--- title: "Key Stage 3" url: "https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/student-life/key-stage-3" school: "West Lancashire Community High School" --- # Key Stage 3 - Welcome - Promoting Good Attendance in Key Stage 3 - Timetables - Learning Beyond the Classroom - Celebrations - KS3 Curriculum **Welcome to Key Stage 3** Key Stage 3 is the gateway to all students joining West Lancashire Community High School. The journey that they will begin in Key Stage 3 will prepare them for their next steps towards Key Stage 4, and then to either Key Stage 5 or provision beyond West Lancashire Community High School. Our goals in Key Stage 3 are to create a safe and inclusive environment whereby students can develop their communication, social and emotional skills, and academic abilities alongside developing resilience, independence and self-belief. We aim to guide our students along their pathway to support them to achieve their personalised outcomes and to achieve their own goals and ambitions. ![A person sitting on a wooden structure AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/2f9c5cad402dfe7a475191c5e27aa11f.jpg) ![A person and child in a wheelchair AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/3bb9fe00b77f641df8d54822d294be8e.jpg) ![Image of Adventure Day at The Anderton Centre](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/d1d0cd9f789fc3b9fd2d62c773bcdfbf.jpg) **Transition to KS3** Before coming to West Lancashire Community High School, many processes will have already occurred as part of our transition process. All Transition Review meetings will have been attended by our staff and additional school visits undertaken if necessary. You will have been invited to a range of transition days both during the school day and after school, and these normally take place in the Summer term. Our staff will have also begun to collate vital assessment information for EHCP outcomes, English, Maths, and other appropriate information. All this information helps us to determine which classes the students will be allocated. Classes remain flexible throughout the year, with the vast majority finalised by October half term once we have welcomed students to our provision. All classes follow a curriculum suitably adapted to provide opportunities for young people to achieve success (for more information please click [HERE](https://www.westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/our-school/curriculum/key-stage-three)). Whenever possible we look for opportunities to learn outside the classroom in interesting and innovative ways. ![A person sitting on the floor with a child laughing AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/8b8a8e15b55496459a1bf10bbf0859f2.jpg) ![A group of girls in a kitchen AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/42ff3394f4af3f400848f0e6515311ff.jpg) ![A child in a pool with goggles giving a thumbs up AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/eb097688bd2329474b6454178e9ea615.png) **Our class teachers are:** 3W - Mrs McEvoy (Lead Practitioner Quality of Education), Mrs Holcroft (Assistant head teacher) and Miss Marshall 3L - Mr Lynch 3C - Miss Baxendell (Assistant KS3 Lead) 3H – Miss Wilson 3S - Mrs Seery (Departmental Lead) 3A – Mrs Reynolds 3B - Miss Chisnall **Classes are supported by our teaching assistants:** Mr Croft Mr Machaj Miss White Miss Harrington-Ball Miss Heder Miss Washington Miss Loines Mrs Seddon Miss Welsh Miss Grabiec Miss Harrison Mrs Neale Miss Cooper Miss Marsh Ms Marsden Miss Mercer Miss Evans Mrs Gordon Mrs Breckell Mrs Ward Mrs Sneesby Mrs Johnson Miss Matthews Miss Fazackerley (Wed, Thurs) Mr Hill Our experienced team of teaching assistants are based in the class groups but will move around within the department to ensure the students benefit from their expertise. **Pastoral Groups** Currently, we are made up of 7 mixed-age classes of Year 7’s, 8’s and 9’s. Students are grouped in classes based on a combination of ability need, and these groups remain flexible, guided by a consistent student-centred approach. ![A child on a swing AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/f3defc4e67bc632bcce2980f2d89ad8c.jpg) ![Image of Our week in KS3S](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/d051a1702808f332d976707b3912b4f3.jpg) **Core Learning** Students access Core Learning (CLL and Maths) in the mornings 4 times per week. Learning is tailored to their personal ability, needs and motivators. Student's progress is assessed regularly via our whole school assessment systems. ![A person sitting at a table reading a book AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/86a5746583b7a61daa08a637c2cfec15.jpg) ![A child and child playing with toys AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/18b9b97697a15ed6386661d613316a2e.jpg) ![A person and person playing dominoes on the ground AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/e942c4217aef0054ae91ae9ec2629c30.png) **Expectations and Rewards** We take a positive stance towards our students in school and reward positive interactions, choices and engagement in learning rather than using sanctions. We focus on building positive relationships with our students in line with our whole school Relational Policy. We work on a token system across the department with a focus on money. Each class has a variant on this theme and is right for the students in those classes. Students earn money for achieving the 4 expectations on our school badge. At the end of the week, the money is added up and they can spend their money at the Key Stage 3 Shop. Money is never removed as a consequence, but would not be given out when reflecting on the expectations. All students do have chances to gain extra coins for