- Continuous Provision.
- Adult focused activities.
- Becoming independent, collaborative, inquisitive learners.
- Collaboration.
- Inspiring projects.
- Resilience building.
- Enterprising.
- Developing an academic portfolio.
- Gaining vocational skills.
- Enterprising.
- Employability.
- Academic.
- Vocational.
- Employability.
- Enterprising.
THE CURRICULUM CHALLENGE – our intent
A great curriculum responds to the needs of individuals and enables them to flourish academically, spiritually, morally and culturally. The curriculum must excite and challenge pupils whilst also provide them with the skills necessary for success in later life. At Abbey our pupils are immersed in their learning from the start of their journey with us through a thematic approach that addresses the whole needs of the individual.
THE ACTION- the implementation
The Abbey Curriculum is carefully designed to address the needs of every pupil. We believe that we have created a curriculum that puts wellbeing, academic achievement and Enterprise and employability at its heart. See our 3 tier mapping tool. Our curriculum encompasses the preparing for adulthood outcomes that include opportunities for; Employment, Independent Living, Community Inclusion and Health.
Our curriculum has immersion at its heart and the Cornerstones Curriculum planning model is at its heart. This allows pupils to experience a new exciting and engaging topic every half term in exciting and vibrant themed classrooms. We believe children learn better when they are encouraged to use their imagination and apply their learning to engaging contexts. Our curriculum provide lots of learning challenges throughout the academic year that will require children to solve problems, apply themselves creatively and express their knowledge and understanding effectively.
This is delivered through 4 stages that Engage, Develop, Innovate and Express. These phases allow for excitement of subjects, Development of skills, innovative ideas and expression of learning to be fostered.
THE IMPACT – the outcome
As a result of the approach we have embedded we have seen rapid, sustained improvement for our pupil outcomes.
The schools recent Ofsted Inspection (May2016) commended the school’s curriculum stating that
“an immersive curriculum has transformed the school’s environment as well as pupils’ enthusiasm for learning. Teachers create vibrant, exciting classroom settings linked to a new topic each half term.”
For further detailed information about what your child is being taught check out below the curriculum overview or the relevant curriculum for each age range. You can also refer to your child’s class page.
How do we meet the 16-19 years study programme requirements?
During students time in WAVEE we provide them with a structured and challenging personalised learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their career plans. Typically students would follow qualification pathways in learning which both have the following content;
i) substantial academic, applied or vocational qualifications that stretch students and prepare them for education at the next level or to employment
ii) English and maths where students have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4 (reformed grading) or grade C (legacy grading)
iii) work experience to give young people the opportunity to develop their career choices and to apply their skills in real working conditions
iv) other non-qualification activity to develop students’ character, skills, attitudes and confidence, and to support progression
For more specific information please see below in curriculum overview, curriculum 16 years + or the Abbey Post-16 WAVEE page.
Supplementary Reading
Our Curriculum 2019-20 overview
Enterprise Curriculum at Abbey School 2018-19
How do we meet your child’s EHCP targets and prepare them for adulthood child A example
Parents guide to preparing for adulthood
With our enterprise curriculum we deliver many of our work related learning lessons and core life skills. We are proud to have an enterprise partnership with Leigh Garbutt – Fortem formerly Willmott Dixon, who supports our enterprise curriculum.
If you require any further information regarding our school curriculum please get in touch via email; abbeyschool@nexusmat.org or via our Contact Form.