Curriculum

PEACE

The PEACE curriculum has been designed to give pupils with complex needs access to a motivating, engaging and exciting curriculum. The PEACE curriculum is made up of practical science, environment (forest school), adventure (outdoor education), cross curricular (humanities) and enrichment. We acknowledge that the needs of each individual pupil are central. The provision offered is sufficiently flexible to enable pupils to be placed at an appropriately challenging point on the continuum at any point in their school career. The following form the foundation of delivery:

Engagement and enjoyment
Communication and understanding
Personal and social development including increasing awareness of self, their own emotions and relationships with others.
Independence including life skills

P – Practical Science

The practical science curriculum has been written in line with the aims and ethos of the KS3 national curriculum. It helps prepare our pupils in gaining the scientific knowledge and skills needed for life in modern day Britain. The principal focus of science teaching in KS3 is to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils will begin to see the connections between these subjects and become aware of some of the big ideas underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding.

Working scientifically underpins the science curriculum and pupils will be taught:

Scientific attitudes
Experimental skills
Analysis
Evaluation
Measurement skills

We follow the AQA unit award scheme, in particular the science units that link to the KS3 national curriculum

The AQA unit award scheme has been offered as a recording of achievement scheme for over 30 years. It is a tried and tested means by which learners, no matter what their age or ability, can have their achievement formally recognised.

UAS can help learners with progression to

further study
training
employment
independent living
more active involvement in society.

UAS is shown to motivate, encourage, engage, support and raise self-esteem and can reward achievement which might otherwise go unrecognised.

E – Enrichment

Sport

During enrichment sessions, pupils have the opportunity to learn skills in a range of sports. These include, football, basketball, kickboxing, boxing, gym sessions and cricket.

There are many benefits of playing a range of sports for all our pupils. They help to strengthen muscle endurance, builds healthy bones, improves balance and coordination, develops movement skills, improves body composition and boosts heart health.

Alongside the physical benefits, there are many emotional and social benefits of playing sports, including, developing self-confidence, leadership skills, encouraging team spirit and developing communication skills.

Nurture Crafts

During enrichment sessions, pupils have the opportunity to take part in a variety of arts and crafts activities that are linked to current themes and special days in the yearly calendar, including Halloween, Christmas, Armistice Day, National Day of Happiness, Easter, mental health day and many more.

Benefits of Arts and Crafts

1) Self-Expression and Managing Feelings

As with all creative pursuits, arts and crafts activities are a fantastic creative outlet. Through art, pupils can express themselves freely, and sometimes without realising! Subconsciously, pupils will be expressing their inner thoughts and feelings through their artwork. Art is a great way for pupils to reflect and manage their emotions. The process of turning a thought into a tangible piece of art is a brilliant way of allowing us to manage our internal thoughts and feelings, moulding them into something real. Moreover, art and creative pursuits are proven to have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

2) Improves Confidence and Self-Esteem

Art can improve confidence and self-esteem in a multitude of ways. For one, pupils will gain confidence in expressing themselves through the medium of art. Being able to channel thoughts and feelings into their artwork will, in turn, help them feel more confident in communicating how they are feeling. Art is a truly unique concept which differs greatly from one person to the next. This serves as a validation of each person’s individuality and their unique existence. Moreover, as with most things, pupils will grow in confidence the more they engage with art. Improving their techniques, understanding the underpinnings of great art and recognising how art makes them feel all contribute to their sense of self-worth.

3) Fine Motor Skills

A key physical skill which can be improved through art activities is fine motor skills. During arts and crafts pupils regularly use the various muscles in their fingers, wrists and hands. Regular use of these muscles improves their strength and finesse, which then makes other tasks, such as writing, far easier!

4) Patience

We all know that perfection takes time. Whether that be the length of time it takes to complete a piece of art or successfully executing an artistic technique, it takes patience and dedication. Once their artwork is completed, pupils will feel a huge sense of accomplishment and will learn that hard work and dedication is very much rewarded. It can be tempting to rush things to get them completed quicker or to give up completely if it is taking longer than planned. But, with time, levels of patience will increase and they will realise good things take time!

