Our Curriculum

The curriculum

Recent educational research suggests that a mode of working with disaffected students which promotes self-efficacy is most likely to achieve engagement in the curriculum, and achievement at an appropriate level. The SSC curriculum is designed to provide opportunities for students to exercise positive choices regarding their academic programme and to develop a sense of personal responsibility towards learning. We recognise that students learn in different ways and at different speeds and as such teaching sessions are organised in such a way as to enable a high level of choice for students.

 Progress against targets is monitored carefully and targets are designed to challenge and to provide opportunity for regular and on-going achievement. Furthermore, students are taught in small groups with a high staff to student ratio in order to ensure that both academic and pastoral support is of consistently high quality.

The curriculum aims to:

• Provide diversity and challenge
• Enable access to nationally recognised accreditations
• Recognise and acknowledge all achievements
• Foster a positive and confident approach towards learning
• Encourage students to accept personal responsibility and to work co-operatively with others
• Enable students to make informed and positive choices about their next steps in education.

Individual programmes will aim to reintroduce students back into mainstream provision where possible and provide the necessary information and support to move to alternative placements where this is not. Programmes aim to provide flexible accreditation which can be transferred between organisations.

The SSC School Day

The school day is split into 3 sessions.

In session 1 students receive key skills lessons in Maths, English, and ICT. Where possible, courses will be accredited. Delivery of core skills is accessible at a range of levels and where possible will be taught in modules to allow for movement of students between organisations.

In session 2 the SSC programme covers other aspects of the curriculum including PHSC, careers and citizenship. Work in these sessions is heavily focused on building positive behaviours. Topics include:

• Anger management
• Building positive relationships
• Building positive learning behaviours
• Developing appropriate out of school behaviours/ positive life choices
• Managing change
• Developing resilience
• Improving and understanding self-esteem
• Life skills

Aspects of this course are accredited at KS4 by ASDAN and Duke of Edinburgh Award.

In session 3 Students will enhance their curriculum by choosing from a range of elective subjects. These change every 12 weeks and will also be accredited where possible. These currently include:

• Environmental studies
• Volunteering group
• Sport
• Climbing
• Art
• Mechanics
• Independent living