Ferndene Hospital Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

Pupils cover the full age range, all have mental health difficulties. Some remain on the roll of home schools therefore work towards agreed targets. Others have no educational provision outside of Ferndene, many have missed significant amounts of education in the past.  

Ferndene delivers a broad and balanced curriculum tailored to individuals needs. GCSE/BTEC/Functional Skills/Entry Level/P Levels in: English; Maths; Science; Art; ICT; Design and Technology; Food Technology; Music; Horticulture; Drama.  AQA unit awards are offered in a wide variety of subjects, as are Arts Awards. 

Vocational Opportunities

In-house opportunities are based around vocational subjects e.g. Technology, Horticulture and ASDAN courses. 

Pupils are also offered practical accreditation e.g.  First Aid and Food Hygiene certificates.  

Few work based placements are offered due to the nature of the pupils difficulties. 

Other examples of vocational opportunities include 

• ‘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 
• Kirkley Hall – weekly visits, including animal care 
• Job shop – pupils apply for internal posts within Ferndene  
• Keyfund – enterprise projects  

There is also a team of dedicated transition workers who support pupils in accessing  education at Ferndene, as well as well as helping to facilitate their return  to school, college  or alternative provision. 

Curriculum Enrichment

Curriculum enrichment is delivered in conjunction with health professionals and tailored to the needs of the young people such as: the INSPIRE project , Duke of Edinburgh’s Award,  Social Skills programme, SUCE meetings (Pupil Council), Healthy tuck shop  at break times, termly performance and celebration, National Trust visits, Hatton Gallery workshops, external library visits, charity events, music enrichment, zoo lab, whole-school sports events,  sports days on a termly basis, achievers assemblies, Gem Arts – cultural workshops (Chinese new year, Clog dancers), art exhibitions – also held at the Muse Community School in Prudhoe.