Curriculum and Learning
At Encompass, we deliver the New Zealand National Curriculum in a way that is intentionally designed for autistic and neurodivergent ākonga.
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What we teach
We believe that academic success is inextricably linked to emotional safety and sensory regulation. We design learning experiences that are flexible and student-led, so students can access the curriculum through their passions and strengths. This includes the delivery of NCEA, while remaining responsive to new national qualification requirements as they are phased in.
How We Teach: Our Core Pillars
We operate through the lens of “Regulation Before Education,” ensuring that every interaction is trauma-informed and neuro-affirming. We know that for students to engage with learning, they must first feel safe and in control. At Encompass, we do not ask students to change who they are to fit a system.
Here are the six core pillars that guide our daily practice:
Individualised Learning (ILP)
Every young person is on their own unique timeline. Together with each ākonga and their whānau, we co-create an Individualised Learning Plan (ILP) that honours their natural pace, deep interests, and readiness to engage and explore.
Student-Led Learning & Curriculum
By turning your child’s natural curiosity and deep passions into the fuel for learning, we make exploring the world, and achieving NZQA qualifications a meaningful, personal journey. We use the New Zealand Curriculum as a map to plot our students’ learning journeys, grounding academic growth in interest-based and project-based contexts.
Small Classes
In our sensory-considerate, mixed-age learning hubs, we can deliver a higher teacher-student ratio and design quiet spaces where children can naturally connect over shared interests and learning needs, away from the pressure of larger crowds.
Safety
Learning cannot happen when a young person is in survival mode. Emotional, sensory, and physical safety is our non-negotiable starting place. A low-pressure, sensory-considerate space where ākonga can truly settle so discovery can naturally begin.
Agency, Autonomy, & Advocacy (Being Yourself)
There is absolutely no need to mask here. We champion every ākonga’s authentic identity, supporting them to build the self-belief, deep self-awareness, and advocacy skills they need to thrive as themselves.
A Partnership with Whānau
You are the expert on your child. At Encompass, whānau are at the heart of everything we do, working hand-in-hand to co-construct a pathway of growth, learning, and mutual support.
A Flexible Approach
If ākonga encounter a significant challenge, we do not see it as a failure. We see it as a signal to change our strategy. In consultation with the student, we figure out what needs to shift. To support regulation and manage energy levels proactively, we schedule a daily timetable from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and empower students to schedule and take their own breaks as needed. Whether this involves adjusting the sensory environment, refining how we communicate, or managing daily energy rhythms, we provide the support, but the student is always the expert on what works best for them.
