Key Stage 4
Learners are taught in year-specific, mixed ability groups of up to 8 and teaching staff are reflective and plan accordingly for learners’ individual needs. Most lesson are 55 minutes long.
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is designed to give every learner access to a range of recognised and externally accredited qualifications that include both academic and vocational subjects. Emotional literacy is developed through PSHE and Thrive lessons, individual interventions as well as being interwoven into other subject lessons as appropriate.
We expect every learner to achieve a qualification in English and maths as a minimum, whether this is at entry level or GCSE. Our curriculum also includes opportunities to study art and/or photography; drama; health & social care; history; PE; psychology and science as well as other accredited course identified as relevant to our learners. The programmes of study include GCSEs, iGCSEs, Entry level, Level 1 and Level 2 (various) vocational qualifications, Open Awards and BTECs.
We incorporate work-related learning (WRL) and where appropriate vocational placements into our weekly timetable so that our learners have real-life work place learning experience to support their progress to further education, employment and training.
Learners have access to appropriate E-safety sessions designed to meet the needs of our learners with topics being flexible to meet any issues or concerns which may arise during the time a learner is with us. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is provided at levels appropriate to the age and maturity of the learner through PSHE lessons.
Y10 only - Wednesday, or Well-being Wednesday is an integral part of our personal development curriculum when the focus shifts to the complementary, therapeutic work we do that is designed to address the prime SEMH needs of those referred to us. Our learners select from a wide range of topics that enhance and enrich their development as well as "broadening their horizons" and boosting their wellbeing. Learners are encouraged and supported to try new activities such as crafting, rambling and singing - activities which add cultural capital through learners' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development. These elctive activities give them a chance to develop new skills or interests which have the potential to develop into life-long hobbies and support their positive mental health. More information about however this aspect of our curriculum helps wellbeing can be found by clicking the following link 5 Steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing | Anna Freud
Y11 only - If a learner joins us late in year 11 and they have been studying something not usually available within our curriculum offer (e.g. a modern foreign language GCSE), we will try hard to provide a continuation of that subject whenever possible. We are not able to do this for hard technology subjects e.g engineering.
