Curriculum Drivers
These three “drivers” represent the philosophy that underpins everything that we do at Hilltop School.
They are behind every lesson, every activity and every interaction that we have with our pupils and students.
They are behind every lesson, every activity and every interaction that we have with our pupils and students.
Independence
We aim to promote our young people’s independence and develop a commitment to learning and self-improvement, both inside and outside of the school environment.
We will give our young people opportunities to organise themselves, show personal responsibility, initiative, creativity and enterprise.
We will nurture our young people’s awareness that actions have consequences, and to make choices based on this awareness, understanding that they have ownership of their actions.
We will give our young people opportunities to develop their self-help skills, to self-manage, to problem solve and to engage in activities with increasing independence.
We will help our young people to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
We will help our young people develop an awareness of risks, and to develop the skills and attitudes needed to stay safe.
We will provide safe environments in which to fail, making failures a learning experience.
We will nurture our young people’s confidence, motivation and self-esteem.
We will give our young people opportunities to co-operate with others.
We will help our young people to recognise when to ask for help and to develop the skills to do it appropriately.
We will give our young people opportunities to organise themselves, show personal responsibility, initiative, creativity and enterprise.
We will nurture our young people’s awareness that actions have consequences, and to make choices based on this awareness, understanding that they have ownership of their actions.
We will give our young people opportunities to develop their self-help skills, to self-manage, to problem solve and to engage in activities with increasing independence.
We will help our young people to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
We will help our young people develop an awareness of risks, and to develop the skills and attitudes needed to stay safe.
We will provide safe environments in which to fail, making failures a learning experience.
We will nurture our young people’s confidence, motivation and self-esteem.
We will give our young people opportunities to co-operate with others.
We will help our young people to recognise when to ask for help and to develop the skills to do it appropriately.
Communication
We will provide opportunities to promote effective communication.
We will develop and nurture every young person’s ability and confidence to express their needs, wants and choices;
including the ability to express what they do not want in an acceptable way.
We will give every young person a “voice” using whichever communication method is best for them, be it speech, signing, symbol, electronic communication aid, writing, gesture, eye pointing or any other means.
We will do this by ensuring that staff are confident in using alternative means of communication.
We will give our young people opportunities to initiate communication, and to confidently communicate with a
range of people within different settings.
We will develop and nurture every young person’s potential to communicate emotions appropriately, and their ability
to ask and answer questions.
We want our young people to be able to share their experiences with others; to develop the motivation and ability to communicate with their peers and to develop positive relationships.
We will develop and nurture every young person’s ability and confidence to express their needs, wants and choices;
including the ability to express what they do not want in an acceptable way.
We will give every young person a “voice” using whichever communication method is best for them, be it speech, signing, symbol, electronic communication aid, writing, gesture, eye pointing or any other means.
We will do this by ensuring that staff are confident in using alternative means of communication.
We will give our young people opportunities to initiate communication, and to confidently communicate with a
range of people within different settings.
We will develop and nurture every young person’s potential to communicate emotions appropriately, and their ability
to ask and answer questions.
We want our young people to be able to share their experiences with others; to develop the motivation and ability to communicate with their peers and to develop positive relationships.
Experience, Exploration & Engagement
We aim to develop skills, awareness and self-confidence amongst our young people.
We will give our young people a range of experiences and learning opportunities which broaden their horizons, with health, safety and wellbeing at the forefront.
We aim to develop a “have a go” attitude in all of our young people.
We will give our young people opportunities to make choices, form opinions and to develop interests and aspirations.
We will give our young people opportunities to gain insight into their community and the wider world, celebrating and appreciating diversity.
We will give our young people opportunities to develop skills and use them in practical situations and ‘hands on’ sensory learning.
We will give our young people opportunities to experience and engage in cultural activities including sports,
the arts and music.
We will give our young people opportunities to try new experiences in a range of settings.
We will provide opportunities for our young people to work with others beyond our school community.
We will give our young people a range of experiences and learning opportunities which broaden their horizons, with health, safety and wellbeing at the forefront.
We aim to develop a “have a go” attitude in all of our young people.
We will give our young people opportunities to make choices, form opinions and to develop interests and aspirations.
We will give our young people opportunities to gain insight into their community and the wider world, celebrating and appreciating diversity.
We will give our young people opportunities to develop skills and use them in practical situations and ‘hands on’ sensory learning.
We will give our young people opportunities to experience and engage in cultural activities including sports,
the arts and music.
We will give our young people opportunities to try new experiences in a range of settings.
We will provide opportunities for our young people to work with others beyond our school community.
