Our Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum is unashamedly ambitious for every pupil. Its primary intent is to provide a deeply personalised, strengths-based, and holistic education that empowers pupils to discover their "superpowers," achieve ambitious academic and personal outcomes, and transition into a successful and independent adult life.
We reject a deficit model of education. Instead, our curriculum is built upon the Dynamic Development Plan (DDP), a framework that leverages pupil strengths to unlock access to learning and overcome challenges.
Our Aims
Deliver the National Curriculum
Provide a rich and accessible curriculum that meets statutory requirements while adapting learning to individual strengths, needs, and interests. Teaching is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and grounded in the DDP philosophy of helping every learner move forward from their unique starting point.
Championing Strengths
Recognise, celebrate, and build on the unique strengths of every young person. This approach shifts the focus from deficits to capabilities, helping learners develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity, supported by strengths-based coaching practices.
Develop the Whole Site
Create a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where all pupils, staff, and families feel supported. This includes strengthening systems, culture, wellbeing, and leadership so that the entire school community grows together and learns how to model neuro-inclusive practice.
Create Independent Futures
Equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and emotional foundations they need for adulthood. Through personalised learning, leadership opportunities, and targeted coaching, learners develop independence, self-advocacy, and readiness for life beyond school.
Use Our Community
Harness the collective strengths, experiences, and partnerships within the school and its wider community. By involving families, local organisations, and young leaders, the school builds a dynamic ecosystem that supports development, belonging, and aspirational futures — fully aligned with the DDP philosophy.
The DDP Golden Thread: Our Implementation
We implement our curriculum intent through a cohesive 5-year journey, with the DDP as the "golden thread" connecting all learning.
The DDP Journey: From Discovery to Independence
KS3 (Discovery & Identity)
The DDP is a "living document" co-created with the pupil and family. It is a tool for self-discovery, identifying strengths, and setting personal goals (academic, social, and emotional).
KS4 (Strategic Action)
The DDP evolves into a strategic action plan. It is the central document for careers guidance, post-16 planning, and managing the pressures of accreditation, giving pupils ownership of their transition.
How We Teach
Our curriculum is delivered through a blend of core subjects, cross-curricular projects, and integrated therapeutic support. All planning starts with the pupil's DDP.
This approach allows us to be flexible and responsive, ensuring that every pupil can access the full curriculum in a way that is meaningful to them.
The "Identity" Project (PSHE/Careers)
This core project runs from Y7 to Y11. In KS3, it focuses on identity, strengths, and community. In KS4, it evolves to deliver all Gatsby Benchmarks, managing work experience, CV writing, and post-16 applications.
Core Subjects (Eng, Maths, Sci)
The National Curriculum is delivered through DDP-led planning. A pupil's "superpower" in creative writing is used as the gateway to analytical texts. Maths is relentlessly practical, linked to the "Enterprise" and "Financial Literacy" strands. Science is hands-on, leveraging pupil curiosity.
Foundation & Enrichment
These are not 'soft' subjects; they are core to our DDP model. They provide a primary vehicle for non-verbal expression, managing challenging emotions, and building a tangible portfolio of skills (e.g., Arts Award, Sports Leaders, IT qualifications).
Therapeutic Integration
Our therapeutic team (SaLT, OT, etc.) is fully integrated. Therapeutic goals are DDP goals, delivered by all staff in a "common language," ensuring therapy is embedded in the classroom, not isolated in a separate room.
Learning Without Walls
Financial Literacy
A 5-year plan from "Wants vs. Needs" in Y7 to "Budgeting for Independence" in Y11, all linked to our Maths and Enterprise projects.
Southwark as a Classroom
We use our local assets to build cultural capital, including partnerships with Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern, and local businesses.
Digital Literacy & Online Safety
Explicitly teaching pupils about online safety, AI, misinformation, and digital wellbeing to meet KCSIE 2025 guidelines.
Our Impact: The "Elevation Arc"
We measure the success of our curriculum by the tangible, long-term outcomes for our pupils.
How We Measure Success (Our Proof)
- Academic Progress: The formal qualifications and accreditations achieved by every pupil.
- Personal Progress: Measurable growth in confidence, resilience, and emotional regulation, as tracked in their DDP.
- Self-Advocacy: A pupil's ability to articulate their own strengths, challenges, and goals, particularly in post-16 interviews.
- Post-16 Destinations: Our primary metric. We track the percentage of pupils who successfully transition to and *sustain* a positive post-16 placement.
- Behaviour & Engagement: A demonstrable reduction in challenging incidents and an increase in positive engagement, proving pupils feel seen, valued, and successful.
Ready to See the Difference?
Explore our assessment policies in detail or get in touch with our admissions team.