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Curriculum

Pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 are taught in small classes and generally within their own year groups. In Key Stage 3 the curriculum includes English, maths, science, computing, PE, art & design, design & technology, PSHE, RE, history, geography, drama, music and cooking. KS3 pupils have a weekly afternoon of enrichment activities.

In Key Stage 4, students can follow a range of appropriate courses:

  • Entry Level Certificates in maths, BTEC PE and BTEC construction.
  • Entry Level Functional Skills in English, maths and ICT.
  • Level 1 BTEC courses in PE and construction.
  • Level 1 and Level 2 courses in Functional Skills English, maths and ICT.
  • GCSE art (and, depending on cohort and ability, double science)
  • ASDAN courses, which explicitly grow skills for learning, skills for employment and skills for life. These include the Personal Progress course (Entry Level 1), the Personal Development Program (PDP) and Short Courses in science, PSHE, expressive arts, history and FoodWise.
  • AQA Unit Award Scheme to accredit the additional achievements of our pupils, including the cycle maintenance qualification.

All pupils begin Year 11 with a week of personal challenges, either through an Outward Bound residential course or through a week of activities planned to extend students a little more out of their comfort zones.

Year 11 pupils attend one day a week at Richmond-Upon-Thames College, preparing them for life beyond school. This is either on a supported learning course at Entry Level or a Level 1 course in a practical subject such as catering. All Year 10 pupils participate in a one-week block of work experience, with a further two week block in Year 11.

For more detailed curriculum plans, and an overview of the curriculum for each year group, please see the tabs on the left.

Leaders and teachers are extremely careful in the design and implementation of the stimulating curriculum, carefully matched to pupils’ different needs. Teachers consider what pupils can already do and include the use of therapeutic support to help pupils access their learning to further improve outcomes

The curriculum sets in place timely and robust systems to support pupils in developing life skills. These systems show real strength in preparing pupils for life outside school and independent living. The curriculum is rich, with useful and meaningful experiences, both in school and out."

Ofsted 2019 Report