The Pendlebury Centre provides an inclusive curriculum that is predominantly skills-based. This approach ensures engagement and enjoyment in learning. Many of our students will have experienced periods away from the classroom setting and our staff are highly skilled in identifying individual strengths and weaknesses within an ever-changing and diverse cohort.

Our curriculum aims to counter the effects of cumulative gaps in previous learning, through a synoptic and scaffolded framework – building on prior knowledge whilst being ambitious for the young people under our care. Within the classroom staff will prioritise the individual which often means that several different teaching strategies are being utilised at any one point.

Through subject content and pedagogy, The Pendlebury Centre aims to build self-esteem and confidence within each subject area, to prepare the student for their next phase. Students’ understanding and progress are routinely monitored and checked, and this is formally reported on each half-term.

The Pendlebury Centre offers full-time, 5-days per week placements to Year 11 students, who have been referred by schools and this move has been approved by the Secondary Panel for Inclusion (SPI). Year 10 students are offered a 12-week placement where they spend 3 days per week at the centre and 2 days per week at their mainstream school. Placements are offered with an agreed amount of time spent in a designated mainstream school and/or a vocational placement setting. The Centre places huge importance on all Year 10 and Year 11 students gaining experience in a larger, more diverse educational setting ahead of their post-16 transition.

British Values:

At The Pendlebury Centre, we incorporate British Values into every teachable moment, both in and out of the classroom.

These values include:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our commitment to British Values encourages our students to appreciate what it means to be British, including the diverse communities that reside here, allowing students from all backgrounds to feel included, celebrated, and empowered to speak about their experiences.

Psychological Underpinnings:

The Key Stage 4 curriculum is strategically planned and regularly reviewed in consideration of the fluid needs of our cohorts. Such considerations are supported by psychological research based on 4 main theories of development and risk:

– Stage Environment Fit Theory

– Risk and Resilience Theory

– Theories of Emotional Competence

– Attachment Theory

Students at Key Stage 4 attending The Pendlebury Centre will usually undertake the following studies (listed alphabetically):

Art (Optional)

All KS4 students are invited to participate in the GCSE Art programme. It requires a commitment of a minimum of one taught session per week, plus self-directed study. Students are required to create a portfolio, worth 60% of their final marks. This should include a minimum of one project and examples of further skills and study.

Students will sit an extended end of course exam with 10 weeks to prepare, worth 40% of their final marks.

Careers

Careers aims to help every student develop high aspirations and consider a broad and ambitious range of careers. Inspiring every student through real-life contact with the world of work helps them to understand where different choices can take them in the future.

Careers lessons provide access to a range of activities to inspire students, including discussions, visits and mentors. Lessons and activities support the needs of students who require more sustained or intensive support before they are ready to make career decisions. Online tools are used to encourage young people to think about the opportunities available to them. Careers lessons are supported by our Stockport Family’s Young People’s Education and Careers Advice worker.

“Enrichment activities and employer engagement opportunities are meticulously planned and tailored to individual pupils’ interests, talents and aspirations.” (Ofsted June 2023)

English

GCSE English at The Pendlebury Centre offers a skills-based, spiral curriculum.

This aims to support and build students’ abilities in English so that they can achieve well and are better supported to move on to their next phase. English is offered five times per week for Year 11 students, and these lessons comprise AQA English Language, English Literature (should students have opted to undertake this qualification) and English Functional Skills lessons. AQA Functional Skills English is offered at Level 1 and Level 2 and aims to ensure that students develop good communication skills in reading, writing, and speaking and listening.

AQA English Language is offered three times per week for Year 10 students.

Hospitality and Catering

This course is offered to all Year 11 students as an option. Hospitality and Catering provides the opportunity for students to learn how to prepare, cook and deliver nutritional dishes safely. In conjunction with these life skills, Year 11 students have the opportunity to complete the WJEC Level 1 and 2 Vocational Awards, which will give them a wider knowledge of the hospitality industry. 60% of the course is NEA coursework and 40% of the qualification is a written examination.

