Curriculum
Designed around the individual needs of each pupil, our curriculum builds strong foundations, inspires curiosity and prepares children and young people for successful futures.
Our Curriculum
At Cherry Tree School, we believe that everyone has a personal best, and we play an important role in helping every pupil achieve theirs. All pupils are given the opportunities, encouragement and individual support they need to make progress, experience success and prepare for life beyond school.
Our curriculum is pupil-centred, ambitious, relevant and engaging. It is based on the National Curriculum but is carefully differentiated and adapted to reflect each pupil’s needs, interests, abilities and starting points.
We recognise that some pupils may have experienced disrupted education, gaps in their learning or difficulties engaging within previous settings. Our supportive approach helps pupils rebuild confidence, rediscover curiosity and develop a more positive relationship with learning.
Alongside academic learning, our curriculum includes opportunities to develop independence, enterprise skills, careers awareness, communication, wellbeing and practical life skills.
Our Aims
We aim to:
- Deliver a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum based on the National Curriculum and differentiated according to individual pupils’ needs and interests.
- Provide a flexible framework for teaching and learning, allowing staff to adapt lessons and use creative approaches.
- Ensure that every pupil benefits from high-quality teaching and meaningful learning experiences.
- Identify and support individual needs so pupils can access, enjoy and succeed in education.
- Help pupils close gaps in their knowledge and develop secure foundations for future learning.
- Provide the experiences, knowledge and skills pupils need for their next stage of education.
- Prepare pupils for further education, training, employment and active participation within their communities.
- Support staff through continuing professional development, guidance and collaboration so they can provide excellent education and care.
Further information can be found in our comprehensive Curriculum Policy.
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)
During Key Stage 1, pupils are supported to develop the foundations they need for future learning. Teaching is carefully adapted to each child’s developmental level, communication needs and previous educational experiences.
Learning focuses on building confidence, establishing positive routines and developing essential skills in areas such as communication, reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils are also encouraged to explore the world around them, express their ideas and begin developing greater social and emotional awareness.
Structured support and positive relationships help children feel safe, become ready to learn and experience early success within the classroom.
Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6)
At Key Stage 2, pupils continue to develop their knowledge and understanding through a broad and balanced programme of learning.
Teaching builds upon each pupil’s existing skills while addressing gaps that may make it difficult for them to access age-appropriate learning. Lessons are adapted to make learning relevant, achievable and engaging, with opportunities for pupils to revisit important knowledge and practise new skills.
Alongside academic progress, pupils are supported to develop communication, resilience, independence, teamwork and positive attitudes towards learning. These foundations help prepare them for a confident and successful transition into secondary education.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9)
During Key Stage 3, pupils follow a broad curriculum designed to build knowledge, develop practical skills and encourage greater independence.
Learning is personalised according to each pupil’s individual needs, abilities and aspirations. Pupils are supported to strengthen their core academic skills while exploring a wider range of subjects, interests and learning experiences.
Careers education, enterprise and preparation for adulthood become increasingly important during these years. Pupils begin to explore their strengths, understand the opportunities available to them and make informed decisions about their future learning and qualification pathways.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)
At Key Stage 4, pupils follow personalised programmes combining appropriate academic, practical and vocational learning.
Each pathway is selected according to the pupil’s abilities, interests, support needs and longer-term aspirations. Pupils are encouraged to work towards meaningful qualifications while continuing to develop the independence, confidence and life skills they will need beyond school.
Careers guidance and preparation for adulthood help pupils consider their next steps, which may include further education, vocational training, supported internships or employment.
Careers, Independence and Enterprise
Preparing pupils for their future is embedded throughout the Cherry Tree curriculum.
Age-appropriate careers learning helps pupils understand the world of work, recognise their strengths and explore different education and employment opportunities. As pupils progress through school, they are supported to make informed and realistic choices about their next steps.
Independence and enterprise activities help pupils develop practical skills such as communication, teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving, organisation and taking responsibility. These experiences allow pupils to apply their learning in meaningful contexts and become better prepared for adult life.
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles & Life Choices
We help pupils understand the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle and making positive choices.
These opportunities begin when pupils arrive at school, where they can enjoy a healthy breakfast and socialise safely with peers and staff. Throughout the day, pupils are encouraged to consider how everyday choices can affect their physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships and future lives.
Our taught curriculum provides opportunities to explore both positive and negative lifestyle choices in an age-appropriate and supportive way. Staff help pupils make connections between what they learn and the decisions they face outside the classroom.
School lunches provide a range of choices and opportunities to experience different foods, including food associated with cultures, religions, festivals and celebrations.
Relationships and Sex Education
All pupils receive Relationships and Sex Education that is appropriate to their age, ability and individual needs.
This learning helps children and young people understand healthy and meaningful relationships, personal boundaries, respect, consent and how to keep themselves safe. Teaching is delivered sensitively and provides pupils with clear, factual information appropriate to their stage of development.
The arrangements for teaching RSE, including the parental right to withdraw a child from certain sex education elements, can be discussed with the school.
Further details about the content taught within each year group are available in our Relationships and Sex Education Policy.
Religious Studies
Religious Studies helps pupils develop an accurate and broad understanding of the values, traditions and beliefs associated with the world’s principal religions.
Through this learning, pupils are encouraged to respect different cultures, beliefs and ways of life. It provides opportunities to challenge misconceptions and prejudice while promoting tolerance, equality, diversity and the fundamental British Values.
Our provision draws upon appropriate elements of the locally agreed curriculum produced by the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education.
Parents and carers who wish to discuss withdrawing their child from some or all Religious Studies lessons should contact the Head Teacher.
Qualifications & Accreditation
We maintain high expectations for every pupil and encourage children and young people to work towards qualifications that are appropriate to their abilities, needs and future aspirations.
Depending on their personalised learning pathway, pupils may work towards a range of recognised qualifications, including:
- Functional Skills
- GCSEs
- GCSE-equivalent qualifications
- Other appropriate academic or vocational accreditation
Our aim is for every pupil to leave Cherry Tree School with meaningful achievements, valuable experiences and a strong foundation for their next stage of education, training or employment.
Access to Examination Results
Because only a small number of Cherry Tree pupils may enter public examinations in any individual year, examination results will not be published on the website where doing so could risk identifying individual pupils.
Parents and carers will receive the results of any GCSEs or equivalent external qualifications taken by their child. They will also receive an annual report outlining their child’s progress and attainment.
