Organisation of the Curriculum
The curriculum of the school reflects the demands of the National Curriculum. It is designed in order to provide all learners with a broad, balanced education relevant to their needs both now and in the future.
The school operates a two weekly timetable cycle based upon 50 hours of lessons per fortnight.
"The curriculum is well balanced and challenges students to achieve well in all areas of learning."
Ofsted May 2015
The Journey from Year 7 to Year 13
Whilst traditionally the journey between Key Stage Three to Five is viewed as three separate key stages we view the learning journey as more of a continuum in which learners constantly build on their knowledge skills and understanding from the prior stage of their journey.
Year 7 – 9
In Year 7 – 9 learners follow a common curriculum, which builds on their knowledge, skills and understanding from Primary School. The number of lessons we allocate to each subject in each year group is in the table below.
|
Number of periods per fortnight (1 hour lessons) |
|||
|
Subjects |
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|
English |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
Maths |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
Science |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Geography |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
History |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
Religious Studies |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Computer Science |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
French or Spanish |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
PSHE (Personal and Social and Health Education) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Design Technology inc Food and Textiles |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Art |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Performing Arts (Music and Drama ) |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Physical Education |
4 |
4 |
4 |
All learners will also receive a Careers Education programme. Please see this area of the website for more details. /page/?title=Careers&pid=279
Year 10 – 11
In this phase of the learning journey we are building on the knowledge, skills and understanding of the previous phases of learning.
We offer a wide range of courses at GCSE and Level 2. This means that learners are able to pursue their interests from Year 7 – 9 through Year 10 and 11. At key stage 4 learners will normally study a foreign language and a humanities subject. The curriculum is organised as follows:
|
Number of periods per fortnight (1 hour lessons) |
||
|
Subject |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
English (Lang and Lit) |
9 |
9 |
|
Mathematics |
8 |
8 |
|
Science |
9 |
9 |
|
PSHE |
1 |
1 |
|
Religious Studies (Core) |
1 |
1 |
|
Physical Education |
2 |
2 |
|
History or Geography |
5 |
5 |
|
Three further option subjects from the list below (5 lessons each subject) Animal Care Art and Design - Fine Art Art and Design - Graphic Communication Art and Design - Photography Business Studies Computer Science Design Technology - Food & Nutrition Design Technology - Health and Social Care Design Technology - Hospitality and Catering Design Technology - Product Design Design Technology - Textiles MFL French MFL Spanish Drama Performing Arts with a Dance approach Geography History Information Technology Media Studies Music Religious Studies - Philosophy & Ethics Physical Education Triple Science |
15 |
15 |
A very small number of learners may not participate in one of the above options as they may require additional mathematics and / or English support. This would be in the form of Study+ replacing one of the above options. If we feel your child would benefit from Study+ we will contact you.
Our curriculum also covers the following in an age-appropriate and sequenced way, commensurate with learners’ levels of maturity.
- Relationships and sex education, and health education (secondary schools)
- Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
- British values
- Careers guidance
Year 12 - 13
The Sixth Form curriculum consists of the following subjects. Learners will study up to 4 of these subjects, however, the majority of learners will only study 3 of the listed subjects below.
|
Subject |
Course |
Exam Board |
Timetabled Hours in Lower 6th |
Timetabled Hours in Upper 6th |
Total Timetabled Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Applied Science |
BTEC Level 3 |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Biology |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Business |
A Level |
EDEXCEL |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Business |
Diploma- CTEC |
OCR |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Chemistry |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Computer Science |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Drama & Theatre |
A Level |
EDUQAS |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
DT Fashion and Textiles |
BTEC Level 3 |
Pearson |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
DT Product Design |
A Level |
EDUQAS |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Economics |
A Level |
EDEXCEL |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
English Language |
A Level |
OCR |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
English Literature |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Fine Art |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
French |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Further Mathematics |
A Level |
EDEXCEL |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Geography |
A Level |
EDEXCEL |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
History |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Mathematics |
A Level |
EDEXCEL |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Media- Digital Film and Video Production |
BTEC Level 3 |
Pearson |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Media Studies |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Music |
A Level |
OCR |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Photography |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
PE |
A Level |
OCR |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Physics |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Politics |
A Level |
EDEXCEL |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Psychology |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Religious Studies- Philosophy & Ethics |
A Level |
EDEXCEL |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Sociology |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Spanish |
A Level |
AQA |
9 |
9 |
18 |
In addition to their chosen subjects, learners in both year groups will also study 1 hour of PSHE and attend a 1 hour Seminar/ Assembly each fortnight.
Learners are able to opt for an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and this is delivered through 1 hour scheduled slots each week. Those learners who are required to resit their Mathematics GCSE have 4 lessons a fortnight.
KS5 Pastoral Curriculum
|
Theme |
Brief overview |
|---|---|
|
Mentoring Monday |
Each learner receives regular mentoring from their form tutor. |
|
Thoughtful Tuesday |
These sessions allow for the delivery of the locally agreed KS5 Religious Education syllabus. |
|
Wellbeing Wednesday |
Learners study a range of content, approaches, and techniques that support positive health, both physically and mentally. |
|
Teacher Thursday |
Learners complete a variety of form time activities depending. |
|
Feel - Good Friday |
Opportunities for celebrations to be announced and ‘raise praise’ to occur. Learners also have the opportunity for a weekly quiz. |
