Evolution Education
Curriculum
A broad, ambitious curriculum that bridges classroom learning, vocational skills, sport and calm adult support. Young people settle, re-engage and prepare for life after school, in line with the Independent School Standards.
Welcome
At Evolution Education, every young person deserves another chance. Our curriculum is broad, ambitious, relationship-rich and therapeutic. It bridges academic achievement, vocational competence, emotional regulation through movement and mentoring, and a planned post-16 transition.
Fully aligned with the Independent School Standards, our provision combines classroom learning, vocational specialisms, 1:1 mentoring and high-quality sport so young people can settle, re-engage and prepare for life after school.
Academic study, vocational options, sport, personal development and wellbeing sit together so learners are ready for education, training or employment.
Learning in action
Our curriculum is not only on paper. Young people learn in classrooms, kitchens, gyms and creative spaces across the centre.
Staff match teaching to starting points and keep ambition high, so learners catch up, gain qualifications and move on with confidence.
How it fits together
Follow this order to see pathways, teaching, assessment and evidence in one place.
1. Curriculum Intent: why our offer exists for young people who need a tailored, supportive alternative provision experience.
2. Seven Areas of Learning: full coverage across linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic/creative domains.
3. Four Personalised Pathways: KS4 Academic, KS4 Sports, KS4 Vocational, and KS3 Respite and Recovery (6 to 12 weeks).
4. Core English and Maths: blended face-to-face classroom learning with Natasha and Purple Ruler virtual teaching in the Focus Learning Zone with Lorelle and Jeff.
5. Assessment Journey: Referral → Baseline Assessment → Personal Plan → Classroom Teaching and Intervention → THRIVE Review → Termly Progress Report → Exit Assessment.
6. Quality Assurance: schemes of work and year-group plans across Key Stages 3 and 4 held for continuous quality assurance.
7. Destinations and Independence: preparation for adulthood and post-16 progression threaded through every pathway.
Core English and Maths
Core subjects are delivered through a flexible, blended model to maximise engagement and progress. Which route a student uses depends on their baseline, engagement level and personal learning plan. Many learners move smoothly between both models as their confidence grows.
On-site, teacher-led instruction delivered by Natasha in UR Future, offering structured, adaptive classroom teaching and strong adult relationships. Pathways cover GCSE English Language, Functional Skills English and Core Mathematics.
Purple Ruler delivered within our Focus Learning Zone with dedicated staff support from Lorelle and Jeff, under Evolution Education oversight.
Staff match the method to what helps the young person engage and progress best. The personal plan records the route and when it changes.
Progress evidence comes from the live teacher, from Purple Ruler, or from both, depending on which teaching method the learner is accessing.
Pathways
Learning is organised across four fluid pathways so we can meet young people where they are. Pathway moves are reviewed through THRIVE and personal plans.
For SEMH learners who can engage reasonably well in structured classrooms and access formal qualifications. Focus: GCSE English Language, Functional Skills English and Maths, Core Mathematics, STEM, Citizenship, King's Trust Achieve and Duke of Edinburgh Bronze. ISS: linguistic and mathematical through English and Maths; human, social and scientific through Citizenship, STEM and DofE/King's Trust, with scaffolding and regulation breaks.
For learners with a strong interest in physical activity who need a high-energy outlet to stay engaged and regulate. Focus: Sports Leaders Level 1 and 2, sports-contextualised STEM, Citizenship, Digital Skills and practical PE/sports training. ISS: physical and technological through leadership, training and digital skills; academics contextualised in a sports frame to reduce cognitive fatigue.
For learners with significant SEMH needs, short concentration thresholds or substantial missed education, at higher risk of exclusion. Focus: Vocational Life Skills, Construction, Food and Nutrition Practical, Music Therapy, Careers and practical STEM, with gender-differentiated options. ISS: technological, practical and aesthetic through construction, cooking, music therapy and life skills suited to specific need.
Short-term or emergency respite for KS3 learners who are dysregulated, disengaged or facing imminent exclusion. Focus: English, Maths, STEM, PSHE, Citizenship, Art, Cooking, Digital Skills and daily Reset Assemblies. ISS: breadth across linguistic, mathematical, scientific, human/social and creative domains, with SMSC through PSHE, citizenship and daily reset mentoring.
