Oakbridge School
BirminghamCurriculum & Approach
At Oakbridge School, we believe every pupil deserves access to a broad, ambitious and inspiring curriculum that equips them with the knowledge, skills and values they need to thrive. Rooted in the National Curriculum and thoughtfully adapted for pupils with ASC, our approach is meaningful, engaging and future‑focused, underpinned by our core values: Be Safe, Be Kind, Work Hard.
A nurturing, relationship‑centred approach
We understand that many pupils have faced barriers to learning, including trauma, and may need time to build trust. Our nurturing environment ensures pupils feel:
- Safe and emotionally secure
- Valued and understood
- Supported to re‑engage with learning
Positive relationships sit at the heart of everything we do.
Broad, balanced and personalised
Our curriculum offers a wide range of academic, creative and vocational learning, tailored to each pupil’s needs, strengths and aspirations.
Pupils benefit from:
- A broad selection of National Curriculum subjects
- Creative and vocational pathways leading to recognised qualifications
- Practical, cultural and physical education
- A personalised approach to ensure relevance and challenge
Evidence‑based teaching
Classroom practice is grounded in proven approaches that help pupils learn successfully and independently, including:
- Quality First Teaching
- Retrieval practice
- Scaffolding and small‑step instruction
- Visual supports and practical tasks
- Collaborative learning opportunities
These strategies support communication, interaction and confidence.
Personal development and well-being
Alongside academic progress, we prioritise pupils’ wellbeing and personal growth. We help pupils develop:
- Independence and resilience
- Respect for themselves and others
- Aspiration and self-belief
PSHE, SMSC and British Values are woven throughout the curriculum to promote reflection, cultural understanding and responsible decision-making.
Enrichment and life skills
Timetabled enrichment and life‑skills sessions give pupils opportunities to:
- Practise real‑world skills
- Build social confidence
- Explore interests and develop curiosity beyond the classroom
Preparing for the future
Ultimately, our curriculum nurtures confident, kind and hardworking individuals who are prepared for their next steps and ready to make a positive contribution to society.
The National Curriculum, subjects and qualifications
Our curriculum is broad, balanced and personalised to meet the needs of our pupils. Our curriculum is closely aligned with the national curriculum. We provide a progressive learning pathway whereby pupils can complete and progress to a range of qualifications from entry level to GCSE, ensuring every pupil is supported and challenged according to their ability, interests and future aspirations.
Our offer promotes academic achievement, personal development, and preparation for adulthood through a combination of core, foundation, vocational and enrichment subjects.
Our core curriculum enables all pupils to study Maths, English and Science following structured schemes of learning based on the national curriculum.
Qualifications offered:
GCSE’s in:
- English Language
- Maths
- Science
- Art
- History
A range of BTEC, OCR nationals and Gateway qualifications in:
- Music/ Performing arts
- Esports
- Catering
- IT/ Creative media
- Travel and tourism
- Sports
- Health and social care
We also offer functional skills Level 1 and 2 in Maths and English, and Entry Level qualifications in English, Maths and Science
Education pathways and flexible learning programme
At Oakbridge School, our KS4 educational pathways ensure pupils follow academic and vocational routes ranging from Entry Level to GCSE and BTEC qualifications, enabling them to develop confidence and independence.
Pupils are able to select from a range of option choices at the end of KS3 for study during KS4.
Each Pathway is informed by academic data and personalised to the pupil, ensuring that all are appropriately challenged and supported.
This approach allows pupils to progress seamlessly to their next stage – whether that be further education, vocational college, A Levels, apprenticeships, or employment – ensuring that every young person leaves Oakbridge prepared for adulthood and the world of work.
Our Flexible Learning Programme (FLP) is designed to support pupils who find regular attendance at school challenging. A specialist team work with children and families to design bespoke packages which are tailored to the needs and circumstances of each individual. The offer may consist of a combination of some or all of the following:
- Tuition at the young person’s homeschool lessons
- Tuition at a neutral venue such as a library
- Lessons in school. These can take place after normal school hours, individually during school hours or in teaching groups with peers.
- Enrichment and personal development activities
The Flexible Learning Programme aims to integrate pupils into full-time education on-site wherever possible. Based in our therapy suite, pupils have their own entrance to the building. Their separate classrooms offer a safe space in which to learn and to begin to explore the rest of the opportunities available to them as they move toward full-time attendance.
Physical Education
At Oakbridge School, our Physical Education (PE) curriculum is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of our pupils. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to thrive physically, socially, and emotionally through sport and physical activity.
Our curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Develop a broad range of physical skills and techniques across multiple sports and activities.
- Participate with growing confidence, building sportsmanship, leadership, and communication skills.
- Build resilience and enjoy engaging in competitive and cooperative games.
- Understand the importance of personal fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
- Improve teamwork, coordination, and motor skills in a supportive environment.
How we differentiate and adapt:
We recognise that our pupils have unique learning profiles, and we tailor our PE curriculum when necessary for certain groups or individuals to ensure accessibility and success for all. Differentiation is embedded in our planning and delivery through:
- Presuming competence and setting high expectations for all.
- Clear, concise instructions and visual supports to aid understanding.
- Varied tasks and flexible groupings to suit different ability levels and interests.
- Sensory-aware environments, including time-out zones for self-regulation.
- Special-interest rewards to motivate and celebrate progress.
