Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)
Springfield is an inclusive school that recognises the needs of all individuals and endeavours to make pupils as independent as possible, whilst preparing them for adult life post 16.
All students are valued and encouraged to achieve to the best of their ability. Learning Support at Springfield strives to support all those who need it, which includes:
- Students with an Education Health Care Plan.
- Students with special educational needs who do not have an EHCP but who need support in some of their lessons, especially with their literacy.
- Students with special educational needs who do not have an EHCP but who need support with social, emotional and mental health needs which can act as a barrier to learning.
- Students with disabilities that impact on their ability to access the curriculum.
The SENDCO coordinates Learning Support via close liaison with Year Teams and Heads of Department. This is done on an individual basis, where the targeted support is provided on a needs-led basis.
Provision to meet the variety of special needs in the school is made through:
- Adapted approaches by the class teacher of tasks and outcomes within the classroom.
- In-class support provided by the Learning Support Team.
- Individual and small group withdrawal of some students for intensive literacy support.
- ELSA providing emotional literacy support to those who require it.
- Small group work with students who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties which impacts on their readiness for some mainstream lessons
SEND provision at Springfield is responsive to the presenting needs of our students and is under constant internal review to ensure our offer remains appropriate.
Prospective students and their parents/carers are welcome to contact the SENDCO (Mr Peter Dennett) to arrange a visit to discuss any aspect of access arrangements.
Learning Journeys
The links below provide information about broad curriculum programmes from Year 7 to Year 11 and post-16. Each subject’s Learning Journey aims to show pupils and parents how content and skills in each subject builds on previous learning and, as such, should provide a useful insight into how the curriculum is increasingly planned and sequenced.
- Art
- Biology
- Careers
- Chemistry
- Child Development
- Computing
- Core IT
- Design and Technology - Product Design
- Design and Technology - Textiles
- Digital Information Technology
- Drama
- English
- Ethics Philosophy
- Food Preparation and Nutrition
- French
- Geography
- German
- Health Social Care
- History
- Maths
- Music
- PDL - Lesson Time
- PDL - Tutor Time
- Photography
- Physical Education
- Physical Education GCSE
- Physics
- Sociology
- Sports Studies
- Travel Tourism
Curriculum
Springfield aims to provide a relevant academic curriculum which supports pupils to become responsible citizens, well-equipped for the technological and global society in which they will live.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced. We encourage pupils to take part in a range of subjects and also to extend their learning through participation in the wide variety of sporting and creative activities that take place during lunch-times and after school during period 6. Trips, social enterprise activities and ‘focus days’ all enrich the pupils’ experience.
An extensive personal development programme, which includes SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) development and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) education prepares students positively for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to appreciate the values of democracy and to respect those people with different faiths and beliefs.
The vast majority of our qualifications are GCSE (level 2); although the school does offer some level 3 programmes in Further Mathematics. Pupils make their options choices at the end of year 8 such that they have three years over which to be prepared for their GCSE assessments.
The majority of our pupils are expected to study GCSE qualifications which ensure they have access to the English Baccalaureate. Therefore, in addition to their core subjects, the majority pupils are required to study computing (or ICT), Humanities (Geography and/or History) and a Modern Foreign Language (French or German) at GCSE level. Where appropriate, more vocational subjects such as BTEC will be offered.
If you would like further information about the curriculum in any subject please contact your child's subject teacher. Details of the school's KS4 current courses, including GCSEs, are available in the Options section of the website. Details of the curriculum programmes from Year 7 to 11 and post-16 are available in the Learning Journeys section of the website; and our Music development plan is also available.
Examinations
The examination period in a school is always the 'business' end of a pupil's school career and, as such, ideally should be addressed with a methodical approach to revision and preparation. For a parent, as well as pupils, it can be a daunting time as much hinges on the GCSE results in August. On this page you will hopefully find a 'steer' as to helping your child become organised and ready for the main public examinations. Revision sessions, during half terms and the Easter holidays for example, will be updated on an annual basis once programmes are put in place. You will also find the full programme of the summer examinations as well as generic guidance from JCQ, the qualifications awarding body.
AnnaFreud Mentally Health Schools - Academic and Exam Stress
Education Business Partnership 'Next Steps'
Examination Information for Candidates
GCSE Exam and Revision Timetable 2025
Ofqual Student Guide to Exams and Formal Assessments - 2025
Ofqual's Guide On Coping With Exam Pressure
Springfield Sixth Form Week Prospectus
Year 10 Mock Timetable - June 2025
YoungMinds - How to Deal with Exam Stress
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