Some of the young people that attend Park School benefit from being part of the alternative curriculum to support their progress through Park School and ensure they are successful in their progression to Post 16 education. Students who participate in the Alternative Curriculum in Year 10 and 11 are identified by school and liaising happens betweens school and parents/carers.

Purpose/Intent of the Alternative Curriculum

• Enable students to develop the skills to access the core curriculum and two Options Subjects
• Support the personal and academic development to enable young people to access the next stage of their life.
• Develop and support student aspirations and motivation for their time at school.
• To develop the young person’s sense of achievement and self-worth through celebration and incremental successes.
• Ensure the curriculum is relevant to the current attainment of individuals.

How is the Alternative Curriculum taught, when and by who?

• In lieu of two options subjects (Block B and Block C) over 10 hours per fortnight as part of the normal school timetable.
• It will be taught in small groups by Teachers and Higher Level Teaching Assistants.

What qualifications will students achieve?

• AQA Unit Award Scheme – allows a wide range of subject and topic areas to be taught with incremental progression and clear successes and certified achievements.
• This is not a GCSE qualification but PETROC and other providers will recognise the achievement and certificates.
• As much emphasis is placed on personal development and key interventions as specific awards/qualifications.

Key Elements of the Alternative Curriculum

Depending on the individual’s need, elements of the following interventions will be delivered as part of the Alternative Curriculum:

• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Social, Emotional & Mental Health/Thrive
• Communication and Interaction
• Speech and Language

The above interventions will be interwoven into a selection of the following – the subject elements will alter during the year and will not be finalised until the staffing structure is clear. However, the current learning areas we are planning on are:

• Construction (LJ/RW/JN)
• IT
• D&T/Food/Nutrition
• Health and Social Care
• Art
• Horticulture
• Apple Tree Farm – animal husbandry
• Communication, organisation and planning skills (life skills – banking, form filing, checking wages, timetables etc)
• Study Skills and Careers
• Outdoor Ed/DofE
• Links with external companies/community