The School Day
Our school day begins when North East Lincolnshire learners are collected from their homes by our learning support staff on school transport. Learners from other local authorities arrive between 8:45am and 9:00am. On arrival, the day starts with My Space at 9:00am — a time for learners to check in with their emotions and headspace, ensuring they feel ready for the day. Formal lessons then begin at 9:10am and continue until 2:30pm, followed by supported transport home.
The timetable includes a broad range of subjects: Maths, English, ICT, Science, History, Geography, PSHE, PE, and Social Skills development. These lessons are taught on rotation in small groups of 4–9 learners, allowing staff to provide personalised support. Core subjects such as Maths and English are further strengthened with targeted learning interventions led by skilled staff.
Beyond the classroom, learners have access to therapeutic sessions with a trained counsellor, as well as opportunities to work with our therapy dog. Our Pastoral Lead works closely with learners to provide additional support, ensuring their emotional wellbeing is at the centre of school life. Pastoral care is woven into the school day through whole-class activities, small group work, and one-to-one sessions, depending on individual needs.
Our timetable is designed to go beyond the classroom. Learners have opportunities to contribute to their local community, practise social skills in a variety of settings, and explore different career pathways. They also take part in thematic projects that bring subjects together, build cross-curricular skills, and support preparation for adulthood.
Break and lunch times provide opportunities for learners to participate in structured activities and are supervised by tutors and learning support staff. Learners are also encouraged to join lunchtime clubs, which offer extra-curricular learning and chances to socialise across year groups. Both break and lunch times are valued as important moments to develop social and personal skills in a supportive environment.
To further enrich their experience, learners can take part in a wide range of activities beyond the school day. These include after-school clubs, sports fixtures, holiday and half-term activities, and a Year 9 PGL residential trip, all of which support personal growth, teamwork, and shared adventure
Our School Day
A typical day for our Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 learners is outlined below. On Fridays, the timetable differs to provide valuable community and social learning experiences. From 11:30am, learners take part in Orchard In The Community, engaging in a variety of activities both offsite and on the school grounds. These sessions allow learners to practise social skills, explore cross-curricular themes, and apply their learning in real-world contexts. Transport home on Fridays begins at 1:45pm.
Food at The Orchard
Each week, learners are provided with a visual menu to support them in making their own food choices for the week. A hot meal option is offered each day, but if the learner prefers they are able to select alternatives including wraps, sandwiches, pasta, or a jacket potato, with a variety of fillings.
Uniform
Learners are allowed to wear their own clothes to school to ensure their comfort, however, clothing must be appropriate for a learning environment. We ask for learners to be dressed appropriately for activity on the days they have PE.
Term Dates
Our term dates for the current academic year can be downloaded for future reference by clicking below.
