Curriculum intent

At Bishopton PRU we believe every young person deserves a curriculum that restores confidence, builds aspiration and prepares them for successful adulthood.

Our curriculum is designed for pupils who have often experienced disruption to their education, barriers to learning, poor attendance, permanent exclusion and complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Many pupils arrive with gaps in their learning and a lack of confidence. So our curriculum combines ambitious academic learning with therapeutic support, personal development and preparation for adulthood.

What we want every pupil to leave with

• Recognised qualifications
• Improved literacy and numeracy
• Confidence and resilience
• Positive relationships
• Employability skills
• Clear next steps into education, employment or training
• Life skills and independence
• Support for their emotional wellbeing

The Bishopton curriculum journey

Each pupil follows a personalised journey through learning, support and opportunity.

1. Referral received. Information is shared and needs are understood.
2. Admissions meeting. The pupil, family and professionals meet to plan the next steps.
3. Baseline assessments. Academic, literacy, numeracy and wellbeing assessments are carried out.
4. Wellbeing and SEND review. Needs are reviewed, support is planned and interventions are put in place.
5. BEST pathway. Bridge, engage, secure, thrive. This builds confidence and engagement.
6. Academic progress. High-quality teaching, adaptive learning and regular assessment close gaps and build skills.
7. Careers and personal development. Careers education, life skills, enrichment and character development.
8. Qualifications. Pupils achieve accredited qualifications and we celebrate their success.
9. Post-16 destination. Pupils move on to college, training, an apprenticeship or employment with confidence.

Every step is personalised. Every young person is known and every success is celebrated.

What every pupil is entitled to

• High-quality teaching
• A broad and balanced curriculum
• Adaptive teaching that meets individual needs
• Personal development opportunities
• Careers education
• Reading and literacy support
• Numeracy development
• Enrichment and wider opportunities
• Therapeutic support where appropriate

A strong curriculum is more than subjects. It is the experiences, relationships and opportunities that help pupils grow, achieve and belong.

Our curriculum principles

• High expectations for all pupils. There is no ceiling on what pupils can achieve.
• Personalisation. We adapt the curriculum, not the expectation.
• Relationships first. Pupils learn best when they feel safe and valued.
• Relevant and real. Learning is connected to the world beyond school.
• Progress for every pupil. We celebrate small steps and big achievements.
• Inclusion for all. Every pupil belongs and contributes.

Our values

Our three values run through the whole curriculum: ready, respect and resilience. Our mission and values page explains what each one means.

Key stage 3 and key stage 4

At key stage 3 (years 7 to 9), pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum that builds knowledge, confidence and skills through a range of subjects and experiences. Enrichment includes outdoor education, careers, reading and personal development. AQA unit awards celebrate achievement and build confidence as a stepping stone into key stage 4.

At key stage 4 (years 10 and 11) there are two pathways:

• Pathway 1 focuses on progression and employability. It builds skills, confidence and qualifications, including Functional Skills.
• Pathway 2 focuses on GCSE and level 2 qualifications, for pupils ready to progress to further education and higher-level study.

The subjects in each pathway are listed on our curriculum overview page.

Threads that run through both pathways

• Reading
• Vocabulary
• Numeracy
• Careers
• Personal development
• British values and spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development
• Preparation for adulthood