Ringinglow Y7-Y11 Curriculum
At Ringinglow, our curriculum is built on a foundation of: Connection, Belonging, and Nurture.
These core values are the essential building blocks from which all learning begins. By prioritising meaningful relationships, a strong sense of community, and a nurturing environment, we create the conditions our learners need to feel safe, valued, and ready to engage. Only when these foundations are firmly in place can we begin to build a curriculum that truly supports each individual’s growth, development, and success.
The curriculum is student-led, divided into three distinct pathways, as illustrated below.
Engagement Pathway
Our engagement pathway follows an informal curriculum, with a 5-year rolling cycle of engaging themes and topics to hook students into learning, and provide opportunities to develop a range of skills, with communication and independence skills prioritised throughout. This is delivered flexibly to suit the students' needs and is highly personalised. Students access relevant accreditation options, where this is appropriate, such as AQA unit awards and ASDAN LifeSkills challenges. If suitable, other accreditation options such as Entry Level Maths are made available.
Independence Pathway
Our independence pathway follows topic-based and cross-curricular learning through a 5-year rolling cycle of engaging themes. These are broken down into more distinct learning areas, delivered flexibly in a semiformal model to suit the engagement styles of the students in each class. Students have the opportunity to gain accreditation in a range of areas, accessing Entry Level maths where appropriate, plus ASDAN Lifeskills Challenges and AQA Unit Awards.
Re-Engagement Pathway
Our re-engagement pathway is completely personalised to each student on it. Students can access activities and opportunities from any pathway, or from elsewhere, and will have a highly personalised timetable. Students may access alternative provisions or spend a higher proportion of time out in the community, developing their communication and independence skills. Students may dip in and out of different pathways and learning opportunities as their needs and engagement requires. Students in this pathway are supported on a 1:1 or 2:1 basis and generally have their own learning space.
Curriculum Maps
For 2025/2026, students enrolled on the Engagement pathway, from across every year, will be engaging in Cycle 2 of the Engagement curriculum. A curriculum breakdown can be found here.
For 2025/2026, students enrolled on the Independence pathway, from across every year, will be engaging in Cycle 2 of the Independence curriculum. A curriculum breakdown can be found here.
Music Development
For 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, please see our Music Development Plan 25-26. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.
Religious Education
At Bents Green School, all pupils are encouraged to learn about the beliefs of others, in addition to their own, as part of the religious education national curriculum. Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of the religious education curriculum and are not required to provide a reason for doing so.
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
At Bents Green School, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) plays a vital role in nurturing our students’ well-being, independence, and social understanding. Rooted in our core values of kindness, respect, unconditional positive regard, and celebrating individualism, our PHSE/RSE curriculum is designed to empower every student with autism and communication needs at Bents Green School to develop meaningful relationships, positive self-identity, and essential life skills through health education. This curriculum supports our vision to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student feels valued and can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
More information on our RSE curriculum can be found within our RSE Policy. Each year parents/carers will be consulted on any changes to the RSE curriculum/policy, through an annual online consultation. Parents/carers have the right to request that their child is excused from all or part of the RSE curriculum. Any requests must be made in writing to the school’s Head of Curriculum.
More Information
For more information on the curriculum offered at our Ringinglow site, please contact our Curriculum Lead, Vivien Bradley, by emailing enquiries@bentsgreen.sheffield.sch.uk or by calling 0114 236 3545.