Engage and Discover Pathway
Pupils following this curriculum pathway all have an engagement profile. The majority have complex physical and health conditions, profound and multiple or severe learning disabilities, sensory impairments and have individual physiotherapy plans to provide postural and pain management.
Given the physical complexities of a typical learner in this pathway, the majority of their physical development curriculum is accessed through a series of personalised interventions highlighted and documented in each learners’ bespoke Physical Development Plan informed by the learner’s EHCP and may be practiced in a range of lessons. In addition, pupils have one hour a week for the Motor Activity Training Program – a personalised and person-centred, progressive, skills-based physical development session suitable for individuals with PMLD/SLD, and have a West Bromwich Albian slot for a term.
Skills explored within this pathway focus on:
Physiotherapy supported by Birmingham NHS community physiotherapists
Use of Postural Aids such as standing frames, walkers and splints
Hydrotherapy
Rebound Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Massage
Yoga
Intensive Interaction
Sensory stimulation including vestibular and proprioceptive
Body Awareness
Being Healthy
Fine Motor Skills
Visual Skills
Discover and Explore Pathway
Learners in the Discover and Explore Pathway are predominantly our ASC learners although there will be some PMLD/PMBL/MLD learners within this banding. Typically, these learners will be non-verbal or have severe communication delay. Whilst these learners usually present with having good gross motor ability, we find these learners have a need to develop their body awareness in terms of control, weight, balance, coordination and strength. Within this pathway the focus is on developing a visceral understanding of the body. Learners explore how their bodies interact with others in the space, and the world around them. Learners explore spatial control and awareness is developed along with flexibility, core stability and strength. Learners begin to develop some of the prerequisite skills of working with others collaboratively through contact work and techniques such as Sherborne Movement.
Skills explored in this pathway focus on:
My Body in Action
Spatial Awareness
Fine Motor
Teamwork and Games
Health and Self Care
Explore and Enquire Pathway
Learners within this pathway are predominantly our ASC/MLD learners. These learners are embarking on their journey to engage with more traditional PE activities such as individual and team sports. Learners may have range of communication and accessibility needs. While body control, weight, balance, coordination and strength are further developed throughout this pathway, there is more focus on personal technique, performance and working within teams. Reflection and evaluation skills are taught, enabling learners to identify their own/peers’ strengths, areas to develop and think about their own fitness goals, health and wellbeing. Learners develop strategy and rules for team games, take part in competitive sports and explore outdoor and adventure centres.
Skills explored within this pathway focus on:
My Body in Action
Teamwork and Games
Skills for Sports
Action and Adventure
Health and Self Care
Enquire and Beyond Pathway
In this pathway, learners are typically pupils with MLD and communication and interaction difficulties. These learners continue to develop skill, control, technique, performance and teamwork through competitions.
Some learners in this pathway become accredited sports leaders, enabling them to take on contribution and supportive roles to further prepare them for adulthood and life beyond Mayfield School.
Skills explored within this pathway focus on:
My Body in Action
Teamwork and Games
Skills for Sports
Action and Adventure
Health and Self Care
Mayfield School aims to provide all learners with the recommended minimum 2 hours a week of PD. This will look different for individual learners and groups of learners depending on their needs, age, learning stage and ability.
Swimming and water safety are taught on and off site at two Birmingham City Council run pools & leisure centres located at Perry Beeches and Handsworth Wood.
Swimming and water safety are taught by professional swimming teachers and is offered each half term on rotation to all learners from KS2 to KS5.
Physical development at Mayfield School is supported by our external partners the Albion Football club and Open Theatre. The Albion football club provide differentiated and accessible PD sessions for all learners on a term rotation as an enrichment opportunity. Open theatre provides all learners on a term rotation the opportunity to be involved with non-verbal physical drama. Hydrotherapy is offered to our more complex learners at our Wheeler Street site.
Qualifications/Accreditation
- All PD students in KS4 and KS5 follow the National Sports Leaders Award designed to use sport and physical activity to help young people develop and hone their leadership skills whilst helping themselves and others stay physically active.
- Arts Award Accreditation is available in the lower Key Stages where some learners explore physical activities such as dance, physical theatre and mime.
Extra-curricular activities programme
- At Mayfield School, we run a range of extra-curricular activities during lunch times. We have clubs such as football, basketball, table tennis and dance.
- During the morning and throughout the day and as required, learners can enjoy sensory circuits and use one of the many dedicated breakout movement spaces available.