going 'above and beyond'. Rather than consequences, we prefer to use the term 'personal responsibility' to allow students to explore how they may approach situations differently in the future. ![A group of people feeding sheep AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/998127c6e61be5bf8efbcda8b2831e4c.png) ![A child cooking food on a stove AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/04e87ae8b8113d05932c47c59c13488d.png) **Communication** Communication is important to us and all parents and carers have access to teacher email addresses. Teachers will endeavour to respond to any questions or concerns within 48 on working days, as per our school policy. Home/School books are also available as a method of communication for some students. If you’d like one set up, please get in touch with your class teacher. ![A group of people on a ride AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/b8aa5123de233770dc870614eefdfe12.jpg) ![Makaton logo (black)](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/7653ed3ae39a683b7ed0c0487eb4fbf3.png) As a department, we are committed to inclusion and to supporting student’s communication. To support some of our students who may have communication needs, we follow a ‘Makaton sign of the week’ program. Every class learns a new Makaton sign each week, and this is displayed in classes. Students are celebrated for using these signs to communicate with their peers. ### PROMOTING GOOD ATTENDANCE IN KEY STAGE 3 Attendance at school is vital for the development of our students. Not only does school provide the academic and cognitive development that enables progress but also the social, emotional and communication development. School is the best place for a young person to be. As a school we set ourselves a target percentage to work towards. We have taken into consideration the needs of our students and allowed flexibility for medical appointments or interventions. This year our benchmark is 92%. Students falling under that percentage across a half term will receive a letter asking you to make contact with school. We also recognise that our students may have medical needs or a range of other issues that may impede their ability to access school. In these situations, we cannot mark them as present but we can work together with parents to develop Attendance Care Plans that recognise the wider needs. Please speak to your class team or contact Mr. D Mullen for further advice. School has a robust Attendance Policy and procedures for absences. Click [here](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/our-school/school-policies) ### PARENT INFORMATION Below is a copy of the parent guidance for attendance at West Lancashire Community High School and includes a breakdown of the procedures used in school. Ultimately, as a school, we want to work in collaboration. If you are to receive an attendance letter, please do not worry, just make contact with the class team to arrange an informal meeting to discuss how we can support or what plans need to be put in place. ### Attendance Information for Parents Attendance Information for Parents 195 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/files/documents/2023_Parent_Leaflet_PDF.pdf) ### HOW WE CELEBRATE GOOD ATTENDANCE In school we celebrate in a number of ways. We want to recognise when there has been a significant improvement. It isn't always about the 100%. Smaller steps are as valid and worth praise as much as the 100%. ### Key Stage 3 Timetables KS3A Timetable 2026-27 17 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/files/documents/Autumn_1.docx) KS3B Timetable 2026-27 981 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/files/documents/Key_Stage_3B_Timetable.docx) KS3H Timetable 2026-27 536 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/files/documents/3H_timetable.pdf) KS3S Timetable 2026-27 324 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/files/documents/timetable_v2.pdf) ## Learning Beyond the Classroom **Topic Days** In KS3, every term has a theme and our curriculum subjects all link to this theme. This supports building connections within student’s learning. To ensure students have experienced concrete, real life experiences linked to the theme, which they can refer to during lessons, we hold a Topic Day towards the beginning of every full term. Topic Days have included things like Farm visits, a giant planetarium in the hall, and watching a theatre performance. ![A child touching a fence with sheep AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/f855259628b63d882cd05c97cede97f9.png)![A child touching a dinosaur garment AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/41d3ceae13969b52f37e5ff7ea511db8.png) **Life Skills lessons** Every class has a double Life Skills lesson each week, with a focus on their Personal Learning Goals. Students use this lesson to develop key skills that will support them to develop their independence, including things like community visits, cookery, cleaning and household chores and emotional regulation work. ![A child and child eating at a table AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/329a06eac5f66a50485ee1257e50211e.png) **Functional Maths** Students in KS3 have a weekly functional maths lesson where they apply learning from across the week to a real-life situation. This might include shopping, budgeting, cookery, measuring furniture or animal food, or counting real-life items. ![](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/64fd588ef1d171a6df153055c647973b.png) **KS3 Residential** We have recently introduced a KS3 Residential trip for our Year 9 students. All of our Year 9 students receive an opportunity to access an offsite adventure day followed by a one night