X the chance for hands on experiential learning, which has really made all the difference. He has become confident enough to have a go at activities independently, but he is also starting to act as a mentor showing others how to do things too.
His mother stated ‘’He is enjoying school and is really happy. He is now able to speak about problems calmly. He has really changed and he is different. He has found himself’’
Pupil X will continue to thrive on his learning journey at Cloughwood.
Lower Primary Case Study
Before enrolling at Cloughwood Academy, Pupil X was not being his ‘best self’. He found it difficult to regulate himself in a typical school setting. Pupil X was frequently unable to control his emotions and would lash out at staff and peers. He was reacting by hitting, biting, throwing objects and up turning furniture. Sadly, Pupil X was lacking confidence in his learning abilities, and this was impacting on his engagement in all learning tasks, refusing to follow adult-led tasks and instead working away from peers in an isolated environment.
Since enrolling at Cloughwood Academy, Pupil X has found a love of learning, built positive relationships with peers and staff, has learnt to regulate himself and is being his ‘best possible self’. He is now settled and has a strong sense of belonging to his class and school. As Pupil X has been nurtured, supported and encouraged every step of the way by the staff around him, he is engaged in all learning areas and continuing to develop his independence. He has shown strengths in reading comprehension, mental maths, physical education and a want to investigate through ‘Topic’ lessons. As a result, his self-esteem increased and his periods of struggle decreased.
Cloughwood Primary Department have a strong focus on learning outside of the classroom which has given Pupil X the chance for hands on experiential learning, which has really made all the difference. He has become confident enough to have a go at activities independently, but he is also starting to act as a mentor showing others how to do things too.
His mother stated ‘’He is enjoying school and is really happy. He is now able to speak about problems calmly. He has really changed and he is different. He has found himself’’
Pupil X will continue to thrive on his learning journey at Cloughwood.
