Welcome to Phase 2

The Phase 2 curriculum is built around a three-year rolling programme, carefully differentiated to meet the needs of pupils across our four learning pathways. It builds upon the strong foundations established in Phase 1, continuing to develop essential communication, independence, social, and life skills.

Learning is organised through six engaging topics each year, each tailored to ensure relevance, accessibility, and challenge for every pupil. The curriculum is designed to be flexible and adaptable, enabling us to meet the diverse needs of all learners—whether they are consolidating early skills or working beyond Stage Two. 

Phase 2 operates across two sites:

• Main Site (New Ash Green) – Seven classes, including:
  
  

  • Two classes for pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (Brook Pathway)
    
    

  • Four high needs classes following the Stream Pathway
    
    

  • One class for pupils with Severe and Complex Learning Needs (River Pathway)
    
    

• Milestone @ Leigh Academy Dartford– Three classes (Years 3–6), primarily following the Stream, River and Waterfall Pathways
  
  

Our aim is to deliver a broad, balanced, and meaningful curriculum that enables all pupils to achieve and make progress at their own pace. The curriculum focuses on developing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—preparing them for the next stage in their education and life beyond Milestone.

At Leigh Academy Milestone, our Primary Years Programme (PYP) forms the foundation of learning for pupils in the primary phase. The PYP is an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) to nurture curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

The programme focuses on the holistic development of the child—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically—both in the classroom and beyond. It encourages pupils to become active, compassionate, and resilient learners, who understand that they have a voice, choice, and responsibility in their learning and in the world around them.

The PYP curriculum is structured around six transdisciplinary themes that guide learning and exploration:

1. Who We Are
   
   

2. Where We Are in Place and Time
   
   

3. How We Express Ourselves
   
   

4. How the World Works
   
   

5. How We Organise Ourselves
   
   

6. Sharing the Planet
   
   

These themes provide opportunities for pupils to make authentic connections between subjects, applying their knowledge and skills across a range of contexts that are meaningful and relevant to their own lives. Learning through inquiry allows pupils to ask questions, investigate ideas, solve problems, and reflect on their discoveries—developing a strong sense of agency and independence.

At Leigh Academy Milestone, we recognise that our pupils have a wide range of strengths and needs. The PYP framework enables us to deliver a curriculum that is highly differentiated, personalised, and inclusive, ensuring every pupil can experience success and progress at their own level. Teachers adapt each unit of inquiry to reflect individual interests, communication styles, and developmental stages, while promoting key attributes of the IB Learner Profile, including being caring, principled, reflective, open-minded, and balanced.

Many of our learners are working within the Engagement Model, where teaching focuses on developing attention, persistence, initiation, exploration, and anticipation. The principles of the PYP align closely with this model, offering rich opportunities for engagement and interaction through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

Play is at the heart of early inquiry and exploration. Learning through play supports the development of communication, social understanding, problem-solving, and imagination. In Phase 2, our pupils move through the stages of play, from unoccupied and solitary play, through parallel and associative play, to cooperative play, as they learn to share space, materials, and ideas with others. These experiences are carefully scaffolded by adults to promote joint attention, turn-taking, emotional regulation, and creativity. Through structured and spontaneous play, pupils build the foundational skills necessary for collaboration, curiosity, and independent learning. 

We place a strong emphasis on promoting communication, independence, and personal development through engaging, purposeful learning experiences. Alongside this, we take every opportunity to promote respect, kindness, and understanding, celebrating each pupil’s individuality and cultural heritage.

Throughout Phase 2, we embed and celebrate British Values—democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. Our ultimate goal is for every pupil to leave Phase 2 as a confident, curious, and compassionate young person, fully prepared for life in modern Britain.