ByD offers a balanced curriculum that is specifically differentiated to meet the needs of each learner. Learners get the opportunity to choose what pathway they want to follow and we offer a variety of GCSEs, BTEC and vocational qualifications.

All learners follow a core curriculum of Maths, English, SWEET, Personal Growth and Preparing for Employment.

There are also a broad range of other subjects such as Business, Sport, Film Studies and Childcare.

Within the teaching and learning environment learners are given every encouragement to engage with the curriculum offered. In small groups, with a maximum of six learners, one teacher and a teaching assistant provide learners with the opportunity to receive the support and guidance in every aspect of their learning.

Aspects of the whole programme will focus on promoting and developing ambitious and capable learners, enterprising, creative contributors, ethical informed citizens and healthy confident individuals. 

Learners will be offered five days per week at ByD. The intention is that this time will be used to gain accredited awards. Potential learners need to be aware that there is a firm expectation of good behaviour and effort.

All learners will have ongoing support from Careers Wales and youth mentors to ensure successful transition post 16. To support this work, strong links also exist with a number of local colleges and other training providers in the area. Learners are given information about appropriate opportunities in the world of work.

Our curriculum uses the statements of what matter and GCSE/Vocational subject specifications to guide the selection of all curriculum content. Specifically, they are used to:

• Select the range of experiences, knowledge and skills that enable our learners to make sense of the ‘big ideas’ and key principles within each statement.

• Support our learners’ progression within the ‘big ideas’ and key principles and their ability to be able to develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding and application of the statements of what matter.

• Allow learners to explore topics and ideas through different lenses – the same concept or idea will be explored through different statements of what matter.

• Help our learners to make sense of a range of experiences, knowledge and skills within each Area by ensuring that content helps learners to develop a coherent understanding of a range of information.

Curriculum Aims:

To make our vision a reality for our learners, our curriculum will:

• Enable our learners to realise the four purposes and equip them for ongoing learning, work and life.

• Build high expectations and enable all learners to achieve their full potential.

• Offer a broad and balanced education, which enables our learners to make links between the different areas of learning and experience (areas) and apply their learning to new situations and to more complex issues.

• Support progression along a continuum of learning.

• Support our learners’ health and well-being, including their mental health and well-being.

• Support our learners’ development of knowledge that is the foundation of being an informed citizen.

• Recognise our learners’ identity, language(s), ability and background and the different support they may need given their particular circumstances.

• Reflect the diversity of perspectives, values and identities which shape our locality and Wales and develop understanding of the wider world.

• Enable our learners to make sense of growing up in contemporary Wales and of issues which will be important in the future, including well-being, sustainable development and citizenship.

• Support our learners to critically engage with a range of information and to assess its value and validity.

• Enable our learners to develop an understanding of their rights and the rights of others.

• Be in co-construction with our stakeholders (learners, families, the wider community, our cluster colleagues.

Area of learning Experiences (Areas)

Mandatory Curriculum elements

Compulsory subject areas