Bespoke Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to engage learners who have struggled to engage in a mainstream context. Through a varied, differentiated and individualised curriculum we aim to teach learners how to grow into positive, responsible young people who can not only achieve, but will also make a positive contribution towards their local community. Giving individualised attention to each young person allows the staff team to support learners, enabling them to maximises their life choices. The school aims to foster confidence and a love of learning through a combination of firm boundaries, accessibility and inclusion.
The curriculum provides a rich and broad education that is coherently planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills are built on. Our curriculum has been developed and built “in-house” to ensure that it is tailored to the needs of our learners. It has been designed to be colourful, visual and experiential, enabling skills to be learned and practised in a fun and practical way.
Our assessment model “Stepping Stones” is bespoke to the school and enables a personalised approach to supporting development and progression in our learners.
Through this varied and differentiated curriculum we aim to improve learner motivation, self-confidence, attendance and engagement, whilst equipping them with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.
Our curriculum gives learners experiences in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, aesthetic and creative education, and develops young people’s independent learning skills and resilience.
Our curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure that it is broad, and balanced, and is the best offer for the cohort of learners at the school.
At Coombswood School, we teach learners in small mixed-age classes which are divided into Key Stage 3 (years 7 to 9) and Key Stage 4 (years 10 to11). Groups are formed through careful consideration of the personalised needs of each young person, their attainment and progress, and group dynamics.
The core subjects of mathematics, English and computing are supplemented by a range of vocational and other academic subjects, to enable the delivery of a broad, rich curriculum which also supports learners’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Vocational Pathways and Work Experience
At Key Stage 3 and 4 learners undertake vocational activities where appropriate to needs and future aspirations. These courses are suitable for a wide range of learners of all abilities. The skills, knowledge and understanding gained during these courses help learners prepare for work through real or simulated work situations.
These qualifications aim to give learners a solid base to further develop their skills and learning, and units offered at our school include:
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Cookery (BTEC Level 1 and 2)
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Hair and Beauty (BTEC Level 1 and 2)
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Multi-skills construction (BTEC Level 1 and 2)
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Employability
Our aspirational ‘Careers & Life Skills’ programme ensures our learners have experiences that set them up for independence and help them to realise their talents. This programme is under constant review to ensure it provides our learners with the very best chances for lifelong success. We look forward to shortly be offering additional work experience and independence training opportunities for all Year 11 learners. This will involve interviewing for and attending a placement with an external organisation working within the sector that each learner is specifically interested in.
Community and Charity
The school fosters an ethos of charitable work, taking part in fundraising and awareness events, including Comic Relief, Jeans for Genes Day, Mental Health Awareness and Cancer Research UK.
