Department Lead: Patricia Agueda

Little Wings Department is for the youngest children in the school and comprises of 5 classes. The children in these classes have a range of additional needs including Autism; Speech, Language and Communication Needs; Social, Emotional, Physical and Sensory related difficulties.

Each class in Little Wings follows the same themes for each term however, the activities and sessions are differentiated and targeted to each individual’s learning needs and styles within the class. In Little Wings Department we follow Equals Semi-Formal Curriculum underpinned by exciting, engaging, child-led learning that builds on each individual child's next steps ensuring that children will make progress. We ensure that whilst focusing on EQUALs curriculum, children will be exposed to a high level of structured routines following our SCERTS and Low Arousal approaches. Consistency and routine bring familiarity, and with it a sense of security that allows children to explore independently and spontaneously with confidence.

Independence and life skills are a key focus within our department and these are integrated into our daily practice. We are stronger believers of supporting children to begin developing their independence skills as early as possible, they will be able to leave our school being as independent as possible, which for all of our pupils is the primary goal while preparing for Adulthood.

Speech & language, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy activities are also interwoven into each day depending on their individual needs. As part of our Total Communication support and SCERTS approach, all pupils will have access to individual, small and whole class sessions giving them access to Attention Autism Interventions, Intensive Interaction, Makaton signing, Total Communication Support, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Aids, Reading Scheme, Numicon mathematics scheme and gross motor skills programs.