Apollo Curriculum

Curriculum Intent

At Apollo, our curriculum is designed to meet the complex, diverse and often rapidly changing needs of pupils within an Alternative Provision setting. We recognise that many pupils require a curriculum that prioritises safety, emotional regulation and engagement alongside the development of core academic skills.

Our curriculum is flexible, responsive and safeguarding-led, ensuring learning is relevant, meaningful and accessible to every pupil. Our 12-week curriculum is built around a carefully sequenced learning journey through three themes:

From the Equator to the Poles
The Secret Life of Chocolate
Our Wonderful World

Through these themes pupils deepen their understanding of the world, their relationships within it and their ability to make positive contributions to society

Subject Overview

English

English is taught daily

KS1

Pupils develop:

Speaking and listening
Phonics
Story sequencing
Spelling
Vocabulary development
Simple sentence writing
Questioning and comprehension
Editing and application of skills

LKS2

Pupils develop:

Discussion skills
Spelling patterns
Story retelling
Vocabulary
Punctuation
Grammar
Reading comprehension
Genre writing
Editing skills

UKS2

Pupils develop:

Speaking and listening
Advanced spelling
Story adaptation
Character analysis
Complex grammar
Comprehension and inference
Genre analysis
Extended writing
Independent application of writing skills

Reading and Phonics Schemes

Apollo uses:

Read Write Inc.
Oxford Owl
Lexia

to support reading, phonics and literacy development

Mathematics

Mathematics is taught daily.

KS1

Pupils learn:

Place value
Number bonds
Addition and subtraction
Time
Division
Problem solving
Measurement
Data handling
Money

LKS2

Pupils learn:

Place value
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Problem solving
Length
Time
Data
Money

UKS2

Pupils learn:

Place value
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Multi-step problem solving
Conversions and measures
Time
Data and graphs
Budgeting and money

Additional support is provided through:

TT Rockstars
Doodle Maths

Exploring the World (Geography, History and Science)

Learning is delivered through the three curriculum themes.

Pupils learn about:

From the Equator to the Poles

Continents and oceans
Equator and poles
Weather patterns
Climate and seasons
Habitats
Human and physical geography
Environmental change
The Earth and Sun

The Secret Life of Chocolate

Where cacao is grown
Chocolate production
Fairtrade
Global trade
Plant growth
Life cycles
Materials and their properties
Changes in materials

Our Wonderful World

Countries and cultures
Global communities
Landscapes
Living things
Habitats
Food chains
Sustainability

Environmental responsibility

STEM

Pupils participate in practical investigations involving:

Weather
Habitats
Materials
Plant growth
Life cycles
Sustainability
Engineering
Problem solving
Scientific enquiry

For UKS2 this also includes sustainability projects such as:

Energy Detectives
Food Waste Warriors
Recycling Rangers
Water Watchers
Wildlife Surveyors

Creative Arts and Design Technology

Pupils develop skills through:

Drawing
Painting
Textiles
Construction
Mechanisms
Product design
Sculpture
Creative projects
Design and evaluation

Creative learning is directly linked to thematic learning.

Forest School and Outdoor Learning

Outdoor learning is a core part of the curriculum.

Pupils learn through:

Forest School
Tool use
Sensory exploration
Fire safety
Fire lighting
Knot tying
Rope work
Shelter building
Nature discovery
Gardening
Independent projects

Outdoor learning supports resilience, teamwork, emotional regulation and confidence.

Cooking and Life Skills

Pupils participate in weekly cooking activities including:

Biscuits
Flapjacks
Scones
Rocky Road
Brownies
Cupcakes
Pizza
Pancakes
Jam Tarts
Gingerbread

Cooking develops:

Independence
Communication
Teamwork
Safety awareness
Healthy eating
Mathematical skills

Personal Development

Personal Development underpins the entire curriculum.

Themes include:

Understanding self
Healthy lifestyles
Physical and mental health
Relationships
Friendships
Emotional literacy
Online safety
Community awareness
Money and spending
Aspirations
Preparation for adulthood

Teaching is responsive to safeguarding needs and current issues affecting pupils

Relationships Education and Health Education

Apollo delivers Relationships Education and Health Education through its Personal Development curriculum.

Pupils learn about:

Friendships and positive relationships
Respect and kindness
Families and caring relationships
Personal safety
Healthy lifestyles
Physical and mental wellbeing
Online relationships and online safety
Boundaries and consent
PANTS and protective behaviours
Community awareness
Preparing for change and transition

Teaching is responsive to pupils' needs and may be adapted to address emerging safeguarding concerns, local issues and individual circumstances. Our Themed Curriculum includes topics on friendships, relationships, online dangers, PANTS, social media, emotional literacy, health, hygiene, aspirations and personal safety.

Religious Education

Religious Education is taught through thematic learning, assemblies, visits and discussions.

Learning includes:

Christianity
Islam
Faith communities
Religious celebrations
Respect and tolerance
Beliefs and values

Visits may include local churches, chapels and mosques

Assessment

Progress is monitored through:

Baseline assessments on entry
Exit assessments
Teacher assessment
Boxall Profile
Salford Reading Assessment
Read Write Inc. assessments
Numeracy assessments
PIVATS assessments every six weeks

Assessment information is used to plan support, interventions and reintegration pathways.

Reintegration

Apollo is a short-term Alternative Provision and placements are usually for one school term.

Reintegration refers to a return to a previously attended educational setting rather than transition to a new setting.

Where an extended placement is required, this will be discussed on an individual basis between:

Apollo Alternative Provision
The Local Authority
The home school or academy
Parents and carers

School Opening Hours

8:45am to 1:45pm

Total compulsory hours: 25 hours per week

Accessibility

Apollo is committed to ensuring disabled pupils can access and participate fully in the curriculum. Further information can be found in the school's Accessibility Plan.

Personal Development

Personal Development underpins the entire curriculum.

Themes include:

Understanding self
Healthy lifestyles
Physical and mental health
Relationships
Friendships
Emotional literacy
Online safety
Community awareness
Money and spending
Aspirations
Preparation for adulthood

Teaching is responsive to safeguarding needs and current issues affecting pupils