Acorns

Our Early Years provision follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. These classes emphasise a free-flow, continuous learning environment with a focus on learning through play. Children are encouraged to explore, discover, and build new skills and interests, fostering their natural curiosity. Individual sensory diets and unique needs are incorporated into each child’s learning pathway to ensure a tailored approach that supports their overall development.

Students work towards early learning goals, designed to lay the foundation for skills they will need throughout their educational journey at Nancealverne. Assessment is carried out using ‘Evidence for Learning’ and the Cherry Garden framework, providing a comprehensive understanding of each child's progress and helping us to effectively support their growth.

Cherries

Apples

Olives

Olive class is a vibrant and nurturing primary PMLD class where learners thrive in a meaningful multi-sensory environment. The curriculum is carefully tailored to meet each student’s unique needs with a strong focus on developing communication, independence and engagement.

The class accesses the primary curriculum through engaging reading, literacy and numeracy sessions designed to be flexible and responsive. These sessions use a variety of approaches including sensory storytelling, tactile exploration and interactive games, ensuring every child is supported in the best way.

The environment is enriched by professional specialists who provide additional support and opportunities for growth. Through a blend of imaginative activities, functional learning and specialist support, Olive class fosters a joyful and empowering space where every student can flourish and achieve their potential.

Sycamore

Sycamore Class is a Key Stage 1 group that offers a holistic, play-based, and free-flow provision. As students’ progress, they gradually transition towards more topic- and subject-based learning, adapted appropriately from the National Curriculum to suit their needs. A wide variety of teaching and learning strategies are employed to create a curriculum that accommodates each child's individual needs, learning preferences, and sensory requirements. This tailored approach ensures that every student receives the support they need to grow, engage, and achieve their potential in a nurturing environment.

Chestnuts

Chestnut Class spans Key Stage 1 and 2, providing a holistic and play-based learning environment with a continuous guided provision approach. The class offers structured, subject-based learning while maintaining engaging, interactive, and purposeful activities. The curriculum is adapted from the National Curriculum to meet the individual needs of each student and is carefully tailored to incorporate their ‘Personal Learning Goals’ and Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) targets. This approach ensures that each child’s learning journey is shaped by their specific needs and goals, promoting growth, independence, and skill development in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Juniper

Juniper Class is a KS2 primary class that provides a highly structured, differentiated, and personalised curriculum designed to meet the unique needs of each learner. They deliver a broad and varied education that is ambitious and closely aligned to students’ EHCP targets, ensuring that every child can achieve their full potential.

Their approach integrates specific learning areas with tailored sensory diets, creating an environment where students can thrive and develop holistically. Juniper Class focuses on providing a specialist education that is meaningful, relevant, and engaging for all, fostering independence, communication, and confidence in every child.

Through individualised learning programs, they prepare students for their next adventures in KS3.

Palm

Palm Class is an Upper KS2 and LKS3 secondary-aged class that provides subject-specific learning through a broad and balanced curriculum. The approach combines differentiated teaching with personalised learning programs, ensuring every student is supported to achieve their best.

Where possible, the curriculum aligns with the National Curriculum, covering a wide range of subjects and topic areas tailored to the diverse needs and abilities of our learners. Palm Class offers opportunities for academic, practical, and creative exploration, fostering skills in communication, problem-solving, and independence.

With high expectations and a commitment to individualised support, Palm Class equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed, both within school and beyond. The dynamic and inclusive learning environment celebrates every achievement, enabling each student to thrive in their educational journey.

Elm

Elm Class supports Key Stage 3 and lower Key Stage 4 students through a broad and engaging curriculum that balances academic, creative, and functional learning. The program is designed to build essential skills, foster independence, and prepare students for the next stage of their educational journey in Key Stage 4.

Students in Elm Class access a wide range of subjects and experiences, combining sensory-based learning with academic challenges to ensure a fully inclusive and supportive environment. The curriculum also introduces students to ASDAN through Life Skills and PSHE, offering their first taste of accreditation and practical application of skills.

With a focus on building confidence, independence, and real-world readiness, Elm Class equips students with the tools they need to achieve personal success while celebrating their unique abilities and potential.

Maple

Our Secondary PMLD class provides a nurturing and stimulating multi-sensory environment tailored to meet the diverse needs of our learners. The curriculum is centred around each student’s EHCP and therapy targets, ensuring that their individual needs aspirations and strengths remain at the heart of their education.

Learning is highly functional, with a strong focus of developing communication skills through a variety of approaches, including intensive interaction, AAC, signing and sensory cues. These strategies are woven into all activities enabling students to express themselves and engage meaningfully with their environment. The class embraces creativity with opportunities for students to explore music, art PE, and drama, enriched by specialist interventions.

Through a personalised approach the class aims to build independence and foster essential life skills while promoting emotional and physical well-being.  Our learners thrive in this supportive, enriched environment which celebrates their achievements.

Willow

A secondary class which focuses on engagement. Pupil led learning which operates with a burst and pause structure, designed to lower pupil’s anxiety and meet their individual sensory and communication needs to encourage ownership of their learning. Pupils in Willows Class have diagnoses of ASD and need a much more personalised, highly structured, multi-sensory learning environment and journey with a high level of support.  The curriculum is a combination of formal learning for the core areas and of English, Maths, PSHE & PE and the areas of the Access and Enrichment Curriculum.

Aspen

Aspen Class is a diverse KS4 group that engages in a tailored curriculum designed to meet the needs of students with a wide range of abilities and learning profiles. The class has daily streamed sessions for English, maths, and reading, which are differentiated to support students from sensory exploration and pre-functional skills to Entry Level 3.
The curriculum aligns with the National Curriculum where possible and offers creative subject options to encourage engagement, self-expression, and enjoyment. Alongside these, Aspen Class focuses on accredited modules, including ASDAN Life Skills Challenges, Independence, and Preparation for Adulthood. These modules aim to build practical skills, foster independence, and prepare students for their future pathways.
With a strong emphasis on meeting individual needs, Aspen Class incorporates sensory learning opportunities and functional skill development, ensuring that every student has the chance to succeed and thrive. The combination of academic, practical, and creative activities helps to provide a holistic and meaningful educational experience for all learners.

Oaks

Oak Class is a dynamic KS5 group catering to students with a wide range of abilities, from sensory learners who are non-verbal to those working at Entry Level 3. The class follows accredited pathways, including ASDAN Personal Progress and Entry Level qualifications, with a strong emphasis on independence, communication, and functional literacy and numeracy.

The curriculum is tailored to prepare students for adulthood through practical learning and real-world experiences. Students engage in work-related learning, careers education, and work experiences both within the school and in the local community. Partnerships with external professionals—such as artists, local businesses, and community services—provide enrichment opportunities that broaden students’ horizons and develop transferable skills.

Oak Class fosters a supportive and aspirational environment where students can build confidence, develop independence, and prepare for their future pathways. Through a blend of functional academics, life skills, and hands-on experiences, students are empowered to achieve their personal best and transition successfully into adulthood.