Curriculum Content
Our Offer
English, maths and PSHCE underpin the curriculum throughout the school. Churchward School strongly believes that PSHCE in conjunction with strong basic skills in English and maths are the key elements to our students’ success, not only within school but also in their future choices. These subjects are taught discretely as well as reinforced and applied throughout the curriculum where appropriate. Our strong team of passionate subject specialists and the integrity and dedication of the whole team underpins the success of personalised student-centred provision at Churchward School, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
The Thrive Approach, which as outlined in Section 1, is a key part of our curriculum model. It is a dynamic, developmental and trauma-sensitive approach to meeting the emotional and social needs of children and young people. Trained Thrive practitioners create action plans to work with all students at whatever stage they are at; strategies and interventions are woven into areas of the curriculum as well as providing discrete lessons for each class group. Supporting students to develop their social communication and interaction skills, emotional regulation and flexibility of thought are golden threads which are embedded throughout the curriculum at Churchward School, as these areas reflect the primary needs of our students. These social and emotional needs are our focus, alongside academic progress, as we know, safe secure and happy children learn. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development and British Values are also embedded into the curriculum and other teaching and learning opportunities across the school, for example, assemblies, lunchtimes, reward time and community outings. In addition, both citizenship and online safety are taught specifically through PSHCE.
Students are supported to access relevant and appropriate careers advice through a range of different agencies and professionals. It is a key feature of Churchward School’s PSHCE curriculum – ‘careers education/living in the wider world’ and provides a differentiated offer each year right from Year 7 to Year 14, alongside the Talentino careers programme Churchward School - Careers Education.
Churchward School benefits from a high level of adult support which facilitates the delivery of our bespoke learning packages, ability to meet students’ individual needs and ensure appropriate levels of support and challenge throughout the curriculum, under the skilful guidance of our subject teachers.
Please follow the link to view the Curriculum Options Booklet Key Stage 4
To find out more about the Curriculum, please contact your child's tutor or the school office.
Interventions
A core part of the specialist curriculum at Churchward School is our interventions programme which we aim to run as a seamless part of our curriculum offer to target students at their point of learning need and support them making maximum progress, by providing them with specialist support with their social, emotional and academic needs. Student target setting and progress reviews inform these interventions to ensure maximum progress for every student.
External providers and support
Our curriculum is enhanced through the use of external providers, as appropriate, such as weekly visits to horse riding, sailing, swimming and peripatetic music lessons. In addition, other approved alternative providers such as local colleges or other providers are used to offer other vocational and academic courses, for example, animal care, music and photography. Extended work experience placements with external employers are also a key part of our curriculum to support students’ specific interests – a broad range of placements are sought and offered in areas such as animal care, leisure and tourism and sports online learning courses.
Accreditation
Please refer to our Churchward School ‘Qualifications Offer’. Qualifications at a variety of levels are offered, for example, Entry Level, Functional Skills and GCSE qualifications, as well as subject specific qualifications such as the Arts Award and Sports Leader Award. Students may also be given the opportunity to gain other recognised qualifications which can be linked to work experience placements or alternative provisions in conjunction with their interests and aspirations, for example, food hygiene, animal care or horticulture. Churchward School is committed to validating the skills, knowledge and learning of all our young people and providing each of them with relevant and meaningful qualifications that reflect their aspirations and curiosity in the world around them.
