Curriculum Policy
Our curriculum offers a combination of innovation, personalisation and nurture. It also mirrors mainstream schools curriculum
particularly in terms of English and maths. Below is a summary of how our curriculum operates in key stage 2/3 and key stage 4.
Key Stage 2 & 3 Curriculum
The curriculum at KS2 & 3 follows The National Curriculum programmes of study and ensures an entitlement in terms of age and
key stage. In order to meet the needs of learners with different starting points, Teachers will track back or forward depending on
their learning needs. Project-based learning and enrichment will support a core offer of discrete English and maths lessons.
Project Based Learning (1/2 termly themes)
Literature or key text provides the basis on which projects are built. The teacher plans a series of lessons usually half a term in
order to ensure the full coverage of all subjects including:
STEM – Language & Communication - Creativity – Computing – Foundation Subjects – Enrichment – Outcomes & Achievement
Where the half termly project is unable to cover a particular aspect of the curriculum, these will be taught discretely.
Maths
Using The National Curriculum and appropriate objectives teachers will deliver the following aspects; Number and Algebra –
Discrete lessons using the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Numicon. Geometry and Measurement - As part of
the project based learning
English
Our English curriculum is based a piece of literature or a key text, that is linked to a half termly project. Within that, it will cover the
following English skills: Writing, reading, communication, spelling and grammar.
Reading, Spelling & Grammar
Reading - individualised programmes will be created based upon baseline testing. Learners will be supported through 1:1 teaching
using an approach called Better Readers, and small group guided reading.
Read Write Inc, will be used where learners have failed to make the required progress in their primary schools particularly in terms
of phonics.
Eden will develop it’s own reading scheme initially based on the Collins Big Cat –dyslexia friendly.
Spelling and grammar will be taught in context apart from the specific national curriculum spelling lists.
PSHE, RE, Citizenship
A holistic approach towards PSHE, RE & Citizenship will be included throughout the curriculum (where appropriate) and also
taught discretely on a carousel basis and linked with the ½ termly project theme.
Religious Education will be taught using the locally agreed syllabus for RE, regular assemblies and as enrichment days and
activities.
Personal, Social and Health Education as well as being integral to all aspects of school life will also be taught following, an agreed
scheme of work, project based work and enrichment days and activities.
In addition to the regular curriculum, Eden School will adopt a whole-school approach to the Social and Emotional Aspects of
Learning (SEAL) curriculum. This will promote the five social and emotional aspects of learning: self-awareness; managing
feelings; motivation; empathy; social skills.
Golden Time -Extended opportunities to reward learners for meeting behaviour or learning targets. Some learners may be
required to use the time to catch up or complete work from earlier in the day
Tutor and Circle Time session
On arrival, all pupils will engage in a session that supports pastoral, learning and social needs. Breakfast, circle time and target
setting will also take place.
Reading & Learning Diary session
Post lunchtime sessions will generate a learning conversation between staff and pupils and also support reading.
Key Stage 2/3 Curriculum offer
Core Curriculum
Number of Sessions
(per week)
English
4
Maths
4
Science
Tutor, SEAL & Circle time
Reading and Learning diary /
review
Golden Time
Project Based Learning (½
4
4
3
Scheme
National Curriculum – an overview with objectives year by year
Bespoke project based learning – ½ termly themes
Reading scheme – Collins (Dyslexia friendly)
Reading and Phonics - Read Write Inc
National Curriculum – an overview with objectives year by year
Numicon
NCETM – Progression charts (with reasoning)
As part of the project based learning programme
Primary/key stage 3 SEAL
Rewards where appropriate
+ English lessons and throughout all curriculum areas
termly theme)
Science, Geography, History
5
Developed as part
of project based
learning
Other curriculum areas
Physical Education
Life Skills
Music
Outdoor Education/ SMSC
/Social Enrichment
Developed as part of project based learning medium term plan
1
1
1
Full Day
Timetable
Mon
0900
0900
0930
1010
Arrival/
Breakfast
Tutor
Maths
English
SEAL
Tues
Arrival/
Breakfast
Circle
Time
Maths
English
Structured
activities
on offer
1110
PE
/Swim
Project
1200
Structured
activities
on offer
1240
1305
1355
1430
Reading
ICT/
Computing
Project
Golden
Time
Life Skills
Project
Golden
Time
Tutor
Arrival/
Breakfast
SEAL
Maths
English
Structured
activities
on offer
PSHE/
RE/
Structured
activities on
offer
1500
Learning
Diary
D
E
P
A
R
T
Outdoor Education/ SMSC /Social Enrichment
Wed
Thur
1050
Reading
Music
Learning
Project
Golden
Time
Circle
Time
Fri
Arrival/
Breakfast
English
Maths
CIT
Diary
Project
Golden
Time
KS4 Curriculum
The curriculum at KS4 includes a core curriculum and a strong emphasis on personalised learning, including a range of options,
practical vocational learning, online learning and enrichment. Learning will be supported by Eden, The Heights and external
providers.
Programmes of study and accredited qualifications will ensure that when a student acquires a qualification at the appropriate level,
they can progress to a range of other meaningful programmes and accredited courses.
Personalised Learning and Progression Pathways
While the above table shows our whole curriculum offer, the actual programme of learning followed by each individual student will
be tailored to their learning abilities, needs, aspirations and capabilities.
For example, students who are capable of achieving 5+ GCSEs at A*-C including English and Maths will follow a programme which
could include English (1 or 2), Maths, Science (2), Vocational (1 or 2), and additional GCSEs (1 or 2) such as Science, PE or
Business Studies. These students would be able to achieve 6-9 GCSEs including English and Maths.
The opportunity to take other qualifications (eg: Science ((GCSE) and languages) will be provided by buying in provision from our
partner schools.
Students who aim to follow a level 2 course or Apprenticeship post-16 would follow an appropriate Level 1 course which could
include English (Functional Skills or GCSE), Maths (Functional Skills or GCSE) Science (BTEC), at least 2 Vocational qualifications
and additional learning such as community action.
Many of our students will have “spiky profiles” which would make a mixture of Level 1 and Level 2 courses appropriate. The use of
ASDAN and PROJECT accreditation (eg for PSHCE, Citizenship and PE) gives us more flexibility to accredit at Level 1 or Level 2.
A detailed breakdown of KS4 programmes by subject, including progress towards accredited qualifications is shown in the attached
KS4 Curriculum Map.
Gaps in content in core subjects where some knowledge or skill required for future progression has not been secured in the past
will be addressed through opportunities for accelerated learning, such as in English and Maths, for example through supported
online learning and 1:1 tuition.
Progression and continuity in Literacy and Numeracy will be secured through specialist teaching of English and Maths and
reinforcement of literacy and numeracy across the curriculum under the leadership of specialist Leaders of English/Literacy and
Maths/Numeracy.
A variety of curriculum initiatives such as enrichment activities for all, PSHCE and Religious Education and VALUES and
COMMUNITY based activities will encompass accredited life skills and experiences across the curriculum. Many of these
curriculum opportunities will be delivered through collapsed timetable themed days, Citizenship lessons and through cross
curricular links during structured regular timetabled opportunities during the day and activities outside the normal school day.
The PSHCE and PE programmes will contribute to an accredited award such as the ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness
(CoPE).
Key Stage 4 schemes of work in all subjects will follow a common structure, broken down into units. For each unit, the following
aspects will be clearly identified:
Unit title

