The Upper School.
Students aged 11–16 years work towards academic and vocational qualifications and accreditation. Students can gain GCSEs in up to 10 subjects that are taken in years 10 and 11, however, gifted and talented students are entered early if ready.
Students are supported in developing life and social skills through personal development programmes which include anger management, making positive choices, healthy lifestyles and independent living.
Students are supported on part-time college placements in a vocational area of their choice. Work experience placements are arranged each term to maximise students’ experience and knowledge of the world of work.
We work closely with local businesses and industry to provide our students with up-to-date information and guidance on the skills that are needed for successful employment.
Students have access to specialist staff who provide counselling and therapeutic support.
Secondary curriculum.
Key Stage 3 builds the breadth and confidence students need to step into accredited learning; Key Stage 4 narrows in on GCSEs, vocational pathways and Functional Skills — matched to each young person’s ability, interests and post-16 ambitions.
English
English at our school aims to create an inclusive and positive learning environment via collaborative learning. We aim to promote independence and confidence through reading a variety of texts, literacy-based tasks and spoken language. We utilise whole-school initiatives that focus on the relationship between sounds and written symbols, teaching students to segment and blend to decode and encode.
As part of the Key Stage 3 English curriculum, we study a wide range of texts including Charles Dickens novels, Shakespeare, Victorian monsters and poetry from other cultures. We also offer Entry 1, 2, 3, Level 1 and Level 2 Functional Skills. We focus on spelling and grammar throughout all key stages, as well as development of speaking and listening abilities to promote confidence and learn key skills via spoken language.
The Key Stage 4 English department offers Entry 1, 2, 3, Level 1 and Level 2 Functional Skills — focused on giving students practical skills for the modern world. This specification ensures students have good communication skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and prepares them for GCSE English.
GCSE English focuses on reading a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction. Students evaluate texts critically, make comparisons, summarise and synthesise information, and learn a new set of terminology and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
We also offer English Literature, which challenges and inspires students via texts such as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Robert L. Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, poetry, and the modern play Blood Brothers. Students explore characters, interpret texts and discuss their social context.
Science
Science lessons aim to promote enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the curriculum. We have an established history of promoting and rethinking scientific literacy, which helps students to achieve their target grades. Unfamiliar vocabularies are emphasised on to further support their scientific literacy. The lessons are designed to include practical and educational trips relating to Chemistry, Physics and Biology.
During Key Stage 3 Science, students are introduced to a range of topics within Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Science is linked to the wider context to ensure that students can apply scientific topics to the things they see and interact with every day. Students also develop a range of scientific skills through practical experiments.
There are two pathways for KS4 students in Science — the GCSE route (9–1) and the Entry Level Certificate (ELC) route.
Maths
Mathematics lessons are aimed to develop students’ knowledge, skills and understanding of methods and concepts. The mathematics curriculum is divided into five subject areas — Number; Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change; Algebra; Statistics & Probability; Geometry & Measures. These are taught and revised over the key stages.
We also put emphasis on the Functional Skills element of mathematics to improve the confidence of students who joined us with little interest in maths. We do this by incorporating mathematical games, real-life examples and kinaesthetic materials.
Students in Key Stage 3 are taught the main five subject areas in mathematics across the key stage. Students in year nine are introduced to the GCSE curriculum and work at a more advanced level to build on their problem-solving skills.
During Year 10 and 11, students are prepared and entered for the Edexcel mathematics GCSE award and Functional Skills — depending on their ability. Students who progress in the Functional Skills and GCSE in Year 10 are encouraged to take the Higher Tier levels of mathematics in Year 11. We make it fun with educational trip activities, real-life problem-solving and games. The GCSE final examinations consist of one non-calculator paper and two calculator papers.
Esports
The E-Sports programme offers students an engaging and future-focused learning experience that combines gaming, digital skills, teamwork and personal development. Through competitive gaming, content creation, event management, and industry-based projects, students develop communication, leadership, problem-solving and technical skills relevant to the growing digital and creative industries.
The programme aims to inspire creativity, build confidence, and prepare students for further education, employment and careers within the gaming, media and technology sectors. Students progress through structured pathways with opportunities to gain recognised qualifications and industry-relevant accreditation through Pearson.
Students begin exploring the wider E-Sports industry, including competitive gaming, strategy, streaming, content creation and event planning. Learners develop collaboration, digital literacy and leadership skills while working towards introductory accredited learning opportunities.
Students follow a more advanced pathway, studying areas such as game analysis, broadcasting, coaching, enterprise and media production. Learners can achieve recognised qualifications through Pearson, supporting progression into further education, apprenticeships, and careers within the digital and creative sectors.
