At Strathmore we are dedicated to preparing and challenging every learner to become as active a contributor to their community as possible by championing independence and communication in a learning environment that is accessible to all.  

We believe that learning to take care of ourselves and being confident in carrying out life skills such as dressing, washing and feeding ourselves are key to creating positive experiences that will enable learners to continue to be independent when they leave school. Our aim for all learners is that during, and after they finish, their time at Strathmore School they will be able to develop a variety of skills for independence in their daily lives and when accessing the community as independently as possible.  

The Skills for Independence curriculum is personalised to meet the student’s Education, Health and Care Plan outcomes as well as to provide positive experiences to enhance the learners’ overall wellbeing.   

Skills, Knowledge and Concepts 

At Strathmore School we believe that all learners should be exposed to Skills for Independence during lessons, snack, lunchtime, and a range of educational visits.

Many of our learners are developing their gross and fine motor skills; focused activities can facilitate the learning of skills such as: fastening buttons, zips etc or by crossing their midline through large physical movement. It is important that learners get the opportunity to be active throughout their school day and are supported to practice skills for independence in a meaningful way.  

All learners, regardless of Key Stage, will learn a range of Skills for Independence through OT, learning zones and timetabled events such as snack and lunchtime with the aim to progress pupils based on their individual ability.  

All learners, regardless of Key Stage, will attend educational visits and access outdoor learning throughout the year, where they will work through the Strathmore Development Framework of skills needed to complete these activities as independently as possible.  

When learners have reached band 4 in the in the ”Being in the community” skills stand they will experience regular educational visits outside of the classroom and in the local community with key areas of focus being community access, transport and safety.  They will develop an understanding of how to tolerate and participate in transitions into and within their local community, find motivating places in their community and adapt to unexpected situations.  

The Skills for Independence curriculum covers:  

Self-care covers self-hygiene, getting dressed, washing hands, brushing teeth and hair.  
Feeding covers feeding orally.   
Toileting covers using the toilet, changing and cleaning self.  
Being in the Community covers: Community access, transport and safety in the community.