Curriculum Offer – Alt Bridge School

Our Whole School Curriculum

Curriculum Vision and Aims

Curriculum Vision

The curriculum at Alt Bridge School has been designed to be ambitious and to ensure that all students access a broad range of skills and knowledge. It has also been designed to prepare students for their next steps and to enable them to lead successful adult lives.

We consider the whole child and personalise learning to suit the needs of all our learners from their individual starting points. We ensure that students can access the curriculum by adopting an individualised approach to enhance our provision. Within our curriculum there is also strong emphasis on reading. Throughout the curriculum we focus on the following:

Curriculum Aims

The curriculum intent for Alt Bridge students is that they access a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum which is adapted where needed, in order to meet the holistic needs of students. We ensure that our students are well prepared for adulthood and are supported to achieve personal success in their chosen pathways. We aim to equip them with the relevant knowledge they need, whilst ensuring they have the skills to apply this knowledge widely and the ability to retain it.

We place importance on the development of personal skills and utilise a wide range of opportunities in order to build cultural capital, thereby enhancing their learning experiences. We place further emphasis on building the communication skills of our students so that they may find and use their voices to steer their course towards their best possible outcomes in adult life.

Our students can expect equal opportunities through our educational provision, high quality teaching and learning, a broad range of subjects and support to develop positive mental health and well-being.

The curriculum prepares students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences which they will encounter in adult life and promotes spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The curriculum is enriched with a range of extra-curricular activities to promote health and well-being, provide challenge, engagement and social interaction.

Curriculum Delivery

Whole School Overview

Organisation

Pathways

Curriculum Difference
We will know that our curriculum has made a difference to students if they:

Have made substantial progress towards achieving their best possible outcomes.

Have taken part in and encountered a range of experiences, gaining knowledge and the skills to use this knowledge effectively.

Have achieved personal success in their chosen areas and interests.

Have developed positive relationships.

Are well prepared for their next steps.

Show a readiness for adulthood.

Are more independent, resilient and able to make positive contributions to society.

Have achieved good mental health and wellbeing.

Have developed a growth mind-set and appreciation of life-long learning.

We will know this by considering and measuring:

The Innovation & Discovery Curriculum

Recommended Reading

Contact: Clare Winstanley

The Innovation & Discovery Curriculum: Aims

Building on students’ knowledge, skills and understanding, strong emphasis is placed on exploration and discovery of new learning. Using creativity and imagination, pupils work to solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science and engineering. Pupils are actively encouraged to take risks; enabling them to become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable young people.

Across the Discovery and Innovation curriculum, our aim is to give students an appreciation of the importance of STEM in everyday life. Students are equipped with the transferable skills needed to support them on their journey to adulthood, and provide a solid foundation upon which to build on as they move towards independence. All students receive a solid grounding in the fundamental skill sets needed to become independent, resilient and reflective young adults.
The Innovation & Discovery Curriculum: Delivery
The Innovation & Discovery Curriculum: Difference

The school has a supportive ethos and our approaches support the students in developing their communication, collaborative and independent skills, as well as empathy and the need to recognise the achievement of others. At Alt Bridge School, we encourage overcoming adversity by ensuring that all students experience challenge and success across the Innovation and Discovery Cluster and work towards developing a growth mind-set. Bespoke, regular and ongoing assessment informs teaching, as well as intervention, to support and enable the success of each child. These factors ensure that we are able to maintain the highest standards, with all students encouraged to work towards achieving their absolute maximum in all areas.

The Thriving Curriculum

Recommended Reading

Contact: John Reynolds

The Thriving Curriculum: Aims

The PSHCE Curriculum offer is planned around the three key National Curriculum requirements of health and wellbeing, the wider world and relationships.

The curriculum`s purpose is to ensure that our students are well prepared for adulthood and can lead safe independent lives where they can make good choices and know how and where to seek support if needed. Pupils have a good understanding of how diet , exercise , sleep , good personal hygiene and personal care can have a positive impact on wellbeing.

Pupils can recognise the dangers of risky lifestyles such as drugs , gambling , gangs , weapons and criminal and sexual exploitation.

Pupils know the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy relationship and the importance of positive relationships including with friends and family and as members of the community.

Pupils have a good understanding of what is means to be a citizen of Britain, aware of the importance of British Values and the importance of free speech and respecting the opinions of others.

Pupils are able to contribute positively to society.
The Thriving Curriculum: Delivery
The Thriving Curriculum: Difference

The Thriving Curriculum prepares pupils to have the skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve personal success into adulthood.

