Equiano College is Leigh Stationers’ Academy’s Local Authority Resourced Provision (LARP), offering an inclusive and supportive environment for 27 pupils with moderate learning difficulties. All students in Equiano College have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
While pupils are fully involved in the wider life of the academy, including assemblies, co-curricular activities, and enrichment, they typically follow a bespoke curriculum within Equiano College, taught by stage, not age. Learning is led by specialist staff and supported by subject teachers from across the academy to ensure every student receives high-quality, individualised support.
Curriculum Overview
Equiano College offers a broad and balanced curriculum designed to meet the needs of each learner. We aim for every student to:
- Communicate and interact effectively with others
- Develop social, emotional, and independence skills
- Access a personalised curriculum
- Build confidence in literacy and numeracy
- Achieve meaningful qualifications
- Enjoy positive experiences with peers and staff
- Thrive in both the academy and the wider community
Six Core Areas
Students follow a curriculum built around six key components:
six core areas
Students take part in daily Literacy and Numeracy lessons focused on developing functional skills. Progress is monitored termly using GL assessments, alongside Phonics International and Star Reader to track reading development.
Some subjects are best taught by specialists. Pupils access a modified version of the IB Middle Years Programme in areas such as DT, IT, Digital Media and PE, taught by subject teachers across the academy.
Learning is carefully sequenced to support pupil progress:
- Reviewing and recalling prior learning
- Teaching and modelling new content
- Guided practice with scaffolding and support
- Reflection and assessment to consolidate knowledge
To ensure a broad and balanced education, pupils explore six thematic units each year. These units reflect our commitment to a connected and inquiry-led curriculum:
- Who we are
- Where we are in place and time
- How we express ourselves
- How the world works
- How we organise ourselves
- Sharing the planet
A tailored programme of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSE) and Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education supports pupils’ emotional literacy, personal development and preparation for adulthood.
Students receive bespoke Tier 2 support based on their individual needs. This may include targeted interventions in small groups or one-to-one settings, aligned with pupils’ EHCP targets and delivered by trained staff or external providers.
A small number of pupils access Tier 3 provision—specialist input delivered in collaboration with external professionals. This may include:
- Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
- Makaton
- ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants)
- Social skills development
- ASD Outreach
- Lego Therapy
- Sensory Circuits
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Touch Typing
- CAMHS
- Hospital Outreach
Life Skills and Enrichment
At Equiano College, we are committed to ensuring every student is well-prepared for life beyond school. Through a rich programme of experiences and guidance, pupils develop the confidence, independence and skills needed for adulthood.
Travel Training (TITAN)
Pupils take part in the TITAN Travel Training programme, designed to build independence and confidence when travelling by public transport. The course covers:
- Using buses and trains safely
- Reading timetables and buying tickets
- Road safety and navigating busy areas
- What to do if things go wrong when travelling
Careers and Work Experience
Careers education is delivered twice per module by our Careers Advisor and includes visits from external providers. Pupils in Key Stage 4 also take part in tailored work experience placements to explore future pathways and develop key workplace skills.
Celebrating Progress
We capture personal achievements and development in soft skills through Tapestry and our bespoke progress tracker. Where appropriate, pupils are also assessed against modified IB MYP criteria to measure academic growth alongside personal development.