Our vibrant curriculum is the vehicle through which our pupils learn the skills, knowledge and understanding of the subjects outlined in the National Curriculum, matched to their level and ability. Options are given in Key Stage 4.
Subjects -
English (Literacy), Mathematics (Numeracy) and Science, Art, Humanities, ICT, Music (Performing Arts), PE, PSHCE, Life Skills Religious Education and Technology. The early years to key stage 5 curriculum are over two cycles.
Our aim in the first years of our curriculum is to make our learners comfortable and confident in their classes. There is a strong focus on developing communication and social skills so all pupils can engage with the learning environment and wider world.
Early Years
In our Early Years class we develop communication and personal skills through engaging and motivating opportunities for play and exploration. We follow the seven areas of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum –
Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, Physical Development, Literacy, Maths, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. Our experiential play and learning is developed around a weekly key shared text, linked to an over-arching theme for the term.
Our curriculum allows our early learners to revisit and build on prior learning every day across the areas of learning, with a key focus on Communication and Language (including sound awareness and early phonics), Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Development.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1 our learners begin to develop more formal learning skills, alongside continued opportunities to experience the curriculum and develop their learning through play and practical experience. A termly theme allows our learners to explore the National Curriculum subjects (English, Maths, PSHCE, Computing, Humanities, PE, RE, Performing Arts, Art and Design Technology) through a familiar context. The knowledge and skills taught are adapted to our learners’ individual needs, including the formal phonics programme Read, Write, Inc.
KS2 and KS3
In KS2 and 3, English, Mathematics, PSHCE, RE, Food and Science are taught discretely ensuring the core concepts and skills are reinforced and embedded. As well as discretely taught subjects, a thematic curriculum is taught through modified objectives of the National Curriculum. The teaching and learning is delivered through exciting and engaging units of work, which connect and integrate traditional subject areas giving children context in their learning, as opposed to standalone subjects. In Year 6 our pupils begin a two year programme of water confidence and learning to swim.
Under each theme, all major subjects are covered for each year group, connected by the theme. It is an effective and inspiring way to learn, enabling children to link concepts between subjects and understand the world around them. At Key Stage 2/3 a topic based curriculum is followed which enables our pupils to link ideas and skills. They develop a greater understanding of subjects and begin the process of learning how to learn. Pupils up to and including Key Stage 3 follow a robust phonics programme called Read Write Inc. Details can be found on the following link:
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-...
KEY STAGE 4/5
Subjects -
Math, English, Science, PSHCE, PE, Religious Education, Technology, Duke of Edinburgh, Art and Computing
At Key Stage 4 pupils are allocated onto one of three pathways based on their academic and social ability. The accredited courses are selected for their relevance and suitability for our pupils. Positive outcomes are vital for our pupils’ growth and success. They are able to select two options in this Key Stage continuing their journey towards independence. At Key Stage 5 we consolidate all previous learning and provide an exciting curriculum designed to equip our pupils with pertinent life skills. They have opportunities to develop work based learning. We offer an abundance of short courses specifically aimed at directing our pupils towards relevant college or employment prospects. The Key Stage 5 common room allows softer skills to be nurtured and developed. All Key Stages are taught in cycles as year groups are mixed together.
Key Stage 5 pupils may leave at any point within the three years and still gain accreditation (unit awards/full accreditation) for the work they have completed. This flexible approach allows our pupils to move on when they feel the confidence to do so.