Intent

The ACE (Alternative Centre of Education) curriculum is individualised, inspirational and well-considered, recognising the complex social and emotional needs of our pupils. The curriculum enables pupils to overcome barriers, re-engage in learning and develop skills required to successfully integrated into the community. The curriculum supports pupils in gaining cumulatively sufficient knowledge and skills to progress back into mainstream school or support their chosen pathway at post 16.

The ACE curriculum has been developed to meet the needs of ACE pupils and has been designed with them in mind. We believe that all pupils have the right to learn at ACE, despite any barriers to learning they may have or had in the past. Very often pupils have low self-esteem, and many are not working at age-appropriate levels. This may be because of underlying behavioural, social emotional problems, SEN, or medical reasons. Pupils in the main have not had a positive experience of education or school. We aim to offer as close to a mainstream experience as possible but provide additional care and support needed around each young person to enable them to thrive.

Our curriculum will enable pupils to develop concentration, perseverance, co-operation, and imagination. The curriculum will provide our pupils with a range of experiences, building cultural capital; inspiring and enabling them to begin to understand the importance of learning and to begin learning again enabling them to make a lasting and positive contribution to future societies.

The quality of education provided aims to improve pupils’ knowledge, skills, and abilities, cultivating the confidence to apply and build on these as well as ensuring pupils have the levels of attainment required for the next stage of their education.

Our curriculum offer is broad and covers a wide range of subject areas across all key stages ensuring pupils have the opportunity to discover their strengths and interests.

Implementation

Our curriculum is individualised and set to meet the needs of individual pupils.  We have established a curriculum that encompasses both the National Curriculum and the specific needs of each individual pupil at the school.  Pupils can study a range of subjects at different levels designed to suit their individual need.  Our academic curriculum sequences knowledge and understanding to aid learning and progress.  Regular reading and numeracy tests are undertaken to ensure that pupils make progress from the baseline assessment on entry.  Pupils undergo termly summative assessment and ongoing low stakes assessments which helps us to plan and address gaps in knowledge.     Our Enrichment Programme of visits, trips and enterprise allows pupils greater opportunity to find and develop their individual interests and talents.  The curriculum promotes a sense of moral and social responsibility through a range of spiritual, moral, social and cultural opportunities, delivered through our PSHCE, Personal Development and Enrichment programmes.

Impact

Our pupils develop resilience and confidence and learn not to ‘give up’.  The school evaluates the needs of each pupil and creates the curriculum that supports their learning requirement.  Pupils have the confidence to achieve at a pace and level that meets their needs which is suitably challenging and engaging and is delivered with purpose and rigour by staff.  The ACE curriculum helps foster a strength of character and resilience that will help pupils to cope with choices and overcome challenges they are likely to encounter in life.   The elements of the curriculum provide a broad and balanced academic experience and a wealth of treasured and enhancing experiences for all our children and young people.   Our curriculum helps our pupils to mature and regain their love of learning, allowing them to become life-long learners, good role models and well-rounded individual in all aspects of their lives.