Semi-formal Curriculum SLD/MLD

The Equals Semi-formal Curriculum is set in the context of Equals multi-tiered curriculum approach, recognising that differentiation from England’s (or indeed any) National Curriculum is NOT sufficient to meet the needs of pupils and students with profound, complex, severe or global learning difficulties

For these populations, who are all working consistently and over time below or very near the start of their national curriculum, curricula NEED TO be different rather than differentiated, because the way such pupils learn is different, and often very, very different from neuro-typical, conventional developing learners for whom the national curriculum was designed.

Breadth and Balance. Whilst we accept the desirability of providing a broad and balanced curriculum, it must be wholly appropriate to the needs of each learner. Ongoing assessment may point to a need for concentration and intensity in one or two particular areas for some learners for a part, and sometimes a considerable part of their time in education.


The Semi-formal Curriculum meets the needs of our special children and we feel more able to promote what the children need rather than being constrained by subject areas.
Freedom to be creative and concentrate on individual needs with a focus on independence

Priory Woods School in Middlesbrough

The aims of the Schemes of Work project have been

  • To build on the collaborative work of Penny Lacey and Swiss Cottage School;
  • To write outstanding practice schemes of work for non-National Curriculum ‘areas of learning’;
  • To involve outstanding teachers in good and outstanding schools throughout England and Wales;
  • To produce schemes of work that are available to all schools on a cost recovery (not for profit) basis through the Equals website;
  • To share best practice within a broad band of stakeholders, including both the DfE and Ofsted.

The general principles governing the schemes of work are that they

  • Are developmental in nature and open to personalisation – they start at the beginning of the individual pupil’s learning journey and aim for the highest level of independence possible;
  • Cover all stages of education from 2 to 25 (and beyond) but are not directly related to either age or key stage. Learners fit into them where they will according to their individual abilities, interests and learning journey;
  • Are not related to the National Curriculum, though the common language of the P scales is occasionally used for ease of understanding.

Below is a recording of an Equals Online CPD session by Peter Imray; our Director of Developments.

Peter Imray talks about our brand new Semi-Formal (SLD/MLD) Curriculum. Equals members can attend the live online CPD sessions for 100% FREE. Please visit the » Equals Events Section to view the full selection of online CPD sessions available. For further information about the Equals Semi-formal Curriculum, please contact the Equals Strategic Development Manager using paul@equalsoffice.co.uk or you can ring Paul using 0191 272 1222.


To view a preview, please click on a green box below

Equals Semi-formal Curriculum – Cost: There are 12 schemes of work in this cross-curricular set. These cost only £89 each for members and £189 each for non-members; so, the whole semi-formal curriculum costs only £1,068 for members which is equal to only a few days’ supply cover.

To place an order, please click on a green box below 

To view details for the Equals Online CPD Sessions and Conferences please visit our » Events Section

For further information please contact Paul Buskin; the Equals Strategic Development Manager using paul@equalsoffice.co.uk

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What Our Members Say
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We have thousands of satisfied members since we began in 1994

Rodney House School – Manchester

Online CPD Sessions – 100% Free for Equals Members

We feel the online training delivered by Equals have been wonderful.  The relevance and depth of the sessions has been fantastic, Peter is a very knowledgeable man. Having training delivered online has enabled all our teachers to attend and have discussions after the event rather than one teacher attending and disseminating which can water down the content.
Thank you so much and keep them coming!

Wren Spinney School in Kettering

Equals Member & Exemplar School

Ofsted Quote (Outstanding – April 2024).

Great thought has been applied to detail the relevant and meaningful knowledge and skills that the school wants pupils to learn in each pathway. This ambitious curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils and students develop their independence and are prepared extremely well for their transition to meaningful education or supported residential or day-care provision.

Online CPD Sessions

100 % Free for all Equals Members 

“Love these courses, it is like having a university lecture/tutorial”

“I love listening to the evidence based information”

“All the information was presented simply and efficiently. It was interesting and the time passed very quickly. An excellent training session”

Brackenfield School in Derby

Equals Member & Exemplar School

Ofsted Quote (Outstanding – September 2023).

Leaders and staff have designed a curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils. It sets out the precise knowledge, skills and experiences pupils will gain, and by when. The four curriculum pathways, ‘communicate, comprehend, decode and navigate’, are uniquely personalised for each pupil’s needs.

Kingsbury School, Lancashire

Equals Member & Exemplar School 

Ofsted Quote (Outstanding – September 2023).

Leaders worked in consultation with parents and expert consultants to implement an ambitious curriculum designed with meticulous detail and clear aims. This new highly effective curriculum, which is rooted in sound educational research, places pupils’ needs at the core. The impact of the new policy has been transformational.

Sunningdale School in Sunderland

Equals Member & Exemplar School

Ofsted Quote (Outstanding – June 2023)

Leaders have developed an inspirational curriculum that ensures that learning is tailored to meet the needs of all pupils. Because of this, pupils display exceptionally high levels of engagement in learning. They make rapid progress from their starting points.

St Ann’s School in London

Equals Member & Exemplar School

 Ofsted Quote (March 2023 Outstanding).

Leaders have ensured that the school provides a high-quality education. This is delivered through a well-designed
and well-sequenced curriculum. The function of the curriculum is to encourage pupils to build on previous learning and enable them to access learning and social experiences while at school and after leaving school.

Dee Banks School in Chester

Equals Member & Exemplar School

Ofsted Quote (March 2022 – Good):  Leaders have adopted a curriculum that is designed well and ordered logically. The curriculum prepares pupils to be as independent as possible. Pupils, including students in the sixth form, learn to solve problems, communicate their wishes and interact with other people.

Canolfan Addsyg y Bont, angor in Wales

Equals Member & Exemplar School

(Estyrn do not grade) 

The assistant headteachers support the headteacher well and work together purposefully to strengthen and build on the school’s vision…… they have led successfully on introducing a stimulating curriculum that meets pupils’ needs through various learning pathways. May 2024