Our school curriculum

Built around the learner, not the year group.

A Curriculum for Wales offer delivered through four progressive pathways and our HyFlex model – one-to-one, small group, and outdoor learning, so every young person can make real, measurable progress.

Our curriculum

Stage not age: the right level

Cumbers House delivers the Curriculum for Wales across all six areas of learning and experience for young people aged 11 to 19 with additional learning needs, including SEMH.

Our curriculum is organised around four progressive pathways rather than fixed year groups, reflecting the Curriculum for Wales principle that progress is determined by stage and not age. A learner may be working confidently in one area while building foundations in another, so timetables and targets are shaped around individual starting points rather than whole-year expectations.

Placement is decided through careful baseline assessment at admission and reviewed through the IDP at least annually, and more often where needed. Learners can move between pathways as they develop, or spend longer consolidating an area before moving on, because secure progress matters more than keeping pace with a calendar.

The curriculum

A framework, not a formula

Aligned with Curriculum for Wales, shaped by every young person’s IDP and built around what’s genuinely meaningful for them.

Six areas of learning & experience

Ages 11-16

Our curriculum is fully aligned with Curriculum for Wales, delivered with care, adapted to each pupil’s IDP and offered at the level that’s genuinely right for them.

Languages, literacy and communication

English & Welesh

Mathematics and numeracy

Functional & applied

Science and technology

English & Welesh

Health and wellbeing

Movement and PSHE

Humanities

People, place and purpose

Expressive arts

Voice, craft and creativity

Preparing for adulthood

Ages 16-19

Our post-16 pathway is built around each young person’s IDP outcomes and aspirations, aligned with the ALN Code for Wales 2021 and the Preparing for Adulthood framework.

City & Guilds

Vocational qualifications

ASDAN

Including Towards Independence

NCFE

Accredited courses

Essential Skills Wales

Literacy, numeracy & ICT

Employability

Work Readiness programmes

Independence

Life skills for adulthood

The hyflex model

Three models of delivery, one curriculum

Our HyFlex model combines individual support, small-group learning and outdoor experience so the same curriculum can be accessed in the way that best suits each learner.

One-to-one

Targeted academic delivery and IDP support, paced to the learner.

Small group

Collaborative work that builds social confidence alongside skills.

Outdoor & movement

Structured therapeutic and physical learning beyond the classroom.

Recognised qualifications

Every pathway leads somewhere real

We work with awarding bodies whose qualifications are recognised across the UK, so progress made here travels with the learner.

Four progressive pathways

Each pathway is a destination, and a starting point for the next

Learners move through at their own pace, with the flexibility to consolidate one stage before taking the next step forward.

Foundations

Foundational, exploratory and sensory learning. We build basic skills, confidence and engagement, with oracy and communication at the centre. Highly practical and play-based.

Indicative qualifications

ASDAN Short Course Awards · Entry Level 1

Developing independence

Learners begin to work independently in the core skills. Literacy, numeracy and knowledge are built in applied, contextual ways, with continued ALN support inside a more structured day.

Indicative qualifications

Entry Level 2–3 · Essential Skills Wales Level 1

Consolidating & extending

Knowledge and skills are consolidated and extended towards qualification entry. GCSE preparation is offered where the IDP identifies this as appropriate and achievable for the learner.

Indicative qualifications

Essential Skills Wales L2 · WJEC GCSE · NCFE Level 1

Preparing for adulthood

Employability, independence and transition-focused learning that prepares each young person for adult life, further education or work. All IDP Preparing for Adulthood outcomes are addressed.

Indicative qualifications

City & Guilds Vocational · NCFE L2 · ASDAN Towards Independence

For local authorities

Want the curriculum detail for a referral or placement discussion? We can share pathways, qualifications, baseline assessment and how progress is tracked against the IDP.

For families & carers

Curious how the HyFlex model, pathways and IDP-led targets would work for your young person? Come and see a real timetable, meet the team and ask anything.

How it works

Our admissions process

Behind every referral is a young person who needs the right place. Our process is thorough, because getting the match right matters, but as straightforward as we can make it.

01

Initial enquiry

Contact our admissions team by phone or email. We’re happy to discuss a young person’s needs informally. No commitment required.

02

Documentation

Submit the YP’s IDP/education care plan, care chronologies, risk assessment and professional reports. All documents will be treated with strict confidentiality.

03

Review & matching

Our leadership team reviews carefully; not only whether we can meet their needs, but whether our current environment is the right match.

04

Pre-placement

Visit the school, ask questions, and make sure everyone is confident about the next steps.

05

Placement planning

Before their first day, we develop an Individual Education Pathway, plan their timetable, and identify their key worker.

06

First day & beyond

We move at their pace — and we are with them every step of the way.

Get in touch

We'd love to hear from you

Prefer to talk directly? We’re happy to take a call, answer an email, or arrange a visit to the school at a pace that works for you.

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Whether you're considering a referral, looking for the right placement or simply want to learn more, share a little about yourself and we'll get back to you personally.

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