Pathway 1

Understanding Our Learners at Talbot

Understanding the different pathways and how we support every student to flourish

Year 7-11: Pathway 1 – Learners with Complex and Profound Needs

Students in Pathway 1 have profound and multiple learning disabilities, often alongside significant health, mobility and sensory needs. They are at the earliest stages of communication and development and benefit from a nurturing environment where they feel safe, comfortable and ready to engage.

These learners interact with the world through multisensory experiences and rely on highly personalised support to help them process information, build connections and develop early communication. They may use specialist equipment, alternative positioning and a range of communication methods, supported closely by staff and therapists who promote movement, wellbeing and alternative communication.

They respond best to trusted, attuned adults who understand their cues and individual sensory preferences. Through consistent relationships, they develop early anticipation, engagement, independence and meaningful interaction, all at a pace that reflects their unique needs and ways of experiencing the world.

Pathway 1 Curriculum Overview

The intent of Pathway 1 is to provide a high level of health, physical and learning support for pupils with PMLD enabling them to develop early communication, engagement, physical wellbeing and awareness through personalised, sensory and therapeutic approaches within a calm, nurturing environment.

PfA
Pillar 		 Subject Area –
INTENT / Core Focus 		 Autumn Term
Make Your Mark 		 Spring Term
Living Planet		 Summer Term
On The Move 
Learning for Life  Sensory Story – build engagement, anticipation and early understanding while developing communication and shared attention through immersive, multisensory storytelling experiences  Topic – See Overview of Themes Incorporating a total communication approach 

  • Sensology 
Creativity – promote exploration, creativity and communication through immersive, multisensory creative experiences  Multi-sensory creative projects linked to Topic and Our World. Activities may include: 
  • Texture exploration 
  • Colour and light 
  • Natural sensory art                                                                                                     
  • Movement and messy art 
  • Process-Based Sensory art 
  • Music / Dance         
Independent Living  Tutor Time – regulation, alertness and communication through a structured sensology approach and positive positioning 
  • Positive Positioning 
  • Communication and Interaction: Sensology ‘Good morning’ routine 
Cooking – develop early communication, sensory awareness and independence through immersive, hands-on food experiences  Topic / Seasonal Topic / Herbs / Spices  Topic / Seasonal 
Community Engagement – develop confidence and participation skills within school and local community settings. 
  • Engage with the school community within department, whole school and visitors into school 
  • Explore and engage with the local community through supported visits and experiences. 
Friends, Relationships & Community  Social Skills – routines and meaningful sensory participation.  Year 1 – Drama Production  Year 2 – Drama Production  Year 3 – Drama Production 
  • Engage in shared activities where adults model, scaffold and support communication, interaction and enjoyment.  
  • A drama production for whole department will rotate over 3 yrs – Autumn / Spring / Summer 
  • A carousel of activities will run for the remaining two terms. Activities may include:gardening, walking, games, bikes  
 RE – explore religious festivals, cultural celebrations and key themed days through meaningful, multisensory experiences that build awareness, connection and curiosity.  Total communication approach to follow a termly calendar that incorporates Religious festivals and celebrations as well as themed days through sensory and creative approaches such as: sensology, art, music, food 
Assembly – support engagement, wellbeing and celebration by offering simple, inclusive routines and meaningful sensory participation.  Multi-sensory approach linked to termly RE / Our World calendar that incorporates Religious festivals and celebrations as well as themed days through sensory and creative approaches – collective celebration of weekly theme 
Health Hydrotherapy – promote relaxation, physical wellbeing, sensory engagement and confidence through supported movement in warm water 

 
  • Water confidence and safety                                      
  • Communication and Interaction 
  • Sensory regulation 
  • Body awareness and motor planning                  
  • Relaxation and emotional wellbeing 
  • Postural management 
  • Cause and effect understanding 
PE – Rebound and MATP – physical engagement, sensory regulation, postural control through highly individualised motor-based activities and structured therapeutic movement  Individual targets taken from MATP strands: Mobility, Dexterity, Striking, Kicking, Balance
MATP sensory circuits & themed MATP activities linked to Topic and Our World
Rebound Therapy – Individualised targets linked to the Winstrada Trampoline Programme 
  • Body awareness  
  • Build confidence in movement 
  • Sensory regulation
  • Enhance postural control 
  • Communication and Interaction 
  • Relaxation and emotional wellbeing 
Physical Wellbeing – support body awareness, regulation and movement through gentle, individualised sensoryphysical experiences  Engage in a range of activities supporting body awareness, relaxation and sensory regulation. 
Carousel of activities: Physibods,  Sherborne, Tac Pac 
Nurture & Wellbeing – promotes physical, emotional, and sensory wellbeing, enabling learners to engage confidently with others and the world around them.  Build relationships, explore preferences and support emotional regulation through calming, engaging activities.
Carousel of activities including: music, theraplay, massage, dance, messy play, outdoor play, games and leisure activities, foot spas, story massage, student hobbies and interests.   

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