5) Concentration

Concentration is a skill which isn’t learnt overnight; it develops slowly. Remaining committed to the task at hand and not letting their minds wander can be challenging for some pupils. However, with an end goal in mind and the motivation to succeed, budding young artists will focus on their artistic vision. Practicing focus and concentration will benefit them in all areas of life and in a vast array of subjects.

6) Organisational Skills

Organisational skills can be developed through arts and crafts. Making sure they have the equipment they need close by, a good workspace and getting timings right can contribute hugely to the success of an art project. Being organised is, of course, a fantastic quality to have and can make everyday life that tiny bit easier.

Visiting a salon helps pupils understand aspects of the hair and beauty industry and to cover some of the knowledge and practical skills required to work successfully within it. It will engage pupils in learning which is relevant to them and will provide opportunities to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes essential for successful performance in working life. Pupils will have access to a salon to put learning into practice.

Hairdressing

Hair and beauty is offered by an external provider – Hair and Body 2000.

Hairdressing can help learners with progression to

further study
training
employment
independent living
more active involvement in society.

It has been shown to motivate, encourage, engage, support and raise self-esteem and can reward achievement which might otherwise go unrecognised.

A – Adventure

The Adventure curriculum is underpinned by strong character education that promotes skills such as independence, problem solving, team work, resilience, commitment and determination. This leads to an improvement in self-confidence and belief by having a sharp focus on SEMH development. Students take part in a range of activities including, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, swimming, walking and much more.

At a time when we are increasingly concerned about the physical and emotional wellbeing of our children and young people, outdoor learning brings with it a range of benefits which are now widely evidenced, acknowledged and accepted.

Taking the curriculum outside can improve attainment, increase engagement, and develop a wide range of skills including problem solving, communication and resilience. Outdoor learning also provides endless opportunities for experiential, contextual and applied education.

Students will take part in a range of challenging and engaging outdoor activities including mountain biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, rock climbing, skiing, scuba diving and orienteering. These outdoor activities are complimented by indoor sessions such as bouldering, functional fitness, kickboxing and work towards Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2 awards through the AQA Unit Award Scheme specific to the sports and activities that they take part in.

“Outdoor activities help to control my anger and I don’t lash out as much. If I’m annoyed, I know that I’ll be doing something soon that calms me down.”

“Outdoor education gives me the time and the space to work on ways to control my emotions.”

C – Cross curricular

Coming Soon

E – Environment

Forest school began in Scandinavia and has been developing in the UK for the last twenty years. Forest school supports holistic growth and is a student led learning process. It develops confidence and self-esteem through a learner inspired, hands on experience in a natural setting.

In our forest school sessions, we often visit local woodlands learning about our environment and sustainability. We are lucky enough to have our own forest school area on site with fire pits, tools, bush craft, wood working, a green house and a pond.

Forest school creates a non-judgmental environment for learners to take risks and grow overcoming them. Forest school helps participants to become resilient, creative, independent learners.

Our young people lead their own exploration in Forest School and so every session and every experience is personalised to meet the needs of all our pupils. They will help plan sessions and have a huge input in the development of our site. There is possibility for managed risk this could be physical such as fire lighting or climbing, or emotional such as trying new ways of working. At Forest School, as well as learning many new practical skills, the young people will use their Forest School sessions to look at areas of self-development they would like to improve on for life after Ethos College.

Forest Schools helps young people to

increase their self-awareness and self-esteem
build empathy
improve and maintain their physical and mental health
give them the opportunity to work with other young people, developing the essential social skills for collaboration and team work
develop leadership skills
Improve self-regulation
allow them to increase their confidence through developing new skills
promote their imagination, independence and creativity to improve their skills in the classroom
connect with nature and develop an understanding of the natural world
build resilience through risk taking and challenge, problem solving, and dealing with new situations
learning to accept failure as part of the learning process and develop the ability to persevere
learn about their environment and the wider community.

Students will also have the opportunity to complete the Level 1 Forest School qualification.