The Orchard

Reading is an important part of daily life in the Orchard, and we tailor our approach to meet the needs of every child. We teach phonics four times a week, using a highly structured, supportive approach that helps children develop their early reading skills at a pace that is right for them.

All children take home a reading book daily, and books are changed weekly so pupils can enjoy a range of texts that match their individual reading stage. We work closely with families to encourage regular shared reading at home.

Some children who are ready for more formal reading comprehension lessons integrate into Main School for Big Read sessions. Those who participate in Big Read also access Accelerated Reader, where they can complete quizzes, track their progress and celebrate reading milestones.

Children in the Orchard also have access to Reading Wise, both in school and at home. This programme provides a personalised pathway to support decoding, reading fluency and comprehension, and helps many of our children build confidence as independent readers.

Our aim is for every child to develop a love of stories, language and books in a way that is meaningful and enjoyable for them.

Homework in the Orchard is designed to reinforce key learning in a simple, structured and achievable way. Children in Class 2 and 3 receive two pieces of homework each week. On a Tuesday, a green homework book is sent home containing phonics homework matched to each child’s individual reading stage. On a Friday, a pink homework book goes home with work that alternates between maths and English or topic-based tasks, giving pupils regular opportunities to practise a broad range of skills.

Reading remains an important part of home learning in the Orchard. Each child takes home a reading book daily, and we ask families to read together at least three times per week. Signing the reading record helps us maintain clear communication between home and school and allows us to celebrate children’s progress.

Children also have access to Reading Wise, which they can use at home to support decoding, fluency and comprehension. Pupils who integrate into Main School for Big Read sessions continue to access Accelerated Reader, completing quizzes to track their development and build confidence as readers.

Physical Education is an important part of the curriculum in the Orchard, and we aim to make every session accessible, enjoyable and supportive for all children. Some pupils in Class 3 are able to integrate into Main School for PE on a Tuesday, where they join their year-group lessons led by EdStart Specialist Education. For children who remain in the Orchard, a dedicated PE session takes place every Friday, delivered by the Manchester United Foundation. These sessions are tailored to pupils’ individual needs and focus on developing movement, confidence and physical skills in a highly supportive environment.

Children should bring their PE kit at the start of each half term, and it can remain in school until the end of that half term. We ask that all clothing items, including shoes, are clearly named. Staff encourage and support children to be as independent as possible when getting changed before and after their lesson.

We follow the school’s standard PE kit expectations; however, we understand that some children may have sensory needs that require adaptations. Parents are encouraged to discuss any necessary adjustments with the class teacher so that every child feels comfortable and ready to participate.
Standard PE Kit:

White T-shirt
Black shorts
Black pumps or trainers
Black leggings or joggers in colder weather
Plain black or dark blue hoodie in colder weather

Children in the Orchard are welcome to bring a healthy snack to eat at playtime, such as a piece of fruit or a cereal bar. While we provide fruit and bagels or toast each day, many of our pupils have additional sensory or regulation needs, and having their own familiar snack can be very helpful in supporting their focus, comfort and emotional regulation throughout the school day. For this reason, extra snacks from home are always welcomed.

Children may also bring their own water bottle to school. Staying hydrated is important for learning and regulation, and water bottles are very much appreciated as they help children access drinks independently whenever they need them.

Phonics is the teaching of sounds to help children learn to read and write with confidence. In the Orchard, we follow the Read Write Inc programme, which provides a clear, structured approach to early literacy.

Children are grouped according to their reading ability so that each child learns exactly what they need at the right pace. We learn sounds alongside Fred the Frog, using them to build words for reading and writing. Over time, words become sentences, and sentences grow into stories. Through this approach, we aim to open up a whole world of possibilities for every child as their reading skills develop.

English in the Orchard is carefully adapted to meet the needs, interests and developmental stage of every child. Across all classes, we aim to build a love of stories, develop communication and language skills, and support children in becoming confident early readers and writers.

All classes in the Orchard follow the school’s writing scheme, Ready Steady Write, but the way it is delivered varies depending on each group’s needs.

Classes 1 and 2

Children in Classes 1 and 2 access Ready Steady Write through a highly adapted, Early-Years-led approach. Learning is centred around rich, engaging texts and a sequence of immersion, vocabulary building, exploring features and creating simple written or mark-making outcomes.
Although the classes may explore the same book, expectations and tasks are completely individualised. Some children may sequence pictures, label characters, or engage through sensory story play, while others who are ready may produce short sentences or supported writing linked to the text.

The focus in these classes is communication, early writing behaviours, vocabulary, storytelling skills and enjoyment.

Class 3

Class 3 also follow Ready Steady Write, drawing mainly from the KS1 curriculum. Teaching is adapted to match pupils’ needs, interests and attention levels, with carefully chosen texts that motivate and inspire the children.

The sequence of learning remains consistent: immersion in the book, exploring language and writing features, planning ideas and producing a piece of writing with appropriate support and scaffolding.

Integration Opportunities
Some children who are ready for more formal English lessons may integrate into their year-group class in Main School, allowing them to work alongside peers and access age-appropriate challenge.

Maths in the Orchard is highly individualised and adapted so that every child can access learning at the right level and pace. Across all classes, mathematical teaching is supported by visual resources, practical activities and hands-on exploration to ensure concepts are meaningful and accessible.

Classes 1 and 2

Children in Classes 1 and 2 use White Rose Maths as the foundation for their learning. Lessons are carefully adapted and broken down into small, achievable steps, with a strong focus on concrete resources, repetition and overlearning. Activities are aligned with each child’s Solar/Trackable targets, ensuring that learning is personalised and relevant to their current stage of development.
Teaching in these classes places emphasis on early number, shape, pattern, practical problem-solving and building mathematical language through everyday experiences and structured tasks.

Class 3

In Class 3, pupils follow the Power Maths scheme, with elements of White Rose Maths used to scaffold, reinforce or break down concepts where needed. This allows children to access a more structured mastery curriculum while still receiving the adaptations and support required to ensure success. Like the other classes, Class 3’s learning is guided by Solar/Trackable targets, ensuring lessons reflect individual strengths and next steps.

Integration

Although most children remain in the Orchard for Maths, some pupils who are ready for age-related expectations may integrate into their Main School year-group class for specific lessons or topics.

Science in the Orchard is carefully adapted so that every child can develop curiosity, explore the world around them and engage with practical, hands-on learning. Each class follows a different curriculum pathway to ensure teaching is matched to children’s developmental levels and interests.

Class 1 follow the Year 1 National Curriculum for science, delivered through highly practical, exploratory and sensory-rich activities. Lessons are broken into small, meaningful steps to support understanding and engagement.

Class 2 follow the Year 4 science curriculum, with teaching adapted to ensure children can access key concepts through visual supports, structured tasks and practical investigation. Expectations are personalised so that each child can take part successfully.

Class 3 follow the Year 3 science curriculum, again with adaptations to support learning needs and promote hands-on exploration. Lessons encourage children to ask questions, investigate ideas and develop scientific vocabulary at a level appropriate for them.

Some children who are ready for more formal science teaching may have opportunities to integrate into their Main School year-group class, allowing them to work alongside peers and access age-related science content.

Across all Orchard classes, science learning is supported by visual resources, structured routines and practical experiences that help children make sense of scientific ideas in a meaningful, engaging way.