Curriculum

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum at Reddish Hall School is broad and balanced. It takes a lead from the National Curriculum and personalises it to the needs of our pupils. Pupils are usually in classes of 6, although this may sometimes go to 7 if the friendship mix supports this.  In Year 7, pupils have a reduced number of transitions, with their form tutor teaching them at least two subjects in their form room, and another teacher delivering a set of other lessons.  They experience science, art, computing and PE from subject specialists.  This allows them to settle into a new environment and make that step up to secondary education in a supportive manner.

Pupils study national curriculum subjects as they would in a mainstream, with the addition of horticulture, life skills and Learning Outside the Classroom – you can find out more about this on other pages of our website.  Music is not taught as a separate subject.  Due to many of our pupils having sensory needs, music is taught to those who express an interest on a very small group basis.

From Year 8, pupils move to subject specialists as they would in a mainstream, with their class TA who supports them throughout the day. Key Stone classes run in Year 8 and 9, which the same teacher for more subjects, and their movement around school is reduced slightly. These groups are suitable for pupils who need additional modification to English and maths materials as they may be working at a lower level than other students in the same age group.

The intention of our KS3 provision is to ensure children enjoy learning and place value upon it, alongside developing the knowledge and skills to move onto KS4. The whole package of educational input, therapy and pastoral support aims to ensure that pupils are ready for their next step.

Key Stage 4 at Reddish Hall aims to help children become ready for their next step through academic achievement, the development of skills – both social and vocational, and through promoting their independence, confidence and self-esteem.  We celebrate the individual and encourage children’s personalities to flourish!

All children study English, maths and science, with the intention they achieve a qualification that reflects their ability at that time.  For most of our pupils, this is GCSE or equivalent qualifications.  Our Key Stone classes continue into Years 10 and 11, to help

We endeavour that if a child has a particular interest and it is suitable for them to undertake it as a qualification; we will do what we can to support them with this.  The Key Stage 4 follows a mainstream model, but with small class sizes and significant support.  Pupils choose four option subjects as well as studying core subjects.  The list below is an example and may differ each year.  Pupils are able to choose a combination of subjects, so for some, they may opt for a more practical range, whereas others may choose a more academic route.  Others may opt for a blend of the two.

For 2026/7 academic year

Vocational

• Catering – AIM Hospitality Entry 3, Level 1, Level 2
• Motor Vehicle – AIM Engineering (Motor Vehicle pathway) Entry 3, Level 1, Level 2
• Hair and Beauty – AIM Hair and Beauty Level 1, Level 2
• Horticulture – AIM Horticulture Entry 3, Level 1
• Textiles – NCFE Creative Craft Level 1, Level 2

Sports and Employability

• Outdoor Sports – NCFE Level 2, Duke of Edinburgh Award
• PE – Pearson BTEC Sport Level 1
• King’s Trust – Level 1, Level 2
• Business – Pearson BTEC Business Level 1

Academic

• English Literature – AQA GCSE English Literature
• Geography – Pearson iGCSE Geography
• History – Pearson iGCSE History
• Psychology – AQA GCSE Psychology
• Art – WJEC GCSE Art & Design, Trinity Arts Award Entry 3, Level 1, Level 2

Digital

• Computing – OCR GCSE Computer Science
• Coding – BCS Think like a Coder Level 1, Level 2
• ICT – Pearson Digital Functional Skills, BCS ICDL Entry 3, Level 1, Level 2
• Creative iMedia – OCR Creative iMedia Level 1, Level 2

All pupils are timetabled for PE, PSHE/Citizenship and Life skills sessions weekly.

Exam Results

Visit our exam results page to view data from previous years. As you’ll see, students at Reddish Hall School have achieved numerous successes.

After Reddish Hall School

As a school still in its infancy, our number of year 11 leavers is still small. Small but mighty! We are really proud of what our former pupils have moved on to do and continue to celebrate their achievements. We encourage them to keep in touch and we remain here to provide support when they need it.

So far, post sixteen destinations have included:

College courses in animal care, joinery, public service, drama, computing, sport, hair and beauty, travel and tourism, and apprenticeships or pre-apprenticeship training in child care, mechanics and construction.

Our whole intention is that pupils leave Reddish Hall with the necessary social, academic and vocational skills to be mentally healthy and happy in the wider world.

The Project 3 pathway is designed for young people from
year 7 upwards who are not ready to access full time
classroom-based learning. Typically, these pupils have spent
a large amount of time out of education and may have
significant barriers around their levels of anxiety, finding a
school or classroom environment overwhelming. Initially,
learning is facilitated through a holistic and therapeutic
approach, designed to move at the young person’s own pace.