A good understanding of what it means to be a British Citizen including the importance of British Values

An awareness of job, careers and training opportunities and the importance of challenging ourselves.

Knowing how to maintain healthy relationships and being aware of the dangers such as radicalisation and criminal and sexual exploitation.

Having an awareness of the wider world for example through an understanding of staying safe online.

Having a good awareness of how to maintain our physical and mental health through diet, exercise, sleep and personal care as well as changes that take place during puberty.

Knowing how and where to get help and support.

Vocational qualifications & enrichment

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The Language and Literature Curriculum

Recommended Reading

Contact: John Buxton

The Language and Literature Curriculum: Aims
The Language and Literature Curriculum: Delivery
The Language and Literature Curriculum: Difference
The difference our cumulative and ambitious English curriculum will make is:

Ensure attainment and progress: all students access a rich and diverse curriculum. At KS4, all learners in the main school will have access to the Eduqas GCSE Literature curriculum whilst also following either a GCSE Language or Functional English pathway.

Reading: the English curriculum focuses on reading a range of texts which will enhance our learners understanding of the world around them. ‘The school chooses texts with care to ensure that the books pupils study expand their understanding of different cultures.’ – Ofsted, 2023

Destinations: all learners will be equipped to continue their study of English at another destination or at the Alt Bridge Post-16 centre.

English Literature and Language

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Virtual Curriculum

Contact: Gary Reddin

Global Curriculum

Contact: James Cook

The Arts Curriculum

Contact: Lindsey Beddows

Recommended Reading

The Arts Curriculum: Aims

The Arts curriculum at Alt Bridge aims to embed creativity within the school to build young people’s confidence, character and resilience through creativity bringing learning to life through arts and culture. We aim to support the health and wellbeing of pupils through arts and culture to foster and hone pupils’ passions for their art with open minds in order to enjoy engaging with the arts throughout life. Pupils will learn how to apply these processes to their own creative work and progressively develop their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts.

Pupils will acquire more knowledge to enhance their skills. They will have opportunities to work with Arts professionals and organisations who will inspire and engage them in the arts equipping them with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. We aim develop employability skills and encourage them to explore careers and pathways in the arts.

The curriculum is designed to support pupils to enjoy the arts to connect with and take part in the wider arts and develop creativity to enhance engagement were they are willing to participate and respond positively to artistic, musical and cultural opportunities.

Pupils will develop belonging and ownership where they are empowered to learn, engage and celebrate achievement. Our diverse range of projects provide provision for the spiritual and cultural development of pupils.

The Arts curriculum at Alt Bridge aims to give our pupils a creative outlet to explore and express their emotions, affording them ways of coping with life’s challenges. Helping them to reduce stress, build resilience, raise self-esteem and developing social skills.
The Arts Curriculum: Delivery
Subject Map Art

Subject Map Music

Subject Map Performing Arts

Subject Map GCSE Art and Design

Subject Map Arts Award option
The Arts Curriculum: Difference

The structure of our Arts curriculum allows pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of the work of artist, craftspeople, designers, musicians and organisations from a range of times and cultures and the ability to apply this knowledge to their own work. The diverse opportunities will inspire and help pupils to gain knowledge and cultural capital to succeed in life. They will have a better understanding of cultural and creative industries and career choices. They will feel more confident in their abilities to create, challenge and explore, to be part of society, and to make change happen. They will develop 21st Century skills: decision making, fluency of ideas, team- work, flexibility, originality, confidence, resilience and motivation equipping them with essential skills for life and future employment.

The curriculum is broad and balanced giving every pupil the confidence to develop their skills and create a ‘can do’ attitude to learning.

Through a consistent approach across subjects within the cluster pupils will remember more and do more. Effective, inspiring resources will allow collaborative learning that guides, encourages and develops pupils’ critical thinking skills.

Our arts ambassadors will be a key component of pupil voice and they will be empowered to inspire and inform others of any cultural news. Pupils work is showcased around the school which will encourage pupils to develop belonging and ownership, celebrating the talent and quality of art they produce.

Our Arts curriculum will create a culture of citizenship, tolerance and empathy were our pupils will be: ambitious, capable learners; enterprising, creative contributors; healthy, confident individuals; ethical, informed citizens.

