The schoolwork complements the Care Side of the Therapeutic Community. The Head Teacher leads the education staff and there are two other full-time teachers. Currently there are also two part-time teachers who takes art and photography. The school also has three well-qualified classroom assistants who assist the teachers in giving more 1:1 attention to pupils, and delivers some of the special needs support to individual children. The pupils have the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects. They also run & moderate an individualised literacy scheme which has shown excellent improvements in reading skills as well as high levels of motivation & enjoyment from pupils.
Subjects include:
English*
Mathematics*
Science*
Geography*
Religious Studies*
Physical Education*
Statistics*
Information & Communication Technology (I.C.T.)*
Art*
Photography *
History
Design*
Personal, Health & Social Education
Science
Technology
*(Denotes they are available up to GCSE level)
The school facilities are of a very high standard. There are six purpose built classrooms including an ICT room with eight linked computers, a large practical room where design technology & art are taught, and one room which can be used for photography. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard and its own computer. The large dining area is used for lunches and for daily meetings with the whole school. A grass area allows the boys to play a variety of games outside. Our Physical Education classes often take place at a nearby sports centre where a variety of team & individual activities are offered. We also use local pitches and tennis courts to extend the range of sports we offer. As members of the Sussex & Surrey Special Sports Association we compete against other schools at soccer, basketball, badminton, cross-country & athletics. Internal competitions are held in archery, Superstars & golf.
After a HMI inspection the school was awarded full Department of Education registration, and complemented the staff on providing such a wide range of curriculum subjects.
Pupils at the school have the opportunity to attempt a range of examination subjects at their own levels. We offer GCSE’s, Certificate of Education, AQA and NVQ awards such as the ASDAN certificates in PHSE.
The evidence of good practice in the classroom has resulted in many good quality passes in GCSE level and much improved numeracy & literacy levels. This has allowed pupils to gain entry to colleges in Guildford, Brinsbury & Crawley to study Catering, Mechanics, Animal Care and a variety of valuable Life Skills. A work experience programme has been running successfully for over ten years.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has been introduced. Pupils complete 4 different areas to gain this award, and ii is run jointly between the education and care staff. This aids the 24-hour curriculum that is a positive feature of the Apple Orchard Community.
A behaviour modification scheme is successfully established in the school. Points are awarded for pupils who are recognised to be making positive efforts during school time. Rewards are given for the type of courteous, thoughtful and diligent behaviour that is expected from the pupils. The rewards include greater trust, increased computer time, magic tickets which give the opportunity to win a major prize, certificates that can be sent home to families or carers and access to day trips to a variety of locations.
The school day is from 9am to 3.30pm, and is currently split into 6 periods of about 45 minutes each. There are 3 teaching groups that can be split by either age or ability. There is an amount of flexibility built into the system to allow pupils who may be experiencing specific problems within their group to have ‘time out’ and join the other group temporarily, whilst still keeping up with their own level of work. The class groups are generally no bigger than 6 pupils.
Every effort is made to create a calm, pleasant, stimulating and fun environment
in which to learn. Each pupil is encouraged to strive to realise his own
potential, and to achieve as much as he can during his years at school.
structure