Newcastle Bridges School at Kenton Curriculum

The NBS Kenton Provision caters for pupils who have long standing problems at mainstream schools due to anxiety/vulnerability, who are considered by CYPS, Educational Psychology or their home school to be unable to access mainstream education. 

The provision aims to provide a caring and nurturing environment for pupils at a particularly difficult time in their lives, whilst allowing them to continue with their education. There is a high level of staffing which enables this to happen. Emphasis is placed on bridging gaps in learning as many pupils have missed large amounts of education. 

The curriculum follows the National Curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 with a range of option subjects offered to Key Stage 4 pupils. Pupils are entered for a range of qualifications including GCSE, Functional Skills, Entry Level, and the Arts Award. Bespoke curriculum packages, including alternative provisions, are also available. 

Pupils receive support from our Family Support Worker and Keyworkers within the school. They are also supported by a variety of external agencies including CYPS, Educational Psychology, Community Paediatrics, Health Visitors, and Connexions.  They also have the opportunity to access mentoring and counselling services from other providers. 

Pupils are well supported and well prepared for leaving school, working with our Trust's dedicated Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) Transition Co-ordinator, Stefanie Wilson. As a result, the overwhelming majority of our pupils progress successfully to further education, training, or employment. 

Key Stage 3

Curriculum Overview

Pupils in Years 7-9 follow a curriculum that is closely matched to both the statutory demands of the National Curriculum and the academic needs of the individual. The following subjects are offered in Key Stage 3: English Language and Literature, Maths, Science, ICT, History, Geography, Art, RE, PSHE, PE, Design Technology and Music. Specialist intervention is offered in literacy and numeracy in order to support pupils to make the necessary progress and consolidate their learning.

Vocational Opportunities

Pupils are offered opportunities to visit a wide variety of workplaces and operations, including Kirkley Hall, Scotswood Garden and Ouseburn Farm. 

Curriculum Enrichment

The central feature of the Enrichment programme in Key Stage 3 is the school’s involvement in a Forest School project, in which pupils engage in outdoor learning on a twice-weekly basis. The sessions are designed to develop confidence and resilience though a hands-on learning experience in a woodland or natural setting.  

There are also regular opportunities to engage in sporting activities such as horse riding, indoor climbing, and e-sports.

Key Stage 4

Curriculum Overview

In addition to statutory courses in PE and PHSE, students in Years 10 and 11 study a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science and ICT, gaining accreditation at a variety of levels from Entry Level to GCSE in relation to the ability level of the individual. This is supplemented by a range of additional subjects, which are offered either within the core offer or as option subjects. The current subjects on offer are Additional Science, English Literature, History, Art, Child Development, Health and Social Care, Music, Business Studies, Statistics, Environmental Studies, Sports Leaders and Photography.

For pupils who are referred on medical grounds, a bespoke package of education is tailored around their individual needs. The hours of learning students are deemed well enough to access is agreed and reviewed by the medical referee each half term. 

Vocational Opportunities

A range of vocational providers also support our Key Stage 4 pupils, such as NACRO, Ouseburn Farm, NE1Can, Kirkley Hall and Newcastle United Foundation. They offer a variety of opportunities, such as helping students develop work-related skills, preparing job applications, conducting mock interviews and supporting individuals in finding part-time employment.

In Year 11, the main focus of the careers programme is supporting pupils in both achieving qualifications at the end of Key Stage 4 and in making the transition to the next stage of their education or employment training. We work closely with partner organisations such as Newcastle College to offer opportunities for pupils to experience what different education and training providers have to offer. We facilitate visits to open events, organise visits to a variety of sites and departments, and help to arrange interviews. We also support with dealing with the pressures of exam stress, offer a study skills and revision programme, and offer additional study opportunities in the lead up to the end of their Key Stage 4 studies.

Curriculum Enrichment

In Years 10 and 11, we aim to give pupils a broad and varied experience, which encompasses a wide range of social, artistic, cultural and sporting activities designed to enhance the classroom-based learning that we offer. We work closely with partners, including the Newcastle United Foundation, Stepney Bank Stables, the Hatton Gallery, Kirkley Hall, and Newcastle Climbing Centre to offer a range of programmes to develop the whole young person and provide opportunities to build the ‘cultural capital’ our pupils can draw upon.