overnight stay supported by a combination of KS3 and KS4 staff. This helps to prepare our students for their future, build confidence and independence skills, and to celebrate their time in KS3. ![A person and child roasting marshmallows over a fire AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/tabs/90cfd97c01a0a338ee6e1a8941fe9884.png) ## KEY STAGE 3 CELEBRATIONS Every Friday afternoon, we sit down with out students and reflect on the week. We spend time celebrating the successes of their own week but also the successes of other students. Students then have an opportunity to spend their rewards money at the KS3 Rewards Shop. Recently we have introduced weekly afternoon tasks that work towards our '**Skills Builder**' outcomes. ![](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/images/KS3CurriculumPage/skills_builder.png) We also spend time on Friday's focusing on positivity towards themselves and those around them. ## Our KS3 Curriculum aims to support: •Engagement and Attention •Functional independence •Self advocacy and voice •Physical development •Functional and social communication •Communication for literacy and numeracy •Social understanding and relationships •Cognition and Learning •Emotional regulation and wellbeing •Independence in the community •Preparation for adulthood Alongside personalised learning goals taken from EHCP outcomes. We draw on structured teaching approaches such as TEACCH to provide clarity , predictability and independence, while integrating evidence-informed strategies including explicit instruction, communication-focused teaching, and relational approaches to ensure deep learning and generalisation. Our approach combines structured teaching (TEACCH), engagement-led learning, and interaction-based pedagogy to ensure that all students are ready to learn, able to access learning, and supported to develop communication and independence. **Thematic curriculum** •Our department follow a thematic approach to the curriculum, which runs on a 3-year cycle. •Following termly themes supports coherence and reduces cognitive load for our students. It provides repeated exposure to a theme in different contexts, which naturally chunks learning, revisits concepts, and therefore strengthens schema. •Our themes are grounded in linking learning to real-life experiences enabling abstract concepts to become more concrete. This in turn supports generalisation, which many of our students can find challenging. We start each new theme with a ‘Topic Day’ aimed at providing concrete life experiences linked to the theme, which students can draw on across their term of learning. •Our themes also allow for flexibility with entry points and enable adaptive teaching and personalisation where needed across all Pathways. •The themes improve engagement, motivation and attention for many learners, many aligning with student’s interests and motivators. •Themes support communication and language development as they allow repetition of core vocabulary across contexts, embed language in meaningful situations and support use of AAC across the day. KS3 Long Term 3-year Overview 41 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/files/documents/Long_Term_3-year_Overview.pptx) #### ### Related Blog Posts [![Image of This week in KS3S](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/imagecache/1440x880c/blog/IMG_6866.jpeg)](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-11-06-17-05-this-week-in-ks3s) 6 November 2026 #### [This week in KS3S](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-11-06-17-05-this-week-in-ks3s) This week student’s have enjoyed creating bonfire night artwork, visited The Hub cafe and engaged with a range of ASDAN activities including preparing a snack and keeping active with the parachute. As always, we have continue to work hard on our communication and independence skills too! [Continue reading](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-11-06-17-05-this-week-in-ks3s) [![Image of Our week in 3H ](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/imagecache/1440x880c/blog/IMG_6776.jpeg)](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-10-23-17-29-our-week-in-3h) 23 October 2026 #### [Our week in 3H ](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-10-23-17-29-our-week-in-3h) 🎃 **Halloween Fun in KS3H!** 👻 What a spooktacular week we’ve had in KS3H! We’ve enjoyed lots of Halloween fun, from playing Pin the Sticker on the Monster (although some cheeky pupils tried to move their masks up to help them cheat! 😂) to learning all about Halloween in Topic. During wet break,… [Continue reading](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-10-23-17-29-our-week-in-3h) [![Image of KS3S celebrate Halloween](https://files.schudio.com/west-lancashire-community-high-school/imagecache/1440x880c/blog/IMG_6769.jpeg)](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-10-23-16-42-ks3s-celebrate-halloween) 23 October 2026 #### [KS3S celebrate Halloween](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-10-23-16-42-ks3s-celebrate-halloween) This week we have enjoyed celebrating all things Halloween 🎃 👻 Students have enjoyed making chocolate apples, going on a trick or treat sweet hunt, engaging with Halloween songs and carving / painting pumpkins with Mr Croft! Students have demonstrated some fantastic communication and… [Continue reading](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/2026-10-23-16-42-ks3s-celebrate-halloween) [View All Posts](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/blog/index/tag:ks3) © Copyright 2018–2026 West Lancashire Community High School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://westlancs.lancs.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)