Rotara School follows the Department of Education’s DIFFERENTIATED CAPS CURRICULUM for learners with severe intellectual disability. Upon enrolment, an Individualised Support plan is developed for each learner that identifies challenges that the learner experiences and what support services will be rendered by the multi-disciplinary team which includes, School Based Support Team, Professional Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists and Social Workers.
The DCAPS curriculum is learner focussed and accommodates the needs of all learners in Special Needs Education. We follow the Grade R to Grade 5 DCAPS curriculum, focussing on Language, Mathematics and Life Skills. Planning is done according to the prescribed topics and is continuously adapted according to the ability of the learners. Learners are placed in classes based on their age and ability. Due to the high intensity needs of our learners, we do not take more than 15 learners per class. This ensures that our learners receive individualised attention. Straddling between grades can be done in a class to accommodate the different abilities of the learners. Activities and worksheets reflect different levels of assistance needed. The learning programme is divided into 20% theory and 80% practical work. We try to find the strengths of each learner and focus on building their self-esteem through positive reinforcement.
The school is divided into three phases each being managed by a Departmental Head. We focus on the holistic development of learners, and we incorporate Sports, Physical Education, Performing Arts and Creative Arts as part of our curriculum. Our Grade 4 and Grade 5 learners also choose Elective/Skills subjects like Consumer studies (Food Production), Consumer Studies (Needlework), Maintenance, Woodwork and Timber, Gardening, Carwash and Arts and Crafts.
Production is part of our learning programme. Learners create the most beautiful handmade products based on current trends in the market. These unique items are sold at our various fundraising events like: our Mother’s Day Market, Father’s Day Market and annual Christmas Market. These fundraisers afford the school the opportunity to showcase the learner’s talents, market the school and raise funds.
