My Independence
At Springwood Heath, we are committed to helping every child develop the skills they need to lead as independent and fulfilling a life as possible. As part of our semi-formal curriculum, the "My Independence" strand plays a vital role in achieving this goal.
My Independence focuses on building practical life skills through meaningful, real-world experiences. This includes:
- Personal care and hygiene
- Making choices and problem-solving
- Understanding routines and responsibilities
- Developing confidence in the community
- Basic cooking, cleaning, and organisational skills
Learning is hands-on, personalised, and embedded into daily routines, helping pupils grow in confidence and capability. We celebrate every step towards independence, no matter how big or small.
At Springwood Heath, we believe that independence is not just a skill — it’s a pathway to self-esteem, dignity, and lifelong success.
My Dressing and Undressing
It will be generally assumed that dressing and undressing will be an early years, or at least a key stage 1 teaching area, and
generally this might well be true. There may however, be a significant number of learners who arrive at these skills later on, and a
number who might still need to refine skills well into key stage two and beyond. As such, the continued opportunity to physically
practice dressing and undressing is key, and regular opportunities for repetition are practiced if needed.
The processes and skills involved in dressing and undressing activities include
- Motor ability, both gross and fine motor skills, including balance and manual dexterity
- Sensory ability including visual and tactile skills; hand-eye coordination
- Body and spatial awareness
- Ability to cross midline
- Hand dominance
- Coordination – being able to coordinate movements, balance and use the two halves of the body together in a coordinated way
- Spatial awareness (of both personal and general space) eg. being able to pull a jumper over their head; pushing their arm through
a sleeve without knocking into something or someone - Organisational skills i.e. understanding the sequence of dressing – putting clothes on in the right order; getting clothes the right
way round and putting them on the right body part.
My Cooking and Food Technology
Pupils develop essential life skills in a fun, practical, and engaging way.
Through cooking activities, children learn to:
- Follow simple instructions and routines
- Use kitchen tools safely and with increasing independence
- Explore ingredients through sensory experiences
- Prepare basic meals and snacks
- Understand healthy eating and food hygiene
Cooking sessions are tailored to each child’s needs and abilities, promoting independence, confidence, and teamwork. It’s also a fantastic way to build communication, numeracy, and fine motor skills — all while having fun!
At Springwood Heath, cooking is more than just making food — it’s about preparing for life.
My Shopping
Through real and role-play shopping experiences, children learn to:
- Make choices and plan what they need
- Use money and understand value
- Follow shopping lists and navigate shops
- Communicate with others in real-world settings
- Practise social skills like waiting, turn-taking, and asking for help
Whether it’s visiting a local shop or setting up a class supermarket, shopping gives pupils the chance to apply their learning in meaningful, hands-on ways that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
My Travel Training
Pupils develop the skills they need to move around safely and confidently in their local environment.
Through carefully supported experiences, pupils learn to:
- Understand road safety and pedestrian awareness
- Recognise signs, symbols, and crossings
- Follow simple routes and routines
- Use public transport where appropriate
- Build independence and confidence in the community
Travel training is tailored to each child’s needs and abilities, with a strong focus on safety, communication, and real-life practice. It’s about more than just getting from A to B — it’s about building independence, responsibility, and life-long confidence.