In KS3 we have three specialised referral options:

Option 1 – Main provision

This offers students a core curriculum in English, Maths, PE, Art, PSHE, and Personal Development. In addition students follow a personalised pathway of vocational opportunities, including sport, construction, design, and farming.

This provision is ideally suited for students who have struggled to meet the expectations of behaviour in a mainstream school.

Option 2 – Turnaround provision

In addition to the offer detailed above these students also complete aspects of personalised study, which involves subjects outside of the core offer with students completing work provided from their host school (e.g. languages, humanities). The aim of this pathway is to ensure students do not fall behind their peers at school by keeping in touch with the wider curriculum. In addition, regular liaison with school over work to be provided encourages the dialogue with the student that this placement is short term and the student will be returning to school. These students are taught separately to the main provision and are expected to attend in full school uniform.

This provision is ideally suited for those students who are struggling at present, for whatever reason, but whose school believes they have both the academic and personal ability to cope longer term in a mainstream school.

Option 3 – Nurture provision

This offers students the opportunity to work in a quiet, nurturing, and specialist area away from the main building. Whilst working in this environment students have a purpose-built classroom which allows for learning and break out areas within the same space. Whilst the curriculum offer is similar to that above, subject teachers rotate so that students do not need to move around the school setting (other than to access specialist facilities). In addition students in this provision often work in smaller ratios of staff:students and follow personalised support and intervention plans.

This provision is ideally suited to those students who are struggling to cope with the demands of secondary school: those who have missed periods of their education; those awaiting an EHCP assessment; those with identified learning or personal needs; high needs or vulnerable students.

In KS4 all of our referrals come via the Woodlands school (Durham PRU). We currently provide two different options:

Option 1- Monday to Wednesday placements

This caters for students who are identified as GCSE ready. These students follow a core curriculum of GCSE English and Maths with an additional life skills session. In addition students complete BTEC qualifications in their identified vocational offer (Art; Construction; Sport; Public Services).

Package 2 – Thursday to Friday placements

This caters for students who are more hard to reach. In addition to FSK Maths and English students follow an ASDAN residential accredited qualification involving external visits and wider life exposure.