Students follow the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 to build on their learning experiences from primary school. There is now a wealth of resources available as part of the national Key Stage 3 Strategy to ensure that all students are challenged and supported to fulfil their potential in the first phase of their secondary education. Bradley Stoke Community School places special emphasis on learning to learn, thinking skills and emotional literacy for all students on transition from primary school and is working closely with partner primary schools to ensure continuity of experience.

There is an emphasis on personalised learning, with each student being treated as an individual and having personal guidance and target setting as part of the learning experience. This year a competence-based approach to learning is being developed to complement the more traditional subject-based approach and temporary alliances between subject areas are in place to enhance cross-curricular learning opportunities.

Every student is also involved in the Personal Challenge; a student directed project, guided by members of staff, that enables them to explore areas of their own choice based on what they have learnt in the Learning to learn programme. The curriculum will continue to offer breadth and cover a range of subjects for all students at Key Stage 4, in due course, but will also offer opportunities for students to specialise in areas of the curriculum they wish to develop further.

The school will work with other training providers to ensure a variety of possibilities for students in Key Stage 4, including learning for part of the time in places other than school, if deemed appropriate. We envisage working in partnership with the other local secondary schools to broaden the range of possibilities on offer and have started discussions with them and Filton College to plan for the future.