Curriculum
The best education for your child
Radlett Lodge School welcomes autistic children from the ages of 5 to 19. We are really pleased to offer provision from Year 1 because early intervention can make a huge difference. Whatever age your child is when they join us, we look at them as an individual and design a curriculum and timetable that suits their needs, interests and skills.
We begin by teaching your child how to learn, which might include learning to sit, pay attention, wait, and take turns. With this foundation, your child can gain social skills, understand their autism and build self esteem, as well as learn academic, vocational and life skills.
Our therapists play an extremely important role in planning your child’s learning. For example, we design our teaching according to your child’s sensory strengths, and plan activities and approaches to help them to develop all their senses, perhaps through messy play or desensitisation work.
Our curriculum
All our pupils follow a differentiated National Curriculum, with a strong emphasis on communication and PSHE in all lessons. From age 5 to age 16, we teach all subjects including: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, RE, PE, and a range of arts. In Post 16, our pupils start to focus on functional skills and general life skills.
Your child will do a great deal of learning in the community, getting used to interacting with a wide range of people, and experiencing lots of different places and activities. All our pupils access the community at least once a week, and as they get older this can typically become several times a week. Our pupils access local leisure centres, cafes, shops as well as our allotment. There’s more information about our post-16 department online.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced to meet the individual needs of each pupil. Your child will learn at a level and pace that suit them and how they learn, and they will be in a class alongside pupils of similar abilities.
"We understand all the approaches that are available, and apply what’s best for each child."
"I like school because my teacher and I do work. School is good, my favourite thing to do is work. I like phonics and Maths."
The shape of our day
Our day is highly structured, so at every point your child knows where they have to be, what they are doing, how much they have to do, when they will finish, and what they will do next.
Your child has their own timetable, using objects, symbols or words, so that they can see the shape of their day. Every task or activity they do will be clearly structured and explained. The school rules are clear and simple, so every child can understand what to expect.
Your child stays with the same group and teacher throughout the day. Children are generally grouped by year, but also by communication, social interaction and intellectual level.
We always keep you up to date, and your child’s teacher will update you daily using the home communication book that outlines what has been happening in class and tells you about your child’s activities and successes.
"The wonderful thing about our curriculum is that it has been developed with our pupils completely at the heart of it. We have a thematic approach which really helps our pupils to make links in all different areas. We offer rich sensory experiences and adapt to individual learning profiles, so that every young person experiences their own unique learning journey during their time here."
“I like Radlett Lodge because the teachers are helpful. The school is organised and very education. The educational trips are fun and easy to learn with.”
“Our approach to teaching and learning is individualised based on the needs of the pupils. Teachers and support staff are adept at getting to know their pupils and creating a learning environment that is geared towards an individual’s specific needs. Which of course, leads to lessons that are fun and engaging for the pupils.”