Every child, a clear pathway, a confident future

Curriculum Intent

At Market Field School, our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and aspirational for all pupils, regardless of starting point. It is rooted in our core values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship, and reflects our commitment to ensuring that every pupil is safe, secure, valued and supported to achieve their full potential.

Our curriculum is designed to:

• Meet the complex and diverse needs of our pupils
• Secure strong progress from individual starting points
• Develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours pupils need for future learning and adulthood
• Support pupils’ personal development, wellbeing and independence

We recognise that many of our pupils face barriers to learning linked to communication, interaction, cognition and emotional regulation. Therefore, our curriculum is highly personalised, carefully sequenced and adapted to ensure pupils gain the essential knowledge and life skills required to live fulfilling and rewarding lives.

Through our pathway model, we ensure that all pupils access a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum which prepares them effectively for their next steps in education, training or adulthood.

Curriculum Implementation

Our curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced through clearly defined learning pathways, ensuring progression in both academic learning and personal development.

Pathway‑Led Structure

Pupils follow one of our pathways, with flexibility to move between pathways as needs develop:

• Firm Foundations – Autism Base Pathway
  Focusses on early communication, emotional regulation and independence skills, underpinned by developmentally appropriate teaching and integrated therapeutic support.

• Pathway 1: Preparing for Life
  Emphasises practical life skills, safety, physical wellbeing and community inclusion, supporting pupils to develop early independence and engagement with learning.

• Pathway 2: Skills Development
  Builds functional academic knowledge alongside social understanding and emotional literacy, supporting increasing independence and resilience.

• Pathway 3: Developing Skills for the Future
  Provides academic challenge through Entry Level and Functional Skills qualifications, preparing pupils for transition, work‑related learning and adulthood.

• Pathway 4: Personalised Pathways for the Future
  Offers a bespoke curriculum for pupils who require a flexible combination of academic learning, therapeutic input and alternative or adapted provision, while maintaining ambition and focus on future outcomes.

Teaching, Assessment and Support

• Teaching is adapted and responsive, ensuring all pupils can access and engage with learning.
• Assessment is purposeful and meaningful, informing next steps rather than limiting aspiration.
• Therapeutic and wellbeing support is fully embedded within the curriculum.
• Strong relationships, consistency and clear routines support pupils’ learning and behaviour.
• Pupils are supported, where appropriate, to develop ownership of their learning.

This approach ensures pupils are supported to learn well and remember more overtime.

Curriculum Impact

The impact of our curriculum is seen in pupils who make strong progress across a wide range of outcomes, including academic achievement, communication, independence and personal development.

As a result of our curriculum, pupils:

• Acquire the knowledge and skills they need for future learning and life
• Develop confidence, self-esteem and positive behaviour for learning
• Communicate more effectively and build secure relationships
• Demonstrate increasing independence and readiness for adulthood
• Achieve appropriate qualifications and personalised outcomes
• Are well-prepared for their next stage of education, training or supported pathways

Importantly, pupils leave Market Field School as resilient, respectful and increasingly independent young people, equipped not only with qualifications, but with the skills, attitudes and values needed to participate positively in the world around them.

What This Means for Your Child

At Market Field School, this curriculum means that your child is known, valued and supported as an individual.

For your child, this means:

• They follow a learning pathway that is right for them, based on their needs, strengths and aspirations.
• Learning is adapted and personalised, so they are supported to succeed and challenged at the right level.
• Their emotional wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem are prioritised alongside academic learning.
• They are taught important life skills, such as communication, independence, social understanding and self-regulation.
• They experience a safe, caring and consistent environment, built on trust and strong relationships.

Your child will be supported to make meaningful progress from their own starting point, whether that is developing early communication and independence skills, gaining qualifications, accessing work‑related learning, or following a more personalised or flexible programme.

As they move through the school, your child will be helped to:

• Build confidence and resilience
• Develop positive relationships and friendships
• Become more independent over time
• Prepare for their next steps, including further education, training, employment or supported provision

Above all, we want your child to leave Market Field School feeling proud of what they have achieved, confident in who they are, and ready for the future.