About Our Classes
Semi-Formal Pathway
There are 9 Semi-Formal Pathway classes: Ash, Bay, Lime, Cedar, Fir, Birch, Laurel, Juniper and Elm.
For Maple (mixed Primary and Seniors), please see the Primary About Our Classes page.
Ash (mixed Primary and Seniors)
Please see our Ash Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Ash is a mixed class of Key Stage 2 & 3 semi-formal pupils. Ash is class-based and follow the EQUALS Schemes of Work for semi-formal pupils. The curriculum is built around promoting and developing independence skills and developing skills in the wider community. We focus on functional literacy and numeracy skills alongside lessons in physical well-being, play skills and the world around us. Pupils also benefit from sensory input to support their regulation and learning, the MOVE programme, and rebound therapy. .
The class is split into 2-3 groups for focus tasks, each led by an adult, with activities designed to meet individual needs.
Bay
Please see our Bay Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Bay is a mixed class of Key Stage 3, 4 & 5 semi-formal pupils having a predominantly class-based curriculum based on the EQUALS Scheme of Work that enables pupils to develop their communication, independence and practical skills. The Key Stage 4/5 pupils access ASDAN/OCR accreditations such as ASDAN Transition Challenge, ASDAN Personal Progress and OCR Life and Living Skills. Pupils mainly work in one of three small ability groups across most activities each day, with an adult linked to each group. Time for social interaction, communication and independence is promoted and there are cognitive breaks when needed. Some pupils engage in daily sensory diet activities alongside sensory snacks throughout the day. Some pupils attend weekly intervention sessions to push further their independence and cognitive skills.
Lime
Please see our Lime Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Lime is a Key Stage 3 class accessing a predominantly subject-specific-teacher curriculum on the EQUALS Scheme of Work that enables pupils to develop their communication, independence and practical skills. Pupils in Lime are typically working at the higher end of the EQUALS curriculum and access more formal Maths and English lessons. These pupils will access either Entry Level or ASDAN Personal Progress at Key Stage 4, depending on their development/progress.
Cedar
Please see our Cedar Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Cedar is a Key Stage 3 class having a predominantly class-based curriculum based on the EQUALS Scheme of Work that enables pupils to develop their communication, independence and practical skills. These pupils will access either ASDAN Transition Challenge or ASDAN Personal Progress at Key Stage 4, depending on their development/progress.
Fir
Please see our Fir Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Fir is a Key Stage 3 class having a predominantly class-based curriculum based on the EQUALS Scheme of Work that enables pupils to develop their communication, independence and practical skills. These pupils will access either ASDAN Transition Challenge or ASDAN Personal Progress at Key Stage 4, depending on their development/progress.
Birch
Please see our Birch Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Birch is a mixed class of Key Stage 4 & 5 pupils which follows a ‘semi-formal’ pathway that is designed to develop communication, independence, work and life skills. Learning activities take place both in the classroom and in the community where pupils have the opportunity to experience real life situations. These pupils complete ASDAN Personal Progress units (and/or OCR Life & Living Skills units). Emotional. social and well-being is supported by regular sessions of Zones of Regulation, PE and enrichment activities.
Laurel
Please see our Laurel Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Laurel is a class of Key Stage 4 & 5 pupils who follow a ‘semi-formal’ bespoke curriculum that is designed to develop personal, work and life skills. This includes on-site/off-site work skills, travel training, cookery and visiting colleges. All pupils will access Entry Level and/or ASDAN Personal Progress units (and/or OCR Life & Living Skills units), depending on their development/progress.
Juniper
Please see our Juniper Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Juniper is a class with pupils from both KS3 and KS4 which follows a ‘semi-formal’ curriculum. This curriculum is designed to support pupils in reaching their full potential when moving into adulthood. This is done through focusing on Communication, Life Skills and Work Skills. Pupils complete ASDAN Personal Progress units to support the overall development of their personal and academic skills. Each pupil’s emotional and social well-being is supported through PSHCE, Zones of Regulation and PE lessons.
Elm
Please see our Elm Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Elm is a Key Stage 4 semi-formal curriculum class. The curriculum is designed to develop practical, work and life skills with pupils completing Entry Level courses across their subjects as appropriate. The Elm curriculum is designed to help prepare the learners for transition to college, therefore their timetable includes a half-day link visit to a local college and a half- day of work experience.
Formal Pathway
There is 1 Formal Pathway class: Satellite
Satellite
Please see our Satellite Yearly Planning Overview for a detailed termly breakdown of delivery.
Satellite is a Key Stage 3 class having a predominantly class-based curriculum, based on-site at Upton-By-Chester High School. Satellite follows a formal curriculum with the addition of Life Skills. The class accesses facilities on-site at Upton-By-Chester High School, such as the technology rooms, art rooms, dance studio and science labs to further enrich their school experience. Satellite pupils are working towards accessing Entry Level courses when they transition into Key Stage 4.
Enrichment
All pupils take part in Enrichment sessions once per week. Enrichment sessions are designed so that pupils are offered activities and concepts to engage them that are out of the constraints of the conventional curriculum. We believe that our pupils have the right to a diverse, rich and exciting curriculum. Enrichment sessions allow us to be creative in our approach to pupils’ learning and in the use of our many resources.
*In addition to traditional Literacy lessons, all pupils have a 20-minute Literacy slot Mon-Fri. This initiative is to give extra focus to Literacy across the school and is directed by the Literacy subject leader.
Residentials
Residential experiences are offered on a rota basis.