General

We offer our students at Key Stage 3 (KS3) and 4 (KS4) a broad, balanced and varied curriculum. We are an Academy with a Technology Specialism and ICT is delivered throughout both key stages.

We have designed a curriculum that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of students and the changing requirements of a technological society and revised subject specifications. Learning Pathways allow progression at rates that are appropriate to students and some students will complete GCSE courses in two years and others over 3 years if that is deemed appropriate to their stage of learning. Students who require additional support with their learning are provided with targeted intervention.

Students are encouraged to work independently and to develop the skills to enable them to become more active, inquisitive and resourceful learners. Interactive technologies are utilised effectively across the school. We host a number of Trips and visits and suspended timetable days throughout the school year and these provide an opportunity for students' to be involved in a wide range of activities linked to whole school topics such as Healthy Lifestyles, Citizenship, Technology, Engineering, Enterprise, Community Cohesion. Such experiences for students allow them to extend their knowledge, but more importantly to develop the wider skills and the personal qualities that are needed to play a fulfilling and important role in today's changing world.

Personal, Social, Health Education and Citizenship (PSHE&C)

This subject is taught by tutors and covers emotional and health topics such as how to deal with friendship issues, how drugs and alcohol affect people and how to recognise emotions. Citizenship supports the work covered in other curriculum areas on the role of a good citizen, active participation in society and the role and structure of government.

PHSE & C complements the academic development of students and allows them to develop into mature and confident young members of society, able to make informed decisions and choices. The programme is developed over both key stages.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Students have available to them a wide range of lunch time and after school activities and they are encouraged to take part in as many as they are able to. Activities are publicised through the daily bulletin that is read to students, through weekly assemblies, the website and intranet and via the numerous notice boards linked to Year groups, Houses and Tutor groups. The school is rightly proud of the success that we have in sporting and music activities that continue to be popular and we offer and adapt our extra -curricular offer to meet the needs and interests of our students.

Our Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Throughout KS3 students will study the core subjects of Maths, English and Science alongside Humanities (Geography, History, RE), ICT, PE, Music, Drama and Art. In year 7 students study French, German and Spanish and as they move through into year 8, their language choice is narrowed and they are guided by the professional judgement of the Modern Foreign Languages staff.

With the support of their teachers, year 7 students quickly develop a range of important study skills and they will begin to create a Student Learning Profile (SLP) to help them with their learning. In year 7 students will be guided through a 21st Century skills programme that will equip them with the essential personal learning and thinking skills. The programme will enable students to be :

• effective participators in their learning
• creative in their thinking
• good team players
• independent enquirers
• self managers

Skills in Information Communication Technology are acquired through a combination of specialist teaching and an increasing range of experiences across their other subjects.

Student Groupings

In years 7 and 8, students are taught the majority of their subjects in mixed ability groups. Setting takes place in Maths and Science and the flexibility of the curriculum allows for movement of students should their progress dictate a need for it. As students move through the key stage, their progress is tracked closely and setting continues in the core subjects. Students follow a Careers programme in year 8.

In year 9 the subject offer will narrow in DT, Performing Arts, Humanities as students are guided and begin the preparation for their KS4 options. The Options process is extremely thorough and students are guided at every stage through this process. ICT continues to be delivered as a discrete subject and their remains a strong focus on the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.

Options timeline and process for Year 9 cohort from September 2012 will be provided in due course.

The Key Stage 3 curriculum provides all students with a firm foundation on which to base GCSE success in years 9, 10 and 11.

Our Key Stage 4 Curriculum

At Key Stage 4 we aim to keep open the maximum range of learning opportunities whilst at the same time offering some choice and specialisation. All students follow GCSE courses in: Maths; English; Science (single, double or triple award); ICT, PE. and a Modular Enrichment Course (MEC – Year 10) and Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (COPE – Year 11).

A suite of optional subjects is then made available and includes those offered at KS3 and additional subjects such as Business Studies. We have developed learning pathways that allow students of all abilities to follow courses at levels appropriate to their learning needs and these include GCSE's, BTec's, Vocational courses and Foundation Learning.. A Practical Learning Pathway (PLP) is also an option for students. This course provides an opportunity to attend a more vocational college course alongside work experience, in conjunction with studies in school.

We also deliver a Modular Enrichment Course (MEC) throughout year 10 which provides students with wider learning experiences in the following areas :

• Careers Education
• Local Belief
• Working Together (Sex and Relationships Education)
• Citizenship
• Personal Finance
• Ignition – Road Safety

In year 11 students will be guided to achieve a certificate of Personal effectiveness which accredits much of the extra- curricular and non examined skills and interests that students are already involved in.

Mrs M Drayton
Deputy Headteacher (Curriculum)