Curriculum Overview

 At City of Rochester School we offer our pupils a bespoke education package that is matched as closely as possible to the National Curriculum. In addition, there is an experiential learning element which ensures our children are immersed in their learning programmes and the subject matter – this includes links to the outside world where pupils can connect with nature.  

For phonics we use the Letters and Sounds scheme and pupils are taught in phase groups.

The Dandelion Reading Scheme is used for reading books as well as a fully stocked library for older pupils.

Each student is an individual and will learn at different rates and to different standards. While at City of Rochester School, our aim is for all KS4 students to achieve a pass grade in Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent) as a minimum. Some students will be better suited to other courses which have a more practical element to them – this could include BTECs or OCR awards.

 All 16-18 learning programmes are individually tailored to the student’s abilities and goals. The 16-18 programme provides more focused goals and activities that students will be able to use  in adulthood.

 Farm School will run for a 6-week block where pupils from KS1 to KS3 (optional at KS4) will have the opportunity to attend Kent Life farm. The aim is for pupils to engage with the natural world and to understand farming and its importance to international, national and rural economies. All pupils will gain an understanding of food safety and security,  animal husbandry, crops and climate change, caring for and protecting the countryside as well as working with animals. The emphasis is on practical skills and knowledge acquisition in relation to how farming affects all our lives. 

  This curriculum offer works to develop six key life skills through equestrian activity: Communication, Confidence, Relationships, Teamwork, Responsibility and Personal achievement. The framework of activity is called the British Horse Society Achieve Award and includes 10 stable management awards and six riding awards. Students will learn to use and build upon the skills they learn during their PE lessons. 

 This curriculum offer engages pupils in ecosystems through visits to nature reserves, wetlands and coastal sanctuaries. Children who are connected to nature are happier, healthier and more creative. Pupils will take advantage of the many nature and wildlife opportunities available across Medway and Kent, learning about bird and animal life, plants and trees, rivers and oceans through photography.

   Marty the Robot will form part of our STEM curriculum alongside K'nex and Lego. . By empowering pupils, these tools allow for inventive learning, engaging pupils’ creativity and learning key STEM skills. Programming and coding are covered within the computing  curriculum but these skills will be used within the robotics programme. 

Forest School will run for a 6-week block  where pupils from KS1 –KS3 engage in learning opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland and other natural environment with trees.   

Forest school offers our students an opportunity to develop their team work and communication skills within a natural environment.  

Using Reculver Country Park, Oare Gunpowder Works and Westgate Gardens as their base, the children will take part in rock pooling, river studies, pond dipping, coastal geography and wayfinding with a range of hands on outdoor experiences.

Forest School will run for a 6-week block  where pupils from KS1 –KS3 engage in learning opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland and other natural environment with trees.   Forest school offers our students an opportunity to develop their team work and communication skills within a natural environment.   

 Inspired by the National Maritime Museum model collection, teams of students compete to construct and test prototype hull shapes and propulsion systems against their peers. Facing the challenge of the tow tank wind and wave machine, students realise what a difference the knowledge of naval architecture makes to the performance of a ship. 

 This curriculum offer engages pupils in ecosystems through visits to nature reserves, wetlands and coastal sanctuaries. Children who are connected to nature are happier, healthier and more creative. Pupils will take advantage of the many nature and wildlife opportunities available across Medway and Kent, learning about bird and animal life, plants and trees, rivers and oceans through photography. 

Communigrow is a registered food education charity based in East Malling, Maidstone, Kent. The children will learn about how to grow their own food and reconnect with nature. Learning, teaching, caring and sharing are the core aspects of the Communigrow project. 

The RYA OnBoard programme offers young people the opportunity to try out sailing in a safe, structured and fun environment. 

The programme will enable the pupils to experience all the excitement and relaxation that being on the water offers, whilst at the same time teaching them a wide range of invaluable life skills, from problem solving to leadership and teamwork.