Norton College Worcester

Our learning environment for Mathematics and English tuition, is a calm area used for teaching students in small groups.

Mathematics – Students can access a wide range of Functional Skills qualifications, from Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 through to Levels 1 and 2, as well as GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Statistics.

KS3 students follow the National Curriculum, focusing on building Fluency, Reasoning and Problem Solving

English – Students can access a range of Functional Skills qualifications, from Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 through to Levels 1 and 2, as well as GCSE English Language.

KS3 students follow the National Curriculum, studying both Literature and Language. These include Horror and Mystery, Heroes and Villains, and Myths and Legends.

Useful links:

IGCSE Maths: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-mathematics-a-2016.html

Functional Skills Maths: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-functional-skills/maths-2019.html

IGCSE English: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-english-language-a-2016.html

Functional Skills English: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-functional-skills/english-2019.html

Our Vocational Hub supports the delivery of a wide range of practical and creative subjects, including Art, Music, Woodwork and Bricklaying.

Our Music Studio allows pupils to explore a wide range of instruments and technologies—from drums and piano to DJing and digital production. This hands‑on environment enables students to discover their passions, build confidence and develop their performance skills.

Our Art Bays give pupils the freedom to explore a wide range of creative mediums, including drawing, painting and even graffiti art. Our large mural walls provide space for pupils to experiment with scale, colour and style, helping them express themselves and develop their artistic confidence.

At Key Stage 3, students follow the National Curriculum in Art, Music and Design & Technology, building strong foundations in creativity, problem‑solving and practical skill development.

At Key Stage 4, qualifications are tailored to the needs and strengths of each learner. Pathways range from BTEC Level 1 Construction to Arts Award qualifications in both Music and Art. We also support students in working towards their CSCS Card training, enabling them to take meaningful steps towards careers within the construction industry.

For many of our young people—especially those who may have struggled in more traditional classroom settings—core skills in English and Mathematics are embedded within this hands‑on, practical approach to learning. This ensures students continue to develop literacy and numeracy while engaging in motivating, real‑world activities.

Useful Links

Arts Award: https://www.artsaward.org.uk/site/?id=65

BTEC Construction: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-entry-level-level-1-and-level-1-introductory/construction-l1-introductory.html

All students are offered rich, practical opportunities designed to spark curiosity and inspire a genuine interest in the scientific world. Through hands‑on experiments and engaging activities, pupils are encouraged to develop a sense of awe and wonder as they explore how science explains the world around them.

Our well‑equipped Science laboratories are dedicated solely to the teaching of Science and contain a wide range of high‑quality specialist equipment and chemicals, enabling students to carry out meaningful and safe practical investigations.

All Entry Level, Further Entry Level, and GCSE Science lessons are taught in small groups by experienced Science teachers/tutors, ensuring personalised support and high‑quality subject expertise.

KS3 Science

At Key Stage 3, students follow the National Curriculum, building strong foundations in Scientific Enquiry, Practical Skills, and Investigatory Techniques. This prepares pupils for deeper scientific study and helps them develop confidence in asking questions, making predictions and carrying out structured scientific investigations.

KS4 Science

At Key Stage 4, students follow a pathway suited to their individual needs. Learners may study:

• Entry Level Science
• Further Entry Level Science
• GCSE pathways in Biology, Chemistry and Physics

This flexible approach ensures that every student receives a Science curriculum that matches their abilities, aspirations and future goals.

Computing

Useful Links: 

Digital Functional Skills: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-functional-skills/digital-2023.html

BTEC Esports: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-level-2-skills/esports.html

At Key Stage 3, students follow the National Curriculum for History and Geography, developing strong foundations in enquiry, critical thinking and understanding the world around them.

At Norton College Worcester, Careers Advice is a fundamental part of college life and is supported into all subject areas. In each area the staff share career related information across their subjects and encourage students to follow their career aspirations.

Within the careers strategy we follow the Gatsby Benchmarks that are considered the recognised standard for careers guidance in education. The careers programme is overseen by our Level 7 Careers Lead alongside our PSHE department.

The Eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are:

• A stable careers programme

Norton College has developed a careers programme that supports the complex needs of the individual students. This is fully supported by SLT, teaching and pastoral staff. This is published on our website with our careers policy.

• Learning from career and labour market information

Within college we use ‘Job explorer database’ as a learning tool for students and staff. This allows students to investigate career aspirations and gain the latest up to date, information and advice on career choices.

• Addressing the needs of each pupil

All students are taught on a 1:1 basis and this allows staff the opportunity address the needs of each student individually and refer to the college Careers Lead or Careers Adviser for additional support when needed.

• Linking curriculum learning to careers

All subject areas have information readily available for students to gain knowledge on specific subjects. This also provides information on the transferrable skills and knowledge between subjects which staff actively promote.

• Encounters with employers and employees

As part of the careers curriculum Norton College Worcester actively promotes the Meaningful encounters with the world of work including engagement with employers and employees. When students are attending activities, they are encouraged to look at the world we live in and recognised the different careers available linked to their interests.

If a student has a specific career aspiration Norton College will, if possible, arrange a visit to meet specific placements for hands on advice and guidance. This can include but not restricted to Armed forcers careers, career fairs, life after school events, employment agencies, training providers etc.

