Our Approach to Learning
Through research with health and educational specialists, employers and parents, LVS Oxford has developed teaching and learning methods to help young people with an autism diagnosis develop strategies for life and learning, which in the long term will give the opportunities and skills for successful employment.
We achieve this through assessments at the beginning of each academic year including CAT4 online assessments and Pupil Attitude to Self and School. Along with less formal assessments, this information enables us to set aspirational targets for our pupils whilst taking account of the impact of their autism on their learning.
We recognise these assessments can be difficult for young people with autism, and so we make sure to take every step necessary to accommodate these challenges.
Everyone has a pupil profile which details their individual likes/dislikes/challenges and motivators and incorporates their therapy and medical needs, enabling all staff to have ready access to key information to support the young person. Every pupil has a planner, which holds their handbook, their personalised timetable, their ‘Calm Plan’ and other key information.
Our focus on well-being, whilst enabling our pupils to make sense of their experiences and develop strategies for success in all areas of their life, encourages them to broaden their horizons and gain a greater awareness of the world around them and the possibilities available.
We offer our pupils an adapted curriculum that recognises the individuality of young people with autism. We understand that pupils with communication and socialisation difficulties have different skills and attributes.
We feel our approach to working with young people with autism is unique because we are preparing them for work. Research shows that only 16% of adults with autism are in sustained, full-time paid employment and we are passionate about changing that statistic.
The pupils at LVS Oxford access a range of activities and experiences including supporting local and national charities in fundraising events; drop down days that focus on specific areas such as the rule of law or recycling and sustainability; weekly thinking skills programmes which challenge rigid thinking patterns, all of which support personal and social development.
We base our learning methods around four key areas:
Whole Health Learning – Focuses on healthy eating, exercise and relaxation techniques to help pupils develop strategies for managing times of increased anxiety.
Connected Learning – Helps pupils make sense of their experiences and develop strategies for success in all areas of their life.
Real World Learning – Lends a focus on employability, providing our pupils with strategies to get a job and sustain work.
Vocational Skills and Qualifications – Pupils learn practical working skills for employment, regularly supported by nationally recognised qualifications.
