Curnow School – Specialist Post-16

Specialist Post-16 education in Redruth for young people with complex SEND, with personalised pathways focused on independence, communication, wellbeing and preparation for adulthood.

Curnow School is a specialist school in Redruth providing personalised education for young people with complex SEND.

Its Post-16 provision is designed around each learner’s abilities, interests, needs and future destination, with a strong emphasis on developing the skills and independence needed for adult life.

Personalised Post-16 pathways

Post-16 learning is destination-led, with the curriculum personalised around each student’s talents, interests and individual needs.

Curnow uses a bespoke pathway approach so that learners can access the most relevant areas of the curriculum for them rather than following one identical programme.

Preparing for adulthood

The Post-16 curriculum is organised around core strands linked to the Preparing for Adulthood EHCP outcome areas.

Learning aims to help young people develop greater independence and prepare for life beyond school, with opportunities to practise skills in real-life and community settings.

Work-related learning and careers

Young people have opportunities to develop their understanding of work and future pathways.

Curnow runs business enterprise projects and provides careers and work-related learning experiences. Recent Post-16 activity has included exposure to different working environments, while the school’s careers programme aims to provide meaningful encounters with employers, colleges and other education providers.

Transition to life after Curnow

Curnow works with other providers to help young people experience possible next steps.

Post-16 students can take part in Post-19 taster sessions, including experiences with providers such as Truro and Cornwall College, helping young people become familiar with different learning environments and supporting transition planning before they leave Curnow.

Communication and functional skills

Communication and functional learning are embedded throughout Post-16.

Learning is adapted to the individual and can include functional reading and communication, recognising important signs and social vocabulary, and developing skills that young people can use in everyday life and the wider community. Visual aids and symbols are used within the learning environment to support understanding and communication.

Health and wellbeing

Positive mental health and wellbeing are a core part of Curnow’s Post-16 approach.

Young people are supported to develop resilience, self-esteem and individual regulation strategies as they prepare for adulthood and greater participation in the wider community.

Support for complex needs

Curnow also has Post-16 learners within its Lamorna multi-needs provision.

Learners here may have significant sensory, health and physical needs and access a multisensory curriculum. Curnow works alongside physiotherapy, occupational therapy, visual impairment, speech and language and medical professionals to support individual needs.

Facilities available within the wider school include a hydrotherapy pool, sensory integration room and accessible outdoor areas.

Good to know

Curnow’s Post-16 provision is not simply classroom-based preparation for adulthood. The school places emphasis on young people using and generalising their skills beyond their classroom and experiencing future learning, community and work environments.