Curriculum

Belgrave School is a SEN school which encourages each learner to develop empathy throughout our community, and to flourish through individual challenge and personal integrity.

Belgrave School fosters a culture where we aim for mastery rather than performance, and depth over breadth, whilst normalising mistakes and creating optimal challenge. The core subjects of Mathematics, English, Science and Geography are supplemented by subjects which support a cross-curriculum approach to learning and enables the delivery of a broad, rich curriculum which also supports learners’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development.

Belgrave School’s aim of providing a flourishing, empathetic and challenging community is delivered through PSHE which together with designated and time appropriate tutor time, encourages respect for others and values the contribution that each member of the school community makes.  This creates an environment which is supportive and enables each leaner to fulfil their potential.

Belgrave School aims to provide an environment which encourages and challenges our learners. The curriculum plans and schemes of work are designed to consider the ages and needs of all learners.

The curriculum design and structure provide learners with opportunities to develop and empathise with others, offers clear progression, and cultivates a challenging learning environment focused on the specific needs of all learners.  Alongside this, Belgrave School believes that an education brings with it responsibility to prepare all learners for life outside of our school, British society and beyond.

Our school is an inclusive school, and our teaching is fully inclusive. We aim to make every learner feel included in all our activities and we recognise the entitlement of all learners to a balanced, broadly-based curriculum with multi-sensory opportunities for learning. We have systems in place for the identification of barriers to an individual’s learning and participation so that they can engage in school activities with all other learners. The curriculum acknowledges the need for high expectations alongside suitable targets set for all learners.

Pastoral care is the foundation of all teaching and learning at Belgrave School.  This approach ensures all learners feel safe, supported, and confident to engage with the learning whilst challenging themselves in achieving their full potential.  The aim of this approach is to prepare learners for further education, apprenticeships, and employment.

Our curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure that it is broad, balanced and is the best offer for the cohort of learners at the school.

KS2 Primary Curriculum

Our primary curriculum covers all requirements of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum but is adapted and revised according to educational thinking, and specialist practice.  At the core of its design is the opportunity for learners to explore topics through creative education.  Teaching delivers a skill led focus which allows for a dynamic and flexible learning environment.

The cross-curriculum approach offers opportunities for learners to explore links between subjects through the application of a thematic structure. This focus encourages learners to identify links between subject areas and prepares them for KS3.

Learners are supported by skilled practitioners including teachers, specialist teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and art therapists.  Learners experience school trips to an allotment, local National Trust grounds and museums.

PE takes place off-site and is delivered as an experienced based curriculum, it is tailored to individual learners and cohort, structured to inspire and encourage movement  and offer a range of activities where collaboration is encouraged and celebrated.

Wider Range of Curriculum Areas	Specialist Curriculum Areas
Mathematics	PE (off-site)
English (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Phonics)	Design and Technology
Science	Interventions (one to one support)
STEM (Scratch Coding)	Exploring Textiles
Music	Cooking
Art
Theme (History and Geography)
Computing (cross curriculum)
PSHE and RE
Drama

KS3 Curriculum

Years 7-9

Learners follow a core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Geography, Art, Drama, Music, Food and Nutrition, PE and PSHE.  This offering is reviewed annually by the Principal, Assistant Principal, SENCO and Curriculum Lead to ensure learners continue to have the very best opportunities.

Learners attend cinema trips, outdoor educational experiences, science workshops (at school and off site) and performance related activities (assemblies and end of year celebrations).  Belgrave School provides the opportunity for an annual residential trip and community outreach projects.

Specialist Teaching Support

Learners have access to specialist teaching support and one to one intervention sessions with a focus on mathematics, literacy, and examination subject tutoring.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Strategies:  questioning, explaining, instructing, observing, assessing, diagnosing, recording, listening, exploring, giving feedback, marking work, sequencing, research work and learner voice.  We also offer enrichment experiences through educational visits, field work, workshops, and other relevant activities.

KS4 Curriculum

Years 10-11

Learners study a core curriculum of English Language and English Literature, together with Mathematics.  Functional Skills English Level 1 and Level 2 is offered to those learners who may prefer to omit English Literature from the GCSE portfolio, this is specific to the individual learner and would involve a reduced curriculum.  Additional GCSE Subjects: Art, Biology and Geography.  Mathematics, English and Science are allocated four periods per week, Geography is allocated two periods per week, Art is allocated two periods per week.  A BTEC underwritten by Square Foods is offered to all learners.

In addition, learners have weekly off-site PE which includes a variety of activities specific to the cohort.  PE is structured to inspire and challenge learners and can include leadership, mentorship and competition.  The PSHE and Drama /Communication programme enriches the remainder of the curriculum time.

The GCSE offering is reviewed annually to ensure it develops and meets the needs of the learners and the school.

Careers

Our Year 11 learners also work NewMango, an external company who provide careers guidance and progression coaching.

NewMango is a collaboration of highly skilled and professionally qualified practitioners in Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance.

Their ethos is to support all individuals to move forward successfully into education, employment or training.

NewMango aims to raise the aspirations and motivation of individuals as well as develop their personal effectiveness, resilience and employability skills by providing high quality independent and impartial careers guidance and progression coaching.

They specialise in working with vulnerable young people to remove barriers to achieving their career aims and life goals.

Further information can be found at https://www.newmango.co.uk/

Please see our Careers page for further information on how we support learners with Careers Information Advice and Guidance.

 SEND

Belgrave School is an inclusive school.  We aim to make all learners feel included in our activities, and our curriculum is fully inclusive.  We recognise the entitlement of all leaners to a balanced, broad-based, and bespoke curriculum.  We have systems in place for early identification of barriers to learners’ learning and participation so that we can consider reasonable adjustments.  We acknowledge the need for high expectations and suitable targets for all learners.