We offer a broad balance curriculum were pupils have the opportunity to look at great artists, craft makers, designers, musicians and performers. In year 7 and 8 pupils will work through a series of topics and projects to build on prior knowledge and develop skills. In year 9 all pupils will complete a combined Arts award Explore qualification were they will take part in art activities, experience the arts, work and share their discovery’s. They will build on these skills and at KS4 the options will be tailored to meet their specific needs and abilities were they will have the opportunity to complete a Bronze, Silver or Gold Arts award in Art, or Performing Arts. There is also an opportunity for some to complete a GSCE two year course in Drama and/or Art and Design.

The Physical Development Curriculum

Contact: Jerry Lamb

The Physical Development Curriculum: Aims

The Physical Development Curriculum will promote the profound impact that being physically active, participating and competing in sporting activity can have on pupils’ mental and physical health and well-being. With the additional strands of Forest School and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, these additional areas are very closely linked and allow very strongly for the students to discover the outdoors and create their own learning through developing as part of a team, learning how to communicate with others and work together.

The skills that they will acquire through experiential learning will impact positively on their mental health, and enhance the creative side of their learning. It allows our students to cope with disappointment, being able to communicate in an appropriate manner and adhere to rules and regulations in order to support our students integrate into mainstream society and post school life.

The emphasis is upon providing a supportive learning environment that encourages maximum participation and rewards whilst remaining supportive to our students’ needs and the challenges that they face. Students will also have the opportunity to learn skills which will enable them to link closer to their own communities, and to learn how to be more independent through outdoor learning and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
The Physical Development Curriculum: Delivery
The Physical Development Curriculum: Difference

Our students will:

The Physical Development Curriculum is broad and balanced, and promotes the profound impact that being physically active can have on pupils becoming mentally healthy. On the Physical Education side, students will now have access to a highly differentiated and revised curriculum linked to core skills, games (team and individual), athletics activities, swimming, and health related fitness.

Forest School and Duke of Edinburgh allow very strongly for the students to discover the outdoors and create their own learning through developing as part of a team, learning how to communicate with others and work together. The skills that they will acquire through experiential learning will impact positively on their mental health, and enhance the creative side of their learning. The experiences that students gain from volunteering in the local community to overnight expeditions away from home, positively develop their relationships and equip them for skills required to live a successful and independent life.

For those in Key Stage 4, there will be a wealth of opportunities for students to be entered for a number of accredited awards across all cluster areas and for an external accreditation in Physical Education in Year 11. For those students who have chosen P.E. as an option subject, they will work towards the Sports Leaders Award at Level 1 and 2 and be given the opportunities to be qualified as coaches and officiators in a number of sporting activities. The impact of such could lead to many opportunities in studying further PDC related courses post 16, leadership roles in coaching and above all, healthy physically active young adults with good mental health and well-being.

Across both Key Stages, students will have access to a broad range of extra-curricular activities and inter-school tournaments from all over the Merseyside Area. Alt Bridge has access to the very strong local School Sports Partnerships where SEN schools’ sport is very well represented and our students use these experiences to enhance their self-esteem, confidence and good mental health to allow them to become excellent members of society. These experiences also enable and inspire our students to form excellent relationships with others, and encourage independence, team-work and resilience to prepare them for adulthood and a future healthy lifestyle.

Specialist Classes

Contact: Mrs F Cowperthwaite, Mr L Nunes, Mr T Melling and Mrs K O’Reilly

We have two provisions within school, designed to the meet the specific needs of learners who may otherwise struggle to engage fully with a full secondary model. These students benefit from a base classroom, a designated teacher for all subjects, consistent support staff and a bespoke curriculum. Each provision has a different focus in terms of the curriculum design and additional provision. More can be learned about our Key Stage Three bases through the links below;

Dragon Class

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Pegasus Class

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Helix Class

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Phoenix Class

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Infinity Class

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Brooklyn Class

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Our Whole School Curriculum

Curriculum Vision

Curriculum Aims

The Innovation & Discovery Curriculum

Maths

Science

Design Technogy

The Thriving Curriculum

Careers & Employability

Vocational qualifications & enrichment

PSHE/ Citizenship

Sex & Relationships Education

The Language and Literature Curriculum

English Literature and Language

MFL

Virtual Curriculum

Computing Curriculum

Accessibility

Global Curriculum

History

Geography

RE

The Arts Curriculum

Art

Music

Performing Arts

The Physical Development Curriculum

PE

Forest School

Duke of Edinburgh

Specialist Classes

Dragon Class

Pegasus Class

Helix Class

Phoenix Class

Infinity Class

Brooklyn Class