Curriculum Intent
Beckmead Moundwood Academy is an Alternative Provision that caters for students who have been permanently excluded from, or need support, due to difficulties at mainstream schools in West Essex. Our students come to us with multiple vulnerabilities, often with undiagnosed additional learning needs.
At Beckmead Moundwood Academy, our curriculum is not just about the present, but also about preparing our students for a successful future. We aim to support these young people back into the mainstream, into a specialist provision, or onto high tariff post-sixteen destinations. While our students are with us for variable lengths of time, usually less than an academic year, we ensure that they gain a full curriculum. We work diligently to close the gaps they bring from their previous schooling, setting them up for a smooth transition back into mainstream education.
We carefully assess the students' needs to ensure they receive a bespoke curriculum. All students receive the appropriate intervention to develop the school's three core skills of resilience, self-regulation, and participation to improve their life chances. We offer 1-2-1 and small group literacy (via ReadWrite Inc Phonics Scheme) and numeracy interventions to support all students' learning. Our approach combines work on the National Curriculum and specialist teaching to help students with various behaviour and learning needs.
At Beckmead Moundwood Academy, our ambitious curriculum follows the National Curriculum and the relevant subject-examined content. However, due to our student cohort's unique characteristics and nature, we have adopted a flexible 'Stage not Age' curriculum model taught in mixed-aged learning groups. This adaptability allows us to provide a curriculum that meets each individual's needs and changing circumstances. Our ultimate goal is to equip our students with the skills for life, including gaining academic and vocational qualifications, and to lead meaningful, fulfilling, and successful lives.
Our curriculum will focus on:
- Learning that connects and engages children with SEMH and ASD traits
- High expectations and a continuous focus on pupil safety and wellbeing
- Learning that enables children with complex needs to develop personally, make at least good progress, and achieve the best possible outcomes.
- Personalised learning that understands each child’s individual needs and meets them effectively
- Community learning is where children experience, learn, and internalise the positive values of a healthy learning community so that they can confidently participate in community activities, future learning, and employment training.
The curriculum is based on the individual student, and we take the time to understand their needs. This process is started by Kim Stayt, our Family Liaison Officer, who will get to know you and your child.
When pupils start at Moundwood, they are assessed on:
- On reading and maths using GL assessment
- We will assess the students for any unmet needs.
This enables us to plan the best curriculum for your child.
We aim to support our pupils back into a mainstream school. The time taken to achieve that aim depends on each child and their needs. So, each student’s curriculum is designed to be delivered when they are with us. Sometimes, this can be all the way through to their GCSE exams.
Key Stage 1 (KS1)
The Phonics scheme is Twinkl, and the reading scheme is Bug Club.
Educational Psychology Service (EPS) Maths Intervention - This is research-based practice on effective teaching of maths for all pupils and those with maths difficulties. This includes addressing questions about dyscalculia.
Precision Teaching - Teaching is a method that aims to address the individual needs of students, particularly those who struggle with specific areas of the curriculum. This technique has gained recognition for its effectiveness in ensuring high accuracy and fluency in learning. As opposed to traditional teaching methods, Precision Teaching focusses on tailoring educational experiences for each student, thereby fostering an environment conducive to skill acquisition and fluency development.
We use the Twinkl scheme for Primary PSHE.
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Our resources allow key stage 2 students to learn more about themselves, their bodies, peers, and the world around them. It prepares them for life outside and beyond school.
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PSHE activities and lessons also help children to understand different emotions and feelings, that it's important to reach out when they're struggling, and that there is always someone who can help.
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In PSHE lessons, you can give children the knowledge and tools they'll need in everyday life, both now and once they leave school. Using activities also reminds children that learning about all these new things can still be fun, however daunting it may seem.
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The resources cover the three main PSHE topics: Relationships, Health & Wellbeing, and Living in the Wider World.
Download and view the Primary Curriculum Outline at the bottom of this page.
Key Stage 3 (KS3)
Curriculum Outline content is currently under review and will be be updated shortly.
Key Stage 4 (KS4)
Courses available to pupils, including GCSEs:
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Maths
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English Language
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Science Synergy (double award)
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Functional Skills English and Maths Entry levels and Level 1 & 2
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Vocational Courses in bricklaying, carpentry, motor mechanics and hair & beauty are delivered via a local provider one day a week.
The Secondary Section’s personal development curriculum includes a PHSE programme of study from the PHSE Association - this covers the breadth of PSHE from all statutory RSHE requirements.
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Relationships Education,
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Relationship and Sex Education
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Health Education
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Economic well-being
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Careers
It sets out suggested content for each key stage. Learning opportunities are spread across three core themes: Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World.
This is the only national programme of study for PSHE education and is signposted by the Department for Education.
For further information on the Careers Programme visit our policy section, or please get in touch with Hayley Watson.
Download and view our KS4 Qualifications at the bottom of this page.
Secondary Subject Overviews
With the changes in our timetable, these are all under review.
