Specialist Resource Base (ELP)

PLEASE NOTE - ALL ADMISSIONS ARE VIA CROYDON SEN ADMISSIONS AND YOUR CHILD REQUIRES AN EHCP.  ENTERING SOUTH NORWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL VIA THE MAINSTREAM CLASSES WILL NOT SEE YOUR CHILD PLACED INTO OUR ELP.

In Adventurers class, the children will enjoy a broad and engaging curriculum with learning carefully adapted to meet their individual needs. We will focus on building confidence communication independence and a positive approach to learning.

In reading and writing, the children will explore a range of engaging texts including Grandad’s Island, The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs, Mrs Noah’s Pockets, Paddington and The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson. They will develop their vocabulary through stories and poetry while exploring character descriptions simple retelling of narratives formal invitations and stories from other cultures. Regular phonics sessions will support their reading and spelling.

In maths, the children will develop their understanding of place value addition and subtraction through practical activities and problem-solving. They will be encouraged to apply their mathematical knowledge in different situations.

In Explorers class, pupils are supported to learn, communicate and develop through a carefully sequenced, highly personalised curriculum that recognises each child’s individual strengths, needs and stage of development. Our approach is stage not age, enabling pupils to build secure foundations and make meaningful progress from their own individual starting points.

Our curriculum is underpinned by an EYFS-style approach to learning, with purposeful continuous provision providing opportunities for pupils to explore, practise and embed new skills throughout the day. Learning is carefully adapted and supported through visual resources, practical experiences, repetition, modelling and opportunities for pupils to apply their learning in different contexts.

Communication and interaction are at the heart of our provision. Pupils are supported to develop their understanding, expressive communication, attention, listening and interaction skills through approaches tailored to their individual needs. Structured activities, including Attention Autism, complement opportunities for communication and interaction across the learning environment.

Early literacy is developed through stories, songs, rhymes, mark making, handwriting and purposeful opportunities to read and write. Phonics is taught through Little Wandle SEND, providing a carefully adapted and structured approach that enables pupils to develop their phonological awareness, letter knowledge, blending and early reading skills at an appropriate pace.

In mathematics, pupils develop secure early mathematical understanding through practical, engaging experiences. Learning includes number, counting, matching, sorting, pattern, shape, space and measure, with opportunities to develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving through both adult-led teaching and continuous provision.

Across the wider curriculum, pupils experience a broad range of opportunities to:

• develop communication, attention, listening and positive interactions with others;
• build independence, confidence, self-regulation and positive relationships;
• strengthen fine and gross motor skills through sensory, physical and practical experiences;
• explore the world around them through meaningful first-hand experiences and topic-based learning;
• develop creativity through art, music, imaginative play, sensory exploration and making;
• practise early literacy and mathematical skills through purposeful continuous provision; and
• develop essential life skills, independence and an understanding of everyday routines.

Our learning environment is designed to encourage curiosity, engagement and independence. Carefully planned provision allows pupils to revisit learning regularly, make choices, develop their interests and practise skills with increasing confidence.

Through nurturing relationships, high expectations and an ambitious but developmentally appropriate curriculum, we celebrate every pupil’s progress. Our aim is for children to become confident communicators, increasingly independent learners and active participants in their school community, equipped with the skills and foundations they need for their next stage of learning.

Wider curriculum pupils will:

• Investigate living things and their habitats and animals including humans in science.
• Explore human and physical features and compare the cities of London and Nairobi in geography.
• Investigate significant events beyond living memory and develop an understanding of the past in history.
• Explore animal sounds rhythms and patterns through call-and-response activities in music.
• Develop an understanding of classroom expectations relationships emotional wellbeing and making safe choices in RSE and PSHE.
• Develop physical skills coordination teamwork and confidence through a range of activities in PE.
• Explore different materials techniques and creative ideas through practical activities in art.
• Develop digital skills and learn how to use technology safely and responsibly in computing.

Children will work towards their individual targets every day with appropriate support and adaptations in place to help them access learning and develop their skills. We will celebrate their achievements and encourage them to become confident and increasingly independent learners.

OFSTED January 2023

Leaders have put in place a well-designed, and ambitious curriculum. They have carefully considered how to adapt learning while keeping all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), on the ‘same journey’. Pupils in the enhanced learning provision benefit from targeted support that helps them to access the broad curriculum.

Croydon special schools and enhanced learning provisions offer appropriate placements for children and young people with the most significant needs, who require a curriculum which is wrapped around them so that they can engage in learning.  

Special School and ELPs form part of Croydon’s continuum of provision and services which The Council makes for children and young people with SEND. They offer a variety of provision through their different designations and distinctive areas of expertise.

At South Norwood Primary School we have an MLD ELP for children with Mild Learning Difficulties.

We have two places in each year group, on our admissions criteria, for entry into the ELP. 

The ELP curriculum is topic based and is a blend of EYFS/KS1 learning, social communication skills, listening, speaking and attention. There is also a focus on sensory needs, behaviour and play. The children all have individual packages of support according to their own particular needs. Our staff make their assessments and tailor their learning accordingly.

Admission Guidance for Enhanced Learning Provision (ELP) | Croydon Local Offer