Orchard Therapeutic Farm - Alternative Provision
Learning Framework and Qualifications
Practical, Purposeful & Personalised Learning
Learning that grows with you
At Orchard Therapeutic Farm, learning is hands-on, meaningful, and built around the individual. We support students from Primary right through to Post-16+, with a curriculum that blends therapeutic approaches, real-world skills, and academic progress.
Every learner’s journey is unique — but all journeys are built on the same belief: This isn’t about fitting children into systems. It’s about building systems that fit the child.
Across all ages, students explore a wide range of subjects and experiences. While each programme is tailored to personal needs and EHCP targets, most learners will engage with the full breadth of what we offer — from animal care to art, from bushcraft to maths.
We’ve developed structured, sequenced frameworks that show how learning builds over time. These include key milestones, focus areas, and space for individualisation — ensuring that every learner has a clear and supportive path.
Key Stage 2: Primary
At primary level, we focus on personal development, early skills, and EHCP targets — using our subjects as the vehicle for learning.
Subjects include:
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Cooking
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Art
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Animal Care
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Bushcraft
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Gardening
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Reptile Care
Outcomes:
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Personalised EHCP targets
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AQA Unit Awards across subjects
Key Stage 3: Secondary
Learners begin working towards qualifications alongside therapeutic and practical learning. Functional skills are introduced in accessible, real-life ways.
*Subjects marked with an asterisk offer opportunities to work towards recognised qualifications.
Subjects include:
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Maths*
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English*
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Cooking
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Art
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Animal Care*
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Bushcraft
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Gardening
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Taxidermy
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Reptile Care
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Sport & Fitness*
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Dog Grooming
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Catering & Hospitality*
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Life Skills*
Outcomes:
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Personalised EHCP targets
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Functional Skills Entry Level 1–3
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ASDAN Awards
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AQA Unit Awards
Key Stage 4: Post-16
Older learners deepen their vocational and academic skills, preparing for adulthood, independence, or employment. We offer additional opportunities such as trades and work experience.
*Subjects marked with an asterisk offer opportunities to work towards recognised qualifications.
Subjects include:
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Maths*
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English*
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Animal Care*
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Hospitality & Catering*
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Trades*
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Engineering*
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Art & Design*
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Sport & Fitness*
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Employability & Life Skills*
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Work Experience
Outcomes:
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Personalised EHCP targets
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Functional Skills Level 1–2
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BTEC Level 1
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Level 1 Awards (GCSE 1–3 equivalent)
(*Subjects marked with an asterisk can lead to formal qualifications)
Pathways Through Orchard
Students can access our curriculum in a way that suits their needs and circumstances. We offer several different routes into the same high-quality provision:
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Orchard Outreach – 1:1 or paired sessions delivered off-site, supporting those who need flexible, relationship-led re-engagement.
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Orchard Barns – Small group provision based at Orchard Farm, ideal for learners who benefit from a quiet, nurturing environment.
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Core Provision – Full-time or part-time place within the main learning programme at Orchard, including access to qualifications and all subject areas.
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Orchard Post 16 – Practical, work-focused days designed for Post 16 learners who thrive through hands-on experience, real responsibilities and purposeful pathways into adulthood.
Across all Orchard pathways, learning is designed to build steadily over time. Learners begin at the level that suits their starting point and can progress through recognised qualification levels as their confidence and skills grow.
Our qualification pathways allow students to progress through: Entry Level 1 → Entry Level 2 → Entry Level 3 → Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3
Alongside qualifications, learners develop the workplace skills employers value such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, customer service, time management and health and safety awareness. Our programmes also support independence through skills such as digital literacy, financial awareness, decision making and preparation for independent living.
Qualifications are delivered through recognised awarding bodies including City and Guilds, OCN and Pearson BTEC, ensuring that students leave Orchard with credentials that are widely recognised beyond the farm. Through these pathways, learners can move towards a wide range of future opportunities, from roles in animal care, hospitality, construction and engineering through to creative industries, sport, further education and apprenticeships.
Orchard Outreach & Barns
Exploring options, building confidence, and addressing anxieties – all in the comfort of home, a local community space, online or in small groups in our learning barns.
Orchard Core Programme
Empowering young people with a tailored learning journey at Orchard Farm, that blends personal development, vocational training, work experience, and qualifications.
Orchard Post 16
Engaging Post 16 learners with practical, work focused days built around hands-on experience, real responsibility and purposeful pathways into adulthood.