The Oceans Pathway (Formal Curriculum) builds on and from the knowledge, skills and understanding previously experienced by the pupils. This pathway is our most aspirational and follows the expectations of the National Curriculum the closest. Oceans pupils rely on staff only when necessary, and staff in turn will encourage this independent approach to learning, challenge and consolidation. Oceans learners will experience subject specific study, providing them with opportunities to be taught and challenged by meaningful and engaging contexts. Pupils on the Oceans Pathway are given informal and formal feedback, highlighting their learning targets and outcomes. They may study a range of accredited courses and will be expected to, with support, manage the evidence required. All pupils will have the opportunity to:

• Be confident hydrotherapy pool users, being confident swimmers and demonstrating how to be safe.
• Develop to prepare pupils as much as possible for adulthood, the world of work and independence.
• Develop personal, social and health skills alongside life skills such as problem solving, following interests and skills will be interwoven throughout the curriculum, as well as taught discreetly.
• Gain insights into the purpose behind learning, such as comprehension skills, writing for intention and applying mathematical thinking to real life and higher qualifications that support their future. Literacy will be taught through texts, stories and experiences that enable links with PSHE to ensure a fully holistic approach alongside external examination expectations.
• Access a meaningful, hands-on approach in learning core subjects to encourage meaningful problem solving, mathematical skills and scientific knowledge and skills through activities through discrete sessions and within cooking, D&T, Creative Arts and situational learning.

Communication and language (pupil voice) is a key thread within the Rivers Pathway to connect learning activities, to cognition, to learning, to retention and producing skills independently. Communication in this pathway progresses from sentence level discussions through to comparing and explaining . Pupils will have access to opportunities to build communication skills through appropriate AAC support in lessons and the environment, role play and staff feedback.