Curriculum Intent

At Oakfield Lodge our curriculum is designed to recognize that when students join us, they are often disengaged and disenchanted with learning. They often have low expectations of their own abilities. Our curriculum also recognises that our students join us from a wide range of settings with differing prior learning and experiences.

The fundamental purpose of our curriculum model is to re-engage students in their education and inspire a love of learning. We create and provide a curriculum that students want to learn and gives them skills for economic success.

We challenge all of our students to develop their interpersonal skills, build resilience and become creative, critical thinkers. All with the aim of preparing them to move onto their ‘forever school’.

We recognize that every student is a unique individual. We celebrate and welcome differences within our school community.

We believe that the ability to learn is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values. We constantly provide enhancement opportunities to engage learning through different mechanisms.

We believe that a student’s time at Oakfield Lodge should be happy. Giving confidence to enquire and investigate. Fostering a desire to be curious and a courage to try new experiences and gain new knowledge.

We use our school ethos ‘Ready, Respectful, Safe’ to promote positive attitudes to learning which reflect the values and skills needed to promote responsibility for learning and future success.

We believe that we are an integral part of the wider community. We develop this through our curriculum. By learning new skills our students can be strong members of our communities both now and in the future.

Students move on from Oakfield Lodge at differing paces, dependant on their needs and determination. Students transition to their ‘forever school’ when they are ready to transfer the skills and knowledge they have gained and apply them in a new and appropriate setting.

Our students leave with a sense of pride and belonging to a tightly knit ‘family’, where they have the confidence and skills to make decisions, self-evaluate, make connections, accept challenge and become lifelong aspirational learners.

Curriculum Implementation

Here at Oakfield Lodge, our school day runs with 6 periods a day. Each period is 45 minutes long. Our teachers work extremely hard to plan lessons that engage our students, test their knowledge and have excellent, desired outcomes, focusing on their individual targets and abilities.
Wellbeing is a crucial part of everyday life at Oakfield Lodge. We aim to ensure that students are taught to the best of their ability, ensuring that it is enjoyable and relevant. Oakfield Lodge prides itself on a family atmosphere, by welcoming new students into the school with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Break times and lunch times are structured so that students and staff can engage with each other. Out curriculum is practical and therapeutic based, focusing on our student’s strengths and ensuring that they get the most out of their time at Oakfield Lodge.
Our approach to learning here at Oakfield Lodge, give students the opportunity to access a range of BTEC subjects, Functional Skills at a variety of levels, AQA Awards, and GCSE subjects. Our core subjects include, English, Maths & Science Trilogy. Students also have Art, Physical Education, PSHE, Outdoor Education, Humanities, Construction, Food Technology, Photography, and Functional Skills timetables on a weekly basis.
A large part of our work at Oakfield Lodge is to ensure that our students are safe, prepared and excited about life beyond school. We focus on our students engaging in work experience to enable them to gain knowledge and experience in whatever field of work they desire. Our students also have the opportunity to engage in courses at Reaseheath College on a weekly basis, which is a fantastic opportunity for them to build their resilience and social skills, as well as gaining a qualification in their chosen field.

Curriculum Impact

At Oakfield Lodge, the impact of our curriculum is tracked in a variety of ways. We are extremely proud of the progress that our students make during their time with us. This is shown as they move onto their forever school and their progress after Year 11, as they move into further education and employment.
Pupils are baseline tested when they arrive at Oakfield Lodge. This gives not only us, but also the students an idea of their current academic level and how we can work together to achieve the upmost for them. Student progress is recorded through reading ages, personal targets, and subject exercise books.
Peer on peer communication, support and achievements is a crucial part of learning at Oakfield Lodge. We encourage students to mark each other’s work within the class, support each other when reading, and celebrate successes together as a collective. This gives us our sense of family and community togetherness, creating a safe and warm atmosphere for our students to continue to learn in.
Our school as a whole, ensures that every part of our learning and personal development, contributes to not only school life, but also life beyond school. This is shown within our NEET figures, with our Year 11 leavers having a great success rate of education, employment and training after Year 11.
Student subject targets are monitored throughout the term, with teachers recording whether the student has met that target and how they have met it. This gives the student the opportunity to track when and how they met that target, as well as giving the teacher the opportunity to track academic progress throughout the term. If students do not manage to meet their targets, then specific interventions are put in place to support this student. Whether this be, 1:1 support from staff or it be peer on peer support in order to increase confidence and self-belief.
Personal development is our strongest belief here at Oakfield Lodge. We believe that every student has the right to achieve and we are here to support that, in any which way we can. Our belief is that the skills that you will learn in school, whether this be academic, social or emotional skills, is something that you take with you and use for the rest of your life. We encourage and support students to stay healthy, find their interests, and follow their dreams, and we feel that we are unbelievably lucky to be a part of this.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” —Lao Tzu

Our three core principals

  • To create responsible citizens
  • To create confident, happy individuals who are able to live safe, fulfilling lives
  • To create learners who truly enjoy learning and being successful

Year 9 Subject Contact Time

Year 10 Subject Contact Time

Year 11 Subject Contact Time

Additional support and enrichment

Students have access to peripatetic music lessons delivered in conjunction with The Love Music Trust, these are provided free of charge by the school.

1:1 mentoring is available to students who require bespoke and targeted intervention for additional emotional needs

All students have access to our Visyon Counsellor on a weekly basis if required.

Students have access to Art Therapy if required on a 1:1 basis

Students who require additional therapeutic support can be provided with animal therapy as part of their learning experience.

Deep Learning Days

Deep Learning Days, when the normal lesson timetable is suspended, take place during the year.  These days allow students to experience a richer, deeper learning opportunity.

Examples of these days could include STEM, Sports Days, British Values and Charity days.

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