Number of sessions

Learning Objectives

Typical GCSE/BTEC/NVQ grade/contribution to accredited qualification

Business/Employer links

Literacy/Numeracy/ICT links
PSHE and RE
The teaching of PSHCE and RE will be delivered through the following:

Daily morning Assemblies

The timetabled PSHCE programme

The Project-Based Learning programme (Edexcel Project & CoPE)
 Collapsed timetable theme days and enrichment activities for all such as Art, Music and Drama events focused on
particular values, cultures and faiths
In addition to the regular curriculum, Eden School will adopt a whole-school approach to the Social and Emotional Aspects of
Learning (SEAL) curriculum. This will promote the five social and emotional aspects of learning: self-awareness; managing
feelings; motivation; empathy; social skills.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum offer
Core Curriculum
Number of Sessions (per week)
50mins
Organisation/ Accrediting body
English
Maths
ICT
1:1 (assessment, target setting, independent learning
review)
4
4
2
5 x 30 mins
Edexcel/OCR
Edexcel
Edexcel
2
1
1
1
Edexcel
CoPE/Project
CoPE/Project
CoPE/Project
upto 12 (combined with project
based)
Various
Upto 12 (combined with
Vocational)
CoPE/Project
Extended Curriculum
Science
PSHCE
PE
Citizenship/Careers carousel
Vocational Learning
Hair & Beauty, Childcare, Sport & Leisure, Creative
Media, Horticulture, Outdoor Education, Business
Studies
Enrichment/ Experience based
Project based learning tailored to individual interests
and community action
An example of a KS4 pupil timetable
1
2
3
Break
0850
0900
0930
1020
1110
GCSE/FS
Maths
PE
GCSE/FS
English
GCSE/FS
English
GCSE/FS
Maths
Construction
Monday
Tuesday
Registration
Tutorial
Wednesday Arrival &
1:1
Breakfast
Thursday
Friday
4
0
1130
Structured
activities
on offer
Lunch
5
6
1220
1305
1355
Construction
ICT/
Computing
Science
Science
ICT/
Computing
Structured
activities
on offer
GCSE/FS
Maths
GCSE/FS
English
PSHE
GCSE/FS
English
GCSE/FS
Maths
Citizenship/ Careers /
H&S carousel
Work Experience
Construction