Curriculum Overview

'The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils' - Ofsted

Newcastle Bridges School is an academy within Prosper Learning Trust. It serves children aged 4-19 in the city of Newcastle, but also those children and young people referred to medical services and CYPS provisions from regional and national services, and therefore has a transient pupil population. 

Newcastle Bridges School believes that all children have a right to education and exists to provide educational opportunities of a high standard to students whose education has been interrupted by mental or physical ill-health, anxiety or vulnerability. The school recognises the benefit of helping pupils reach their educational potential not only in preparing them for adult life, but in the therapeutic process of intellectual and emotional development and/or recovery. We endeavour to ensure that educational disadvantage is minimised by providing structured and appropriate education, in liaison with home schools where appropriate, in a caring environment. 

The school is made up of a diverse range of departments some of which are within NHS settings. These units are widely recognised for the expertise they provide both regionally and nationally; staff at Newcastle Bridges School work in partnership with staff from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust within these settings:  

• The Great North Children’s Hospital/Freeman Hospital: pupils whose education is interrupted by regular stays, or a long term stay, in hospital are taught by a team of teachers in the different specialist paediatric wards  
• Ferndene Stephenson Medium Scure Unit (MSU) at Prudhoe: a medium secure inpatient assessment and treatment for young people up to 18 years, who have complex mental health needs, including those with a learning disability
• Ferndene Hospital at Prudhoe (Redburn, Fraser, and Riding Wards): provides regional and national Tier 4 Child and Adolescent Services (CAMHS) for children and young people between the ages of 13 and 18. Tier 4 CAMHS are for patients with more complex needs usually requiring inpatient treatment. Ferndene has three wards, Redburn, Fraser and Riding, providing a total of 20 beds
• Complex Neuro-developmental Disorder Service at Walkergate Park: a specialist second opinion service for nursery or primary school aged children who may have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other complex communication/mental health/neuro-developmental problems
• Newcastle Bridges School in Kenton: an educational setting for students aged 11-16 who suffer from social, emotional and mental health difficulties