Purpose

At Liberty in the Wild, The Wilderness Alternative Provision provides curriculum support that is meaningful, engaging and accessible for children and young people with a range of social, emotional, mental health and additional learning needs.

As an Alternative Provision, our curriculum support is designed to supplement and enhance a young person’s existing educational pathway rather than replace a full-time school curriculum. Our provision offers personalised learning experiences that support emotional wellbeing, engagement, confidence and personal development alongside academic support where appropriate.

Our ethos underpins all aspects of provision:

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained... never forgotten.”

Curriculum Approach

The Wilderness delivers a bespoke and flexible curriculum support offer tailored to the individual needs, interests, EHCP outcomes and starting points of each young person.

Learning opportunities may include:

• English and Maths support
• Art and Drama
• Science and practical investigations
• Outdoor and nature-based learning
• Physical activity and sports
• PSHE and emotional literacy
• Life skills and independence-building activities
• Therapeutic and enrichment experiences

Individual timetables are designed to support engagement, regulation, confidence and progression. As an Alternative Provision, programmes are adapted to reflect the needs, attendance patterns and long-term goals of each learner.

Curriculum Intent

Our curriculum support aims to be:

• Holistic – supporting emotional, social and academic development
• Therapeutic – informed by relational, trauma-aware and attachment-aware practice
• Accessible – reducing barriers to engagement and learning
• Flexible – responsive to individual developmental needs and EHCP outcomes where applicable
• Future-focused – supporting reintegration, transition or progression pathways

The provision aims to ensure all young people feel safe, valued, capable and connected.

Planning and Learning Outcomes

Curriculum planning within The Wilderness includes:

• Individual starting points and identified needs
• Short-, medium- and longer-term aspirations where appropriate
• Adapted activities linked to engagement and developmental outcomes
• Personalised targets agreed with schools, families and professionals
• Opportunities for progression in confidence, independence and emotional regulation

Due to the bespoke and part-time nature of Alternative Provision, progress is measured through both educational and wider developmental outcomes rather than solely through formal academic assessment.

Monitoring Progress

Progress is reviewed regularly in partnership with commissioners, schools, families and other professionals where appropriate.

This may include:

• Engagement and attendance
• Emotional regulation and wellbeing
• Communication and social development
• Independence and resilience
• Achievement of individual targets
• Reintegration or transition outcomes

Targets are developed collaboratively and reviewed regularly to ensure provision remains appropriate and supportive of each young person’s pathway.

Covid-19 Recovery and Wellbeing

The Wilderness recognises the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and disrupted education on many children and young people.

We continue to support recovery through:

• Consistent routines and relational support
• Emotional wellbeing and resilience-building
• Re-engagement with learning
• Flexible and nurturing approaches to education
• Collaborative working with families and professionals

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner in response to operational, legislative or provision changes.