Who's who in Key Stage 4
Kerrie Britten
Headteacher (Head of Secondary)
Aaron Ellis
Assistant Headteacher (Secondary Penarth)
James Anderson
Head of KS4
General Overview of Key Stage 4
Welcome to KS4. This is an exciting two years where you will have the opportunity to complete qualifications as well as develop your independence, social and communication skills. We like to encourage you to maximise your opportunities and offer plenty of activities and options for you to try and explore. We will give you as many opportunities as we can to help prepare you for the future and assist you in making informed decisions.
Pupil-centred practice is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to offer a range of opportunities and experiences to encourage pupils to take risks, gain confidence and improve independent living skills with a view that our pupils become:
Communication with parents is central to the provision we offer our learners. Class teams are in regular contact with parents via Class DOJO using class stories and/or direct messages.
Classes follow a thematic approach with all qualifications linked to a termly theme. Classes are split into three different qualification pathways: Teal, Orange and Purple. Our Teal Pathway is for pupils working on the P levels up to Entry 1. The Teal Pathway allows pupils to maximise their learning experiences through an often sensory approach to learning. With a full suite of sensory rooms including an immersive room, touch therapy, rebound, dark room, VR and sensory room, pupils are given a diverse range of experiences to assist them with understanding the curriculum. Our Orange Pathway is for pupils working between Entry 1 and Entry 2. The Orange Pathway Provides a range of WJEC qualifications delivered at Entry 2: the Purple Pathway is for pupils working between Entry 2 and Entry 3. With access to a wide range of specialist rooms including a catering kitchen, cookery room and the sensory suite, lessons are creative and varied and offer pupils diverse experiences in order to maximise their learning potential. The Purple Pathway provides a range of WJEC qualifications delivered at Entry 3. With access to a wide range of specialist rooms including a catering kitchen, cookery room and the sensory suit, lessons are creative and varied and offer pupils diverse experiences in order to maximise their learning potential.
Learners take part in ‘options’ on a Friday morning where they are able to choose an activity that they particularly enjoy. Option choices include hair and beauty, enterprise, paddle-boarding, outdoor fitness and Rock Band. All options are linked to a recognised qualification that learners work towards throughout the year.
Careers and work-related education is an integral part of our curriculum and wider experience for students. A wide range of internal and external placements are arranged to suit each individual and to allow them to develop transferrable work skills. Students have opportunities to work in the school café, car-washing, hairdressing and retail to name a few.
Through collaborating with teachers, the Pupil Support Team identify and assess pupils that are facing academic, behavioural, or emotional challenges. Through regular communication and collaboration with the class team and other professionals, the Pupil Support Team can offer valuable support tailored to individual pupils needs. As well as supporting pupils in their classroom environment, the PST offer opportunities for pupils to check-in throughout the day and interventions for individuals or groups of pupils; these support the pupils’ well-being needs. Identified learners have access to a wide range of specialist opportunities including forest schools, animation, ceramics and a range of outdoor activities. Learning coaches provide wellbeing support and develop strategies for identified learners in weekly sessions.
