The Personalised Curriculum at Sale High School aims to meet the needs of students who for a variety of reasons find the standard timetable a challenge, particularly in the difficult years leading up to GCSEs. Students may have identified learning needs, may not be attending school regularly or may be at risk of not achieving their full potential. The school has put in place a flexible and responsive approach to timetabling for these students which recognises their difficulties and gives them new options suited to their needs.

 

A personalised curriculum follows consultation, discussion and agreement between key staff at the school, the students and their parents. There is a wide range of possible options, and the aim is for all students to take the core GCSE subjects, though it is more important that all students achieve as much as they possibly can at 16 – whether that is a qualification in catering or one in history.

 

One option is a day a week at a local college, working towards an NVQ in construction, plumbing, hair and beauty, motor vehicle engineering or catering. Another option is to take the core GCSEs (Maths, English and Science) with a vocational subject at school. Work placements and Apprenticeships are yet another option, with office administration and community work just two examples of what is available. The school works with approved external agencies and organisations to provide these, like CoolUK, Intraining and local group Genesis. 

 

The ALAN programmes of literacy and numeracy offer new ways of achieving qualifications in English and Maths. These offer an ICT-based curriculum so students can learn and be assessed on-line.

Aspirational mentors including students, retired and working people help individual students, and extra support is always available through ICE or in the Learning Support Base.