Teaching and Learning

At KS3 level, our English Language and English Literature skills courses cater for Year 7-9 students looking to form effective reading, writing, speaking and listening capabilities – a solid foundation for progression onto GCSE courses.

During the course, students have the opportunity to review a range of age-appropriate reading materials, as well as having the freedom to explore and develop preferred texts, whether that involves reading more books by their favourite author or delving into the world of poetry.

KS4 students receive further support to build on their base English skills developed at KS3 as they work towards positive outcomes at GCSE exam level. Much of our KS4 provision for English is centred on increasing students’ confidence and helping them reach personal goals as their subject knowledge and understanding grows.

Our Maths course at KS3 level is designed to prepare students for their GCSE exams across all core areas of the subject. With a focus on the algebra and statistics that now form a significant element of the reformed GCSE, this course can help students who have struggled with their school attendance in the past to regain their confidence in their mathematical abilities.

Student enrolment on the KS4 Maths course will see them able to strengthen their base knowledge of the subject across all the GCSE topic areas, practice their functional skills, and begin to explore and achieve vital skills that they will be able to apply to their future learning and beyond.

Students taking our Science course at KS3 level will have the opportunity to re-engage with basic scientific theories and key foundational knowledge that they may not have attained due to missing important parts of the curriculum. If a child or young person finds science particularly difficult, this course offers ideal preparation for GCSE-level work by developing a sense of excitement and curiosity about the world and building the vital skills needed for GCSE.

Our KS4 Science course involves several study pathways that consider the individual capabilities and subject preferences of students taking the course. Because our alternative learning provision is delivered via real-time video communication and best-in-class interactive software, appropriately preparing students for GCSE practical work is made entirely possible.

For students taking our core package – comprising 12 lessons of live learning and independent study per week – our enhanced package offers additional hours of learning in the following optional subjects:

• PSHE
• Animal Care
• Hair and Beauty
• Work and Life Skills
• Any other learning from the ASDAN Short Course portfolio

For some of our students, these additional subjects offer a wider accreditation pathway that can support them in working towards college placements and independent living beyond their education. They equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to help them succeed.

Our teaching staff bring with them a wealth of experience and deep subject knowledge. Because they are passionate about what they do, each teacher knows how to bring the best out of their students in an online classroom environment.

Children and young people with additional needs often learn best when they are presented with topics that are visually stimulating and engaging. That’s why we try to make each lesson a high-quality, interactive experience, with all our subject specialist teachers bringing their courses to life through wide-ranging teaching strategies and techniques.

Through the potential of two-way voice, chat and video communication, along with interactive whiteboards and tools that all students can use simultaneously, there is a real sense of engagement and involved learning throughout.

Up to 15 children and young people are present in each lesson’s virtual classroom, all of them having chosen the same KS3 or KS4 course.

Advances in digital technology mean that distance learning is now a truly collaborative experience. Course teachers are present via video link alongside other students, meaning students’ social needs are also being met while they learn.

Our real-time digital classrooms replicate the level of sensory engagement you would see in standard school environments.

Much like attending a traditional school setting, our students can look forward to meeting their friends from previous lessons online, and building relationships with their teachers and peers through the encouragement of shared learning along with gentle competition when answering questions.

Whether opting for the core package of 12 lessons evenly spread across the core subjects of Maths, English and Science, or the enhanced package with additional elective lessons, each child and young person studying with ADL has access to a personalised timetable for their relevant live digital classroom sessions.

A fun, informative environment awaits children and young people attending each lesson, with subject specialist teachers and the same peer group in attendance providing a reassuring consistency to their learning.

After each lesson is complete, a subject teacher issues an online independent learning task that allows students to develop their personal understanding of topics covered in the digital classroom.

This provides flexibility for students who like to reinforce peer-based learning with individual reflection on subject matter, while breakout sessions with a subject teacher can also be arranged for further strengthening understanding and exploring conceptual learning elements more deeply.

Once a student has received their unique log-in details and portal link, they have full access to their digital classroom lessons, timetable, 24/7 lesson archive content and independent learning opportunities from the comfort of their home, nearby library, or anywhere deemed suitable by primary caregivers.

We are also happy to work with local authorities on the development of individual solutions that meet the specific needs of children and young people accessing our online learning platform. This ensures that all students accessing our alternative learning provision get everything they can from the experience.