Students usually join Chessbrook through attendance to the LA inclusion panel or as a KS3 intervention via a referral to the GADE programme.

Joining Chessbrook: Induction and First Steps

The process starts with an induction meeting for all new students and their parents/carers. Our staff—and often a professional from the student's previous school—attend this collaborative meeting. This crucial first step allows us to:

• Discuss the student's individual programme of study.

• Establish a strong foundation for their time at Chessbrook.

• Ensure a successful transition, whether that is into the Chessbrook community, back to their mainstream school, or on to another educational setting.

During the meeting, we thoroughly explore the school's rules and expectations, as well as our core values of "Courage, Pride and Resilience," showing how these principles shape all aspects of daily school life.

Curriculum, Assessment, and Support

Our curriculum is designed to be broad and engaging. It includes core subjects like English, Maths, Science, PSHE, RSE, RE, and Sport, and is complemented by creative and practical subjects such as Art, Food Technology, and Horticulture.

To ensure every student receives the right support from day one, we conduct a range of academic and cognitive assessments. These assessments help us determine their current working levels and identify the most effective strategies for progress.

Crucially, we also work closely with students to assess their social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Based on this assessment, we incorporate a variety of personalised interventions into their timetables.

We consider accurately judging and recording attainment on entry to be vital, as it allows us to track progress efficiently and informs all future educational provision.

Listen to what one of our former students had to say about his experience at Chessbrook

Luke was a former student at Chessbrook. Once completing his GCSE's with us, he took some time to work towards his goal of going to university whilst regularly popping back to see us at Chessbrook.

We were delighted when Luke informed us that he will be moving to university to study law. We were also so grateful that Luke even came back as our guest speaker at our awards evening despite being in the middle of his first term at university.

Luke is a shining example of what Chessbrook can provide students.

 

Each new student is allocated a Personalised Learning Mentor (PLM) for the duration of their time at Chessbrook. The PLM is a key element of Personalised Learning. The PLM is part mentor, part advocate and part advisor. He or she is there to ensure that the student makes as much progress as possible at the centre, whether this is in practical subjects, academic subjects or in social and emotional development. In addition, the PLM will also liaise with outside agencies, such as other educational providers, and accompany the student to any interviews that might arise.

 

The PLM will meet with their mentee on a regular basis, including home visits and weekly phone calls, to discuss any issues the student may be experiencing whilst they are at Chessbrook. It will be the PLM’s duty to liaise, whenever necessary, with parents /carers to inform them of any rewards or consequences their child has received over the week. The PLM will be the first point of call for the parent/carer whilst their child is at Chessbrook.

 

At the end of the Assessment and Induction period, the parents/carers and student are invited to a summary meeting with the Induction Co-ordinator and a member of the Leadership Team, as well as their PLM, to discuss the outcomes of the induction period and the most appropriate way forward for the student. The Assessment and Induction summary review includes both assessment results as well as feedback from individual subject staff and is the basis for any recommendations made. This may be a return to mainstream school or a continuation at Chessbrook.