Humanities
Religious Education at The Orchard Centre is designed to provoke challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.
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It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development. It enhances students’ awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures.
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RE has an important role in preparing young people
for adult life, employment and lifelong learning.
It enables students to develop respect for
and sensitivity to others, in particular those
whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
It promotes discernment and enables students to combat prejudice.
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At KS4, students follow the AQA GCSE in Religious Studies (Specification A), studying units on:
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Christianity
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Sikhism
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Relationships and families
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Religion and life
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Religion, crime and punishment
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Religion, human rights and social justice
Lawnswood Campus
The Orchard Centre
Lawnswood Campus
Nightingale Home and Hospital Service
KS3 Curriculum
PE
For more information on our curriculum please contact us.
English
English Teaching at The Orchard Centre aims to “promote high standards of Language and Literacy by equipping students with a strong command of the spoken and written language and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.” (Gov.uk English programmes of study, 14.05.2014).
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As many of our students transfer to the Centre late in a Key Stage, or, alternatively, because they are taught at more than one establishment, the delivery of the curriculum may be subject to change in order to accommodate the particular needs of individual students.
Year 7
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Novel Focus
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Poetry – Introduction to Poetry.
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Reading non-fiction texts
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Language Study – The Development of English.
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Drama
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Storytelling Discrete lessons for: independent reading, class readers and functional English development also take place
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Year 8
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Reading and writing non-fiction texts
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Studying Literary Heritage Texts, (Shakespeare/Dickens)
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Drama
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Poetry
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Novel Focus Discrete lessons for: independent reading, class readers and functional English development also take place
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Year 9
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Reading and writing non-fiction texts, (Exploring Issues and Persuasive Language)
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Novel Focus
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Shakespeare
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English Language Study
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Reading film “texts”.
Discrete lessons for: independent reading, class readers and functional English development also take place.
Maths
Mathematics is diverse, engaging and essential in equipping students with the right skills to reach their full potential. Through our style of teaching and small groupings we pride ourselves on helping students to reach their full potential whatever their level of ability or aspiration. The aim of all Maths learning and teaching at The Orchard Centre is to ensure that all of the students we teach are able to gain the highest level of qualification that they can during their time with us. Students who attend the Orchard PRU all arrive with an individual set of circumstances and an individual ‘journey’ as far as their Maths education is concerned. This means that we adopt a variety of teaching strategies that are specifically suited to the needs of individual pupils.
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Teachers here go to great lengths to relate mathematics to real-life situations, with the use of varied audio visual aids to increase interest and confidence in the subject. Paramount to the ethos of Mathematics teaching at The Orchard Centre is the demonstration to pupils that maths is fun, it’s for everyone and that it can be taught and learnt in an interesting and stimulating manner.
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With a desire to improve the use of technology in our math department we have acquired Mathswatch licence so pupils can have access to the Mathswatch website via their own individual username and password. This will enable them to have full access both at home and at school to a range of mathematical activities for revision with audio visual support, to practice real exam questions with instant worked solutions. With an online bank of questions that are automatically marked Mathwatch will provide plenty of opportunity for pupil to work independent and on specific target areas.
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Departmental aims include:
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Fostering a positive attitude towards, and enjoyment of the subject
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Developing understanding of the basic concepts and deep structures of numbers that can be applied not just to school work but in society as a whole.
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Enhancing an understanding and recognition of best practice in answering exam questions
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Imparting the skills necessary to produce a logical and clearly reasoned response to using appropriate mathematical notation accurately.
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Encouraging creative thinking and confidence building so that pupils can solve standard as well as unusual problems
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Establishing skills in the analysis of and interpretation of given numerical information using it to draw conclusions, make reasonable evaluations and informed decisions
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Maximising the mathematical understanding and achievement of every pupil
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Courses Offered and Examinations Taken:
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The Curriculum-5 year Schemes of Work
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All of the courses offered and course materials used closely follow those used in mainstream schools. It is important for us to mirror what is taught in mainstream schools as closely as possible so that any student moving from The Orchard Centre back to mainstream does not lose any time, experience, or methodology which could set their progress back before they start.
