Education

Apple Orchard School is a secondary provision with high expectations that works hand in hand with the care and therapy teams to ensure students have the best individualised learning experience. The Headteacher leads the experienced team of teachers and teaching assistants who between them offer a wide range of subject specialisms that meet the requirements of a modified National Curriculum. Apple Orchard is a non-political organisation.

Students at Key Stage 3 enjoy a full timetable that includes all core subjects, PSHE, the Humanities, Food Tech, ICT, Design and Technology, Spanish, Work Related Learning and Culture that explores different cultures around the world and encompasses RE.

Key Stage 4 offers many different qualification pathways that include Entry Level, Functional Skills and GCSEs with students studying English Language & Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science, Physical Education, Geography, History and Art. Students at Key Stage 4 also enjoy Design and Technology including Food Tech, Business Studies, Spanish, RE and Independence paving the way for the next phase of their educational journey. For those students staying beyond Key Stage 4, we offer support with college placements and/or provide A Level pathways within school.

We consider ourselves to be a dynamic learning environment and constantly review the curriculum to meet the needs of the students and STEM is a key focus that centres on exciting project work for example that includes the design and creation of working robots through the use of the VEX V5 project.

The small team consist of teachers and teaching assistants and between them students are well supported. Reading is considered a vital skill and has a place on the timetable for all year groups. Our small library has a variety of literature to meet the needs and interests of the students and reading for pleasure is encouraged.

Class sizes are small allowing for high levels of supervision and support balancing the need for individual learning practice. The school day begins with students being welcomed at 09:00 and finishes at 15:30 following a short celebration of the day. There are six lessons of 50-minute duration throughout the day with a morning and lunchtime break. Students have the autonomy to take short breaks from class in our allocated quiet chairs should they feel the need.

Students have achieved success at GCSE and A Level, and we are very proud of the students both in terms of their achievements and their attitude to their final exams. Students typically gain entry into colleges in and around West Sussex and Surrey including Guildford, Northbrook and Chichester to undertake a raft of different courses.

The school facilities are of a high standard with six fully equipped classrooms that includes an ICT room and a large practical room where design technology and art are taught as well as equipped science room. All classrooms have a 75” smart TV, plus a laptop is available for every student should it be needed for teaching, individual work, examination concessions etc. There is also workshop situated offsite that students have regular access to. The dining area is used for food tech, lunches and the end of day celebration and the outside space includes a small field and MUGA encouraging sports during breaktimes. Physical Education takes place offsite at a local sports centre, which offers a wide range of facilities. As members of the Sussex and Surrey Special Sports Association we compete against other schools at football, basketball, badminton, cross-country, athletics and tag rugby, and we are very proud of the students’ individual and team successes at county level tournaments.

We are fortunate that we offer football as an afterschool club with two fully qualified coaches and also a drama club that runs at lunchtime.

Finally, the school has its own Student Council that represents the student body and ensures all students have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas and have a part to play in the running of the school.