Independent School Standards
Each pathway maps to Independent School Standards Part 1 Paragraph 2 (breadth, balance and suitability), with pastoral regulation, THRIVE review and commissioner reporting built in. Open the printable matrix for the full pathway-by-pathway view.
Academic: structured English and Maths. Sports and Vocational: contextualised English and Maths through Natasha in UR Future or Purple Ruler in the Focus Learning Zone. KS3: literacy and practical numeracy baselines within the condensed programme.
Applied STEM; sports science and leadership; construction, cooking, music therapy and life skills; citizenship, British Values, PE and workplace readiness matched to pathway.
Every pathway is adapted with scaffolding, smaller groups, emotional regulation breaks and experiential modules so the curriculum matches pupils' specific needs and abilities.
KS4: 12-week THRIVE multi-disciplinary reviews with half-termly commissioner progress reports (every 6 weeks). KS3: Week 6 mid-programme review and Week 12 exit review with reports to the commissioning school or Local Authority.
How learning is organised
Many young people arrive with gaps after disrupted schooling. The curriculum stays ambitious and modular so learners can catch up on core skills while earning recognised awards.
English, mathematics, qualifications and personal development keep ambition high for every learner.
Literacy, numeracy and readiness to learn are revisited so gaps close without lowering the ceiling.
Baseline assessment shapes each plan. Teaching, mentoring and enrichment adapt to the young person.
Progress, attendance and next steps are reviewed regularly with families, schools and local authorities as appropriate.
Clear process
One ordered process so staff, families and inspectors can see how decisions are made.
Referral from a school or local authority
Baseline assessment (literacy, numeracy, readiness to learn)
Personal learning plan with Key Adult oversight
Teaching across the seven Independent School Standards areas
Intervention where gaps or engagement need a sharper focus
Half-termly and termly review
Qualifications and awards on pathway
Exit assessment and planned destination or reintegration
Qualifications and awards
Exact awards depend on pathway, starting point and centre. Typical KS4 and enrichment offers include:
Functional Skills and GCSE routes where appropriate, through live core teaching and/or Purple Ruler, matched to the learner.
Short, achievable accreditation that builds confidence and evidence of progress.
Flexible personal development with optional regulated awards (Developing Resilience and PDE), delivered inside KS4 pathways and careers.
KS4 Sports Performance and Leadership with Ismail: six half-term units from warm-up leadership to live events, CV and interview, with PE Life Skills and FA EE Playmaker where studied.
Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition at Bronze level where enrolled.
FA EE Playmaker sits inside the sports leadership year. Food Safety and other practical certificates support vocational strands where offered.
Breadth and balance
Every pathway is designed so learners experience the seven Independent School Standards areas of learning. Human and social education is delivered through PSHE and RSHE, Citizenship themes, British Values, Wednesday assemblies and community-linked awards.
We do not currently offer a standalone modern foreign language. Curriculum time prioritises literacy, numeracy, digital skills, applied science, personal development, sport and preparation for adulthood, because that combination has the greatest impact for our cohort. We review the curriculum annually and can expand it if learner needs change.
Short KS3 placements still sample all seven areas within a compact timetable. Year-group plans and schemes of work show how that works in practice.
Pathways
Start with why we teach this way, then choose the pathway that matches the placement.
Teaching and assessment
One assessment story for families, schools, local authorities and inspectors.
Assessment framework
Baseline to exit; live teacher and Purple Ruler evidence
Purple Ruler online learning
Virtual core partner in our blended model
Teaching, learning and assessment
How lessons work
Literacy and reading
Reading strategy and oracy
Exams and qualifications
Formal awards and exam access
Assessment and Pupil Performance Framework
Published policy HTML
Sport and Fitness
Sports Performance and Leadership year map
Evidence pack
Public evidence for Independent School Standards Part 1.
Subjects and learning
Subject-by-subject pages
Curriculum documents
Year plans and unit overviews
Years 7 to 11 curriculum plans
ISS year-group pack
ISS Areas of Learning 2026 to 2027
Seven experience areas
Curriculum pathways framework
Routes and placement journey
Personal development
SMSC, awards and enrichment
Careers education
Gatsby-aligned guidance
Destinations
Next-step planning
Curriculum in action
Classroom learning, mentoring and hands-on skill sit together. Young people re-engage through sport, creative work and vocational practice.
