Inclusion
The 9 protected characteristics are embedded throughout our curriculum. We have ensured our curriculum reflects our multicultural society and that all children are equal, regardless of gender, religion or race.
Our Writing curriculum is highly linked to our thematic curriculum, supports learning about a wide range of cultures, societies and key figures. Each writing cycle (and genre) is linked to a text which is age appropriate and tackles a range of interesting issues as well as representing people of a range of beliefs, genders, cultures and religions.
At Oak Tree, we ensure all our pupils have access to a high quality Writing curriculum, including those with SEND. Our provision triangles ensure support at the right level for each individual.
Keeping our expectations high: teachers have the same aspirations for all students. Students are encouraged to access the same objectives as their peers and are given support by the TA/T and/or through the use of resources such as visual aids, scaffolds, prompts, vocabulary banks etc. The aim is to support the SEND pupil to be included, achieve and make progress.
No ability groups: within a group / class mixed ability and flexible grouping allows for collaborative learning, peer support and extension. Flashbacks, key questions and AfL techniques ensure support is swift and purposeful. We foster success in all pupils.
Communication-friendly classrooms: This benefits all our children. The Department for Education noted that speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) is now the most prevalent area of SEND, accounting for 23 per cent of needs. The language of learning can be technical, can be specific and can be completely unintelligible to a growing number of our children with communication difficulties. We create a positive atmosphere where it is normal and accepted to ask for help and make mistakes. Strong teacher questioning, use of sentence stems and the development of articulate succinct answers with specific technical vocabulary, all support our SEND pupils. Word mats, including those with images (created using Widget) are used to support writing, spelling, idea generation and understanding where needed.
Range of learning opportunities: We use a range of different text genres, themes and lengths of texts. Writing skills are used across the curriculum to share knowledge, communicating ideas and presenting learning in a range of woys.
Use of technology: ensuring accessibility for all, engagement, multi-sensory and different ways of recording. Within a year group different software, such as Lexia and Word Shark may be used to support children and help them access the curriculum and develop their skills in different ways, still meeting the learning question and objectives of the session.