Curriculum and Pathways
At Rigby Hall School our curriculum begins with each individual child. The child’s EHCP helps to inform what each pupil needs in order to learn and develop personally throughout their education with us. We plan in pupil ambitions from the early years to ensure all pupils have their aspirations brought into their curriculum delivery throughout their schooling. This may be through carefully planned learning tasks, through to making explicit links in their learning by teaching staff to the key knowledge and skills being taught.
We offer our pupils a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils. Our pupils work a key stage below their age equivalent mainstream peers due to their cognitive needs and abilities.
Our Early Years department, encompassing Reception, Year One and Year Two, follow a bespoke Early Years curriculum. Please see our Early Years page for more detailed information.
Our Key Stage Two pupils cover the Key Stage One National Curriculum content, building upon the foundational knowledge and skills covered in the Early Years.
Our Key Stage Three pupils cover the Key Stage Two National Curriculum content, building on from what they have been taught in Years 3-6.
Our Key Stage Four pupils follow both academic and vocational courses appropriate to their academic abilities and pathway. Please see our Key Stage Four page for more detailed information.
Our Key Stage Five pupils follow a curriculum bespoke to employability and their future destinations. Please see our Post 16 page for more detailed information.
Our curriculum is based on seven key areas:
- Communication – Expressive and receptive language skill interventions, including Talkabout and Listening Time.
- Cognition for Life – English, Maths, Science
- Creativity – Art, Music, DT
- Physical Development – PE, fine and gross motor skill development, sensory circuits
- The World Around Us – Humanities, RE, Computing, Languages
- Functional Learning – Life Skills, Cooking and Nutrition, Careers
- Social and Wellbeing – PSHE, RSE, Citizenship, Social Skills
All pupils follow a curriculum pathway suitable to their learning needs and development. Pupils may change pathways throughout their time with us, ensuring fluidity based on pupil’s needs and development.
Pathway Design:
At Rigby Hall there are currently three curriculum pathways:
Orange – for pupils who have complex learning needs
Purple – for pupils with significant learning needs
Green – for pupils with moderate learning needs.
The coloured pathways were designed to ensure the diverse range of learners at Rigby Hall have their needs met and meet their potential. The different pathways are ambitious and ensure pupils access curriculum content relevant to their stage of development in their academic, social and communication needs. The pathways are fluid, and pupils can move between pathways based on need at any time. Pupils will always be challenged to meet the best of their ability.
Each pathway follow a set of comprehensive medium term plans half termly which outline a sequence of knowledge and skills for every subject. The intended outcomes are specific for each pathway from EYs to KS3. KS4 and KS5 follow medium term plans specific to the relevant accredited/certificated courses, specific to pathways. Orange pathway planning is specific to individual pupil personal learning goals.
Progress is rigorously tracked through ladders of skills and medium term planning data trackers to ensure any gaps in learning are quickly addressed to support pupils to achieve well in their learning. During termly progress meetings with class teachers and subject coordinators, pathways are reviewed to ensure all pupils have an ambitious curriculum in order to reach their potential.
If you would like to know more information about our curriculum, please direct emails to Shelley Homer at