We have three main curriculum pathways at Nethergate Academy – Purple, Blue (Blue 1 and 2) and Green. Pupils follow pathways which deliver the most appropriate approach and content to their individual needs and aspirations. 

All pathways are underpinned by our four curriculum drivers: Communication, Safety, Wellbeing and Independence. They provide the basis of foundational learning at Nethergate and ensure that, at the heart of everything we do, we are working towards the individual outcomes necessary for our pupils to succeed. 

In KS1, we follow the areas of the EYFS curriculum. Pupils will then join a pathway at the end of KS1, before moving onto the next stage of our curriculum journey.

Our Purple (Informal) pathway is for pupils who are working within the very earliest stages of development. Teaching activities focus on sensory regulation, early communication & interaction, engagement and anticipation, tolerating others and parallel play, and early developmental skills.  A low demand and play-based approach provides open-ended exploration, allowing pupils opportunities to play and work alongside their peers.

Pupils on our Blue 1 (Semi-formal) pathway are working within the foundation stage. Teaching activities allow pupils opportunities to learn through their senses and play; developing their fine motor and early writing skills. Attention-building activities encourage spontaneous communication and develop social skills, whilst being functional and fostering independence. Approaches such as TEACCH allow pupils to practice and consolidate skills. Sensory regulation and explorative play still feature highly in planning, and pupils have opportunities to explore materials, with adults modelling language and communication.

Pupils following our Blue 2 (Semi-formal) pathway are developing the skills needed to engage meaningfully in subject-specific learning, while strengthening their communication, independence, community participation and ability to apply learning in real-world contexts. They engage in play and exploration across a range of contexts and are beginning to apply acquired skills and knowledge effectively to real-life situations. The focus of this pathway is to support pupils to continue developing their ability to functionally apply literacy and numeracy skills across different situations and environments, enabling greater independence, problem-solving and participation in everyday life. Pupils also develop their independence through learning to manage personal safety, make appropriate choices and navigate familiar and unfamiliar environments with increasing confidence. Approaches such as TEACCH allow pupils increased independence to practice and consolidate their skills.

Pupils following our Green (Formal) pathway can access some subject-specific learning, and develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to apply learning in meaningful real-life contexts. They are beginning to transfer and generalise skills beyond the classroom and generally show good persistence and engagement in learning activities, due to their developing regulation skills. The overall aim of this pathway is to prepare pupils for adulthood by developing the confidence, independence and transferable skills needed for further learning, employment, community engagement and everyday life.

Those pupils who join our 6th form, progress onto one of three pathways: Communicate Pathway, Pathway to Independence or Pathway to Work. Click here for more information about the curriculum pathways and study programmes we offer in our 6th form provision.

The one-page document below outlines our curriculum intent, implementation and how we measure its impact.

For further information on our curriculum intent and implementation, click on the documents below or visit our Areas of Learning page.

Please contact Rebecca Shaw (Head of School) at rshaw@nethergateacademy.org for any questions regarding our curriculum offer.