Curriculum Development at Victoria School

We’re thrilled to share how our curriculum is evolving to best meet the changing needs of our learners. Rooted in co-production with pupils, families, staff and wider stakeholders, our approach ensures every voice helps shape the future of learning at our school.

Our Four Pathways

We’ve embedded four curriculum pathways designed to support diverse learning journeys:

• Odyssey – for learners engaging with sensory and experiential learning

• Voyage – building independence and life skills

• Quest – for those navigating subject specific learning

• Discovery – focussing on sensory regulation and readiness to learn

These pathways sit alongside our continued provision for EYFS and MSI classes, ensuring continuity and specialist support for all learners.

Evidence-Informed Practice

Our curriculum is grounded in the latest research-informed practice, helping us stay at the forefront of inclusive and effective education.

Join Us in Shaping the Future

We’re committed to working together with our community. Please explore this information for more details. Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to collaborate with us on curriculum development—we’d love to hear your ideas!

Together, we’re building a curriculum that respects, inspires, supports, and empowers every learner for their next steps.

Discovery Pathway 

The Discovery Pathway is designed for learners who need a highly personalised, practical and supportive approach to learning. It focuses on helping each child communicate, regulate, and develop the life skills they need to thrive at home, in school and in the community.

Children on this pathway learn best through structure, routine, real‑life experiences and lots of repetition. The curriculum is built around communication, independence, emotional wellbeing and meaningful participation. Every child’s learning is co‑produced with families and professionals so that teaching reflects their strengths, interests and aspirations.

Learners develop essential skills such as making choices, communicating needs, managing emotions, building independence and taking part in community life. Activities like cooking, shopping, travel training, play and creative arts give learning real purpose. The aim is for every child to grow in confidence, independence and wellbeing, preparing them for adulthood in a way that is ambitious, achievable and deeply personalised.

Odyssey Pathway 

The Odyssey Pathway is a highly personalised, sensory‑rich curriculum for learners who require a developmental, non‑linear approach to progress. It focuses on joy, connection and meaningful engagement, celebrating every small step forward.

Learning is co‑produced with families and a team of therapists and specialists to ensure it meets each child’s unique needs. The curriculum emphasises sensory exploration, communication in all forms, emotional wellbeing, physical development and early cognitive skills. It uses approaches such as intensive interaction, sensory stories and the Engagement Model to understand and extend each learner’s responses.

From Year 9 onwards, the curriculum increasingly prepares learners for adulthood through community experiences, life skills and health and wellbeing routines. The Odyssey Pathway ensures every learner is supported to feel safe, connected and valued and to experience learning that is joyful, meaningful and empowering.

Quest Pathway 

The Quest Pathway offers a structured, knowledge‑rich curriculum for learners who benefit from clear teaching, high expectations and opportunities to work towards accreditation. It supports pupils to understand themselves as learners, build independence and develop the academic and life skills needed for future education, employment and community life.

The curriculum includes literacy, maths, science, humanities, expressive arts, PE, PSHE and digital skills, with strong foundations in communication and reading. Learning is practical, engaging and designed to help pupils apply knowledge to real‑life situations such as travel, money management, healthy living and personal organisation.

From Year 9 onwards, learners begin preparing for adulthood through community participation, independent living skills, work‑related learning and accredited qualifications such as Functional Skills and Arts Award. By Post‑16, the focus becomes increasingly functional and future‑focused. The Quest Pathway aims to empower learners to become confident, responsible and independent young adults with clear pathways into further education, training or employment.

Voyage Pathway 

The Voyage Pathway provides a creative, play‑rich and multisensory curriculum for learners who benefit from hands‑on exploration, communication in all forms and real‑life learning experiences. It is built around the values of Respect, Inspire, Support and Empower, ensuring every learner feels seen, heard and valued.

The curriculum supports communication, early literacy, numeracy, creative arts, personal development, physical skills and practical life skills. Play is central — used to build imagination, language, emotional regulation and social understanding. Learners explore the world through sensory experiences, community visits, digital tools and collaborative activities that build confidence and connection.

As pupils move into secondary and Post‑16, the curriculum becomes increasingly focused on Preparation for Adulthood. This includes independence skills, community participation, health and wellbeing routines and personalised work‑related learning. The Voyage Pathway helps learners grow into confident, curious and connected individuals who are ready for the next stage of their lives with pride and purpose.