The alternative curriculum at Bushey Meads School enhances the curriculum offer and further supports the inclusion agenda at the school. For students who access the enriching curriculum activities, the alternative curriculum supports their progress through school and ensures they are successful in progressing to Post 16 education and beyond.
Purpose/Intent of the Alternative Curriculum
The alternative curriculum aims to:
- provide a relevant curriculum matched to the current attainment of individuals
- enable identified students to develop the skills to access the core curriculum
- support the personal and academic development of young people to ensure that they can fully access the next stage of their life.
- develop and support student aspirations and increase motivation during their time at school
develop the young personās sense of achievement and self-worth through celebration of incremental successes
How is the Alternative Curriculum taught, when and by who?
- The alternative curriculum sessions are taught in small groups by teachers and Lead Learning Assistants.
- In KS3 the alternative sessions usually take the place in curriculum time as an alternative to modern language lessons.
- In KS4 the alternative curriculum is offered as an option choice within the usual Key Stage 4 curriculum offer (as BMAS, The Kingsā Trust, Horticulture and Arts Awards).
What Qualifications will the Students Achieve?
The alternative provision leads to a number of different awards including.
Bushey Meads Award Scheme (AQA certified)
This Award Scheme recognises and facilitates a wide range of subject and topic areas to be taught with incremental progression and clear successes identified through fully certified achievements. This is not a GCSE qualification but colleges and other providers will recognise the achievement and certificates as part of a professional qualification portfolio.
The Kingās Trust
This nationally recognised programme provides for different levels of qualifications depending on how many units are covered and is fully Ofqual regulated.
Horticulture
An Entry Level Certificate which is Ofqual regulated is available for successful students to gain and progress on the Level 2 if appropriate.
Arts Award
Arts Awards are offered and certified for Art and Music.
General Personal Development
As much emphasis is placed on personal development and key interventions as specific awards/qualifications, recognised in ongoing internal reports and official references to support further progression.
Key Elements of the Alternative Curriculum
Depending on the individualās need, elements of the following interventions will be delivered as part of the Alternative Curriculum:
Literacy
Numeracy
Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Communications & Interaction
Speech & Language
Literacy
Numeracy
Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Communication & Interaction
Speech & Language
External Providers
As our school based alternative curriculum continues to expand, we will explore additional opportunities to enhance our provision. Currently we use a number of external agencies to provide additional support to strengthen our curriculum and ensure an appropriate breadth for all students needing to access the alternative provision. These include:
- Aldenham Country Park Farm
- Old Town Riding School
- Course Offered through Chessbrook Educational Support Centre which include:Ā
- motor vehicles maintenance
- construction
- fishing
- hospitality
- hair and beauty