- Rubric-based assessment using our Thinking and Feeling, Skills, PE Life Skills, and How My Body Works frameworks to promote holistic development.
We also provide daily opportunities for physical activity, including our popular breakfast fitness club and structured playground games during break and lunch.
Key Stage breakdown
Key Stage 1
Pupils develop fundamental movement skills such as agility, balance, and coordination. They explore a variety of activities, including dance, gymnastics, swimming, and outdoor adventurous play, with a focus on enjoyment and exploration.
Key Stage 2
Pupils build on their movement skills and begin applying them in more structured games and performances. Activities promote teamwork, strategic thinking, and personal challenge through sports and invasion games. Our PE ethos supports pupils through child-friendly rubrics that encourage self-awareness, emotional regulation, and skill development, laying the foundation for future leadership.
Key Stage 3
We prepare pupils for lifelong physical and mental well-being. The curriculum encourages participation in competitive sports and community clubs, while advancing tactical understanding and skill development. Pupils learn to reflect on performance and apply strategies in team and individual contexts. Our Thinking and Feeling rubric, alongside Skills and PE Life Skills rubrics, helps pupils develop empathy, resilience, and leadership qualities.
Key Stage 4
Pupils deepen their understanding of physical health, anatomy, and the benefits of regular exercise. They engage in complex physical challenges, evaluate performance, and develop leadership and problem-solving skills. The aim is to foster independence, confidence, and readiness for life beyond school. Our PE ethos continues to guide pupils through advanced rubric-based learning, supporting the development of future Sports Ambassadors—pupils who lead by example, mentor younger peers, promote active lifestyles, and help shape the future of school sport.
Leadership and sports ambassadors
At Arc Oakbridge School, we believe in empowering pupils to take ownership of their learning and development. The Sports Ambassador role is a key opportunity for Key Stage 4 pupils to:
- Lead by example in PE lessons, sports clubs, and during break and lunchtime activities.
- Make announcements in assemblies to promote participation in clubs and events.
- Mentor younger pupils, helping them build confidence and skills in sport.
- Suggest and help organise fixtures and tournaments with other schools.
This leadership pathway is embedded within our ethos and curriculum, giving pupils a meaningful chance to showcase their leadership, communication, and organisational skills while inspiring others to lead healthy, active lives.
Qualifications in sport
For pupils who choose PE as an option in Key Stage 4, we offer Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications through BTEC and Gateway courses. These qualifications introduce pupils to the world of sport and key aspects of the industry, including:
- Fitness testing and analysis
- Development of technical skills
- Application of knowledge to support a healthy and active lifestyle
These courses provide a strong foundation for further education, preparing pupils to transition into Level 3 qualifications, sport-related college courses, or apprenticeships. The award is equivalent to a GCSE and supports pupils in building both academic and practical skills for future success.
Life skills
Our life skills curriculum is designed to equip pupils with the practical, social and emotional skills required to prepare pupils for independence, adulthood and employment. Pupils will engage in a range of activities as detailed below:
- Independent Living – cooking, personal hygiene, budgeting and home management.
- Travel Training – Safe travel, route planning and use of public transport.
- Personal Safety – Road safety and community awareness
- Health and Wellbeing – Cooking and Nutrition, meal planning, emotional regulation.
Community engagement/SMSC
We believe that each pupil will be valued as an individual and enabled to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally within a caring, purposeful and flexible framework. In particular, our SMSC curriculum supports the following aims:
- To provide meaningful opportunities so that our pupils can develop towards their full potential academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
- To foster a respectful atmosphere that focuses on positive relationships with the wider community e.g Visits to museums, places of worship etc.
- To celebrate the unique identities of our pupils and provide opportunities for the development of resilience.
Our SMSC curriculum is delivered through a range of activities from weekly assembly sessions to guest speakers, to weekly involvement with Votes for Schools where pupils get to vote on national current affairs issues.
Enrichment and wider opportunities
At Oakbridge we believe that school is about more than academic learning. Pupils should leave us having had a range of experiences that they will remember long after they have left us. We aim to provide the activities that will:
- Help pupils understand the rich culture of the area and the nation
- Connect pupils to local communities
- Foster new areas of interest that will broaden pupils’ horizons
- Connect pupils to their environment, both urban and rural
- Enhance peer relationships
- Foster resilience and character
Each curriculum area includes enrichment activities as part of their planning. Activities may include
- Visits to curriculum linked venues (for example museums, art galleries, places of worship or places of work).
- Visiting speakers such as poets, historians, members of community organisations, the emergency services, for example.
- Workshops, for example visiting musicians or theatre groups
In addition, the school has two enrichment sessions per week, during which pupils may select from a number of activities on offer. Examples include sport, craft, cooking, social games, computing, performing arts.
We offer an annual residential weekend for KS4 pupils, designed to challenge them to try new experiences whilst benefitting from the support of our expert staff team. This has proved universally popular with staff and pupils alike.
Vocational skills offer
Our accredited range of vocational skills provides real-world, work-related learning experiences that prepare pupils for employment, further education (FE) and adulthood.
We currently offer the following BTEC Level 1/Level2 qualifications:
- Level 1/2 Esports
- Level 1 / Level 2 Music
- Level 1 Catering
- Level 1 / Level 2 Travel and Tourism
- Level 1 Sports
- Level 1 Computing