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As students gradually increase their time in mainstream, their whole learning experience at The Orchard Centre can revolve around their mainstream work. If a student remains with us for an extended period, we will ensure that their learning is monitored and progress is made ready to take similar external exams to those that they would have taken in mainstream.
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The Department follows the Edexcel syllabus for pupils aiming to gain a GCSE qualification and offers entry level qualifications as well as functional skills mathematics up to level two.
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Our 5 year Schemes of Work are matched to Edexcel KS3 Maths Progress and then the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics resources.
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The Schemes of Work follow the Edexcel route of a 2 year KS3 and a 3 year GCSE. Years 9, 10 and 11 students are following the new Edexcel 3 year GCSE Scheme of Work programme of study. The low attainer Scheme of Work leads into Foundation GCSE, middle attainer into Foundation or Higher and higher attainer, Higher tier only.
Functional Skills Level 1 Curriculum Overview
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Functional skills qualifications in mathematics assess three interrelated process skills:
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Representing- selecting the mathematics and information to model a situation
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Analysing-processing and using mathematics
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Interpreting-interpreting and communicating the results of the analysis
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Functional skills qualifications in mathematics are available at Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, level 1 and level 2. The criteria for these qualifications specify the requirements in terms of skill standards and coverage and range at each level. At each level of the qualification, these subsume the previous level’s skill standards and the indicative coverage and range, supporting a progression.
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The KS3 programme of study begins by building on the skills learnt in primary school. Essential number work is taught with particular emphasis on ‘smart’ ways to solve problems. Familiarity and confidence with number lays the foundation for the other aspects of math including shape, space and measure, data handling, algebra and probability.
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Students in Year 7 generally have a wide range of starting points in terms of the math content they have studied and the academic levels they have reached. Planning for lessons has to take account of this and so each topic is differentiated to take account of the differing starting levels.
Topics for Key Stage 3:
Number
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Place value of numbers and decimals.
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Rounding
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Indices, powers and roots.
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Factors, multiples and primes.
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Sequences
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The four rules of number
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Fractions, decimals and percentages
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Metric and imperial measures
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Order of operations
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Sequences
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Shape, Space and Measure
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Angles and proofs.
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Constructing triangles.
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Special quadrilaterals.
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Angles in polygons.
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Area and perimeter
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Volume
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Transformations
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2D and 3D shapes and their properties
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Nets
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Co-ordinates
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Constructions and Loci
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Pythagoras’ Theorem
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Similar Shapes
Probability
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It all adds up to 1
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Chances in probability
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Experimental probability
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What are your chances?
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Handling Data
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Collecting data
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Interpreting data
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Presenting data
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Frequency tables
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Reading and interpreting graphs
Algebra
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Functions and mapping
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Distance-Time graphs
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Using letters to communicate
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Understanding brackets
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Developing and using formulae
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Constructing equations
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Solving equations
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Graphs
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Equations
Science
We want our students to become future scientists and engineers who enjoy and value the learning opportunities provided for them here at The Orchard Centre.
“A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.”
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Our science curriculum is broad, balanced and relevant to the needs of all our students. We offer a range of progression routes which enable students to close the gap between an interrupted educational career and their mainstream goal. The curriculum not only develops students’ knowledge and understanding in a range of science topic areas, it enables them to develop the skills required to become more independent, creative and innovative learners in order to make other links between their subject knowledge.
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At Key Stage 3 pupils follow the Activate scheme written by Oxford University Press and supported by the online resource ‘Kerboodle’ which allows access to an interactive book and other fun resources.
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In Biology students will cover:
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Structure and function of living organisms
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Material Cycles and Energy
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Interactions and Interdependencies
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Genes and Evolution
In Chemistry students will cover:
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Particulate nature of matter
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Atoms, Elements and Compounds
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Pure and Impure substances
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Chemical Reactions
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Energetics
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The Periodic Table
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Materials
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Earth and Atmosphere
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In Physics students will cover:
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Energy
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Motion and Forces
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Waves
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Electricity and Electromagnetism
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Matter
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Space Physics
Building up of Key Skills
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Maths, literacy and working scientifically skills are embedded throughout, with progression of skills carefully planned, and supported by tasks and assessments to help monitor progress.
