Curriculum Overview

The Abbey provides a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum. It follows the National Curriculum where appropriate and is adapted to be inclusive and meet the needs of our students. This allows students to learn at their individual levels, promoting a curiosity about the world and encouraging a love of learning as they move through the school. 

We want to stimulate interest in the world and interest and enjoyment in learning that will continue beyond the Abbey.  We would like our students not just to learn, but to learn how to learn so that they can continue to learn in college, in the workplace and in life.

The development of life skills along with a focus on personal development and individual EHCP targets are key in supporting every student to be the best that they can be and enabling them to become valued and valuable members of society. 

The curriculum has been designed with the aim of developing the knowledge, skills and abilities of students allowing increasing fluency and independent application of what they know and can do. Wherever possible, the curriculum delivers a creative and practical approach to teaching and learning that challenges the more able further in their learning and appropriately supports children who find aspects of their learning more difficult. This enables success to be experienced by all. 

There are assemblies at the beginning and end of the week; whole school and for each year group. These focus on a wide range subjects which promote British Values and social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) development.

Reading across the school is a priority and all students have three afternoon reading sessions with the aim of encouraging reading for pleasure. In addition to this all teachers support reading in their lessons using the same consistent approach.

The Curriculum is constantly revised and developed to not only meet the needs and strengths of our students, but to provide a wealth of opportunities for them to develop a range of skills, academic knowledge and enjoy memorable experiences.

If you have any questions about the curriculum followed by students at The Abbey School which are not addressed here or elsewhere on this website, please contact the Deputy Headteacher:

tjackson@abbey.surrey.sch.ukKey Stage 3

The Core Curriculum for KS3 incorporates English, Maths, Science and Computing.  

The Foundation Curriculum for KS3 incorporates Physical Education (PE), Lifeskills, PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education), RE, History and Geography. 

The Enrichment Curriculum for KS3 incorporates Art, Design Technology (DT) and Performing Arts.

When students join us in Year 7 we take the time to secure a successful transition from primary. Students are taught in their tutor groups for all subjects except for English, Maths and PE.

In Year 8 and 9, students are taught together in a two-year rolling scheme of learning. Students are put into groups for their subjects based on their learning needs and group dynamics. Combining the year groups allows for greater flexibility in placing students into appropriate groups for subjects and encourages the students to work together and learn to cooperate. This allows for teaching to be better individualised to the students. We also have an additional pathway (Independence) for those students that benefit from it and this includes extra lifeskills lessons. 

Key Stage 4

In Year 10 and 11, students aim to gain a range of qualifications to demonstrate what they've learnt. The Core Curriculum for KS4 incorporates English, Maths, Science, Computing, PE, Life skills and PSHRE.  

In KS4 there are three different pathways (Reach, Venture and Independence). Pathways are selected for students based on prior knowledge, learning needs and individual knowledge of the student. These pathways allow students to get the most appropriate support and challenge and can give the opportunity for learning to be personalised for individuals. 

One morning a week, students attend college and participate in a range of activities aimed at preparing them for their transition from school to their Post-16 provision. Students benefit from the opportunity to experience a different campus, interact with different staff and young people and to try new courses and subjects. 

On the Reach and Venture pathways, students can select three subjects from a wide range of options choices. These options are Art, Catering, Child Care, Design Technology, Duke of Edinburgh/Volunteering, Geography, History, Horticulture, Media, Performing Arts, Sports Leadership and Work Experience. 

Personal Development

Across the school, students work towards achieving their targets taken from their EHCPs. This work is underpinned by a strong pastoral system, providing care and support throughout each student's time at The Abbey. All students have a 25 minute tutor time each morning to help set them up for success and to focus on different areas of development. Some examples of this are Zones of Regulation, social skills, health and wellbeing, current affairs and carees. Students have the opportunity for swimming lessons, Life Skills lessons and a wide range of off-site trips and visits. 

The Abbey School Learning JourneyCurriculum SummaryFor information about individual subjects click here

Teaching and Learning Policy