• Curriculum

The Curriculum…

Orion provides a varied curriculum relevant for today and the future, which equips students with academic and or technical based knowledge as well as wider work and life skills. Through the curriculum students are encouraged to become active learners and have the freedom to gain knowledge and understanding, to question, challenge; research and discover.

Our curriculum is designed to offer a clear pathway to employment, apprenticeships and higher-level study for all students. We have a nurturing approach, but all our curriculum subjects are interwoven with a focus on developing grit and resilience so that our young people are challenged and can demonstrate good personal skills, character and commitment, all essential for life and work.

As well as the full range of core subjects, students study Humanities, Technology, The Arts and Physical Education in a dynamic, creative and supportive environment. Orion’s status as an Automotive and Engineering centre also reflects a commitment to technology-based study for our students.

With all our students we want to drive ambition, foster self-determination and inspire success. For further information. Please view our curriculum plan at the below link

Curriculum Plan

Curriculum Subjects

  • Motor Vehicle Service and Engineering
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Combined Science (Chemistry, Biology & Physics)
  • Citizenship
  • Personal Social Health Education
  • History
  • Physical Education
  • Art
  • Information Technology

ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WILL…

Be Ambitious

  • Be confident, happy and self-aware
  • Be able to realise their own potential and have plans for the future
  • Have high-expectations of themselves and others
  • Have greater choice and opportunity
  • Have the chance to be creative
  • Have freedom and independence

Be Determined

  • Be dedicated and hardworking
  • Believe they can achieve
  • Have ‘grit’ to keep trying and bounce back from challenges
  • Have enquiring minds with the ability to problem solve
  • Be challenged and stretched

Be Successful

  • Achieve their academic and vocational learning goals
  • Have sound literacy, numeracy and essential skills for life
  • Be equipped for further study and the world of work
  • Have the ability to communicate and interact with others
  • Be responsible citizens with strong British Values

BRITISH VALUES…

Orion reflects British values in all that we do.  We encourage our students to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.

How do we Promote British Values at Orion

Democracy

  • We provide students with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services by discussing these whenever appropriate in curriculum work.
  • We teach students how they can influence decision making through the democratic process e.g. in our student voice activities
  • We encourage students to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school
  • We hold ‘mock elections’ e.g. when electing representatives for Student Voice
  • We help students to express their views e.g. through a variety of lessons and opportunities to present work and opinions.
  • We model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged e.g. through our interactions with students and the school’s behaviour system, in assemblies and class PSHE work.

The Rule of Law

  • We ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair
  • We help students to respect the law and the basis on which it is made e.g. by showing how rules help everyone to interact in an orderly and fair manner and protect the vulnerable in society.
  • We help students to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals.
  • We arrange visits from the police e.g. involvement with the Community Police Officers in assembly or tutorials.
  • We teach students aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious groups.
  • We develop approaches based on fairness and justice to resolve conflicts e.g. as part of our approach to behaviour.

Individual liberty

  • Support students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence e.g. through all areas of teaching and learning in school encouraging them to become good and valued citizens
  • Encourage students to take responsibility for their behaviours, as well as knowing their rights.
  • Challenge stereotypes e.g. through PSHE/SMSC work and assemblies.
  • Implement a strong anti-bullying culture, as promoted in our policies for Anti-bullying and Behaviour.
  • Demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
  • Encourage students to become increasingly involved in decision making for their post 16 progressional route.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance

  • Promote respect for individual differences in all areas of learning and interaction.
  • Help students acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life e.g. through SMSC/PSHE and Citizenship.
  • Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour e.g. through discussion and our approach to behaviour in school and the wider world.
  • Discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations, through our SMSC/PSHE and broader curriculum work and through visitors sharing their experiences.