At Westbourne School, we pride ourselves on offering a broad and balanced curriculum which is uniquely tailored to meet the individual needs of each pupil. By creating a blend of academic and vocational learning opportunities, we will strive to ensure that each pupil achieves success, regardless of what form it may take.
The overall aim our curriculum is to enable all pupils at Westbourne School to thrive by developing self-belief and pride; becoming successful learners, confident individuals, and responsible citizens.
The word ‘curriculum’ should be interpreted to include all learning experiences pupils have in school, but also within all the other activities that we organise in order to support social development, personal growth and therapeutic engagement.
Our curriculum is sequenced to develop skills and knowledge to deepen understanding; but also allows for appropriate input to fill gaps and build solid foundations, which is appropriate for many of our pupils.
Our curriculum is delivered by skilled, empathetic, and knowledgeable staff in a nurturing, trauma-responsive environment; and our aim is always to provide learning opportunities that inspire curiosity, are rewarding and engaging, are ambitious and adaptive to everyone’s learning needs.
Our core pedagogical principals:
- Embed everything we do from the view of Unconditional Positive Regard for our learners (TIP framework)
- Maintain a consistent focus on the overall purposes of the curriculum – we must all have a focus on why we do what we do and not just how.
- Focus on the core skills of Reading, Writing, Developing Vocabulary, Numeracy, and Oracy.
- Maintain a focus on the cognitive science behind what we are offering (for example – dual coding, use of metacognitive strategies to embrace “learn what, learn how”)
- Challenge all learners by encouraging them to recognise the importance of sustained effort in meeting expectations that are high but achievable for them.
- Create authentic contexts for learning that foster curiosity and engagement
- Support social and emotional development and positive relationships, including embedding nurture principles throughout school.
Key Stage 2
Across our Key Stage 2 classes we aim to provide the foundation blocks for learning across the curriculum. A broad and balanced curriculum engaging the pupils in learning styles that motivate and inspire their love of learning. Teaching is carried in a both traditional classroom based lessons and outdoor learning including trips and visits that enhance their learning experience.
Key Stage 3
At Westbourne School we believe it is important to reignite a child’s love of learning and this can only be achieved by offering a wide array of activities which both stretch our pupils acafemically, but also ignite their sense of awe and wonder at the world around them.
Our learning at Key Stage 3 follows two pathways – a formal pathway which follows the national curriclum outcomes; and a semi-formal curriculum which focuses on literacy, numeracy and other key concepts alongside enrichment and therapeutic input. Pupils on the the semi-formal pathway are often taught in nurture groups or in a more ‘primary style’ wioth class having one classroom and one teacher with subject specialists coming to them when appropriate.
Our pupils have often had limited positive experiences of traditional classroom based learning and therefore we aim to provide as many opportunities to learn outside the classroom. All pupils have the opportunity to learn outdoors, and from Year 9 pupils will start working towards their Bronze DofE award.
Key Stage 4
Our curriculum at Key Stage 4 continues to follow the the two pathway approach with pupils either following a more formal traditionally academic approach with 5 or 6 GCSEs supported by a suite of BTEC quailifcations; or following the more vocational route which includes Level 1 BTECs, Functional Skills and AQA Certificate qualifications.
At this stage, pupils really get to tailor their programmes of study and work towards any college or career aspirations, anda variety of different levels and awards will be provided in each vocational subject based on the ability of the individual pupil.
Where possible, we will also support our learners by providing work experience opportunities to gain a ‘real world’ insight into their areas of interest.