our subject offer

At Arise Education, every subject is a gateway to independence, confidence and opportunity. Our curriculum is flexible and responsive, designed to meet each learner where they are and help them grow at a pace that feels safe, achievable and meaningful.

We recognise that every learner is unique, and as many of our students have experienced barriers to learning in the past we build a bespoke curriculum that feels safe, meaningful and achievable. We focus on learning that develops confidence, independence and real-life skills, as well as academic progress. Learning happens in many forms here — through practical experiences, curiosity-led projects, small-group teaching and structured lessons when students are ready.

Personalised Learning: Stage Not Age

We do not believe that learning and progress follow a straight line. Instead of setting expectations based on age, we meet every learner where they are and help them move forward at a pace that feels right. Our curriculum is adapted using our Stages of Growth approach, which ensures:

Learning begins with emotional safety and relationships.
Barriers such as anxiety, dysregulation or past trauma are understood and supported.
Students build skills step by step — from engagement to independence.
Achievements are celebrated in all forms, academic or otherwise.

Ambitious, Achievable, Individual

We believe in quality, not quantity when it comes to learning. Many of our learners arrive having felt pressured, overwhelmed or defined by grades alone, so we take a different approach. We focus on meaningful progress and real-life achievement, not chasing long lists of GCSEs for the sake of it. Instead, we build strong foundations in English and maths, nurture curiosity, and develop the skills young people genuinely need for independence and adult life. Our students leave us with purposeful outcomes—whether that’s college, apprenticeships, vocational training, university, supported internships or employment.

We also believe that a love of learning changes lives. If a young person wants to explore something, we make it happen. From art, languages, music and media to engineering, animal care, digital skills or gaming design—we adapt our curriculum around each learner’s interests and talents. Where we don’t have in-house expertise, we source it through specialist tutors, partnerships and community professionals.

We take great care in planning each learner’s journey. Ambition should be achievable and sustainable, so we work closely with students and their families to build pathways that are balanced, realistic and thoughtfully sequenced. We do not follow passing interests or unrealistic expectations—we shape learning with purpose. Every step is designed to build confidence, celebrate success and move learners forward in a way that feels safe, supported and right for them.

subject overview

Below is an overview of how we approach key subjects in a way that works for our students.

English

Communication. Confidence. Connection.

English underpins every area of life – from expressing thoughts and emotions, to understanding others, to navigating the world. Our approach to English goes beyond reading and writing; it includes storytelling, discussion, functional literacy and developing a love of language in all its forms.

How we teach it:

Learning by Stealth: Choosing and reviewing books for the library, writing shopping lists for cooking projects, role-play in social stories, exploring lyrics and film scripts.
Applied English: Letters to real companies, CV writing, job applications, form filling, reading for information and purpose.
Structured Learning: Guided reading, phonics support where needed, grammar practice, spelling intervention programmes and comprehension activities.

Maths

Problem-solving for real life.

Maths is everywhere – in budgeting, time management, cooking and travel. It helps our learners develop logical thinking, independence and confidence with numbers. We focus on making maths meaningful and relevant.

How we teach it:

Learning by Stealth: Sorting and measuring in practical projects, time management during the school day, estimating in cooking.
Applied Maths: Budgeting money for café projects, running stalls at school events, using timetables and maps, planning journeys.
Structured Learning: Targeted numeracy sessions, maths intervention programmes, small group teaching for core skills.

Sciences

Curiosity. Exploration. Understanding the world.

Science helps our students make sense of how things work – from the human body to the environment, from electricity to ecosystems. It nurtures curiosity and builds practical, analytical thinking.

How we teach it

Learning by Stealth: Garden growing projects, nature walks, investigating forces through bikes and ramps, kitchen science.
Applied Science: First aid learning, nutrition, climate awareness projects, health and wellbeing science.
Structured Learning: Planned experiments, investigative write-ups, biology, chemistry and physics topics adapted to student levels.

Personal development

Life skills for lifelong wellbeing.

Our students need more than academic skills – they need emotional tools, self-awareness, safety education and the ability to build healthy relationships. These elements are woven into every part of school life.

How we teach it:

Learning by Stealth: Social games, group problem-solving, conversations during break times, team cooking.
Applied PSHE: Personal safety, online awareness, healthy relationships, careers education, independence skills.
Structured Learning: Sequenced PSHE curriculum, Zones of Regulation, emotional literacy sessions, wellbeing workshops.

Physical Education

Movement for body and mind.

We understand that physical activity plays a vital role in regulating emotions, building resilience and improving mental health. Our PE offer is inclusive, adaptable and focused on enjoyment, capability and wellbeing – not competition.

How we teach it:

Learning by Stealth: Outdoor exploration, movement breaks, sensory circuits, active games.
Applied PE: Cycling projects, outdoor education, yoga for regulation, teamwork and communication challenges.
Structured Learning: Planned PE sessions, fitness programmes, skill development in sports, adapted PE for individual needs.