Curriculum Overview
'Preparation for the Next Stage'
Intent - Our ‘Preparation for the Next Stage’ curriculum is designed to support learners in successfully transitioning to the next phase of their education or life journey. It is based on the following four key principles:
- Trauma-Informed Approach
Our curriculum promotes a safe, consistent, and predictable environment, creating a calm, kind, and honest atmosphere where learners feel supported.
- Focused on Key Qualifications
We aim to ensure all learners leave KS4 with strong qualifications in English and Maths, providing a foundation for further education or employment.
- Individualised Support for Growth
We provide tailored support to help each learner reach their reading potential and achieve their Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) targets.
- Accessible and Future-Focused
Our curriculum identifies and addresses barriers to learning, ensuring all learners can succeed and are prepared for their next destination, whether in education, training, or employment.
Curriculum Aim
We believe reading is key to accessing the curriculum and support our learners in progressing from learning to read, to reading to learn. Our curriculum is built on high expectations and aspirations, focusing on smooth transitions and overcoming barriers to promote confident, competent, and kind learners. With a coherent and well-sequenced approach, we aim to inspire and engage, ensuring learners are fully prepared for the next stage of their education and life journey.
Implementation
The curriculum has undergone a significant transformation, with a clear focus on preparation for the next stage of our learners' lives. Central to this transformation are trauma-informed approaches, including PACE, which are embedded in daily interactions. These approaches help to reinforce our core values of Kindness, Calmness, and Honesty throughout the learning experience.
Our curriculum is designed to be ambitious, adventurous, and engaging, offering a mix of experiential learning that extends beyond the classroom. Learning opportunities outside the school environment, including individualised learning elements and work experience, support learners in preparing for life after education.
Key to our approach is the delivery of subjects that foster both academic and practical skills. These include P4A, art, sports leadership, careers education, PSHE and cooking, all alongside a strong focus on core subjects. These areas help our learners build a broad skill set, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future journeys.
Our transition planning is comprehensive, ensuring that each learner is equipped with the confidence and skills to embrace change and successfully navigate their next steps in education or life.
Key Stage 3 | |
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Subject | Number of Lessons |
English | 4 |
Maths | 4 |
Science | 3 |
IT | 1 |
PE | 2 |
Art | 1 |
Humanities | 2 |
Music | 1 |
Reading | 1 |
Home Cooking | 1 |
Citizenship | 1 |
RSE | 1 |
IAG | 1 |
PFA | 1 |
PHSE | 5 |
Total | 29 |
Key Stage 4 | |
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Subject | Number of Lessons |
English | 5 |
Maths | 5 |
Science | 4 |
IT | 1 |
PE | 2 |
IAG | 1 |
PFA | 2 |
PHSE | 5 |
PE Pathway | |
Geography Pathway | |
Horticulture Pathway | |
Total | 29 (2 pathways 4 lessons) |
Alongside our subject-specific curriculum plans, we also integrate the following components into our curriculum for all learners.
EHCP Targets
Individual EHCP targets are seamlessly integrated into daily lessons and interactions. These targets are consistently tracked, evidenced in the classroom, and regularly reviewed. All staff are fully aware of each learner's specific targets and actively create opportunities for progress toward achieving them.
Reading
Our Trust’s reading strategy is designed to foster a whole-school reading culture and integrate cross-curricular approaches to enhance reading skills. Our curriculum aligns with this strategy, recognising that improving reading is key to increasing learner access to the full curriculum. This includes daily phonics lessons and a newly established library, with scheduled reading sessions for each group. Learners also have opportunities to engage with daily expert reading sessions and coffee mornings are organised to encourage parental involvement in promoting reading. Additionally, learners are given targeted reading interventions by being withdrawn from non-core lessons when needed.
Careers
To meet the Gatsby Benchmarks, we offer a structured and comprehensive careers program that aligns with all key standards. Our Employer Engagement and Alternative Provision Teacher plays a vital role in connecting students with meaningful work experience opportunities. By forming partnerships with a range of local businesses and industries, we strive to provide individualized placements that match each student’s interests and career aspirations. This tailored approach ensures students gain practical, real-world experience, empowering them to make well-informed decisions about their future careers.