For students on a short-term placement, in years 7-10, learn about aspects of hospitality and food preparation through KS3 Enrichment. We encourage students to cook homemade meals, study baking skills, and take part in fundraising and where appropriate they can then be awarded the AQA Unit Awards certificates.

Enrichment (Duke of Edinburgh Award Accredited)

Year 11 students undertake two sessions each week under the ‘Enrichment’ umbrella. They are designed to spark new areas of interest for our students and to provide them with a challenging, non-academic programme of development.

DofE sessions are varied, with one skills lesson per week, focusing on skills development such as cookery, crafts, chess, and art. During the additional longer session, students work with an outdoor pursuits tutor and visit activity centres/leisure areas in the wider Stockport area. During these sessions, students participate in orienteering, climbing, abseiling and team games.

The programme is accredited via the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze Level. Students can earn module awards and take this further at post-16. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has previously been voted the most valuable alternative award by some of Britain’s top employers – CLICK HERE for further information.

“Year 11 pupils talked effusively to inspectors about the benefits of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme, They described how the different challenges are helping them to conquer some of their fears, as well as helping them to learn skills which will stand them in good stead for their next steps.” (Ofsted January 2017)

ICT

Year 11 students follow The International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), which is the most widely recognised all-around computer certification. This qualification provides training for our students to help them to access further skills, preparing them for their next steps. It is an internationally recognised qualification that enables students to diversify their computer skills to an internationally recognised standard. If the EDCL level 2 course is completed, the qualification is equivalent to a GCSE A* – C / 4-9

Mathematics

The programme of study is four lessons per week which cover Number, Algebra, Ratio and Proportion, Geometry and Measures and finally, Statistics and Probability. Students are also given the opportunity to develop their ‘Functional Maths’ skills by working on real-life problems. The application of appropriate methods and Interpretation to solve problems is also included. Students are entered for GCSE Mathematics (Edexcel specification 1MA1) and/or Entry Level Certificate in Mathematics (Edexcel). Students are also entered for the Maths Functional Skills (Edexcel) online test. Lessons are differentiated to meet students’ needs and a variety of teaching and assessment methods are used.

PSHE

Personal, Social, Health Education & Citizenship (PSHE) focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and understanding students need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives. PSHE helps students become informed, active, and responsible citizens. The comprehensive topic coverage includes physical and emotional wellbeing, relationship education, and personal finance. Sessions are delivered with consideration and compassion to the individual needs and experiences of our students. These lessons are most commonly delivered by our students form tutors to further support established staff-student relationships, optimising student comfort during challenging discussions. Students have one lesson per week in recognition of this subject’s importance for our cohorts. Success of PSHE knowledge is assessed through annual Student Safety surveys.

View Here: RSE Secondary Schools guide for parents

Science

The Centre offers GCSE (9-1) Double Award Science, following the EDEXCEL programme. This qualification identifies the activities and experiences learners will come across in everyday life, and links these to scientific ideas and their implications for society. It provides the opportunity to acquire scientific skills through a series of core practical experiments, across the three science disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Four science lessons are offered each week.

Health and Social Care & Child Development

For Year 11 students who have studied Health and Social Care or Child Development within their mainstream setting and wish to continue with this, we offer a bespoke, hybrid learning model. Students can continue with their studies through their mainstream school with support from teachers at The Pendlebury Centre.

Wellbeing Interventions

On a Wednesday, students participate in sessions that aim to boost self-esteem and promote their overall wellbeing. The sessions involve activities to develop self-awareness and recognition and regulation of one’s feelings. These sessions also include being able to recognise and adapt to the feelings of other people, whilst at the same time, learning how to manage and express one’s own emotions effectively. This helps develop good communication skills and the enhancement of our relationships with other people. Upon arrival, students have the opportunity to select which offer would suit their needs best. These sessions are run by members of staff as well as outside agencies including Secondary Jigsaw, Mosaic and Stockport Homes. Some examples of these sessions include: Mental Toughness, Living Life to the Full, Therapeutic Gardening, Dramatherapy, among fitness activities, artistic opportunities and LGBTQIA+ support.

If you wish to find out more about the Centre’s curriculum, please contact us.