At On Track Northampton we believe that the individual needs of each young person come first. Our dedicated team of professionals use their wide range of skills and experience to ensure positive academic and pastoral outcomes for all our students.
Admissions
At On Track Northampton, we understand that choosing the right school is a big decision. That's why our admissions process is designed to be supportive, transparent and reassuring every step of the way.
Pupils are usually referred to On Track Northampton by their local authority, but if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you can also request a place through your local authority’s SEND team. We accept pupils throughout the academic year, ensuring that every young person joins us at the right time for them.
Once a referral has been made, we invite families to visit the school, meet our dedicated staff and experience the calm, nurturing environment we offer. This visit helps everyone feel confident that On Track is the right place for your child to learn and grow.
For more information, visit our Admissions & Referrals website page.
curriculum
At On Track Northampton, we support pupils to enable them to access a varied curriculum, providing academic, vocational and outdoor learning experiences. Every child has the right to an education, and we will adapt and adjust to ensure each student can access our curriculum effectively.
A Nurturing Environment
Our learning environment is built on care, kindness and understanding. We nurture our pupils through a holistic approach, working with the child as a whole to ensure they can, and are ready to, learn. We build on pupils' individual confidence, esteem and motivation, empowering them to face challenges with resilience, respect and resolve.
A Curriculum that Inspires
Our curriculum provides experiences and opportunities which inspire an interest in learning, encourage aspirations and support the development of fundamental independence skills. Supporting pupils to overcome barriers and academic achievement are of equal importance, to ensure that our pupils are confident and best prepared for their next steps in further education or training.
Preparing for the Future
We are also committed to developing pupils' individual skills, alongside their communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking to guarantee pupils are best prepared to be successful in the 21st Century. This stimulating and engaging curriculum is regularly reviewed and adapted to meet the needs and interests of our pupils.
A Collaborative Approach
Our flexible, needs-led process supports pupils to navigate their individual learning journey. Furthermore, we work collaboratively with parents/carers, professional outside agencies and pupils to ensure we are child-centred in our approach.
Assessment Framework
Our colour-coded assessment framework starts at pre-entry level (yellow), onto Entry Level (orange, pink and green), Functional Skills (blue and lilac), GCSEs (blue and lilac) and Level 3 qualifications (purple). Colour coding the curriculum and assessment framework allows us to teach subjects at an appropriate level for our learners, who have, on occasion, missed chunks of learning, rather than planning for their age and/or year group.
Each level is split into three sub-levels: emerging, developing and secure. These help show progression through the individual levels.
Once a pupil shows secure knowledge at a level, they can move on to the next level. A typical mainstream pupil is expected to move up 3 sub-levels over an academic year (ie, Emerging to Secure).
Current Curriculum Offer
We have a varied curriculum that includes a mixture of academic, vocational and outdoor learning opportunities. In our yellow-green curriculum, we build on pupils' prior learning, cover gaps in any learning, and prepare our pupils for their future qualifications. Our blue-purple curriculum offers a wide variety of qualifications for pupils, best preparing them for further education, adulthood and career aspirations.
Curriculum Overview: Yellow-Green
Curriculum Overview: Blue-Purple
Subjects
- English & English Literature – Maths – Science – PSHE – SMSC - ICT - Employability
- Personal Social Development – Religion – Food – Sport – Engineering – Construction - Hair & Beauty – Art– Media - Humanities
- Music – Business - Personal Growth and Wellbeing - Travel & Hospitality
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Forest School
- Interventions
Examinations and Accreditation
At On Track Education, we view examinations and qualifications as equally important to the development of social, emotional, and life skills. We believe all pupils benefit from working toward and achieving formal accreditation as part of their learning journey. These qualifications help pupils gain recognition for their efforts and provide a solid foundation for progression to college, apprenticeships, or employment.
Examinations and Accreditation
reading & library
At On Track Education Northampton, reading is more than a skill; it's a gateway to confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning. Our thoughtfully designed reading curriculum nurtures fluent, enthusiastic readers who thrive across all areas of study. Whether curled up with a novel in one of our inviting library spaces or performing spoken word raps in our inspirational music room, pupils are immersed in a rich tapestry of texts and experiences.
We’re proud of our welcoming library spaces, packed with books, magazines, and diverse texts that reflect the world around us. Pupils love reading to Diego, our much-loved school dog, whose calming presence makes reading time even more special. Whether they’re writing poems in the music room or diving into graphic novels at break, pupils are encouraged to find joy in reading in all its forms.
We know that strong reading skills open doors- not just in English, but across every subject. That’s why we work hard to make reading a shared, celebrated part of school life. It’s not just about learning to read. It’s about nurturing the love of reading.
Library
Our school libraries are more than just places to borrow books- they’re cosy havens where pupils can feel safe, calm, and inspired.
With one library in each unit, every space is carefully tailored to meet the needs of our learners, offering a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction texts to spark curiosity and foster a love of reading. Books are colour-coded in line with the Accelerated Reader programme, helping pupils choose titles that match their reading level while gently stretching their skills. We also offer dyslexia-friendly books and a range of supportive texts for autistic learners, including social stories and calming reads. Whether pupils are diving into a gripping adventure or finding quiet comfort in a familiar favourite, our libraries are welcoming spaces where every reader belongs.
careers guidance
At On Track Education Northampton, we place great importance on preparing our students for life beyond school. We regularly welcome speakers and ambassadors from a wide range of professions, who share valuable insights into higher education and the world of work.
From the beginning of their learning journeys, we encourage pupils to explore career pathways and develop aspirations. Workplace visits are a key part of this journey, giving students authentic, first-hand experience of professional environments and helping them connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities.
Work experience is at the heart of our careers programme. Placements range from virtual opportunities with organisations such as Springpod and Channel 4, to weekly external placements as part of structured programmes. These experiences often lead to outstanding outcomes, with many students progressing into paid employment.
Student safety remains our highest priority. We work closely with Proactive Education to carry out rigorous health and safety checks, alongside regular workplace visits and ongoing communication throughout the year. This ensures that every student can explore the world of work with confidence, knowing they are fully supported at each stage of their journey.
School Day
We operate a slightly shorter school day than most state schools to meet the needs of our pupils. This does not shorten the hours of learning available to our pupils; it enables them to manage their day more positively.
Monday – Thursday: start time 9:00 until 14.20
Friday: start time 9:00 until 14:00
Breaktime: 10:25 until 10:40
Lunchtime: 12.00 until 12:30
Total: 25 hours per week
SMSC
At On Track Education Northampton, the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils is at the heart of everything we do. Our ethos is rooted in the belief that education should nurture the whole child, equipping them not just with academic skills, but with the values, confidence and cultural capital they need to succeed in life and contribute positively to society.
THRIVE
Thrive is embedded throughout our school and informs and underpins all of our practice. Thrive is our primary SEMH intervention based on established neuroscience, attachment theory and child development.
Thrive is a holistic approach which supports social and emotional development. Research has shown us that how we behave is linked to how we feel, and that our emotions are linked to how we learn. Teaching pupils how to recognise and notice these feelings and emotions can help with their development and learning. Our aim is for all pupils to feel safe, valued, special, appreciated and included.
Thrive at On Track Northampton
Forest school
Forest school is an innovative, long term educational approach to outdoor play and learning. It focuses on the development of the person and the emotional intelligence development of individuals through observation, reflective practice and clear goal settings. Forest school is a student led session that will boost self-esteem and build confidence as an individual in a team setting.