CURRICULUM

Curriculum Intent

Our curriculum is designed to meet our principal aim, which is to enable every student to reengage and achieve in learning at a suitable level to their ability and their start point at the school.

Our intention is:

  • To have a broad, balanced and holistic curriculum which provides a range of academic and vocational pathways (with recognised qualifications) to further education, training and employment whilst also providing therapeutic and pastoral support to enable them to develop as an individual.
  • To have a curriculum which is flexible enough to respond to the need for change and provide individualised programmes where required.
  • To help students acquire knowledge, skills and practical abilities, including those of problem solving and decision making whilst developing resilience to overcome hurdles, cope with setbacks and learn from their mistakes.
  • To help students understand the world in which they live.
  • To foster the skills and understanding needed for the students to take their place successfully in modern British society.
  • To understand and respect social, moral, spiritual and cultural themes.

Implementation

KS2 Curriculum Overview

Our Key stage 2 curriculum is topic based. Student’s learning in each area of the curriculum is organised into ‘topics’. Each half term, there is a cross curricular class theme and many of curricular subjects are linked to this ‘topic’.

Where appropriate and relevant the timetable can be suspended for a half day, full day or exceptionally a week to allow for focused work on a specific topic or area – for example ‘Space Week’ where we linked the curriculum work in all subjects to British Astronaut Tim Peake’s historic mission to the International Space Station.

1:1 Support

Where required, students are able to receive 1:1 tuition/support for specific curriculum subjects. They may also be withdrawn from certain lessons for 1:1 therapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy as their individual needs dictate.

Lesson weighting

5 x Literacy
5 x Numeracy
2 x Science (Double Lesson)
2 x Topic work (Humanities)
2 x Outdoor Education (Double lesson)
2 x PE (Double lesson)
2 x Computing (Double lesson)
2 x MFL
2 x Farm Studies (Double lesson)
2 x Art & Design (Double lesson)
1 x ILP
1 x PSHE
1 x Music
2 x Food Tech (Double lesson on alternate weeks)
1 x Circle Time (First lesson Monday)
1 x Tutor/Golden Time (Last lesson Friday)

KS3 Curriculum Overview

Our Key stage 3 curriculum allows all students study the full national curriculum. We offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses and ensure that courses are varied and suited to the talents and aspirations of all our students.

Where appropriate and relevant the timetable can be suspended for a half day, full day or exceptionally a week to allow for focused work on a specific topic or area – for example ‘Space Week’ where we linked the curriculum work in all subjects to British Astronaut Tim Peake’s historic mission to the International Space Station.

1:1 Support

Where required, students are able to receive 1:1 tuition/support for specific curriculum subjects. They may also be withdrawn from certain lessons for 1:1 therapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy as their individual needs dictate.

Lesson weighting (Standard Timetable)

4 x English
4 x Maths
3 x Science (1 x Double Lesson, 1 x single)
1 x History
1 x Geography
1 x RE
1 x PSHE
1 x Careers
2 x Outdoor Education (Double lesson – alternate weeks)
2 x PE (Double lesson)
2 x Computing
1 x MFL
2 x Farm Studies (Double lesson – alternate weeks)
2 x Art & Design (Double lesson)
2 x Design & Technology
1 x Music
2 x Food Tech (Double lesson)

KS4 Curriculum Overview

Our Key stage 4 curriculum allows all students study the full national curriculum. We offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses and ensure that courses are varied and suited to the talents and aspirations of all our students.

We have the flexibility to be bespoke with the the subjects/courses studied by individual students will depend upon their prior experience/knowledge, level of ability and career/educational aspirations.

1:1 Support

Where required, students are able to receive 1:1 tuition/support for specific curriculum subjects. They may also be withdrawn from certain lessons for 1:1 therapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy as their individual needs dictate.

Examination Courses Available

English – GCSE, Functional Skills, Entry Level
Maths – GCSE, Functional Skills, Entry Level
Further Maths – GCSE
Science – GCSE (Combined, Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
ICT – GCSE, Cambridge Nationals, Functional Skills, Entry Level
Computing – GCSE
Geography – GCSE
History – GCSE
RE – GCSE
Art & Design – GCSE
Catering – GCSE
PE – GCSE
Animal Care – BTEC
Horticulture – BTEC
Spanish – GCSE

Enrichment Activities

Music
Food Technology
PE
Outdoor Education

Bespoke Requirements

New Forest School prides itself on having the flexibility to offer bespoke timetables where required to suit the needs of the students. These can be on a short term or longer term basis.

New Forest School will also endeavour to provide courses not listed where a particular need arises – for example one of our students undertook a Russian GCSE where prior experience and ability highlighted a need.

Careers Advice

All Key Stage 4 students receive individualised support and careers advice to aid their progression into further education or career/training pathways.