Belong Believe Become
Our Curriculum Offer
At Westwood Academy, our curriculum is designed to rebuild confidence, re-engage learners and transform life chances.
We understand that many of our pupils have experienced significant barriers in mainstream education. Some may have gaps in learning, low confidence, disrupted attendance or difficult experiences of school. Our role is to help every young person feel safe, valued and ready to succeed.
We provide an ambitious, personalised and restorative curriculum that develops academic knowledge, practical skills, emotional literacy and resilience. Every pupil is supported to make progress towards a positive future in education, employment, training and adult life.
A broad, balanced and relevant curriculum
Every pupil at Westwood Academy is entitled to a broad, ambitious curriculum that builds knowledge, confidence and aspiration.
We adapt learning to meet individual needs while maintaining high expectations. Pupils learn in small, supportive groups, with clear routines, practical activities and carefully structured teaching that helps them make progress step by step.
Alongside core subjects, pupils develop creativity, independence, communication, emotional literacy and practical skills for life. We connect learning to the world beyond the classroom, including our local community, further education, employment and adult life.
Our curriculum helps pupils become confident, resilient young people who are ready for their next steps.
We believe every young person deserves the chance to discover their strengths and ambitions. Through carefully planned experiences, enrichment activities and personalised support, pupils develop confidence, resilience and the skills needed to thrive in education, employment and life.
Further information:
Curriculum Overview
Our curriculum is organised to give every pupil access to academic learning, personal development and practical preparation for adult life.
It is built around three connected areas: academic knowledge and skills, social and emotional development, and preparation for life beyond school.
Academic learning
Pupils study a broad range of subjects, including English, maths, science, humanities, art, food studies and digital studies.
Teaching is carefully sequenced so that pupils can build knowledge over time. Staff identify starting points through assessment and use this information to plan learning that is appropriately challenging, accessible and purposeful.
Reading, vocabulary, writing and numeracy are developed across the curriculum, not only in English and maths lessons.
High-Quality Adaptive Teaching
Teaching at Westwood Academy is carefully adapted to help every pupil access learning and experience success.
Staff use clear routines, explicit teaching, scaffolding and modelling to break learning into manageable steps. Vocabulary is taught directly, and regular assessment helps teachers identify gaps, revisit learning and plan the right next steps.
Pupils are supported in small, structured learning environments where they can build confidence, strengthen knowledge and make meaningful progress over time.
Personal development and wellbeing
Personal development is an important part of every pupil’s timetable.
PSHE, SEAL, Citizenship and mentoring help pupils develop emotional literacy, communication, healthy relationships, self-regulation and an understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
Pupils are supported to reflect on their choices, manage challenges and develop the confidence to take part positively in school and the wider community.
Practical learning and independence
Life Skills, Food Studies and Digital Studies provide practical learning that supports independence and future readiness.
Pupils develop skills in areas such as cooking, budgeting, travel, first aid, digital safety, organisation, communication and employability.
These subjects help pupils understand how learning connects to everyday life, further education, training and employment.
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 provides a broad curriculum that helps pupils strengthen core knowledge, develop positive learning habits and explore their interests.
Pupils access English, maths, science, humanities, art, PSHE, SEAL, Citizenship, Life Skills, Food Studies and Digital Studies.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 builds on the foundations established in Key Stage 3 and focuses on qualifications, accreditation and future destinations.
Pupils work towards appropriate GCSE, Functional Skills, Entry Level and unit award pathways. Their curriculum is shaped around individual strengths, needs and aspirations, with increasing emphasis on careers, independence and post-16 planning.
Enrichment and wider experiences
Learning extends beyond the classroom through enrichment, outdoor learning, visits, community projects and cultural experiences.
These opportunities help pupils develop confidence, broaden their interests and understand the world beyond their immediate environment.
Curriculum information
Further information about each subject, including curriculum intent, what pupils learn and available qualifications, can be found on the individual curriculum subject pages.
Academic Knowledge and Skills
We rebuild core literacy, numeracy and subject knowledge through carefully sequenced learning, retrieval practice, explicit vocabulary teaching and small achievable steps.
SEMH Development and Nurture
Our accredited Nurture UK approach places relationships, emotional safety, communication and regulation at the heart of learning.
Preparation for Life and Adulthood
We develop independence, employability, digital confidence, healthy relationships, financial capability and practical life skills.
