ASPIRE
Broader Curriculum
A broad, diverse curriculum encourages inclusion
Access to a broader curriculum is important for our students because it provides a wide range of learning opportunities that support their individual strengths, interests and needs. Not all students learn best through traditional academic subjects, so offering a variety of subjects — such as creative and performing arts, technology, life skills and outdoor learning — allows every learner to engage in ways that suit their abilities and learning styles. A broad curriculum helps develop practical, social and emotional skills alongside academic knowledge, preparing students for independent living and future employment. It also promotes confidence and self-esteem, as students can experience success in different areas, not just in classroom-based work. For many learners, subjects such as music, art, horticulture or food technology provide therapeutic benefits, reduce anxiety and improve concentration and wellbeing. A diverse curriculum also encourages inclusion, helping students feel valued for their unique talents and contributions.
At Key Stage 4 we include our Enrichment Pathways for 6 lessons a week where students are grouped differently to their normal class groupings to support social development and promote creativity and lifelong interests.
Delivering Creative and Performing Arts lessons provide inclusive and expressive ways to learn and communicate allowing students to explore ideas and emotions through movement, sound, and creativity, which can be particularly valuable for those who may find reading, writing or verbal expression more challenging. Creative activities help to build fine and gross motor skills, coordination and sensory awareness, supporting both physical and emotional development. They also encourage imagination, problem-solving and independent thinking, which boost self-esteem and confidence. Performing arts, such as drama or music, promote social interaction, teamwork and communication skills by encouraging students to cooperate, listen and respond to others. Creative subjects can also reduce stress and anxiety, offering a therapeutic outlet for emotions and improving overall wellbeing. Most importantly, the Creative and Performing Arts value each child’s unique strengths and perspectives, helping them to feel recognised, capable and included within the school community.
Including practical and hands-on subjects such as Design Technology, Food Technology, Horticulture and Woodland Crafts in the curriculum offers significant benefits for our students as they provide accessible ways to learn through doing, which supports students who may struggle with more abstract or written tasks. They help develop fine and gross motor skills, coordination and sensory awareness, while also teaching valuable life skills such as cooking, safety, tool use and caring for the environment. These activities promote independence by giving students the confidence to apply what they learn to everyday life, such as preparing food, growing plants, or fixing objects. Working in small groups in these lessons encourages teamwork, communication and problem-solving, while success in practical tasks can greatly improve self-esteem and motivation. Horticulture and woodland crafts, in particular, also support emotional wellbeing by giving students opportunities to connect with nature, manage stress and experience calm, purposeful activity outdoors.
Overall our broader curriculum ensures that all students have access to a range of activities that can spark an interest or a passion for learning that will hopefully stay with them throughout their time in education and beyond into adulthood.