Their timetables are personalised, with the support of a Youth
Coach. They are designed using the voice of the young
person and other professionals, including our Clinical Lead
and SEND team. Literacy and numeracy skills are prioritised,
but may be delivered through life skills until the young person
is ready for more formalised learning in some cases. The
young person may be attached to a suitable class group for
English and Maths, or another subject the young person has
shown an interest in.

Youth Coaches work with the young person on their
programmes, which can include a range of subjects in line
with the child’s interests and aspirations, including our
vocational programmes or GCSE pathways. Pupils may work
1:1 or attend classes, dependent on what is suitable for
them. Some learning may take place off-site to aid pupils
with developing other key aspects, with activities such as bike
riding, rock climbing, working with animals, cooking or even
attending the gym, so they can experience the wider world
and develop their confidence and communication skills in a
holistic and supportive manner. This hopefully helps them
work towards being able to regulate their feelings in order to
be able to enjoy the wider school environment.

The aim for pupils is that they develop a school identity and a
sense of belonging, forming healthy attachments and
experiencing learning in a positive manner. Over time, pupils
may become ingratiated fully or partially in one of our other
pathways. The outcome aimed for is, as always, that pupils
leave Reddish Hall ready for their next steps heading into the
wider world.

Educational visits 

Our educational visits programme ensures students have rich, real-world experiences which deepen the knowledge gained in classroom-based learning across the curriculum.  

Recent educational visits have included places such as Chester Zoo, The Heights of Abraham, Tatton Park & Gardens, and Chatsworth House. We have also undertaken day trips as far afield as London, where students attended the theatre and experienced key landmarks of the nation’s capital. We also make use of the wide array of local parks, museums, theatres and galleries which, in addition to their educational and cultural benefits, build students’ awareness and appreciation of their local area.  

As well as enriching learning, these visits support the continued development of learners’ social, emotional and communication skills and develop learners’ ability to understand, access and navigate their world.  

We are currently expanding our educational visits offer to include residential activities both in the UK and overseas: a group of our staff and students recently undertook a week-long skiing trip to the Italian Alps, which was a huge success. 

‘Options’ 

Friday afternoons host our ‘Options’ afternoons, where students access a programme of enrichment activities linked to the points they have earned throughout their school week. The activities are 2-tiered, gold and silver, ensuring all students are rewarded for their achievements and incentivised to uphold learning and social behaviours to support their ongoing educational and personal development.  

A wide range of activities are offered, both on and off-site, including Sports, book group, Dungeons & Dragons club, ICT & gaming, music, cake making, laser quest, film club and bowling. Our activities offer rich opportunities to explore and engage in hobbies, and to connect with others outside of conventional learning activities.  

Outdoor Education 

All our pupils in Key Stage 3 participate in Outdoor Education one day per week.  Within each term, students rotate between Outdoor Education sessions at The Anderton Centre, educational visits linked to their curriculum learning and enrichment outings which focus on developing life skills, experiences and cultural capital. 

Activities at The Anderton Centre are delivered by fully certified professionals, who have worked with us to develop personalised, progressive programmes tailored towards the needs and abilities of our students and enabling them to develop skills and confidence over time.   

Students are given opportunities to experience a mixture of land and water-based activities in a safe environment, whilst focusing on the 10 key outcomes for Outdoor Learning: 

1. Enjoyment 
2. Confidence and character 
3. Health and well-being 
4. Social and emotional awareness 
5. Environmental awareness 
6. Activity skills 
7. Personal qualities 
8. Skills for life 
9. Increased motivation and appetite for learning 
10. Broadened horizons 

Outdoor Education is an intrinsic part of our curriculum offer for Key Stage 3, where skills for life are developed.  Completing tasks together helps to promote teamwork and communication skills, along with building self-confidence and resilience. Spending time in nature furthers students’ understanding of the environment and sustainability, as well as supporting their physical, mental health and wellbeing. 

Careers and travel training 

As our pupils move through KS4, we offer an extensive range of careers-focused visits to a range of educational and apprenticeship providers, tailored to the strengths and interests of our students.  

From mainstream settings such as Stockport, Manchester and Xaverian Colleges, to more specialised providers such as Strive Academy and DISC, we ensure that students have a strong understanding of the options available to them after their time with us and direct experience of the settings to optimise their confidence and success as they move forward in their educational journey.  

To further support this, students may also be offered travel training, as a way of securing vital independence skills in preparation for adulthood.  

Students are also supported to complete work experience placements during Year 10, as a central part of their careers-based learning.  

More information on our careers provision can be found on the relevant page of our website