Developing skills for everyday life

My Independence helps pupils develop the practical skills, knowledge and confidence they need to manage everyday life as independently as possible. We recognise that independence looks different for every pupil, so learning is personalised and broken down into achievable steps that allow pupils to practise, apply and celebrate their progress.

Throughout their time at Sutton, all pupils have regular opportunities to develop essential life skills through Living Skills and Cooking Skills. These experiences help pupils make meaningful connections between what they learn in school and the skills they will use at home, in their community and as they move towards adulthood.

Our aim is to help pupils become more confident in making choices, solving everyday problems, keeping themselves safe and taking increasing responsibility for themselves and their environment.

Living Skills

Living Skills provides pupils with practical learning that supports their everyday lives and preparation for adulthood.

Across their time at Sutton, pupils develop skills and understanding across a range of areas, including:

• Personal Hygiene – developing routines for personal care, grooming and self-maintenance.
• Safety and Wellbeing – learning how to recognise risks, make safe choices and look after physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Managing Money – developing an understanding of money, budgeting, shopping and making everyday financial choices.
• Relationships and Families – understanding emotions, respectful relationships, personal boundaries and positive interactions with others.
• Personal Safety – developing awareness of how to keep themselves safe at home, at school and in the wider community.
• Travel and Community Safety – developing confidence and understanding around travel, road safety, water safety, sun safety and accessing the community.
• Household Management – developing practical skills such as cleaning, laundry, organising belongings and looking after personal and shared spaces.
• Digital Literacy – learning to use technology safely and appropriately to support communication, learning and everyday life.
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving – developing the confidence to make choices, take responsibility and find solutions to everyday challenges.

Learning is practical and purposeful. Pupils have opportunities to practise skills repeatedly and apply them in different contexts, helping them to develop confidence and increasing independence over time.

Cooking Skills

Cooking Skills gives pupils the opportunity to develop practical food preparation and cooking skills that they can use throughout their lives.

Pupils learn how to plan, prepare and cook food, developing skills such as following recipes and instructions, using equipment safely, preparing ingredients, measuring, cooking and cleaning up.

Cooking also provides opportunities to develop wider skills, including:

• Making healthy food choices
• Planning meals
• Shopping and budgeting
• Food hygiene and safety
• Following instructions
• Using kitchen equipment safely
• Measuring and weighing
• Working independently
• Working with others
• Problem-solving and adapting when things do not go to plan

Pupils are given opportunities to develop skills progressively, moving from supported activities towards greater independence where appropriate. The focus is on developing skills that pupils can transfer into their everyday lives at home and beyond school.

Learning Through Real-Life Experiences

My independence is not limited to the classroom. Pupils have opportunities to practise their skills in real-life and community settings, helping them understand why these skills are important and how they can use them in everyday situations.

Activities may include shopping, preparing food, using money, travelling safely, completing household tasks and taking part in community activities. Wider enrichment opportunities, including volunteering, outdoor learning and community projects, also provide valuable opportunities for pupils to develop confidence, resilience, communication, responsibility and independence.

Celebrating Progress and Achievement

We recognise that developing independence is a journey and that every achievement matters.

Pupils are supported to recognise the skills they have developed and the progress they have made, whether this is completing a task independently for the first time, making a safe choice, preparing a meal, managing money or taking greater responsibility for themselves.

We celebrate individual progress and encourage pupils to recognise what they can do, what they are learning and what they can work towards next.

Towards Independence

Through Living Skills and Cooking Skills, pupils develop practical skills that support them now and prepare them for their future. Our aim is for every pupil to leave Sutton with greater confidence, a stronger sense of self, and the practical skills they need to participate as independently as possible in everyday life.