SCHOOL DAY
We want our young people to have an education that’s as close as possible to the one they would get in a mainstream school.
We therefore teach the full national curriculum through qualified, specialist teachers.
There are 10 class groups with a maximum of eight pupils in each class.
The school is divided into Lower school and Upper school and each lesson in the timetable is an hour long. Classes are ‘set’ wherever possible and work is differentiated to give every pupil equal opportunity.
There are 23 lesson per week, with each school day starting with a tutor period that includes a booster session. The booster sessions focus on literacy (including reading) and numeracy skills, and British values. All sessions are facilitated by teachers, teaching assistants and RSCW's so pupils get maximum support and guidance.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS
Good behaviour in classes is recognised through the school points system.
These points are added up weekly and the young person earns what they accumulate. There are further incentives for savers and those individuals who achieve a full week with no point's loss. Any extra support that may be needed in class is taken on initially by teaching assistants. There may be further support needed for individuals and this will come from the duty team of RSCWs. This support may be in the form of individual 1:1 sessions, withdrawal from stressful situations, or help managing anger or frustration.
EXAMINATIONS
Examinations are taken in every subject that our young people study.
Our young people study a range of qualifications up to and including GCSE. Everyone is tested on entry to the school in order that we might determine any extra help that may be needed for examinations. The school employs specialists in both of these fields to help pupils directly as well as advising staff of relevant techniques or strategies that might help or support pupil progress. Pupil attainment and progress is tracked in every subject, initially through baseline tests and then through either end of year exams or teacher assessment. This progress is then plotted year on year and targets are set for individual improvement. As exams approach, these sessions may change to support other disciplines such as ICT, touch typing, Maths, or for the more advanced groups, reading between the lines.
HOMEWORK
Homework is set in core subjects (English, Maths and Science) with a primary focus on years 10 and 11 to include option subjects.
Homework is completed on the houses, between 4 and 5pm, with the support of RSCW's if required. Care staff and teachers work closely to ensure that pupil's are supported with their homework.
If a pupil makes considerable effort with their homework this is shared with teaching staff. Equally, should a pupil require any additional support or have any difficulties in completing the homework this is also fed back to the teacher.
SCHOOL POINTS
School points encourage pupils to achieve their potential
Pupil's are rewarded with school points for their positive behaviour and academic efforts. If a popular evening activity is over subscribed points may be taken into account when choosing who takes part in it. Points reflect how much pocket money a pupil will receive; the more points awarded, the more pocket money received. If a pupil's point are low they will end up in after school detention.
