BGE - Secondary Curriculum (S1 to S3)

You will find lots of useful information to help you answer questions about our Curriculum in the Secondary Department

S1 to S3

As the pupils move from P7 into the secondary department they continue to follow the Broad General Education (BGE) and their curriculum continues to develop to meet their needs. They have an allocated teacher responsible for personal and social development (PSD); Literacy and Language; Numeracy and Mathematics and registration. Where appropriate classes may move around the school to access other subject areas or have subject specialist staff come to their class. All classes have the opportunity to access the local community to practice the skills they are learning in real life situations. At several times throughout the year the department comes together to work on an interdisciplinary theme (IDL) and participate in whole school events. Pupils are offered electives where that can choose activities to follow - the choices include music, art, ICT, STEM, cooking and outdoor learning. Young people have their achievements recognized through ASDAN and Jazz Awards.

Our Secondary BGE curriculum follows on from the primary department BGE curriculum and focuses on:

Literacy and Language

Children are immersed in literacy and language throughout all subject areas.

The main areas are:

Listening
Talking
Reading
Writing

In Pinewood many of our pupils rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) this can includes signs, symbols, pictures, PECS and communication aids. A Total Communication approach is followed by all the children at Pinewood. The development of AAC within Pinewood is in co-operation with speech and language therapy and parents. Pupils requiring communication aids will initially be assessed and given devices to trial in school before being referred onto KEYCOMM.

Pupils learn to read using pictures, symbols and words at their own level and pace. All children have access to reading books, either personalised or following the school reading schemes. Throughout the school the pupils are building up a functional social sight vocabulary of words and signs.

Numeracy and Mathematics

Pupils experience numeracy and mathematics in a variety of different ways and in a variety of contexts, with a focus on life skills. A range of different approaches are used which engage our young people in active learning experiences eg, using money, finding directions etc. In line with Curriculum for Excellence mathematical experiences are evident in all aspects of school life. For example Home Economics is a subject which lets the pupils handle number and measure in a very practical context. Pupils learn about all aspects of Numeracy and Maths - number, money, measurement, time, information handling, shape and problem solving.

Health and Wellbeing (Personal and Social Development PSD)

All children have a child's well-being plan written in partnership with parents, education and therapists which include long and short term goals. These goals are shared with our learners and are reviewed regularly.

Our health and well-being curriculum is personalised to meet the needs of all our learners and our main focus is providing learners with opportunities to learn life skills.

Physical Education is mainly delivered by our P.E. specialists and will cover aspects in 4 areas, namely fitness/athletics, racket and ball skills, gymnastics and dance. We also work closely with active schools to access many opportunities out of school. Some of our secondary groups access PE in the community centre or the church hall and all pupils have the opportunity to participate in sports day and other events.

A number of classes each year have the opportunity to go to Bathgate Pool for swimming lessons. The primary children have the opportunity to take part in a dance showcase in Strictly Pinewood.

Social Studies

Social Studies covers Science, Geography, History and Technology. An emphasis is placed on developing knowledge and understanding, skills and informed attitudes to help pupils make sense of the world around them. In Secondary Department we also look at Global Citizenship and this is taught covering history, geography and citizenship. There is a focus on the area around our home and school, raising awareness of town, city and country. Each year, pupils learn about Scotland and Scottish culture through interdisciplinary learning. We also have a whole school topic every session.

Expressive Arts

Art, drama and music are delivered by specialist staff who work with the classes on a timetabled basis as well as by class teams across the curriculum.

Pupils participate in drama as part of interdisciplinary learning in the primary and as elective choices in the secondary department. Pupils involved in drama projects regularly work with local schools and share their work with parents. The story sensory boxes give an opportunity for children to play an active part helping to retell stories and rhymes using multi-sensory props.

Some of our art curriculum is delivered by a specialist teacher while some of our pupils also receive art therapy as part of their individualised programmes.

We have a school choir who are actively involved in church services and visiting other small events in the community. Music therapy is available for some pupils who will benefit from a focused block of work.

Religious and Moral Education (RME)

Learning through Religious and Moral Education enables pupils and young people to learn about and form their beliefs, values, practices and traditions of Christianity and other world religions. RME is taught through meaningful contexts. We have weekly assemblies and special visitors are invited who support the school. Church services take place throughout the year at Blackburn and Seafield Parish Church.

Any parent who wishes to exercise their right to withdraw their child from religious observance (taking part in religious ceremonies eg assemblies led by church representatives and singing hymns and Christmas carols) should inform the head teacher in writing.

Sciences

In Pinewood we aim to provide learning opportunities to support the pupils develop an interest in and understanding the living, material and physical world. Through providing active learning experience and giving pupils hands-on activities, we aim to develop a curiosity of the world around them and become aware of scientific discoveries and the technological advances in our society. Our science curriculum has been developed to allow the pupils to make sense of the world around them and promote curiosity of how things work. During the year, we incorporate a 'Science Focus Week' that is detailed in our annual calendar. This encourages all classes to take part in science-related activities and through a whole school event/assemblies our learning from the week is shared.

Technologies

A range of technologies are available to all our pupils across all areas of the curriculum. All classes have an interactive smartboard, digital camera, i-Pads, communication devices, laptop / desktop. Specialist technology is available to meet the needs of individuals where identified e.g. eye gaze system. The pupils have access to class sets of notebooks, i-Pads as well as a range of other devices. Glow is being used where appropriate for our pupils.

In Craft Design and Technology (CDT) pupils learn -

Graphic communication; Activities related to construction of prescribed shapes, patterns and colours in accordance with a brief. Definition is made between this type of illustrative work and those of the expressive arts subjects, with particular focus on realistic representation of material objects or structures.

Introduction to tools and materials; Where class allocation and resources allow it, learners may begin to look at basic workshop tools, safety and materials i.e tenon saws, softwoods, knockdown fittings, protective clothing. This would allow for a more fluid transition of learners to the senior phase at which point learners generally tend to have access to mainstream workshop environments.

In Food Technology pupils learn the basic skills needed to prepare and cook meals and dishes. They learn about food hygiene and healthy eating through the Eat Well Programme.