Skills Academy. The Skills Academy provides specialist industry-focused training for students seeking advanced progression routes within E-Sports and immersive technologies. Students gain higher-level accredited qualifications through Pearson while developing professional skills, employability and real-world experience aligned to careers in gaming, digital media and technology industries.
Immersive Learning. The Immersive Learning programme uses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), simulation and interactive technologies to create engaging and inclusive learning experiences. Students develop creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and technical skills through hands-on projects linked to real-world applications across education and industry. The programme supports personalised learning, increases student engagement, and prepares learners for future careers in digital innovation, technology, design and emerging industries.
PE
The underlying principles of our approach in PE are to help students develop an understanding of the benefits of maintaining a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle, as well as the opportunities and pathways for participation in physical activity. This is achieved through a rich culture of practical sports activities, theoretical lessons and whole-school initiatives.
During Key Stage 3 in PE, students learn how to evaluate and improve their performance by identifying what makes a performance effective. They also gain knowledge and understanding of fitness and health — how exercise affects the body in the short term, and why wearing appropriate clothing and being hygienic is good for their health and safety.
Activities include football, basketball, badminton, health-related fitness, boxing, swimming, tennis, cricket and athletics.
At Key Stage 4, all students take part in PE activities. Those who choose GCSE PE follow the AQA full course, which takes two years of preparation including theory and practical assessments.
In the first year, theory topics include health, fitness and well-being, applied anatomy and physiology, and movement analysis. In Y11, topics are physical training, sports psychology, socio-cultural influences and use of data.
At the end of the two years, students are assessed in two written exam papers (60% of total marks). The remaining 40% is assessed on coursework for the analysis and evaluation of their chosen sport, together with the external practical moderation for three practical activities.
Art and Design
Art and design at Insights focuses on providing students with visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to develop creativity and awareness of how ideas and meanings can be communicated through art. Within all age groups, the development of confidence, competence, relevant skills and importantly imagination in art underlie the planning and delivery of the national curriculum and GCSE classes.
In addition to techniques, skills and competencies being taught, during Key Stage 3 Art the focus turns to critical thinking and reflection around students’ own and other people’s art and creations. This judgement of quality, meaning and expression of art develops the students’ abilities to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently.
For students who choose GCSE Art, they undertake two portfolio projects in Year 10 and Year 11, plus one Set Task in Year 11. The most successful portfolio project is selected and is worth 60% of the GCSE grade, with the Set Task making up the remaining 40%.
The four assessment criteria across all assessed work consist of developing ideas through research, refining and experimentation of ideas, recording ideas and intentions, and presenting their ideas.
Music and Music Technology
Music lessons at our school involve teaching through practical activities and playing instruments. Students develop their individual as well as group music skills through various performance and practice activities. There is also a strong use of music-technology facilities within the department, allowing students to become proficient using music software and learning the art of audio engineering and music production.
During Key Stage 3 Music, the emphasis turns to traditional musical skills including using notation, keyboard skills and ensemble performance skills. The awareness of how music plays a part in society and different cultures around the world is covered, broadening the students’ knowledge and context around music.
Students who take Music and Music Technology at Key Stage 4 complete NCFE Level 1 to Level 2 qualifications in Music Technology and Music Performance. These courses are equivalent to GCSE grade courses of study and develop respective music and music-technology skills within a vocational context — giving students the necessary skills as well as career awareness to utilise their skills within society.
Alternative Learning, Enrichment and Work Experience.
The Alternative Learning & Enrichment programmes enable students to experience a range of activities that enrich and enhance their learning. This holistic approach to learning enables our students to achieve and excel both academically and socially, as well as developing their individual talents and interests.
The Alternative Learning and Enrichment programme is carefully designed to challenge and stretch students by providing new opportunities that broaden their horizons, increase their range of skills, and enable them to reach their full potential.
Within the younger key stages, the focus is on development of personal and inter-personal skills through activities. This has been achieved through fishing, orienteering, water sports, team-building sessions, immersive learning, martial arts, nature and other outdoor pursuits.
As the students get older, the emphasis turns to preparing them for the transition into adulthood — with more emphasis on vocational, independence and life skills through individualised and small-group activities. Examples of accredited offers include cooking, food hygiene & nutrition, motor mechanics, construction, hospitality, animal care, Esports, sports coaching, and training placements for students who have expressed an interest in vocational learning.
All of the ALP and enrichment programmes are mapped to selected ASDAN and other relevant qualifications. This enables Key Stage 4 students to develop an accredited portfolio of work within Independent Living, Personal Finance, Vocational and Citizenship areas.
As students enter Key Stage 4, they have the opportunity to undertake work experience placements which are organised through the school. We partner with trusted businesses that understand the unique nature of our students, so that we are able to provide relevant and effective placements — benefitting the students and helping them learn about their chosen industries and gain a true experience of the world of work.