Secondary
Secondary Overview: Subjects, Pathways and Accreditation
At KS3 Stream, students follow the KS1-KS3 4-year curriculum cycle curriculum (see Primary overview).
At KS3 River, students follow a 3-year curriculum cycle that includes Maths, English, PSHE/RSE, Futures (including Careers, Life Skills and Food Technology), Our World (including Science, Humanities, RE and Accessible ICT), My Creativity (including Music and Art), PE, and Community.
At KS3 Ocean, students follow a 3-year curriculum cycle that includes Maths, English, PSHE/RSE, Science, Humanities (including RE), Computing, Futures (including Careers, Life Skills and Food Technology), Art and Design, Music, and Community.
At KS4 Stream, students currently follow the same curriculum model as KS3, delivered through a four-year cycle that provides consistency, repetition and the opportunity to consolidate key skills. The curriculum continues to be structured around the same seven areas of learning, although the focus becomes increasingly functional, particularly within mathematics, to support the development of practical numeracy skills for everyday life. Within English, there is an increased emphasis on stories and texts that closely link to life skills topics, supporting understanding, communication and the application of learning in meaningful contexts. Students follow the schoolβs life skills curriculum, which remains central to learning and supports the development of independence through practical, meaningful and sensory-informed activities. There is an increased focus on community access in preparation for KS5, with students regularly accessing the local community in smaller groups to practise and generalise their skills in real- world contexts. The curriculum prioritises communication, engagement and independence through structured routines, therapeutic approaches, and life skills experiences. As the curriculum continues to evolve, there is a clear intention to strengthen alignment with KS5 and embed Preparation for Adulthood throughout, ensuring students are well-prepared for the next stage of their education and for adult life.
At KS4 River, students follow a 2-year curriculum cycle that includes Maths, Functional English, PSHE/RSE, Futures (including Careers, Life Skills and Food Technology), Our World (including Science, Humanities and RE), My Creativity (including Music and Art), Functional ICT, PE, and Community.
Accreditation at KS4 River:
Students work towards ASDAN Transforming Aspirations, a flexible, person-centred, portfolio-based accreditation programme focused on Preparation for Adulthood outcomes. It is embedded across the curriculum and supports the development of independence, life skills and personal aspirations, while providing clear evidence of progress towards individual EHCP outcomes.
At KS4 Ocean, students follow a 2-year curriculum cycle that includes Maths, Functional English, PSHE/RSE, Science, Humanities, Functional ICT, PE, Music, Art and Design, Futures (including Careers, Life Skills and Food Technology), and Community. Learning links to Preparation for Adulthood through the Futures curriculum, Functional ICT curriculum, community curriculum, Functional English, and functional maths projects.
Accreditation at KS4 Ocean:
Open Award Functional Skills English β Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 AQA Entry Level Certificate in Maths β Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 AQA GCSE in Mathematics β Foundation
ORC Entry Level Certificate in History β Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3
ORC Entry Level Certificate in Geography β Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 ASDAN Science Short Course β Portfolio-based