Smallbrook School provides day school placements for students aged between 7 and 19 with a range of complex needs.
All students at the school have an education, health and care plan or are identified as extremely likely to require one when assessed. Students are placed from local authorities all over the UK who have young people living within a reasonable distance from the school.
The majority of our students have, for many different reasons, had a negative experience of education due to their needs not being fully met or even understood. Our school has an extensive successful track record of reengaging students where others have failed. Each student has a high level of support with groups of up to four. All staff are regularly planning and reviewing how to meet the individual needs of our students, and this is coordinated through our curriculum leaders and pastoral team.
To ensure our curriculum is fully aligned with the diverse needs, abilities, and future aspirations of our students, Smallbrook School has introduced two distinct curriculum pathways:
Pathway 1
Pathway 1 Vocationally focused curriculum that promotes:
- the development of independence and life skills
- practical learning experiences
- preparation for future education, employment, or training
- functional skills, personal development, and real-world application
This pathway is designed to support students who will benefit from a curriculum that prioritises hands-on learning, self-management, and preparation for adulthood pathways.
Pathway 2 –
Pathway 2 Planned to ensure academic achievement with vocational subjects to compliment this. It supports students to:
- access a broad range of academic subjects
- achieve recognised qualifications
- maximise academic outcomes
- prepare for post-16 academic routes, including college courses and higher-level study
This pathway ensures that students with strong academic potential are appropriately challenged and supported to excel.
Both pathways maintain high expectations and ensure equity of opportunity, with personalised intervention and pastoral support available to all students.
At Smallbrook School, our curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, nurture personal development, and equip every student with the knowledge, skills, and character they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We aim to provide a broad, balanced, and ambitious curriculum that recognises each students unique starting point and empowers them to make sustained progress academically, socially, and emotionally.
Curriculum delivery
The delivery of the curriculum is personalised, considering previous gaps in learning and the need to revisit key concepts. It has an emphasis on experiential and sensory learning across the curriculum. It references the National Curriculum and includes the following learning experiences:
- Linguistic (English): with an emphasis on communication integrated throughout the curriculum.
- Mathematical: Numeracy, with an emphasis on functional and experiential learning.
- Scientific: Biology, Chemistry and Physics; theoretical concepts and practical experiments.
- Technological: ICT, Media Studies, Digital Functional Skills, ESPORTs
- Human and Social: PSHE/Citizenship, Geography, History and RE and RSE
- Physical: P.E, Outdoor education and Forest School.
- Aesthetic and Creative: Art, Music, Drama, Design Technology, Catering, Hair and Beauty and creative learning
- Therapeutic: Sensory play, Forest School. Alongside the taught curriculum, students in all key stages engage in a range of experiences to develop their social and emotional skills.
Specialist Staff
The staff team at Smallbrook School are trained in both delivery of the Curriculum, as well as in understanding the specific needs of the students in a therapeutic nurturing environment. Staff work closely and in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams including specialist health practitioners, in particular speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychotherapists and mental-health professionals, to provide a unique package of support which offers the best possible outcomes for pupils, both educationally and therapeutically.
Smallbrook School has high ambitions and aspirations for all students to reach their full potential and to be included in school and society. The school recognises the importance of helping students with their personal development, to develop problem-solving skills to promote their independence both at school and into adult life. The staff team regularly engage in CPD to explore the benefits of the curriculum, reflect on their practice, and develop cross-curricular links, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections across their learning. Enriching activities are purposefully designed to integrate multiple curriculum subjects, promoting deeper understanding, sustained engagement, and the development of communication, and critical thinking and the application of learning across a range of contexts, directly supporting students progress towards their personal and academic goals.
Vocational
Our vocational curriculum provides students with meaningful, practical learning experiences that prepare them for the world of work and for life beyond school. Through a broad range of vocational pathways, students develop real-world skills, industry knowledge, and the confidence needed to progress into further education, apprenticeships, and employment. Vocational learning is hands-on, engaging, and tailored to individual strengths and aspirations, enabling students to apply their learning in authentic contexts.
The curriculum supports the development of core employability skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, reliability, and resilience. Students gain practical experience through workshops, work-related projects, enterprise activities, and, where appropriate, work placements or community-based opportunities. We work closely with external providers, employers, and training organisations to ensure our offer remains relevant, ambitious, and aligned with industry expectations.
By providing clear pathways and personalised guidance, our vocational curriculum empowers students to make informed choices about their future. It equips them with the technical skills, confidence, and professional behaviours needed to take their next steps successfully and to thrive in adulthood.
Therapeutic
Additional intervention is offered at all stages through group and one to one therapeutic support, according to specific individual needs, and through a close working partnership between home and school. We have access to a range of Therapeutic Support including Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychotherapy The team also has a Therapy assistant to support them. To take account of the differences and range of cognitive ability, preferred learning styles and learning needs, all staff will adapt tasks, provide a range of resources, develop extension work, provide for a variety of learning styles and environments, set individual goals, provide different levels of support and offer a variety of ways for students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding. A thorough knowledge and understanding of each learner’s needs and EHCP plans help students to access their education.
Physical
Our Physical Education and Outdoor Education curriculum is designed to promote healthy, active lifestyles while developing students’ physical skills, confidence, and resilience. Through a broad range of sporting activities, outdoor challenges, and practical learning experiences, pupils are encouraged to take part, persevere, and enjoy being physically active. We aim to instill lifelong habits of fitness and wellbeing, helping students understand the importance of physical health, teamwork, and personal responsibility.