Every young person that becomes a part of our Red Balloon community negotiates their own curriculum and thus, their own timetable, which incorporates academic tuition as well as community, wellbeing and therapeutic sessions. All of our young people receive guidance towards attending English, Maths and Science at a certification level that is tailored to them, as well as community time, Art, PSHE and PE and Wellbeing. ASDAN courses are always incredibly popular and are a useful stepping stone for re-engagement with education, providing the chance for positive experiences and to overcome barriers. These courses set up our young people with not only the skills, but opportunities and connections with the real-life world around them.
Learning sessions can be either 1-1 or in small groups, depending upon the needs of the individual. Our students are all at different ages and stages and therefore receive gentle guidance and interventions, where necessary, to catch up on anything they may have missed due to being out of education.
Subjects Available for 2024-2025
We are able to offer a wide range of subject choices and qualification levels, however, for the current year, we have negotiated the following:
| Subject | Stage | Qualification Level |
| Animal Care | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Art | KS3 | |
| Art | KS4 | GCSE/ Arts Award |
| Biology | KS4 | GCSE |
| Business Studies | KS4 | GCSE |
| Chemistry | KS4 | GCSE |
| Citizenship | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Computing | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Cookery | KS3/4 | For fun |
| Drama | KS3/4 | For fun |
| Employability | KSS3/4 | ASDAN |
| English Language | KS4 | GCSE |
| English Literature | KS4 | GCSE |
| English | KS3 | |
| English | KS4 | ASDAN |
| Environmental Studies | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Expressive Arts | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Football | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Gardening | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Geography | KS3 | |
| Geography | KS4 | GCSE |
| Hair and Beauty | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| History | KS3 | |
| Languages | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Mathematics | KS3 | |
| Mathematics | KS4 | GCSE, Functional Skills, Entry Level |
| Mathematics | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Music | KS3/4 | For fun |
| Physics | KS4 | GCSE |
| PSHE | KS3/4 | |
| PSHE | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
| Psychology | KS4 | GCSE |
| Reading | KS3/4 | Pleasure and Purpose |
| Science | KS3 | |
| Science | KS3/4 | ASDAN |
Extra-curricular Activities
To enrich our young people’s time at Red Balloon, we also offer the following extra-curricular clubs, following their own suggestions to develop skills and friendships:
- Outdoor activities to including walking, basketball and football skills
- Quiet, relaxed reading
- Crafting Club
- Action Figures Club
- Film Club
We also support Friend in Deed and visit our local care home, Dell Rose Court, once a month to make intergenerational friends, enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit (or two!) and take part in supported therapeutic activities together. These invaluable sessions help to reduce loneliness and promote kindness across the generations.
In addition, we also organise trips and outings to support our curriculum such as to our local green spaces, museums, art galleries, cinemas and our local libraries.