Overview of KS3 & KS4

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

To fulfil the school ethos of Preparing for Positive Futures, the first step is to ensure all our pupils possess the fundamental skills to be able to learn in a classroom environment.  Throughout Key Stage 3 there is a focus on four pillars;

• Therapeutic
• Academic
• SEN
• PPF

This focus is maintained throughout Key Stage 3 and addressed through curriculum lessons and bespoke SEMH interventions (see our Therapeutic Curriculum offer).   As part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum, another focus is to address any gaps in academic learning, develop reading (including early reading) and remove any barriers to accessing the National Curriculum and life after leaving school.  One of the best forms of supporting our pupils is to ensure that they are able access a broad range of outcomes at an appropriate level for individuals. 

Maths and English are delivered 3 times a week to ensure our pupils are secure in essential numeracy and literacy skills.  Each class in KS3 follows a nurture-based approach with a class teacher and a support team who deliver the majority of lessons.  For more specialised subjects such as PE, DT and Food Technology, Forest School and Home DIY specialist staff are used alongside the class team. 

Subject	Timetabled sessions
English	3
Reading	2
Maths	3
Science	3
Computing	1
PPF	5
Topic	3
PE/Art and Craft	3
Forest School/Home DIY	3
DT	1
Catering	2

Key Stage 4 curriculum

Having prioritised social and emotional development, behaviours for learning and addressing gaps in knowledge in Key Stage 3 we can then focus on ensuring our pupils leave with the knowledge, life skills, career guidance and qualifications to match their potential.  Social and Emotional development remains an integral part of the Key Stage 4 curriculum but having a secure foundation from Key Stage 3 allows our pupils the opportunity to focus on: meeting their potential, achieving the best outcomes possible and being equipped with the resilience, self-regulation and independence to successfully transition to post-16 education, training and employment.   

Pupils leave High Well with a range of qualifications including GCSE, Functional Skills, ASDAN and Step Up and Entry Level Certificates.  Accreditation will be across a range of subjects including Maths, English, Science, PE, Computing, Home Cooking, CoPE and  Employability. On entering Key Stage 4, pupils choose and additional subject to study each year allowing them to focus on areas of interest.

Pupils can chose from Geography, Childcare, ASDAN, Design Technology, Performing Arts, and Photography.

Maths and English are delivered a minimum of 4 times per week at KS4 to ensure that all pupils leave with functional levels of literacy and numeracy.   In KS4, support staff remain consistent within each class however in preparation for post 16 provision teaching staff vary and are linked to specific subject areas. 

Courses available at KS4:

• GCSE English, Mathematics, Science, Design Technology, Geography, Childcare
• Functional Skills English, Mathematics & ICT at levels 1&2
• Step Up Award English
• Entry Level Maths
• Entry Level Science
• BTEC Home Cooking Skills L1 & 2
• BTEC Sport L1 & 2
• Cambridge Nationals iMedia
• ASDAN short courses: Employability and Independent Living 

 

Subject

Timetabled sessions

English	4
Science	4
Maths	4
Catering	3
Computing	1
PPF	7
PE	2
Forest School Sport Catering DT Computing	5

The social and emotional curriculum

In order to be successful in life, all pupils need to leave school with the appropriate social and emotional skills to: 

• reach their goals/aspirations for life after school
• access and remain in further education, employment or training,
• keep themselves safe
• contribute positively to society.  

It is important at High Well that we equip our pupils with not only the necessary academic qualifications but also support our pupils to: 

• manage and regulate their own feelings and emotions 
• develop their resilience
• be able to face new situations and challenges with confidence, not giving up at the first hurdle. 

In order to ensure our whole school community is fully immersed in our school ethos we dedicate lessons specifically to Preparing for Positive Futures.  These lessons cover a variety of areas with the overall aim being to develop social skills and emotional resilience whilst providing pupils with the knowledge to make safe and informed choices about life in modern Britain.  They are delivered by the staff in school alongside other professionals from a range of specialist organisations including Spectrum (Relationships and sexual education) and through one-to-one meetings with our Independent Careers Advisor, Lance Depass

The following areas are included in PPF and RE lessons: 

• PSHE national curriculum, including Sex Education following the updated guidance 2025
• Careers advice
• SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural development)
• PREVENT strategy (extremism in our society)
• CCE
• Religions and faiths
• Access to employers and places of work (compliant with the Gatsby Benchmarks)

 

As pupils progress to KS4 the priority of the school ethos is preparing the pupils for the next phase of their journey after High Well: further education, training or employment. 

In KS4, work placements can be offered to give pupils a taste of life as an employee.  Placements are chosen on the basis of individual needs and interests and are linked to an area where a pupil may want to progress to Post 16.  

We work closely with a multitude of post-16 providers to ensure that the transition to Post 16 is as smooth as possible.   Representatives from identified provisions are invited to attend the EHCP review meetings for all Year 11 pupils to support with choosing an appropriate course linked to pupil and parent/carer aspirations and ensuring they understand how they are able to meet individual pupil needs.  If a pupil is demonstrating readiness for college in Year 10 then it is possible to partake in an early college transfer (ECT) in Year 11 where they spend 3 days per week in college and 2 days per week in school. 

Theraputic Offer

All pupils at High Well have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).  Our pupils have a wide range of needs that need further support that extends beyond the core curriculum offer.

All classes have at least one PPF lesson within their weekly timetable which allows teachers to deliver bespoke lessons and activities aimed at addressing the needs of the class. 

bespoke offers are also built into every teacher’s timetable.  This allows teachers and staff to provide targeted work aimed at addressing the needs of individuals in line with what is identified within the EHCP.  Our children have unique needs so it is often necessary for teachers to plan and deliver a bespoke piece of work to one individual, away from the rest of the class, or online to support them towards meeting the outcomes outline in the EHCP.

Alternative Provisions

Pupils have access to a range of alternative provisions including Reverse the Cycle and Keats, Bumpy and Inspir-Ed.  All alternative provisions are considered on an individual basis in order to meet need. 

 

Alternative provisions aim to ensure that pupils who are struggling to access the curriculum offer in school are able to experience smaller practical sessions in an area of interest out of the school building. As our curriculum offer develops we aim to offer similar activities in school where appropriate.