Pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) have complex learning needs. In addition to severe learning difficulties, pupils may have other significant difficulties, such as physical difficulties, sensory impairment or a severe medical condition.
Pupils with Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD) tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand information and interact with other people (MENCAP 2023).
The aims of our PMLD and SLD curriculum are to develop pupils’ skills in the four broad areas of need identified in the SEN Code of Practice; Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Physical and Sensory and Social, Emotional and Mental Health. For our pupils with PMLD, we use strategies such as intensive interaction and high levels of repetition, as well as resources such as sensory stories and cause and effect activities to promote learning and engagement. For our pupils with SLD, we use strategies such as Attention Autism and visual communication, as well as resources such as Colourful Semantics and Sensory Stories.
Pupils in our school are at different points in their learning journey therefore our curriculum is designed to focus on the development of key skills, building on prior learning, appropriate to the individual learner. Key skills are taught through stimulating contexts for learning, outlined in the long term plan below.
Long Term Plan for Learners with PMLD and SLD