Art
Art is the desire of a person to express themselves, to record the reactions of their personality to the world they live in. – Amy Lowell
The aim of Art & Design at The Orchard Centre is to give students the opportunity to experiment, create, make and produce a variety of art work using a wide range of techniques and materials. This is achieved through 2 dimensional projects with a grounding in the basic art skills of drawing and painting, printing and textiles, as well as 3 dimensional projects looking at shape, form and texture. Projects will include elements of Art History, looking at artists new and old as well as influences from world cultures.
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Projects are designed for students of all abilities working individually and working as a group. Projects vary and are based around 3 themes; Personal, Environmental and Cultural. They will cover:
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Observation and Experimentation
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Imagination and Expression
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Designing and Making
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The key skills that are assessed in Art & Design are:
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Exploring
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Investigating
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Analysing
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Evaluating
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Food Technology
Enabling students to develop a wide range of practical skills and build a foundation of knowledge to encourage healthy attitudes towards food.
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The subject is delivered using a wide variety of foods and recipes to encourage the development of high quality practical skills.
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Subjects covered during the Key Stage are:-
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Hygiene and safe use of equipment
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Healthy eating
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Eggs
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Pastry
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Fruit
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Vegetables
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Bread
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Pasta
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Practical skills covered during the key
stage include:-
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Rubbing in
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Cake making methods
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Vegetable preparation
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Fruit preservation and preparation
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Bread making
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Pastry making
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A wide variety of dishes are produced to
develop high quality practical skills.
Geography
The content of this course will enable students;
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To consolidate and extend their knowledge of the world’s major countries and their human and physical features.
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To understand how human and physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes, environments and the climate: and how human activity relies on effective functioning of natural systems
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The subject is delivered by studying a variety of human and physical topics throughout the Key Stage
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Units covered include
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An introduction to Geography
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Weather and Climate
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The United Kingdom
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Settlement
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Crime
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Rivers and Flooding
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International development
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Kenya
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Tourism
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Population
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Plate tectonics
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The environment
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Global fashion
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Coasts
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Italy
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Skills covered include
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Mapwork – grid references
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Compass work
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Atlas skills
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Drawing and interpreting a variety of graphs
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By the end of the Key Stage pupils should have developed an understanding and appreciation of the subject and continued to enrich their locational knowledge and environmental understanding.
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History
History education at The Orchard Centre is designed to help students gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. The subject should inspire students’ curiosity to know more about the past and teaching should equip them to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.
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History helps students to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversities of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity.
Existing, Evolving and Expanding
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Life in Britain’s towns and cities through the ages
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Crime and punishment through time
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Healthcare and medicine through time
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Jobs and work, including the Industrial Revolution
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The changing role of women
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Warfare and Weaponry
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Medieval warfare
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Holy wars
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War with France
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World War One
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World War Two
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Immigration, empire and independence War with France
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Medieval conquest
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The British Empire
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Immigration and emigration
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The slave trade
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The end of the Empire
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The Windrush
PE
At Orchard we help pupils build on and embed the physical development and skills learned in key stages 1 and 2, we aim for them to become more competent, confident and expert in their techniques, and apply them across different sports and physical activities. We help our pupils develop the confidence and interest to get involved in exercise, sports and activities out of school and in later life, and understand and apply the long-term health benefits of physical activity.
Key Concepts
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Competence
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Performance
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Creativity
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Healthy, active lifestyles
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Key Processes
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Developing skills in physical activity
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Making and applying decisions
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Developing physical and mental capacity
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Evaluating and improving
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Making informed choices about healthy, active lifestyle
The Intent, implementation and Impact of our Curriculum – PE.
