Curriculum

At Mount School, we believe that every learner deserves an ambitious, engaging and personalised curriculum that inspires curiosity, develops confidence and prepares them for successful futures. Our curriculum is carefully designed to remove barriers to learning while providing opportunities for every pupil to achieve their full potential academically, socially and emotionally.

Rooted in the principles of the Curriculum for Wales, our curriculum reflects the Four Purposes, enabling learners to become ambitious, capable learners; enterprising, creative contributors; ethical, informed citizens; and healthy, confident individuals. Alongside academic achievement, we place equal importance on wellbeing, resilience, independence and preparation for adulthood.

Learning at Mount School is meaningful, relevant and responsive to the needs of each learner. Through high-quality teaching, therapeutic practice and personalised pathways, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to succeed both within school and beyond. Our curriculum encourages learners to explore the world around them, think critically, solve problems, build positive relationships and celebrate their individual strengths.

Our curriculum evolves as pupils progress through the school, providing age-appropriate learning experiences that build knowledge, skills and independence.

In Key Stage 2, pupils follow our Discovery Curriculum—an exciting expedition-based curriculum designed to ignite curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning. Through six specialist academies, learners explore carefully planned expeditions that integrate English, mathematics, science, humanities, the expressive arts and health and wellbeing into meaningful, real-world contexts. Every expedition is driven by a compelling enquiry question, practical experiences and authentic outcomes that inspire pupils to become confident explorers, investigators and creators.

In Key Stage 3, pupils transition to our Mission Curriculum, where learning becomes increasingly enquiry-led and challenge-based. Across eighteen carefully sequenced missions, learners investigate contemporary issues, historical events, scientific discoveries and global challenges while continuing to develop the knowledge and skills required by the Curriculum for Wales. Daily English, guided reading, mathematics, science and wellbeing are complemented by rich cross-curricular projects that encourage collaboration, creativity, resilience and independent thinking, providing a strong foundation for future qualifications.

In Key Stage 4, every learner follows a personalised pathway that reflects their strengths, interests and aspirations. Alongside core subjects including English, Mathematics and Science, pupils can access a broad range of qualifications including GCSEs, Entry Pathways, Functional Skills and vocational qualifications. Careers education, work experience, employability skills and preparation for adulthood are embedded throughout Key Stage 4, ensuring learners leave Mount School equipped for further education, training, employment and independent living.

Outdoor learning is an integral part of life at Mount School. Through our Forest School programme and a wide range of outdoor learning experiences, pupils develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and independence while strengthening their connection with the natural environment. Learning outdoors provides meaningful opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-life contexts, develop practical problem-solving skills, improve physical and emotional wellbeing, and build positive relationships. Whether exploring local environments, taking part in environmental projects, developing bushcraft skills or engaging in adventurous learning experiences, outdoor education enriches the curriculum and supports every learner to grow academically, socially and emotionally.

Throughout every stage of education, literacy, numeracy and digital competence are embedded across the curriculum alongside wellbeing, communication, creativity and real-life experiences. Enrichment opportunities, outdoor learning, therapeutic support and strong community partnerships ensure learning extends far beyond the classroom.

Our curriculum is underpinned by our vision of Safe • Connected • Ready to Learn, ensuring every learner develops the confidence, knowledge, skills and resilience to thrive both during their time at Mount School and in the future.

Our Discovery Curriculum is organised into six specialist Discovery Academies, each containing four carefully planned expeditions that build knowledge and skills progressively from Years 3 to 6.

History & Adventure Academy brings history to life through exciting expeditions including Dragon Keepers, Pirates & Plunder, Escape from Ancient Egypt and Kingdoms at War. Pupils investigate significant people, events and civilisations while developing historical enquiry, creativity and problem-solving through immersive experiences.

Exploration Academy encourages pupils to discover the world around them through expeditions such as Around the World in 80 Days, Frozen Kingdom, Survivor and Extreme Earth. Learners explore geography, science and environmental issues while developing resilience, curiosity and a deeper understanding of our planet.

Innovation Academy inspires future thinkers through expeditions including Inventors & Inventions, Mission to Mars, Future Cities and Amazing Machines. Pupils investigate science, technology, engineering and design, developing creativity, innovation and practical problem-solving skills.

Investigation Academy develops critical thinking and scientific enquiry through expeditions such as Crime Scene Investigators, Dinosaur Detectives, Medical Detectives and Secret Agents. Learners ask questions, gather evidence, analyse information and solve problems using real-world investigative approaches.

Environment Academy encourages pupils to become responsible global citizens through expeditions including Wildlife Rangers, Ocean Explorers, Guardians of the Planet and Grow, Cook, Thrive. Learners develop an understanding of sustainability, conservation, healthy living and environmental responsibility through practical experiences.

Society Academy explores people, communities and the wider world through expeditions such as People Who Changed the World, Celebrating Communities, Young Entrepreneurs and Democracy in Action. Pupils develop leadership, citizenship, enterprise and an understanding of their role within society.

Every expedition is driven by a Big Enquiry Question and culminates in an Authentic Outcome, enabling pupils to apply their learning in meaningful ways. Whether presenting at a science conference, creating a museum exhibition, leading an enterprise fair, hosting a youth parliament or organising a conservation event, pupils experience learning with genuine purpose and real-world relevance.

Key Stage 3 – Mission Curriculum

Our Key Stage 3 Mission Curriculum builds upon the curiosity and confidence developed through the Discovery Curriculum, preparing learners for the increased challenge and independence of Key Stage 4. Designed specifically for Mount School, the Mission Curriculum combines academic rigour with meaningful, real-world learning, enabling pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and resilience needed for future success.

Learning is organised into eighteen sequential missions, with one mission taught each half term across Years 7 to 9. Every mission begins with an important question and a real-world challenge, encouraging pupils to investigate complex issues, think critically, solve problems and apply their learning in purposeful ways. Rather than learning subjects in isolation, pupils experience a connected curriculum where English, mathematics, science, humanities, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, digital competence and numeracy are brought together through engaging themes and authentic outcomes.

Each mission challenges pupils to step into a different role as they tackle issues that matter locally, nationally and globally. Throughout Key Stage 3, learners become Investigators, Protectors, Health Champions, Engineers, Storytellers, Citizens, Changemakers, Digital Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Explorers, Historians, Designers, Scientists, Truth Seekers, Peacekeepers, Forensic Detectives, Global Citizens and, finally, complete an independent mission where they become the change they wish to see in the world.

Every mission is driven by a compelling enquiry question and concludes with an authentic outcome. Pupils may curate museum exhibitions, lead conservation campaigns, develop community improvement projects, present scientific solutions, pitch social enterprises, host digital ethics conferences, participate in peace summits, conduct forensic investigations or showcase independent research. These meaningful experiences allow learners to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom while developing communication, leadership, creativity and teamwork.

Alongside cross-curricular learning, pupils receive daily teaching in English, mathematics and science, supported by guided reading, literacy, numeracy and digital competence across the curriculum. Personal development remains central through therapeutic support, the MyMindCoach programme, careers education, outdoor learning, Forest School and opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and independence.

By the end of Key Stage 3, learners have developed the academic knowledge, personal qualities and transferable skills required to progress confidently onto their personalised qualification pathways in Key Stage 4. They leave the Mission Curriculum not only ready for examinations, but equipped to contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.