At KS3 and KS4 our challenge pathway students will gain the knowledge and skills following a more formal structured curriculum across a broad range of subject areas.
Students following the challenge pathway may follow some form of accreditation such as GCSE, vocational course or Life skills challenge to meet the needs of the students.
Rationale:
Through the Challenge Pathway, we aim to ensure that are children are:
- Taught the Communication and Literacy skills to be independent for the workplace and other real-life situations.
- Able to be confident, functional/social communicators, readers and writers.
- Provided with the opportunity to enjoy reading and develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually
- Provided with a variety of mathematical curriculum experiences, which will lead each pupil towards achieving his/her maximum potential in their logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
- Able to use and apply their mathematical skills in everyday life and throughout a variety of situations.
- Physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually healthy children/pupils/students/young people who can meet the demands of their environment as independently as possible.
- Able to show self-control and have the ability to self-regulate – to enable them to become confident in their ability to achieve well and persevere even when they encounter setbacks and challenges.
- To provide them with the information to make good decisions about their own physical and mental wellbeing. Reinforcing the link between good physical health and good mental wellbeing.
- Given the opportunity to access technology through a variety of different access equipment.
- Provided with a good understanding of online security and safety when using a variety of devices and technologies.
- Provided with a variety of different activities which are delivered on a variety of different devices which best support the students.
- Equipped with transferable skills which will help support the students in and out of the school through a secure curriculum.
- Given an understanding of how technology impacts their own environment and the wider community.
- Able to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation.
- To empower learners with confidence in their skillset for art aswell as taking ownership of projects in school and the wider community.
Intent:
The curriculum that is offered through the Challenge Pathway:
- Promote and develop reading a range of different texts, with a focus on improving comprehension skills and reading for enjoyment.
- Focuses on the acquisition and development of an appropriate vocabulary for use in functional writing and spoken language.
- Builds on writing skills so students can write accurate texts of varying complexity.
- Develops social communication skills
- Arithmetic and basic maths skills are reinforcement to ensure key mathematical concepts are embedded.
- An ability to work systematically and accurately with opportunities for working as part of a team and individually to ensure greater understanding.
- Opportunities to explain or demonstrate their understanding using appropriate language and /or written work.
- Opportunities for working as part of a group and individually to ensure greater understanding.
- Opportunities to explain or demonstrate their understanding verbally or through written work.
- To develop the tools and understanding required to make a positive impact in their own physical health and well-being.
- To provide them with the information to make good decisions about their own physical and mental wellbeing. Reinforcing the link between good physical health and good mental wellbeing.
- Will develop a wide range of fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding that will ensure that the children are computer literate and equipped with the necessary skills for their lives.
- Will allow the children to appreciate the importance of computer technology in the modern world
- Will encourage the children to become more independent and develop key life skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking and self-evaluation which will enable them to effectively conduct their future lives as workers, consumers, and members of a digital future.
- Will help the students be more creative and explore different functions and processes within the subject.
- To utilise art based subject as a means of preparing for adulthood through tasks that allow for decision making, working as a team and developing independence.
- Able to show leadership in taking on responsibilities through projects and activities that work with community and other classes within school
- To develop self-esteem and mental well being
Implementation:
We achieve our intentions by:
- Reading a range of texts which offer challenging and varied vocabulary. We use these texts to develop and improve comprehension skills.
- Listening and understanding spoken language using Standard English wherever possible and understanding the context for this.
- Build on writing skills already acquired and focus on applying writing skills to real life situations.
- Improving listening and attention skills.
- Taking part in a Social Skills programme, Talkabout and drama sessions with Open Theatre.
- Investigative and problem-solving activities through cross curricular/whole school events/enterprise
- Opportunities for mathematical discussion and work beyond the classroom either around the school or on day visits.
- Use of a variety of sources of information including the use of “real life” materials and situations.
- Use of a variety of technology and mathematical instruments, equipment
- Provide a safe and supportive environment for pupils to flourish in a range of different physical activities which is essential in supporting their physical, emotional, spiritual, social and moral development.
- Having a daily routine of physical and mental health – reinforcing the characteristics of good physical and mental health/exercise and going outdoors.
- Pupils are taught to observe and produce the conventions of fair play, honest competition and good sporting behaviour as individual participants, team members and spectators. Thus embedding life-long values such as co-operation, collaboration and equity of play.
- Swimming and PE activities
- Taking part in competitions inside and outside of school.
- Being exposed to a thorough and robust IT & Computing curriculum.
- The use different technologies and devices effectively, learning how to search using WWW and analysing and evaluating digital content.
- Using a variety of software on a range of digital devices to create a range of content against a set of targets.
- Learning how to use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly so they can recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and identify a range of ways to report concerns.
- Provide stimulating activities that students have an active interest in participating with
- Exploring art techniques and processes that allow learners to ‘want’ to investigate further
- To ensure students record own work and evidence progress
- To investigate digital art methods
- Provide opportunities to experience new ways of working/getting ideas
- Exhibitions/displays of work
Impact:
The impact of the Challenge Pathway provision is demonstrated through the development of pupils who are:
- Able to achieve an GCSE or Entry Level qualification in English or a Functional Skills English qualification.
- Confident to communicate effectively with an increasing level of independence.
- Autonomous readers and writers for the future workplace and for real life.
- Happy because they have good social communication skills and therefore will be able to function in their community, the workplace and in real life more effectively.
- Able to access books and stories and enjoy reading.
- Functional writers
- Able to show confidence and actively participate in problem solving
- Able to use and apply their mathematical skills in a variety of real life situations.
- Successful in an GCSE, entry level and pre-entry level Life skill Challenges
- Able to understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle and implement the importance of this in promoting long-term health and well-being.
- Healthier in mind and body – more resilient and independent in their everyday and future life.
- Enthusiastic and show enjoyment for the subject both in and out of the classroom.
- Able to show a greater understanding on how to use a variety of different software packages that will benefit them in and outside of school.
- Able to use different technologies to help support them in day-to-day life which will help streamline activities and support them in managing themselves.
- Able to understand the different dangers that may be presented to them using online platforms, for example internet/device security and online safety.
- Able to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the implications of technology, software and digital systems.
- Happy and confident in leading group-based activities
- Being able to demonstrate patience and share practice with peers
- To be good team players and through communication and listening
- Have the skills to explore and further investigate new interests
- Felling proud of achievements and having pride in work