New Horizons: ASDAN’s refreshed activity-based programme for learners with SEND

ASDAN’s popular New Horizons programme for learners aged 9 to 13 (Key Stage 2–3) with SEND is relaunching this autumn.

Rooted in an activity-based curriculum, the redeveloped programme strengthens our commitment to inclusive education and supports the delivery of PSHE, citizenship, and careers education for learners with SEND. The updated version of New Horizons will be available to buy from 1 September 2025.

Enhanced flexibility and improved accessibility

This refreshed iteration of our popular programme includes significant updates designed to enhance flexibility, improve accessibility, and increase learner engagement. Here's a snapshot of the key changes informed by feedback from users of the original New Horizons:

Aligned to best practice
Updated with reference to the PSHE Association’s Planning Framework for Pupils with SEND, ensuring content reflects current guidance and educational standards.

Expanded curriculum structure
New Horizons has grown from five to eight modules, giving practitioners greater flexibility to tailor the curriculum to their learners' needs.

More focused learning pathways
The original fifth module, Relationships, Changes and Feelings, has now been split into Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 versions, supporting more age-appropriate delivery.

Greater accessibility and interactivity
Content and design improvements support student-led learning and provide more accessible pathways for engagement.

Clearer documentation and resources
We've enhanced the signposting of mandatory and optional paperwork, making it easier for practitioners to navigate and implement. Documents now support practitioners better in creating high-quality learner portfolios.

New and improved optional resources, including:

Person-centred planning tools
Formative and summative reflection worksheets
Tutor feedback sheets

Digital enhancements

Selected documents are now interactive, including:

Evidence templates (for example witness statements, photographic evidence, observation records)
Learner worksheets such as My Chosen Activity (previously My Challenge) and Module Reflection (formerly Personal Skills)
Tutor guidance documents

Aligning to national guidance and legislation

Refreshing New Horizons was timely to align it with updates in national guidance and legislation. We also monitored feedback from our members, including a growing demand for more accessible, learner-led content.

This redevelopment ensures that New Horizons continues to meet the evolving needs of learners and educators, offering a modern and inclusive programme aligned with current best practices.

Developed with educators, for educators

Crucially, New Horizons’ updates were shaped through a collaborative process with ASDAN members. Feedback was gathered through surveys, focus groups exploring draft student books and resources. Practitioner’s insights were instrumental in the construction of the final materials.

This partnership ensured the refreshed New Horizons reflects real classroom experiences and meets the practical needs of settings delivering the course.

Greater confidence in an already well-regarded programme

“We hope that delivery of the New Horizons programme will be more supported and give more confidence to practitioners to engage learners in this trusted and established SEND programme,” says Angharad Crane, ASDAN’s Development Manager. “The materials have been developed with accessibility and student-led learning at their core.”

By using the redeveloped New Horizons programme, schools and settings can expect:

increased learner engagement and ownership of their progress
a curriculum that supports both academic and personal development
resources that simplify planning and enhance delivery

Angharad adds, “If you're already delivering New Horizons or are exploring curriculum options for SEND learners at Key Stage 2 and 3, this refreshed programme offers a more flexible, inclusive, and interactive experience than ever.”

Progression to New Horizons

For learners working up to New Horizons, ASDAN’s Lifeskills Challenge activities are aimed at learners working at the equivalent pre-Entry Level to Level 2, providing an inclusive foundation for learners to participate and thrive in a personalised education journey.

Lifeskills Challenge is ASDAN’s popular online bank of practical activities designed to nurture self-awareness and introduce core skills. These activity challenges are a flexible way to recognise and reward small steps of achievement, and educators can write their own challenge for ASDAN to accredit.

Stay tuned for updates on Transition Challenge, the next of our Preparing for Adulthood suite to be updated, later this year.