• Experience of workplaces

As students attend off-site activities, these are often linked to career conversations with staff they meet and places they visit. College staff will encourage conversations with students to discuss careers they see on their activities, alongside skills needed to do the careers.

Norton College also offers opportunities for work experience placements, where appropriate, to allow students the experience of the workplace and gain skills needed in a certain career area. If a work placement cannot be secured, then Norton College Worcester will look to arrange virtual work experiences or visits to employer placements.

• Encounters with further and higher education

Students gain information and advice from the college Careers Adviser on local colleges and training providers. When discussing career aspirations, the routes into career choices can include Further and Higher education. Information on open events is shared with students and they are encouraged to attend, often staff will take students to interviews and events. As Norton College Worcester is a smaller provision, larger establishments tend not attend college site to engage our students, so College actively encourage conversations about the routes into career choices and promote individual visits.

• Personal guidance

Norton College Worcester employs a Full time Level 6 Careers Adviser alongside the Level 6 qualified careers adviser from our parent company OFG.  The Careers Adviser has in-depth knowledge of Careers Advice, Complex SEN and transition arrangements.

All students at Norton College Worcester have access to our Careers Adviser and are encouraged to engage in their 1:1 Career interviews and college career curriculum activities.

Useful information for Students, Parents and carers.

General

Careers advice – job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service

Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Worcestershire

Skills 4 Worcestershire | Worcestershire County Council

Home – Careers Worcestershire (careersworcs.co.uk)

Home – Worcestershire Apprenticeships (worcsapprenticeships.org.uk)

Choice Magazine – Life Beyond School, Autumn 2023 (worcestershire.gov.uk)

Life Beyond School Inclusive Show 2024 | Worcestershire County Council

Welcome to SENDIASS Herefordshire and Worcestershire | Worcestershire County Council

SEND Local Offer | Worcestershire County Council

Warwickshire

Careers resources – Warwickshire Skills Hub

Apprenticeships – Warwickshire County Council

SEND Local Offer – Warwickshire County Council

Barnardo’s Warwickshire (warwickshiresendiass.co.uk)

Gloucestershire

Employment and skills hub | Gloucestershire County Council

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) | Early Years Service (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

SENDIASS Gloucestershire | Special Education & Disability (sendiassglos.org.uk)

About apprenticeships at Gloucestershire County Council

Our modern Catering Hub provides students with facilities where they can enjoy creating their favourite dishes while also discovering new flavours and cuisines from around the world. This hands‑on environment allows pupils to express their individuality, develop confidence and explore food from different cultures. For those interested in pursuing a future in catering or hospitality, it also provides a strong foundation towards recognised qualifications.

Sports Halls

Useful links: 

BTEC Sport: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-firsts/sport-2012-nqf.html

Duke of Edinburgh Award: https://www.dofe.org/

Statement of intent

Our aim is not to disadvantage any Pupil Premium student and identify, within our core budget, financial resources which will enrich their time with us and promote their academic, social and emotional well-being. We enhance our Pupil Premium (PP) allocation accordingly within our Pupil Premium spending, which the Board of Directors also approves. At Norton College Worcester, we have high expectations for all our pupils, and our vision is that we:

• Provide a high-quality, effective and inclusive provision for challenging and vulnerable young people
• Provide the appropriate opportunities and learning solutions for all students through an appropriate curriculum offer
• Respect and value each other and work cooperatively
• Develop an understanding of our strengths and areas for improvement and increase self-respect and self-discipline
• Foster an appreciation and understanding of the core values of truth, hard work, compassion and consideration
• Enable students to accept greater personal responsibility for their own actions.
• Provide students with the opportunity to access nationally recognised accreditations

We use our Pupil Premium Funding to support our vision and values to enable our students to achieve well to the best of their ability from their individual starting points to ensure they are ready for the next stage on their educational journey. Our strategy will be driven by the needs and strengths of each young person, based on formal and informal assessments, not assumptions or labels. This will help us to ensure that we offer them the relevant skills and experience they require to be prepared for adulthood. We ensure Pupil Premium students are well cared for, are not identifiable and that systems are in place to support their pastoral needs.

To see Norton College Worcester’s Pupil Premium report 2023-2024, please click here:

Norton College Worcester’s Pupil Premium report 2023-2024

To see Norton College Worcester’s Pupil Premium report 2022-2023, please click here:

Norton College Worcester’s Pupil Premium report 2022-2023

To see Norton College Worcester’s Pupil Premium report 2021-2022, please click here:

Norton College Worcester’s Pupil Premium report 2021-2021

To see Norton College Worcester’s Pupil Premium report 2020-2021, please click here:

Norton College Worcester Pupil Premium report 2020-21

We take all complaints seriously. We have a full complaints policy which is available from the school office or for download from the school website.

Initial complaints should be made to  Judith Buckingham, Headteacher by telephone on 01905 359257 or via email to Judith.Buckingham@nortoncollege.org.uk.  If the complaint concerns the Head of School, please contact Simon Smith, Assistant Regional Director Simon.Smith@ofgl.co.uk.

We have received 0 complaints in the academic year 2022- 23

We have received 0 complaints in the academic year 2023- 24

We have received 0 complaints in the academic year 2024-25

We have received 1 complaint in the Current Academic Year