We also run a variety of careers events and collaborate closely with key partners, such as Regional Careers, Together for Children, the National Apprenticeship Service, and the LEP, to ensure that students receive the most up-to-date career information and guidance available.
Pastoral Support
Our Pastoral Support approach is child-centred and holistic, focusing on empowering students while providing tailored support. We integrate Zones of Regulation and the PACE approach into our interventions, which form the foundation for all interactions. Pastoral interventions are carefully designed strategies aimed at offering targeted support to help learners engage more effectively with the curriculum.
Interventions include Forest School, therapeutic boxing, sensory processing support, Drawing and Talking therapy, and strategies based on attachment theory. These approaches are specifically for learners who need the most support to fully access the curriculum, ensuring they have the tools and resources to thrive both academically and emotionally.
Transition
Our new transition program, piloted in 2023/24, expanded opportunities for transition learners to experience life here. It also included parent and carer events to foster engagement and communication. The program placed a strong emphasis on building positive relationships between staff and incoming students, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition.
Preparation for Adulthood
Preparation for Adulthood is integrated throughout the curriculum using a holistic approach that focuses on developing the essential skills, knowledge, and independence students need to thrive in the next stage of their lives.
Safeguarding Curriculum
The introduction of the safeguarding curriculum has been a crucial development in ensuring the safety and well-being of our learners. This comprehensive curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to recognize and respond to potential risks, both online and offline. It plays a vital role in promoting a culture of awareness, respect, and responsibility within our school community.
By embedding safeguarding throughout the learning experience, we empower students to make informed decisions, understand their rights, and know where to seek help if needed. This curriculum not only focuses on traditional safeguarding issues, such as bullying and personal safety, but also addresses modern challenges like online safety, mental health, and emotional well-being.
Trust Forest School
Forest School intervention is a vital part of our holistic approach to supporting learners. It provides students with unique, hands-on opportunities to develop both emotionally and socially in a natural, outdoor environment. For many learners, particularly those who may struggle with traditional classroom settings, Forest School offers a safe, supportive space where they can build confidence, resilience, and independence.
The benefits of Forest School go beyond simply connecting with nature. It encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and self-regulation through activities such as shelter building, bushcraft, and environmental exploration. These experiences help students develop essential life skills, such as perseverance, creativity, and the ability to manage challenges in a real-world context.
Additionally, Forest School is especially valuable for learners who may have experienced trauma or find it difficult to express themselves in a conventional classroom. The outdoor setting and focus on active learning promote emotional well-being and social interaction, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. It also provides a crucial opportunity for sensory processing and stress reduction, which can support learners with additional needs
Extra-Curricular Activities
At Trinity Academy New Bridge, we are dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of our learners. To promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle, we offer a variety of extra-curricular activities that cater to a wide range of interests and needs.
- Breakfast Club: Start your day with a healthy breakfast and a sense of community. Our Breakfast Club is available every morning, providing a warm and welcoming environment for learners to gather, enjoy a nutritious meal, and prepare for a productive school day.
- Gym Access: To encourage physical activity and well-being, we open our gym during break and lunchtime. Learners are welcome to use the gym for sports, fitness activities, or simply to unwind and release stress in a positive, energetic way.
These initiatives are part of our commitment to ensuring our learners’ overall well-being, both mentally and physically, by providing spaces to relax, engage in sport, and socialise with peers. Engaging in these activities fosters confidence, teamwork, and resilience, which are essential for a healthy mind and body.
Curriculum Impact
At Trinity Academy New Bridge, the impact of the curriculum is assessed through a comprehensive approach that considers various facets of learner progress and development. The primary measure of success is knowledge accumulation and learning tracked through assessments and academic outcomes. Additionally, the curriculums effectiveness in preparing learners for their next educational or employment steps is evaluated through destination data and progression routes for Key Stage 4 learners.
