Curriculum
All of the pupils leaving Osborne School will:
► Have maximised their full potential.
► Be as independent as possible.
► Have a range of nationally recognised qualifications.
► Have reached appropriate levels in literacy and numeracy.
► Gain independent thinking and learning skills that can be transferred to adult life.
► Be confident and self assured.
► Have good communication skills.
► Be creative and able to manage change.
► Be able to work as individuals and in a team.
► Be aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and be able to make healthy choices.
►Support the values of the school and the local community.
► Respect other cultures, religions and genders.
► Be proud of their achievements.
Osborne Schools curriculum aims:
► To provide a dynamic model of curriculum delivery that will meet the diverse and changing needs of our learners.
► To devise an inclusive curriculum that is led by the needs of the students.
► To ensure learning is cohesive, cross-curricular, creative, age-appropriate and fun.
► To set suitable learning challenges.
► To maximise opportunities for pupils to develop age appropriate and relevant skills.
► To provide varied and appropriate accreditation.
Key Stage 3:
The KS3 curriculum gives pupils in years 7, 8 and 9 a broad, yet balanced curriculum. Pupils study the core curriculum subjects of Maths, English and Science, as well as lessons in the foundation subjects of Citizenship, Computing, Physical Education (2 hours per week), Food Technology and Music. The Key Stage 3 Curriculum also introduces other foundation subjects and programmes of study. These include ‘How Does it Work’ – incorporating Design & Technology and Textiles, ‘Where are We Going, Where do We Come From’ – Humanities and Modern Foreign Languages and ‘Let’s Get Creative’ – mixing Art, Crafts and Creativity. Religious Education is delivered through Hampshire’s ‘Living Difference’ Syllabus and all pupils receive Sex and Relationship Education lessons. Furthermore, pupils have specific Literacy lessons, where they are able to further develop their skills in reading, spelling, vocabulary and comprehension.
Pupils also have the opportunity to take part in Friday Options afternoon, where they can choose a subject of interest. This introduces pupils to the concept of making independent and informed choices for their future. There is a vast range of options that are available and pupils follow a line of study for each term. Therefore, pupils cover 3 options over 1 academic year.
Finally, pupils participate in a Mental Wealth lesson, every Friday afternoon. These lessons have given both staff and pupils the opportunity to identify and talk about their feelings, understand how these feelings can affect our behaviour, different strategies to manage these feelings, the links between mental and physical health and much more.
The Key Stage 3 curriculum gives pupils the opportunity to develop their social, communication and life skills to a greater degree and ensures that we are preparing our pupils for the next stages in their education and life. The Key Stage 3 curriculum naturally progresses into the Key Stage 4 curriculum.
Key Stage 4:
The KS4 curriculum shows a natural progression from Key Stage 3 and is designed to incorporate the compulsory core subjects of Maths, English and Science, alongside the foundation subjects of Computing, Physical Education (2 hours per week) and Citizenship. All Key Stage 4 pupils are also given an opportunity to follow lines of study of their choice through an options programme. This not only gives the pupils an informed choice, but also allows for pupils to excel in those areas that they find of most interest. The option choices are very similar to those in mainstream and gives a good balance through years 10 and 11. We currently offer lines of study in: Life Management, Sport and Leisure, ICT and Media, The World Around Us (Humanities and Modern Foreign Languages), Art and Design and Performing Arts. Pupils also have the opportunity to take part in some vocational learning lines of study and these include – Horticulture, Construction and Cooking and Catering.
What is Vocational Learning?
Our vocational learning programme is in place to support our pupils developing workplace experience with qualifications. Functional skills, personal learning and thinking skills are all embedded within the programme.
Who is Vocational Learning for?
The programme supports many different types of learners, particularly those seeking to combine school with an opportunity to gain workplace skills and experience. The vocational programme is tailored to suit their needs and requirements.
We also make sure that a full range of accreditation is available depending on individual pupils needs. These range from Transition Challenge, ASDAN Life skills Challenge, Entry Level Certificates, BTEC at Entry Level and Level 1 and full GCSEs.
Pupils will continue to develop their links with Colleges and in year 11 they also follow a Next Steps Programme, every Friday morning, as well as Work-Related Learning lessons. Where appropriate and applicable, Year 11 students also get the opportunity to undertake some work experience in the Summer Term.
Finally, like the rest of the school, all Key Stage 4 pupils also participate in a Mental Wealth lesson every Friday afternoon.
OsKings’:
The OsKings’ provision, based at Kings’ School, provides our pupils with moderate learning difficulties, the opportunity to access mainstream education.
The aim is to support pupils to:
- Develop their confidence through social interaction and experiences helping them access appropriate post 16 provision(s)
- To achieve their academic potential accessing appropriate academic qualifications including GCSE’s and Functional Skills
- To develop social skills and build friendships with pupils at a large mainstream school
- To access extra-curricular opportunities helping them build relationships and develop a variety of interests for adult life
Pupils attending the OsKings’ provision will have access to the following:
- GCSE: English Literature and Language, Science, Maths, History, Textiles and Art
- Entry Level Certificate: English, Maths, Science, ICT, PE, History and Geography
- ASDAN: Citizenship, RE and Work-Related Learning
- BTEC: Personal Growth and Well-being and Vocational Studies*
- Additional: Sports Leaders UK
*Vocational BTEC allows options in ICT and Media, Sport and General Studies
All OsKings’ pupils attend specific year assemblies, with Kings’ pupils, and are allocated a school house to help them further integrate into Kings’ School. The provision is based in a classroom with access to computers, laptops and iPads. All pupils can access Kings’ School lunch and after school clubs as well as all facilities. Pupils are actively encouraged to socialise with peers from Kings School and supported, where required, by Osborne School staff.
Osborne College:
Osborne College exists to provide a learning environment for students aged 16-19 with moderate to severe learning difficulties who may also have a diagnosis of ASC and are not yet ready to attend a mainstream college.
We aim to achieve a person-centred experience within a caring and safe environment in which an individual student’s rights and choices are respected and promoted.
The College also follows all of the main school policies, procedures and values.
The College has the following aims:
► To support students in taking responsibility for their own behaviour and in developing self-management
► Supporting students and encouraging greater independence in making informed choices
► Developing self-esteem
► Developing skills in personal care
► Developing physical and emotional wellbeing
► Developing independence and self help
► Developing key skills of Literacy, Numeracy and ICT
► Developing the ability to make leisure choices and self occupy
► Development of communication and social skills
► Preparation to live happily in the community
► To reduce students’ anxieties
► To develop pupils understanding of Mental Wealth
We achieve this by:
► Providing a small and safe environment
► Providing a consistent and predictable environment
► Seeking to understand each individual
► Using a range of teaching and learning approaches to meet a variety of needs
► Providing a structured, broad and balanced curriculum
► Providing a calm, consistent and purposeful environment
► Regularly accessing facilities within the local community
► Ensuring staff receive regular training through Osborne School’s INSET programme and other external courses as well as through unit staff meetings
