Curriculum

The Bridge School Curriculum has different strands due to the nature of the children and young people who are referred to the school and their individual strengths and needs. Whilst we are ultimately a short term provision for the majority of children and young people who attend the school, there are some children and young people who remain on roll at The Bridge School for a longer period of time.

The curriculum is flexible to meet these varying needs and to ensure for all children and young people there is a sequenced, carefully designed curriculum which delivers core skills alongside a broad and enriching offer across a wide range of other subjects.

Curriculum Map

The Bridge School Curriculum is built on key concepts for each group which runs through the curriculum. Key concepts are the 'big ideas' that shape children and young people's thinking within each subject.

The same key concepts will be explored across each phase (group) and young people will gradually increase their understanding of them.

Breadth provides the context for exploring the key concepts, it has 2 roles:

KNOWLEDGE: concepts need knowledge to make sense. Knowledge provides context, a hook to draw children and young people into learning, it is a way of teaching skills, vocabulary and facts.

MASTERY: Over time, young people will continue to develop skills through the key concepts explored through the curriculum. The revisiting of skills will ensure mastery of key skills over time.

Within each subject area, there will be key concepts which will thread through the long term planning. This will ensure whilst there is breadth in context over time, there will also be opportunity for young people to build on prior learning, transfer concepts, skills and knowledge and will work towards mastery in key concepts over time.

You will find more information about the curriculum for each group of young people on the Albert Street, New Prospects and Cossington pages.

There are a small group of young people who find working in a classroom difficult, they need a practical approach to their learning which is engaging and includes off-site activities. Young people can be moved into this group within key stage 3 and 4, the curriculum is focused around a 'Big Question' which takes a thematic approach. There is always a continued focus on English and Maths, but often delivered in a less formal approach. More information can be found on the 'Focus Group' page.

Music development plan summary :
The Bridge School

Overview

Detail	Information
Academic year that this summary covers	Sept 2024-July 2024
Date this summary was published	28/09/2024
Date this summary will be reviewed	July 2024
Name of the school music lead	Stacey Hellier
Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different)	Stacey Hellier
Name of local music hub	Octagon Music Hub
Name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place)	In house Music Therapist and Action track

This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or careers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.

Part A: Curriculum music

This is about what we teach in lesson time, how much time is spent teaching music and any music qualifications or awards that pupils can achieve.

At The Bridge School, we believe that music is a powerful tool for creativity, self-expression, and wellbeing. We are committed to providing a rich and inclusive musical environment for all students.

Music Therapy

We offer dedicated music therapy sessions for students who benefit from a more tailored, therapeutic approach to music. These sessions, led by specialist music therapists, help students develop communication, social, and emotional skills through structured musical interactions. The sessions use instruments, voice, and movement to create a calming and expressive experience that supports emotional wellbeing.

Action Track

We commission action track who visit the schools and provide tuition to students by tapping into their preferred choice of music which can be rap, house music and use it as a tool to develop a relationship then gently exposing students to other genres of music.

At The Bridge School , we are passionate about ensuring that every student, regardless of ability, can engage with and enjoy music. Through a combination of therapy, performances, and wellbeing initiatives, we provide a holistic musical experience that nurtures confidence, creativity, and self-expression.

Part B: Co-curricular music

This is about opportunities for pupils to sing and play music, outside of lesson time, including choirs, ensembles and bands, and how pupils can make progress in music beyond the core curriculum.

Within the Bridge, co-curricular music opportunities can be highly beneficial for student engagement, emotional expression, and skill-building. Given the unique needs of PRU students, music activities should be flexible, inclusive, and tailored to individual interests. Listed below are some examples of opportunities that we would like to work on over the following 12 months.

1. Instrumental & Vocal Lessons

One-on-one or small group tuition in instruments like guitar, keyboard, drums, or vocals.
External music tutors or peripatetic teachers can be brought in for specialized support this will be by somerset music service. Our in house Music therapist can also teach the guitar.

2. Music Technology & Production

Using software like GarageBand, Logic Pro, or FL Studio to create beats and record songs. Based at Albert Street we also have technology to create this on a MAC computer.
Teaching DJing skills with digital controllers at our partnership school Polden Bower which houses its own radio station
Encouraging rap, spoken word, and songwriting as a form of self-expression this is already in place with our in house Music Therapist.
We also commission action Track which works on site with students to create music.

3. School Band or Ensemble – Ambitious Focus for 2025

Creating a flexible band where students can play instruments, rap, or sing.
Allowing students to rotate roles (e.g., switching between drums, bass, or vocals).

4. Therapeutic Music Sessions – Currently in place

Using music for emotional well-being and self-regulation.

5. Music & Movement = Focus for 2025

Combining music with dance or physical movement to support engagement.
Exploring styles like hip-hop, street dance, or drumming workshops.
To offer students the opportunity to watch and participate in theatre trips. Locally to access the Macmillan Theatre and building up to Bristol Hippodrome and also London West end.
Students will be exposed to a variety of shows not just musicals, e.g. cirque de soleil to spark interest.

6. Performance Opportunities

Informal concerts or showcases within the PRU. This will be a focus and will primarily be focused around the radio station as students lack self-esteem and confidence to perform, however as a leadership team we are committed to encourage students to express themselves creatively.
Collaborations with mainstream schools or community events.
Live-streaming or recording performances to build confidence.

Part C: Musical experiences

This is about all the other musical events and opportunities that we organise, such as singing in assembly, concerts and shows, and trips to professional concerts.

Utilising our Pupil premium funding for students we will arrange the following trips:

Twilight sessions supported by Senior leaders:

Macmillan Theatre

Music -

BTC Live music showcase 11^th March 7:30 pm – Students will watch a variety of musical experiences performed by students at the Local College

Magic and Illusion – Masters of deception 3^rd May 7:00 pm

Bridgwater Operatic Society – Cats the Musical – 14^th May

We will also explore cultural capital opportunities like Christmas markets and immerse our students into alternative environments with exposure to different cultures and sounds.

In the future

This is about what the school is planning for subsequent years.

We would like to implement the following actions (Long term)

· timetabled curriculum music of at least one hour each week of the school year – Offer options to Albert Street and New Prospects students

· Implement a school choir, band or vocal ensemble

· Develop our Music space at Albert Street and look at upgrading and having a wider selection of instruments

· a yearly school performance/ celebration

· opportunity to enjoy live performance at least once a year at the west end

Further information (optional)

To implement a Creative Musical Nurture Group at Cossington and New Prospects in line with the action research project completed by Hertfordshire Music Service, we will also need to create a strong link with the Octagon Music theatre to explore options and support for the Partnership.

Also link with the following agencies

Singup for Cossington

Action Track - To further explore the option of implementing Large scale puppetry and Dance.