Engagement is monitored through feedback from parents and learners, alongside key data points such as attendance and behaviour. The quality of education is evaluated through learning walks and work scrutiny, ensuring that well-planned, engaging lessons are consistently delivered by enthusiastic practitioners.
Furthermore, the holistic development of each learner is a core focus, with progress towards personalised targets as outlined in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) forming an essential part of the evaluation. This approach ensures that the curriculum not only supports academic growth but also fosters the personal and social development of each individual, promoting the development of the “whole person.”
The impact of the curriculum is to create confident, competent and kind citizens of the future.
Music Action Plan
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At Trinity Academy New Bridge, we encourage learners to develop a keen interest in music using digital media, offering singing, composing personalised pieces and listening to lots of different kinds of music across our curriculum. We strive to provide a range musical opportunities, including the attendance of professional musicians and workshops, and to effectively communicate additional enrichment with families so that learners can continue to develop their skills and love of a range of music. Our long-term vision is that all learners access high-quality weekly music lessons and can progress their learning by taking up an instrument, using digital music software to compose or joining a musical group. All learners will be given the opportunity to experience the joy of live performances. |
Curriculum Music: Vision is to ensure all learner can access high quality music provision. |
At Trinity Academy New Bridge, we work closely with the Music Hubs to ensure we gain the absolute best experiences for our learners. Through our collaborations, we will continue to invite several music professionals on site to support our drive for greater involvements and appreciation of a myriad music. Following student input, we have invested in a digital music platform called Charanga, which has been developed by the Music Hub and offers a range of musical styles for learners to investigate. Learners are also able to compose their own pieces of music, in their chosen style, then continue the development outside of school time. |
Co-Curricular: Vision is to ensure small group/individual lessons are free of charge and that there are a range of groups that learners can take participate in. |
Trinity Academy New Bridge is one where learners are encouraged to develop their love of learning in a range of ways. Our work with the Music Hub enables us to provide opportunities for professional musicians to work with learns to foster a lifelong love of music. Every learner can access our musical instruments free of charge and are encouraged to try new instruments to enrichment their life experiences. |
Enrichment: Vision is to make links with a range of organisations so that our learners can access a variety of live performances, supporting their wider development and enrichment. |
Learners are encouraged to develop a range of musical pieces across a variety of styles then perform these in a safe and calm environment where they feel comfortable and secure. Our aim to run a number of events where learners are able to showcase their progress and talents to parents and carers to develop confidence.
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Drop Down Days
Drop Down Enrichment Days 2024/25 - Health and Wellbeing, RE and SMSC
To complement our curriculum, we offer drop down days during the academic year. These sessions replace structured classroom lessons with activities used to strengthen learners' knowledge and application of skills and provide a deeper learning experience into different key topics.
Religious Education is covered within our drop down days, but if parents or carers wish for their child not to take part in the lessons around RE, please contact school and let us know as soon as possible.
