Curriculum & School Life
A Message From Senior Leaders
Welcome to the Curriculum at Two Rivers High School
At Two Rivers High School, we are exceptionally proud of our curriculum offer. As an Outstanding Special Educational Needs School, our curriculum goes beyond the expectations of the national curriculum. It is shaped by the best practice of our educators, our outstanding provision, and by considering the latest educational research and evidence we seek to ensure that every aspect is purposeful, relevant, and most importantly, impactful.
We understand that the curriculum is not a fixed entity—it is a dynamic, evolving structure that must respond to the diverse needs and abilities of our learners. With variation in cohorts year on year, we carefully consider not only what and how our students learn, but why they learn what they do at each stage of their journey. This reflective and research-informed approach ensures that our curriculum remains responsive, inclusive, and ambitious for all.
Our holistic approach to curriculum design considers the academic, psychological, and cognitive development of each learner. Through our phase and pathway structure, reformed in 2025-2026, we provide the flexibility and adaptability needed to support every young person in achieving their highest potential. These pathways are designed not only to set ambitious goals, but to provide meaningful, personalised routes to success.
It is important to us that the curriculum at Two Rivers High School is socially relevant, culturally enriching, and academically rigorous. It is a curriculum built with care, driven by purpose, and delivered with passion.
Curriculum and School Life
At Two Rivers High School, our curriculum and school life are enriched not only by the expertise of our dedicated staff but also by our exceptional environment. We are proud to offer specialist learning and therapy spaces within a school that is fully accessible and inclusive. This unique setting adds meaningful value and excitement to the everyday experiences of every learner.
Our commitment to creating memorable learning opportunities has recently been recognised with the Silver Quality Mark from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, a testament to the impact of our approach. We know, through both research and student voice, that the most powerful learning rarely happens behind a desk. Instead, it thrives in dynamic, engaging spaces that inspire curiosity and creativity.
The diverse needs of our students shape an ethos of adapted, multi-sensory learning experiences, where the use of space and resources is central to how we deliver our curriculum. This approach ensures that every learner can access education in a way that is meaningful, stimulating, and tailored to their individual needs.
Have a look at some of our outdoor teaching spaces:
| Place | Teaching Purpose |
|---|---|
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Extensive Playground Space |
Lessons across the curriculum take place outdoors, all year round where possible! Here you can see one of our swings, great for sensory regulation and social skills, as well as an outdoor number square for Maths or team games. |
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Activall Activity Boards |
Interactive fitness boards for skill building, including communication, co-ordination and teamwork. A hands on approach for active learning and play. If you look closely you will notice the 3Rs on our boards too; embedding our ethos of 'Ready, Responsible and Respectful'. |
|
Horticulture Area & Outdoor Classroom Space |
A space used by many students in school and one that encourages a sense of shared responsibilities and achievements. Students grow and sell produce, learning about seasonality and sustainability, all while endeavouring to be creative. The outdoor sheltered classroom space is a favourite for shared stories and outdoor reading. |
|
Outdoor Gym Area |
Pupils have access to the outdoor gym as part of their social times as well as within their academic lessons. The space is used for everything from physical education to science experiments. The outdoor gym also forms part of sensory circuits or a space for dynamic regulation. |
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Large Open Fields |
This space is host to a wealth of school life experiences. In the Summer months we bring the vast majority of PE lessons outdoors. The space has been host to whole school Festivals and celebrations as well as more academic learning such as learning outside the classroom for Science or Geography lessons. |
Have a look at some of our indoor teaching spaces:
| Place | Teaching Purpose |
|---|---|
|
Sensory Rooms & Spaces |
We have multiple indoor sensory rooms; some of these are self-contained within specific classroom spaces in the Discoverers Phase. Students in these classes use these regularly without the need for a long and busy transition across the main school. There are also more widely accessible sensory spaces in rooms off the main corridors. These are used for regulation and interventions as part of an individual's timetable or as and when required for the wider school. |
|
Open Plan Library |
Our Library is specifically located in the centre of our school. It is an open space that is light and welcoming. Our library is well stocked with everything needed to spark curiosity, a love for learning and a culture of reading for pleasure. This is a shared social and learning space. Every day there is a 'Library Club' at lunchtime that is well supported by our students. |
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At Two Rivers High School Independence and skills for life are central to school experiences. Not only do we have a large, accessible and fully equipped teaching kitchen, we also have a fully functioning 'Life Skills Suite' that replicates a flat with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living / dining space. Pupils have curriculum lessons and interventions in these spaces. |
|
Accessible Science Laboratory |
Science is an important part of school life, we are privileged to have a dedicated and accessible space for this. Discoverers have their very own 'sensory science' curriculum, for Navigators and Pathfinders Science is part of the National Curriculum offer. In Pioneers we offer GCSE Science, this year moving to a dual award in Biology and Physics. Each year the whole school participates in themed science week activities. There are always lots of 'WOW' moments enjoyed by all. |
|
Specialist Art Room |
Art is enjoyed by all learners in all phases and all pathways. We go beyond the National Curriculum offer and this creative, specialist space is used to produce some stunningly amazing artwork! We have some very talented students who often choose to study the subject at GCSE. Having the space and resources to fully explore these skills is fundamental to their success. |
|
Specialist D&T Room |
Design and Technology has been brought back to the curriculum. Our learners are privileged to have skilled staff and a specialist space to practice skills from carpentry to sewing. Skills that not only lead them towards Entry Level Certifications but ones that will serve a purpose in everyday independence & problem-solving. |
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Music Teaching & Therapy Rooms |
Our Music room is a shared teaching, practice and performance space that is fully resourced for everything from musical sensory experiences to technical rehearsal or composing. We also have soundproofed music therapy rooms. This is also where most drum practice takes place! Two Rivers High even has its very own choir and band too. |
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Dance Studio |
The Dance Studio is a multi-use hub of activity. Our Performing Arts and Dance lessons take place here as well as other lessons from across the curriculum that take place outside the classroom where topics and plans allow. The space is also used for sensory circuits and the lunchtime 'Sensory Club' held here is a firm favourite for many of our learners! |
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Large Sports Hall |
This space is a constant hive of movement and activity; wonderful for shared experiences and relationship building by staff and peers alike. Students enjoy their PE lessons and lunchtime 'Sports Club'. The space is also used for regulation and interventions and we even have specialist staff to deliver sessions on our climbing wall or offer Rebound Therapy on our trampolines. |
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Theatre |
Our Theatre is a beating heart of our school, something that adds so much value to our school life, beyond our own gates and across Endeavour MAT too – our annual 'Inspire Concert' is an event not to be missed, where all schools perform in this space together. As well as this, we also have multiple concerts and shows throughout the year. Some say we rivalled the West End with our Oliver! production last year. The theatre is also the space for all of our shared achievement celebrations and weekly assemblies. |
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Calming Spaces |
We recognise the importance of being ready to learn, meaning sometimes our emotional regulation has to be a priority. To support our timetabled therapy offer for individuals, but also to give a safe space for regulation, reflection or restorative work, we have many calming spaces in school. These are aptly named things like 'Nurture Room', 'Connections Room' or 'Reflections Room', and usually have a welcoming, trained practitioner waiting to offer some in-the-moment help and support. |
