At Helm Academy our pupils and young people enjoy a bespoke “Blended Learning Journey” created to meet their individual needs. This approach is designed to support their individual strengths, allowing them to follow their chosen subjects, through a thematic nurture approach, whilst supporting areas of need through targeted intervention.
Routes through qualifications are not set and allow pupils to progress with appropriated challenge, whilst building confidence, qualifications, and skills for their future.
Pupils are based in one classroom and have a topic-based thematic curriculum – this is designed to meet all of the curriculum areas, National Curriculum targets and content, but is designed to reduce the stress of moving from one classroom to another and to different teachers. Pupils have a base classroom where their timetable takes place, allowing for consistency, routine and a sense of safety and wellbeing. This also reduces the additional stresses often associated with the transitions between lessons in the traditional secondary school model.
There is no one set “pathway” for pupils at Helm Academy – we believe in a “Blended Learning Journey” approach that supports the individual strengths of each pupil, allowing them to follow their chosen subjects at levels appropriate to their abilities and of suitable challenge, whilst still remaining engaged and challenged. This is designed to aid pupils in developing confidence and continually achieve sustained progress in their academic studies. It is also flexible, in order to cater for the individuality of each of our pupils, their dreams, hopes and aspirations.
Routes through qualifications are not set, and if pupils show that they are achieving and progressing beyond the levels they are currently working at in any qualification or subject, then they are able to easily move to the most appropriate level to continue their academic journey.
Learning is truly bespoke and designed to meet the needs of each individual pupil.
Every pupil undertakes a full assessment in order for the staff to fully understand how to best support them across all areas of their educational, social, emotional and mental health needs. These assessments also highlight areas of need for pupils, gaps in learning and areas for further and more intensive support, as well as areas of strengths or interest or challenges. At Helm Academy, we have trained therapists and skilled intervention staff, who deliver bespoke intervention programs for individual pupils, in order to fill gaps in learning areas for development and support.
Enrichment is for all pupils at all stages of time at Helm Academy. It is flexible and bespoke to the needs and interests of the individual pupil. Pupils are also able to work toward recognised qualifications and develop their life and independence skills before leaving school.
