New Beginnings is a class that offers a gentle and supportive transition into school life for students who have faced challenges in their previous educational experiences.

Designed as a soft entry into the school environment, this class provides a safe, nurturing and creative space where children can rebuild their confidence and discover the joy of learning.

In New Beginnings, we follow an early-years model of continuous provision, combined with more formal learning for those who are ready. We focus on creating positive, differentiated learning experiences that cater to each student’s emotional, social, and academic needs.

With a carefully balanced approach that includes therapeutic support and personalised learning, we aim to ease anxieties and help students re-engage with their education at their own pace, fostering a love for exploration and learning.

This class helps students prepare for a successful transition into school life, flourish, and build key relationships with staff and peers. When ready, our students have a solid foundation to move onto the next stage of their journey in our school.

Our Farmhouse space is an extension of our New Beginnings classroom, ensuring a safe smooth transition in our students next steps.

Our therapeutically designed classroom offers a variety of cosy and calm spaces which ensure all children feel ready to learn and acts as a home from home environment. The curriculum is specially designed for younger students who thrive in a creative, hands-on learning environment. The class combines playful, exploratory activities with more structured learning to support children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. 

Through carefully designed play-based learning, students develop key skills in literacy, numeracy, and communication, while also enhancing their problem-solving abilities and creativity. Our experienced staff use interactive methods, such as group projects, games, and imaginative play, alongside focused, structured learning tasks to ensure every child can learn at their own pace and in a way that suits their individual needs. 

Our experienced and dedicated staff work hard to create a nurturing and safe environment where imaginative play, games and team building projects feature alongside our focused, structured learning opportunities to meet all aspects of the Primary curriculum including phonics, literacy and numeracy. Our learning is tailored to meet the needs of all learners which allow them to achieve their personal learning goals. 

This balanced approach provides a stimulating and supportive atmosphere, helping children build confidence and a love for learning. 

Brownlee is our primary transition classroom, supporting students as they move from The Farmhouse towards Middle and Upper School. The therapeutically designed environment includes calm, welcoming spaces that help students feel settled, secure, and ready to learn.

Learning becomes increasingly structured and knowledge-rich, while retaining a playful and curious approach that enables all pupils to succeed. Lessons are adapted to individual needs, encouraging students to explore their interests and reach their potential through visionary thinking and positive risk-taking.

Character education becomes more explicit in Brownlee, with students supported to understand responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance. Staff help pupils reflect on their choices, develop self-awareness, and take pride in being part of a respectful and supportive learning community. Strong relationships underpin our Brownlee community, supporting social, emotional, and academic growth.

Our Whittaker learning group is where our students start to develop and explore the skills to enable them to move through to Upper School. Our curriculum becomes much more subject specific, where students can really begin to identify their areas of key interest.

Our thematic approach to learning enables our students to study our umbrella topics in depth, applying their knowledge through all our subject offerings.

Whittaker learning group are creative, practical and entrepreneurial, and are always encouraged to bring their interests and expertise to every project they do.

Mead provides a supportive and therapeutic environment where students further develop subject-specific skills in preparation for Upper School pathways. Learning is personalised and interest-led, celebrating individuality while encouraging curiosity and independence.

Students access subject specialist teaching in preparation for Year 9 pathways, while the familiar thematic structure ensures emotional security.

Creativity, personal development, and self-expression are central to learning in Mead, supporting students to grow confidently and thoughtfully as learners and individuals.

Character education continues to reinforce personal growth, self-reflection, and resilience within a safe and nurturing environment.

In Hargreaves, students are beginning to explore their interests further and get ready to start their WHSS Baccalaureate.

Students are beginning to explore Entry Level Qualifications in Maths & English, as well as Arts Award Bronze. Our Hargreaves students are keen scientists, consolidating their knowledge of Key Stage 3 science in preparation for further outcomes in the following year.

Despite the increase in more structured learning opportunities, Hargreaves students regularly explore Preparation for Adulthood skills in school and in the local community, helping them to develop the life skills necessary to succeed as they move into years 9 & 10.

Our students individual interests and learning styles are celebrated, and the learning group ethos that hard work is rewarded is helping our students develop a work ethic ready for Key Stage 4 opportunities.

Hockney is a Key Stage 4 learning group where students follow tailored Upper School timetables aligned to their individual pathways.

Students work towards Functional Skills or GCSE qualifications alongside a broad offer of vocational and creative subjects.

Hockney students are creative, love our form time sessions and enjoy their individual outcomes and opportunities  

Timetables are carefully designed to support achievement within the WHSS Baccalaureate framework, ensuring students leave with meaningful qualifications and the skills needed for success beyond school.

Strong relationships, high expectations, and unwavering integrity underpin all learning, supporting confident transitions to further education or training.

Character education continues to foster independence, resilience, and positive contributions to the school community.

Stewart is a Key Stage 4 class, supporting students in Years 10 and 11 as they prepare for adulthood, further education, and employment. Students work towards a wide range of qualifications, including Functional Skills, GCSEs, vocational awards, and enrichment programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Each student follows a bespoke curriculum tailored to their interests, strengths, and aspirations. Through structured learning, practical experiences, and work placements, students develop confidence, independence, and real-world skills.

Character education underpins this stage, supporting the development of integrity, resilience, and personal responsibility. Staff work in close collaboration to support individual pathways towards employment, independent living, community inclusion, and healthy lifestyles.

Priestley Learning Group is a Key Stage 4 class where all students follow an Upper School timetable, tailored to our their outcomes and pathways.

Priestley students will all work towards either Functional Skills Level 1 or 2 English or GCSE English Language. In Maths, students are working towards Functional Skills Level 1 or GCSE.

Students are also offered the following subjects; GCSE Art, Entry Level Certificate (ELC) Science, ELC History, BTEC Information and Creative Technology, Hospitality, OCR Life and Living Skills and the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. In addition to their qualifications, students also receive statutory Relational Health and Sex Education lessons and Physical Development and Healthy Lifestyle lessons.

Each timetable is tailored to their individual interests and strengths and supports the students to achieve their WHSS Baccalaureate pathway. This provides students with the relevant qualifications for life after school. 

The Ennis learning environment supports students whose primary need is developing communication and social interaction skills.

Through highly personalised provision and targeted interventions, including Speech and Language Therapy and assistive technologies, students are supported to overcome barriers and thrive.

Learning is underpinned by compassionate curiosity, with creative approaches such as role-play, group activities, and personalised plans helping students build confidence and meaningful relationships.

Character education encourages self-reflection, resilience, and empathy, preparing students for future social and academic challenges. Preparation for adulthood is embedded, with some students working towards ASDAN qualifications to support their next steps.