Each pathway is personalised, with clear targets so every young person can see progress.
Vision
Deliver an ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum.
Raise aspirations and improve life chances.
Develop confidence, resilience and independence.
Improve literacy, numeracy and communication.
Prepare learners for adulthood and employment.
Support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Celebrate every learner's progress.
Six curriculum pillars
English, Mathematics, Science and foundation subjects delivered through adaptive teaching.
Character, resilience, relationships, wellbeing, SMSC, British Values, sequenced PSHE and planned Wednesday assemblies that prepare young people for adulthood.
Practical pathways including Hair & Beauty Enterprise, music technology, sport, enterprise, cooking.
Careers education, work-related learning, employer engagement and enterprise.
Mentoring, restorative approaches and emotional regulation support embedded throughout school life.
Educational visits, outdoor learning, community projects, sports and creative opportunities.
Independent School Standards
Every pathway is planned so young people experience linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative learning.
English, speaking and listening, Sports Leaders communication and reflection units.
Mathematics qualifications plus applied number in cooking, sport timing and real tasks.
Human body, nutrition, healthy living and pathway science such as sport or beauty science where studied.
Digital learning platforms, tools and equipment in practical subjects, and safe workplace technologies.
British Values, diversity, citizenship, King’s Trust and community-linked learning.
Sport, PE life skills, Sports Leaders and outdoor awards where offered.
Art for expression and wellbeing, beauty design and creative making on vocational pathways.
Pathways
A structured 6 to 12 week programme focused on literacy, numeracy, wellbeing and reintegration.
Academic, vocational and sports routes shaped around starting points and ambitions.
English and mathematics Functional Skills, and GCSE study where appropriate.
Hands-on routes including BTEC Sport and centre vocational strands where offered.
Pathway emphasis
After assessment, learners follow a vocational, sports leadership or academic emphasis. All routes keep English, mathematics, mentoring and personal development.
Food, hospitality, beauty introduction, enterprise and unit awards that lead toward college or apprenticeships.
Sports Leaders, PE life skills, first aid, fitness and Duke of Edinburgh where offered.
GCSE and Functional Skills pathways with ICT, applied science and broader qualifications where ready.
Principles of learning
These sit with the fuller Principles of Learning on Teaching, Learning and Assessment.
Young people learn best with adults they trust. Key Adults and teachers work as one team.
High expectations, adaptive teaching, modelling and feedback so ambitious work is accessible.
Reading, vocabulary and oracy sit with sport, practical learning and real tasks.
Plans change when evidence shows something is not working. Destinations stay in view.
Preparing learners for life
Being present and engaged enough to learn.
Feeling safer, more settled and more able to try.
Stronger connections and better choices day to day.
Core skills recovering so the wider curriculum opens up.
Habits and skills for adult life and work.
Recognised awards and a planned next step.
Related policies
ISS-linked policies required alongside this curriculum. Published once in the Policies library — open them there rather than duplicating text on this page.
01
British Values and SMSC
Personal development, PSHE, citizenship and student voice
02
Behaviour for Learning Policy
Behaviour, de-escalation, reset routines and positive handling practice
03
Careers Education Policy (CEIAG)
Vocational and sports pathways into post-16 transition
04
Curriculum Policy
Breadth, balance and suitability across the four pathways
05
Reduced Timetable and Re-Engagement Policy
SEMH re-engagement and phased hours
06
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Arrivals, searches where applicable, and welfare monitoring
07
SEND Policy
SEN and SEMH support, provision maps and THRIVE oversight
08
All policies
Full policy library
Curriculum documents
Open each booklet and swipe, drag or tap through the pages. Original PDFs are available to download from each viewer.
Curriculum pathways framework
Routes and placement journey
ISS Areas of Learning 2026 to 2027
How we meet the seven ISS experience areas
KS3
KS3 Respite & Recovery programme booklet, 2026 to 2027
KS4
KS4 Learning Pathways booklet, 2026 to 2027
Student Journey
Admissions, induction and placement pathways overview
All curriculum booklets
Browse every interactive booklet in one place
ISS pathway provision matrix
Pathway-by-pathway Independent School Standards mapping
For schools and local authorities
Places are arranged through schools and local authorities. Email admin@evolution-sportsgroup.com.
Partners
Group, charity, local authority and programme partners who help us deliver sport, learning and opportunity.
