ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network)

ASDAN is a UK based curriculum, designed to cater for secondary school students, with diverse needs. It is an alternate senior school curriculum, which is being embraced and delivered in many schools throughout Australia. This curriculum provides relevant and motivating modules, with achievable and most importantly, meaningful learning outcomes. The goal is to increase independence, develop and strengthen skills and to empower students for post school life and opportunities.

At Belmore we are introducing ASDAN Towards Independence Modules which provide a framework of tasks that focus on personal, social and independence skills. These skills will be developed through engaging and enriching programs ensuring literacy and communication skills are continually being addressed and extended. Each student will have the opportunity to work towards achieving strength-based goals and be recognised with formal accreditation for small steps of achievement towards larger and long-term goals.

The Starting Out module is mandatory and all students participating in ASDAN will be enrolled in this module. It enables students to plan their learning profile, similar to a career action plan, where they identify their interests, strengths, areas for improvement and plan targets or goals to meet these challenges.

The modules selected this year for SLC 7 students are:

• Starting Out
• Developing Communication Skills: Sensory
• Myself and Others
• Mobility
• Work Awareness
• Making Pictures

Alongside these modules, students will be provided with opportunities to engage in projects including school leadership, journal reflections, personal care and social skills, integrated studies, performing arts and ICT.

Each student's Team Around the Learner will also have an integral role in the implementation of these modules. 

Sofia Yannacopoulos

Leading Teacher and SLC 7 Classroom Teacher