The Key Stage 3 Base
Key Stage 3 delivers lessons to students in years 7 & 8 (also includes Year 9 at The Orchard site) in an accessible and inclusive way. We have three teachers covering these year groups across both sites, with support staff available in both classes. Year 7 and 8 (also includes Year 9 at The Orchard site) are taught using a primary model where students stay with their class teacher for all curriculum lessons, with specialist teachers used for music and food technology. We use the primary model for teaching to ensure consistency, stability and a safe place for them to learn and develop both academically and socially.
The core subjects of English, Maths and Science are taught daily including cross-curricular links wherever appropriate. Students are also taught humanities subjects (history, geography and RE) art, food technology and music each week. We follow the national curriculum, adapting objectives where necessary to ensure that we can cater for the needs of all the students in our classes. PSHE is taught once a week following the RSE curriculum and carer links are included where appropriate in core lessons.
We are also in the fortunate position to be able to offer the students in key stage 3 off-site education provisions in the form of a weekly gym session at Blandford Leisure Centre, weekly session at a local indoor football training centre and a weekly trampolining/gymnastics session at Rossmore Leisure Centre in Poole.