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WELCOME TO WILLOW PARK SCHOOL
DREAM     BELIEVE    EXCEED

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We are an independent SEND school based in Rugby, Warwickshire on the grounds of Newbold on Avon RFC. We specialise in meeting the needs of  primary-aged pupils with Communication & Interaction difficulties and a diagnosis of Autism. 

At Willow Park School, we are committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive, and communication-rich environment where every learner is valued, supported, and empowered. Our approach celebrates individuality, fosters curiosity, and builds trust through meaningful relationships and sensory-rich experiences.

Our curriculum is:
•    Play-based and child-led
•    Grounded in the EQUALS Curriculum
•    Designed to promote engagement, independence, and well-being

We have a calm, supportive and nurturing environment in which children are able to focus on their educational development and their Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) targets.

 

Willow Park School: Curriculum Intent, Implementation & Impact Statement

✨ Intent

At Willow Park, our curriculum is designed to meet the complex needs of pupils with autism, and significant communication challenges. We believe that every child is entitled to a curriculum that is:

  • Individualised: rooted in each pupil’s EHCP outcomes, sensory profile, and communication needs.

  • Developmentally appropriate: aligned with pre-formal and informal learning pathways, not chronological age expectations.

  • Communication-rich: prioritising expressive and receptive communication in all its forms, including AAC, gesture, vocalisation, and sensory cues.

  • Emotionally safe: supporting regulation, trust, and positive relationships as the foundation for learning.

  • Holistic and meaningful: embedding Preparation for Adulthood (PFA) from the earliest years through real-life, sensory, and play-based experiences.

We aim to nurture curiosity, connection, and confidence in every learner, celebrating all forms of progress — however small — as steps toward greater independence, self-expression, and well-being.

🛠️ Implementation

Our curriculum is delivered through three pathways — Curious (Pre-Formal), Engaged (Informal), and Flourishing (Semi-Formal) — each designed to meet pupils at their developmental stage. Implementation is underpinned by:

  • The Engagement Model and SCERTS Framework to assess and plan for engagement, communication, and regulation.

  • The Willow Park Roadmap: a bespoke progression tool aligned with our curriculum strands.

  • Total Communication Approach: including PECS, Makaton, objects of reference, visual timetables, and AAC devices.

  • Therapeutic integration: including Attention Autism, Sensology, TACPAC, sensory diets, and OT/SaLT input from PETALS.

  • Highly structured, low-arousal environments: with clear routines, visual supports, and sensory regulation spaces.

  • Personalised planning: through weekly zone-based activities, individual learning intentions, and consistent adult modelling.

  • Family partnership: through Tapestry, home visits, and shared celebration of progress.

Learning is immersive, sensory-rich, and responsive — not worksheet-based or abstract. We prioritise process over product, and connection over compliance.

🎯 Impact

We measure the impact of our curriculum through:

  • Pupil engagement: sustained attention, curiosity, and participation in learning activities.

  • Communication progress: increased use of AAC, vocalisations, gestures, or intentional behaviours to express needs and preferences.

  • Emotional regulation: reduced incidents of dysregulation, increased use of self-regulation strategies, and improved well-being.

  • Functional independence: progress in daily routines, choice-making, and preparation for life beyond school.

  • Parental confidence and involvement: positive feedback, increased engagement, and shared understanding of progress.

  • Holistic progress: captured through the Engagement Model, SCERTS, the Willow Park Roadmap, and qualitative observations.

We celebrate every step — from a first smile to a first symbol — as a meaningful milestone in each child’s journey.

"Thank you Willow Park School. My Son loves coming to this school"
...a Willow Park Parent 2024

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"...his progress has been nothing short of phenomenal!"...a Willow Park Parent 2025

"We found the atmosphere in school to be splendid and the staff caring and effective"...a Willow Park Parent 2025

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