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KS1-4 |
Activity Ideas – AM drop down days |
Aut 1 Half term 1 |
Healthy Minds
11/10/124 Friday |
Linked Activities:
Link to world mental health day - lots of resources out there – 10th October 2024 – Wear yellow day
Science: What is stress? What it does to our bodies and how we can deal with it. How does diet affect mental health? What can we do to help ourselves and others? |
Aut 2 Half term 2 |
RE – SMSC
1/11/24 and 8/11/24
Friday |
Linked Activities: Friday 20th December Parent event - Christmas celebrations
Remembrance Sunday – 10th November
US- Antibullying drop down day – 11th – 15th November US- Christianity – Christmas story US – Hindu – Creation story, Values, Art work
Hinduism – Festival of light (Diwali)– 31st October 2024 Christianity – Christmas preparations Food Tech: Hindu foods/ various Christian foods - Christmas Art: Hindu/ Christian artwork/ style English/ Humanities: History/ key stories of the Hindu/ Christian culture Maths: Vadic maths – ancient strategies
Additional Enrichment: PE: Traditional games and sporting activities from different regions https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-vedic-math-1770682
Active Sunderland Year 7/ 8/ 10 Physical and Mental health around diet
Links to the safeguarding curriculum: Antibullying and Harassment, Mental Health Awareness |
Spr 1 Half term 3 |
Healthy Living and Fresh Starts
24/01/25 Friday PM |
Linked Activities: Friday 24th January Coffee morning 10am-12pm Mental health awareness and sharing strategies
Sessions on Rotation: Fresh starts and healthy living:
Wider links - Diet, exercise and lifestyle: The effect on health
Additional Enrichment/ Culture Capital/ Wider World Links: Chinese New Year – 29th January 2025
Active Sunderland Year 7/ 8/ 10 Physical and Mental health around diet
Links to the safeguarding curriculum: Healthy, Safe Relationships and Consent, Bullying and Harassment, Mental Health Awareness |
Spr 2 Half term 4 |
RE, SMSC & Safeguarding Topics
28/3/25 Friday – Anti-racism and Tolerance |
Linked Activities: Tuesday 11th March Coffee evening 3-4pm Phonics and reading learning evening Supporting your child with exams Friday 21st March (optional) Coffee morning 10am-12pm Supporting with attendance
Islamic/ Muslim faith – Festival of Eid 30th-31st March 2025 Judaism – Passover 12th – 20th April 2025 Food Tech: Muslim foods and idea of Ramadan the Eid/ Passover Art: Islamic/ Jewish artwork styles English/ Humanities: History/ Kaye stories of the Islamic/ Jewish culture Maths: Patterns in numbers
28.3.25 Session on Rotation in AM: Session 1 VRU - Child trafficking and modern-day slavery Session 2 RE – faiths and religions. Tolerance and anti-racism Session 3 Safeguarding topic – FGM and forced marriage
28.3.25 Session on Rotation in PM: Session 1: PE sessions – around religions/ cultural activities Session 2: Art – around religions Session 3: Food – around religions
Additional Enrichment: 21.3.25 - PSHE 3 National antiracism day – session in tutors https://www.schoolwellbeing.co.uk/pages/anti-racism-resources 20.3.25 - PSHE 3 Safeguarding against radicalisation TBC Racism out of sport – LCo leading
Links to the safeguarding curriculum: Child trafficking and exploitation, Understanding racism, safeguarding against radicalisation, GM and forced marriage |
Sum 1 Half term 5 |
Mental Health Awareness Week 12th-18th May 2025
18/5/25 Friday
Lorna Leading a range of activities Music from the cultures of the world |
Linked Activities: Friday 18th May Coffee morning 10am-12pm
Drop Down Session Sessions on Rotation PM: Session 1: PE activities around improving mental health Session 2: Mindfulness and looking after your mental health Session 3: Emotional & psychological wellbeing
Additional Enrichment: Visitors from external musical provision e.g. The Glasshouse/ Ken Possible activities:
Links to the safeguarding curriculum: Mental health, Emotional and psychological wellbeing, |
Sum 2 Half term 6 |
Healthy Choices, Healthy Summer
11/7/25 Friday
SMSC/ Safeguarding topics |
Linked Activities: Friday 11th July 2025 Preparation for removal of structure Staying safe in the community – accessing support
Sessions on Rotation AM: Session 1: VRU visit – TBC – LCo leading Gang culture and knife crime VRU to support activities (include laws on these activities) Session 2: Substance abuse/ Domestic violence/ Physical abuse Session 3: Peer on peer abuse/ Sexual abuse and exploitation
Session on rotation in PM: Session 1: Importance of staying active – PE activities and mental health Session 2: Importance of healthy eating – quick and easy, healthy meals Session 3: Importance of online safety – reminders of how to secure personal safety during the summer break/ online grooming. IT activities
Links to the safeguarding curriculum: Knife crime, domestic violence, gang culture and youth violence, substance abuse, online grooming, sexual abuse and exploitation, physical abuse |