Secondary Provision at Hamilton School

Hamilton School is in an exciting period of growth, expanding to provide a full secondary provision for students up to the age of 16. Currently, we have Year 7 and Year 8 students, with plans to gradually extend our provision to include Key Stage 4. As part of this expansion, new building works will begin soon, ensuring that we have the facilities to support our growing secondary curriculum. In the meantime, our current Key Stage 3 cohort is based in a temporary building while we develop and refine our secondary offer.

Pathways Model

Our curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs of our students through three flexible pathways:

• Explorer Pathway – Designed for students who are not yet engaged in subject-specific learning, focusing on hands-on exploration, real-world problem-solving, and sensory engagement using the Engagement Model (Exploration, Realisation, Anticipation, Persistence, and Initiation).

• Discoverers Pathway – Supports scaffolded learning and independence, offering structured activities that balance engagement and challenge, while fostering confidence, resilience, and a love of learning.

• Adventurer Pathway – Encourages students to take ownership of their learning, reflect on their progress, and develop the skills and knowledge needed for greater independence and future success.

The pathways are adaptable, allowing students to move between them as their needs and abilities evolve.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8, expanding to Year 9)

As we develop our secondary curriculum, we are ensuring it remains:

• Highly structured and sequential, building on prior learning.

• Engaging and relevant, with a strong focus on real-world application.

• Supportive of personal development, emphasizing social, emotional, and life skills.

• Collaborative, working closely with parents, carers, and external professionals.

Key Stage 4 (Coming Soon: Years 10 and 11)

As we expand to provide full secondary education, students will have access to a range of qualifications and experiences to prepare them for their next steps, including:

• GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education)

• Entry Level Certificates (ELC) (Levels 1, 2, and 3)

• Arts Award – A portfolio-based qualification in creative arts

• AQA Pre-Entry Awards – For students working below entry-level

• ASDAN Entry-Level Awards – Focusing on essential life skills

• Work Experience and College Placements, in partnership with:

• The Pines School

• South & City College

• Local and national employers, including DPD, Tesco, Young Enterprise, and other businesses

 

Our Vision for the Future

As Hamilton School expands, we remain committed to:

• Providing a high-quality, student-centered curriculum that is responsive to the needs of our learners.

• Ensuring a smooth transition for students as we grow into a full 11–16 provision.

• Creating purpose-built secondary facilities that support innovative and engaging learning experiences.

• Maintaining strong partnerships with parents, carers, and the wider community to support every child’s development.

• Equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for their next stage—whether further education, employment, or independent living.

We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to providing outstanding secondary education at Hamilton School.