PE at Lawnswood Campus aims to develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing in our children now and for their future. Physical fitness is an important part of leading a healthier lifestyle. It teaches self-discipline and that to be successful you must work hard, show resilience and have the determination to believe that anything can be achieved.
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Intent
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It is our intent at Lawnswood Campus to teach children life skills that will positively impact on their future. We aim to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities that inspire all children to succeed in physical activities. We want to teach children how to cooperate and collaborate with others, as part of a team, understanding fairness and equity of play to embed life-long values.
Implementation
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Pupils at Lawnswood Campus participate in weekly high quality PE and sporting activities.  Our PE programme incorporates a variety of sports to ensure all children develop the confidence, tolerance and the appreciation of their own and others’ strengths and weaknesses. We provide opportunities for all children to engage in extra-curricular activities before, during and after school, in addition to competitive sporting events. This is an inclusive approach which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also well-being.
Impact
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Our curriculum aims to improve the wellbeing and fitness of all children at Lawnswood Campus, not only through the sporting skills taught, but through the underpinning values and disciplines PE promotes. Within our lessons, children are taught about self-discipline and that to be successful they need to take ownership and responsibility of their own health and fitness. Our impact is therefore to motivate children to utilise these underpinning skills in an independent and effective way in order to live happy and healthy lives.
PSHE
PSHE is personal, social, health and economic education and is an important and necessary part of all students’ education. It is a non-statutory subject and is flexible to meet the needs of students. A key aspect is to equip students with a sound understanding of risk and with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions.
Key Stage 3, pupils build on the skills, attitudes, values, knowledge and understanding they have acquired and developed during the primary phase. PSHE education acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people are experiencing, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence. It teaches the skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life. Pupils are encouraged to manage diverse relationships and the increasing influence of peers and the media.
​PSHE education allows students to be more confident in addressing the challenges of effective learning and making a full and active contribution to society.
PSHE teaches students how to develop their confidence, self-esteem and emotional intelligence. We particularly focus on developing personal strengths such as organisational skills and social awareness as well as developing healthy boundaries.  It is our hope that our pupils leave feeling equipped to enter society; continuing on to either further education or the workplace.
At Key Stage 3 students follow the new national curriculum for Personal & Social Development.
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​Students will complete a programme of study in the three main themes of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World.
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​Students will undertake modules such as Sexual Relationship Education, Drugs Education, Internet Safety, Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health, Healthy lifestyles and Economic Wellbeing and Financial Capability.
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​Pupils can expect to show comprehension of topics via written tasks as well as taking part in a range of creative activities.
RE
Religious Education at The Orchard Centre is designed to provoke challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.
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It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development. It enhances students’ awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures.
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RE has an important role in preparing young people for adult life, employment and lifelong learning. It enables students to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own. It promotes discernment and enables students to combat prejudice.
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Hinduism
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Buddhism
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Religion & Nature
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Judaism
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Sikhism
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Sunflower Competition
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Christianity
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Islam
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Looking for God
Forest School
We are very fortunate at Orchard Centre to have access to our own private woodland on site. As part of our creative curriculum offer all Key Stage 3 students have access to weekly Forest School sessions where they have the opportunity to participate in activities ranging from fire lighting and camp craft to knife work and basic woodland management.
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Sessions follow the 6 Forest School principles:
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Long term process: all students have access to a double lesson every week, throughout Key Stage 3.
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Natural environment: we are lucky to have access to a 2.5 acre mixed woodland on the campus site.
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Holistic development: as well as skills development, sessions are focused on developing student’s confidence, social skills and emotional awareness.
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Supported risk: students are encouraged and supported to take appropriate risks to develop both their confidence and their ability to risk-assess situations.
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Qualified practitioners: sessions are led by a qualified teacher and Forest School leader and supported at a high staff to learner ratio.
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Learner-centred: whilst sessions are planned beforehand they are adapted as they occur to respond to learners emerging interests and needs.
Opportunities for Progression
The skills and knowledge gained during Key Stage 3 Forest School sessions prepare them for progressing to one of our Key Stage 4 outdoor learning pathways.
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