The Curriculum

Outside Area

Intent

In the Swan Centre, we provide an ambitious, autism-specialist curriculum that aims to helps every child make excellent progress from their individual starting points.

Our focus is on developing academic skills alongside developing communication, social skills, independence and emotional regulation so that pupils are well prepared for the next stages of their education and life. We draw on TEACCH principles, the EQUALS curriculum, and an adapted National Curriculum to ensure learning is structured, meaningful, and accessible for all.

Implementation

We use clear TEACCH structure, with individual visual schedules, small-group teaching, visual supports, and predictable routines to help pupils feel secure and ready to learn. Pupils follow an adapted version of the National curriculum combined with elements from the EQUALS curriculum. Pupils benefit from integrated support from Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and sensory regulation tools. Communication, social interaction, and emotional regulation are taught explicitly using approaches such as AAC systems and the Zones of Regulation. Learning is broken into manageable steps, with a focus on repetition and overlearning to embed skills and is tailored to each child’s needs and EHCP outcomes.

Impact

As a result, pupils make strong and meaningful progress in academic skills as well as communication, social understanding, independence, and emotional regulation. They become more confident, better able to manage their emotions and routines, and increasingly independent in daily tasks. Pupils leave the Swan centre well equipped for the next stage of their education, with the skills and strategies they need to thrive in life.

Our Rationale for Using the EQUALS Curriculum

In the Swan Centre, we use the EQUALS Curriculum because it provides a highly structured, flexible, and meaningful approach to learning that is specifically designed for pupils with autism. The curriculum allows us to tailor teaching to each child’s developmental stage, communication needs, and individual strengths, ensuring learning is accessible, functional, and engaging. EQUALS places a strong emphasis on communication, independence, and emotional regulation—key areas that enable our pupils to thrive both in school and in everyday life. By using the EQUALS pathways, we ensure every pupil receives a personalised, ambitious curriculum that supports their wellbeing, progress, and preparation for future learning. We are currently following the Structure Learning Pathway of the EQUALS curriculum. We have started this year by embedding 3 modules: World Around me, Independence and Outdoor Learning. These are taught in the afternoon with English, phonics and Maths covered in the morning. 

Otter Class and River Class pathways

Junior Centre children are grouped by learning profile and academic level rather than by chronological age group. We currently have 2 classes:

River Class

• River class is made up of pupils from Years 3- 6 all of whom are working at similar academic levels and follow an adapted version of the national curriculum.
• Our focus is on teaching core knowledge from each subject area and Class teachers work with YTL or curriculum lead to identify key learning points/ key themes ensuring the pupils in River Class are experiencing a curriculum offer that is parallel but different. Wider curriculum subjects are taught on a 4 year rolling program, to ensure full coverage.
• Some of these pupils are able to integrate into the mainstream school for certain sessions.

Otter Class

• Otter class is made up of pupils from Years 3-6 who are working at pre key stage levels.
• They are following elements of the national curriculum alongside the EQUALS curriculum with a focus on developing meaningful progress, functional skills and developing independence. Focus is placed on engagement and functional skills.
• These pupils require more sensory breaks and a more bespoke approach to learning and engagement. 
• Otter class don't currently integrate into the mainstream school for any learning sessions.

Each classroom has a ‘Quiet Room’ attached to the main classroom which is kept distraction free to enable the pupils to focus and engage with the learning activity.

We also take into account pupil’s individual sensory needs which may mean incorporating movement breaks, or various other interventions throughout the day. We make sure our learning is real, meaningful and concrete, with a focus on real life skills, including regular trips into the local community.