Alnwood Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

The majority of pupils have no educational provision outside of Alnwood and many have missed significant amounts of education in the past and require basic skills.  

The education staff at Alnwood deliver a broad and balanced curriculum that is tailored to the needs of individual pupils. Appropriate accreditation (in the form of GCSEs/Entry Level awards/Functional Skills qualifications/Unit Awards/P Levels is offered in the following subjects: English; English Literature; Maths; Science; Art; ICT; Design and Technology; Food Technology; Music; PE; Horticulture. In addition to the academic curriculum, daily physical activity linked to the PE curriculum in conjunction with Health and exercise therapy staff. 

Vocational Opportunities 

In house opportunities based around vocational subjects e.g. design & technology, horticulture, ASDAN Few work-based placements are offered, due to the nature of pupils’ difficulties and the risk they pose to the public and/or themselves. If pupils can access Section 17 leave, then education staff work closely with the team around the child to facilitate educational leaves. A key event at Alnwood is ‘Takeover Day’ – a national initiative where in-patients are given the opportunity to take on the role of a member of staff for the day.  

Curriculum Enrichment 

Curriculum enrichment is delivered in conjunction with health professionals and tailored to the needs of the young people. The following providers and agencies have been involved in offering support: INSPIRE project, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award  ‘Social Eyes’ programme  ‘Keeping it Real’ programme – pupils sharing views (pupil council), Healthy tuck shop, a  hedgehog project with Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Virgin Money project – ‘make your £5 grow’, regular charity events,  including Macmillan Coffee Morning, Children in Need etc , termly musical performance, workshops at Newcastle University’s Hatton Gallery, music enrichment, basketball and cricket coaching, Zoo Lab, sports days, achievement assemblies, visits to Tyne and Wear museums and Living Eggs.