Curriculum at Cherry Tree
Students at Cherry Tree will develop their learning through engaging in a range of subjects to nurture interests and promote personal strengths. Students will have access to a range of teaching styles and learning outside of the classroom through activities such as Active Citizens, Forest School and educational visits.
Key Stage One
Our primary curriculum follows the CUSP that is a creative and thematic approach to learning. It is based on a child‑centred pedagogy called The Four Cornerstones and is delivered through Imaginative Learning Projects (ILPs) and Knowledge Rich Projects (KRPs), which provide a rich menu of exciting and motivating learning activities that make creative links between all aspects of children’s learning. We believe children learn better when they are encouraged to use their imagination and apply their learning to engaging contexts.
Key Stage Two
Our curriculum provides many learning challenges throughout the academic year that require children to solve problems, apply themselves creatively and express their knowledge and understanding effectively. Cornerstones is used at a stage that suits the student’s individual needs; this may not be a direct correlation to the child’s chronological age. Due to the needs of our young people, and the fact that many have missed chunks of their education through non‑attendance in previous settings, it is important to find those gaps in learning, knowledge and skills.
Key Stage Three
Our KS3 curriculum offers our pupils a broad and balanced education comprising the core subjects of ICT, Maths, English and Science. Our students also have opportunities to study PSHE, Humanities (History and Geography), RE, Art and Design, Music and Drama, and all of our subjects and Active Citizens programme offer the opportunity to gain AQA Unit Awards for skills they have gained. All of our students are continually assessed to ensure that they are fully supported in accessing the curriculum and are ready for their KS4 journey.
Key Stage Four
At KS4, students are given the opportunity to study for nationally recognised qualifications in English, Maths and Science, including Entry Level Certificates and GCSE qualifications. We also offer Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT as we understand the anxieties around examinations. We do not limit our students from the qualifications they undertake as we prepare them for post‑16 destinations, although the opportunity is available to continue to 19 for those that may need longer to achieve up to GCSE‑level qualifications.
"You are all just amazing! It really shows that teachers who love to teach, teach children to love learning. You have really done that for ... You get him, you encourage him, you listen to him. Since the day he started which i think he was one of the first few, we have seen a huge difference. He is loving school again, having fun. We are eternally grateful"
16-19 years
We support children who may have larger learning gaps throughout year 10 and 11 and provide the opportunity to continue to work towards level 1 and level 2 qualification. This is a continuation of our KS4 pathway, the emphasis is on supporting our students the extra time to obtain qualifications in core subjects and preparing for the next stage of work or education through our personal development Life Skills programme and the development of independent living skills. Each child is individually baselined and assessment for learning will continually review working at levels against National Curriculum outcomes. We will work with children and families to provide clear and transparent working at levels and work together to provide individualised learning plans.