A rich and varied curriculum

 

CURRICULUM AIMS

To create:

• Successful learners who enjoy learning; make good progress and achieve excellence.
• Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
• Responsible citizens who can make a positive contribution to society.

It is essential that the curriculum is organised in such a way that it provides students with the opportunity to learn expected behaviours and be successful in their learning so that we can deliver our mission and aims.

Strategic Intent

To develop a curriculum which:

• Creates an aspirational high achievement culture.
• Takes into account individual needs and styles.
• Allows everyone to experience success.
• Raises standards of attainment. 

Curriculum Principles

• Clear progress over 7 years accelerating student progress.
• There should be depth before breadth.  Maximise learning time in all subjects.
• Additional time is given to English and Mathematics to ensure that students have the essential skills needed for life and to access the full curriculum.
• Targeted support and additional challenge to ensure all students make at least national rates of progress.
• Ensure all students’ progress is in line with national expectations.
• Deep Learning Weeks to address SMSC and aspirations.
• To support induction into secondary school for all Year 7 students.

The Curriculum

We have a very broad KS3 Curriculum covering 14 subjects meeting all the national curriculum requirements. This is taught in 25 hours of contact time each week.

Year 7 and 8

The curriculum includes:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), either French and Spanish
• Humanities – History, Geography and Religious Education
• Performing Arts – Drama and Music
• Creative Arts – Art, Food Technology, Product Design and Textiles
• Computing
• Physical Education (two hours per week)
• Preparation for Adult Life – Covers PSCHE and Study Skills

For students who are behind in their chronological reading age, additional support is provided through withdrawal to enable them to rapidly catch up. There is daily support for homework in the library.

Year 9-11

In Year 9 students begin to specialize to provide them with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the subjects they will choose to study to GCSE level.  They will mainly embark on the examined course at the start of Year 9.  This curriculum is taught in 25 lessons each week, each lesson lasting 60 minutes.

All students must study the following:

• English – Literature and Language
• Mathematics
• Science – Dual Award Science or Triple Science - Biology, Physics and Chemistry
• Humanities – Religious Education and History or Geography
• Physical Education (two hours per week)

Optional Subjects (at least two of the following):

• A language (Approximately 20% of students will take one of these in curriculum time.  An additional second language can be studied after school)
• Performing Arts – Drama and Music (examined and non-examined course in these subjects can be studied as enrichment)
• Creative Arts – Art and Technical Design which will lead to a GCSE in Photography, Graphics, Product Design, Food, Textiles, Art
• Computing or IT
• Physical Education GCSE or vocational PE dependent upon the academic nature of our students

There is daily support for homework in the library. Extra Study Support is also in place especially for Year 10 and Year 11 depending on the individuals learning needs. In year 11 this consists of a compulsory period 6. 

Collapsed timetable days

Collapsed days, when the normal lesson timetable is suspended, take place during the year.  These days allow students to learn in different ways such as off site, with external providers and a range of students.  These days cover numerous topics including Staying Safe, Healthy Relationships British Values, Study Skills, Future Pathways and work ready skills.

Year 12-13

We have a small school 6th Form where we ensure we enable our young people to be able to enter the next stage of their learning journey be it at university or an advanced level apprenticeship. 

Course Offer

Students can select a suite of qualifications from ‘A’ levels or BTECs, a decision for which they receive extensive guidance from the dedicated Heads of 6th form and the Y11 team.

Student's receive weekly feedback from their teachers and are expected to complete examination questions on a regular basis.  A Level subjects are taught on 5 hours a week, vocational subjects are delivered on 4 hours a week.

 A Levels offered

• Art
• English Literature
• History
• Psychology
• Mathematics
• Further Maths
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Geography 
• Textiles
• Photography
• Ethics
• French

BTEC subjects offered:

• Business
• Law
• Health and Social Care
• Art
• Product Design
• Drama
• Music
• Sport (single and triple qualification)
• Applied Science

Weekly Tutorial and 1 to 1 Programme

Students have a one-to-one mentoring session with a specialised KS5 support teacher per week in order to support them in a curriculum and pastoral capacity. Assemblies and a collapsed one hour personal development session per week facilitates the coverage of PSCHE topics and preparation for the next stages in their learning journey. Additional specialist support is also provided.  The UCAS and UNIFROG programme provides the opportunity to visit universities and meet university admissions tutors from a range of institutions. Frequent visits from speakers across a range of professions and backgrounds are also part of this programme.