What does our curriculum look like?
At Bowman we provide our pupils with a tailored curriculum in order to promote learning, personal growth and development. It includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum, but also a range of extra-curricular activities to enrich the experience for our pupils. Subjects are organised into ‘Steps’ and/or ‘Stages’ and children are taught the curriculum which reflects their own personal ability. PSHE, RSE and PE are all taught at chronological age-appropriate levels to ensure that our most vulnerable students are prepared for future life challenges. However, the emotional maturity of students is also taken into account when delivering RSE and adaptations are made accordingly.
We aim to teach pupils how to grow into positive, responsible people, who can work and cooperate with others, whilst developing knowledge and skills, so that they achieve their true potential and are prepared for life after school.
At Bowman, we believe that all pupils have the right to access a stimulating and enjoyable curriculum which includes:
– Breadth of learning areas and experience
– Clear sequential nature of each curriculum
– The ability to respond to feedback regularly through hinge questions and ACE’s lessons – Relevance to the pupil’s experience, aptitude and interest.
– Adaptive teaching styles and contexts, making use of differentiation keys.
– Relevant and timely academic interventions ran by our intervention lead.
– Progress and continuity that is flexible, rather than prescribed.
– Opportunities to promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
– Opportunities to promote the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
ACE’s (Assessment, Completion and Extension)
Every pupil completes an ACE’s lesson each week. This gives the pupil a chance to respond to teacher marking and feedback.
These could be as follows:
Assessment – Pupils can assess their own work and then improve upon this.
Completion – Pupils have the ability to catch up on any missed work.
Extension – Pupils will be provided with the opportunity further enhance their knowledge of a particular topic.
Following research by the EEF, we use purposeful and responsive marking to ensure pupils can focus on moving learning forward.
Emotional Regulation and Wellbeing
Pupils’ emotional regulation will play a key role in ensuring that they are prepared for life after school.
The curriculum at Bowman provides additional time on activities such as Sensory Time and Mindfulness in order to support pupils to regulate their behaviours and develop skills to enhance their mental wellbeing not only now but in their future. We also provide one afternoon of social sessions each week which allow the students to develop their social and communication skills and access extra-curricular activities they may not be able to access after school.
Breakfast is served on arrival to ensure that all children are ready to learn, and snacks are provided throughout the day to ensure that children are not dysregulated through hunger.
Class sizes are kept small (approximately 8 students) and staff ratios are high. Class teams consist of a class teacher and a minimum of 1 teaching assistant.
Enrichment/Outdoor Education
At Bowman we understand the value of outdoor learning in preparing pupils for life after school. Our enrichment programme provides the opportunity for pupils to learn outside of the classroom. Activities can range from local nature walks through to rock climbing, archery, air rifle shooting, paddle boarding and canoeing. On site at Bowman, we have the benefit of our own woodland area and pupils can access outdoor sessions where can take part in forest school activities. These sessions support pupils in developing confidence, creativity and leadership.
Therapies
Alongside the curriculum offer, we feel it is vital to provide pupils with a variety of therapies to support them in their individual development as well as curriculum access. Therapy sessions take place throughout the day, which are invaluable in providing the enhanced provision required to support our pupils.
Our therapies include:
• Counselling / Talk Therapy
• Thera Build
• Music Therapy / Noise Academy
• ELSA sessions
• Draw & Talk Therapy
• Reflexology Therapy
Qualification Pathways
At Bowman we offer a wide range of qualification pathways including Entry Level Skills, Functional Skills, GCSE Foundation and GCSEs. This ensures that all our pupils can reach their full potential without placing a ceiling on expectations.
