Our ethos and provision is based primarily on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (below). As the needs of our children have changed, we devised our Marlyn Curriculum to support our children who have experienced challenges in their young lives. Many of our children have early developmental trauma, ACEs and/or continue to live in challenging circumstances. In recognition of this fact we aim to satisfy the needs lower down in the hierarchy before enabling children to attend to needs higher up. Only then can children achieve academically. Through the Marlyn Curriculum, we teach children behaviour for learning skills, resilience, team work and work on developing their sense of belonging and self-esteem. This is a heavy focus for us in the Autumn Term, but may run for longer for children who need it.
We use PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) and the Zones of Regulation to support this process and teach children how to understand and regulate their emotions and behaviour.