Pre-Phase 1

Pre-Phase 1: Building Essential Life Skills

The Pre-Phase 1 pathway at Hedgewood School is specifically designed to support our most complex pupils. Our curriculum at this stage has a primary focus on developing pertinent life skills that significantly improve their quality of life.

We utilise the "Necessary 9 Skills" as outlined in Patrick McGreevy's Essential for Living (EFL) curriculum. This evidence-based curriculum focuses on teaching fundamental skills that increase communication and reduce behaviours that challenge. These life skills have a direct positive impact on the child and their family's quality of life.

Recognising the challenges some pupils face with generalisation, these essential skills are taught within functional contexts. This approach aims to enhance their responsiveness and application of skills, with the goal of generalisation across different people, contexts, and settings.

The end point for pupils in Pre-Phase 1 is to achieve a score of 3 or 4 on the Essential 8 quick assessment, indicating a foundational grasp of these crucial life skills. The Pre-phase 1 curriculum is focused on expressive communication, providing methods for children who cannot yet speak to communicate their wants and needs effectively, often using 'Alternative Methods of Speaking' (AMS) such as basic signs, idiosyncratic signs, or picture exchange systems. The curriculum also focus on receptive communication, teaching children to understand and respond to directions, especially those related to safety. Building tolerance for everyday situations like accepting 'no', waiting, sharing, and taking turns is a key aspect of this phase of the curriculum. Independence in daily living skills such as dressing, washing, and eating is also fostered.

“This is amazing for him to request a song. Thank you so much for your amazing help and support.”

“now he is asking for everything very independently, if he is hungry he is asking for a sandwich If he wants water he will give us the picture of water, if he wants a fizzy drink he will show us the picture from his belt. He knows very well what he wants. He is even showing us a photo of the park if he wants to go out”

“I never thought he would be able to wear his glasses”

“He is putting his socks and shoes on in the morning before school now without any help from me at all. I can’t believe it!”