Curriculum

Please note this page covers last year’s 2017/2018 academic year.  We will be updating this page shortly.

Introduction

General

Kingsdown School operates a two week timetable with 50 hours of taught lessons throughout week 1 and week 2.

We offer our students a broad, balanced and varied curriculum. Computing is delivered throughout both key stages.

Subject allocation for each year group is as follows:

We have designed a curriculum that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of students and the changing requirements of a technological society and GCSE reforms (2015). Learning Pathways allow progression at rates that are appropriate to students. There is a strong focus on the core subjects of English, Maths and Science and we consider computing skills to be essential to enable students’ access to the technological world of work and the demands of the 21st century.

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.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC)

This subject will be taught through the enrichment days that take place across the academic year. Areas addressed include: fundamental British values, 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.

SMSC 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. Citizenship is delivered as part of the Modular Enrichment Carousel Course in Year 10 and 11.

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 available 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.

Year 7 and 8 Curriculum

Throughout year 7 and 8 students will study the core subjects of Maths, English and Science alongside Humanities (Geography, History, Religious Education), Computing, PE and Dance, Music, Drama and Art. In year 7 students study French or Spanish and will continue with this language to options from year 9.

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 Computing are acquired through a combination of specialist teaching and an increasing range of experiences across other subjects.

Year 8 follows a similar format to year 7 with the introduction of Careers as a taught lesson.

Student Groupings

In year 7, students are set in Maths and Science.  Groupings for all other lessons in year 7 are mixed ability. As students move through each year group, their progress is tracked closely and setting continues in the core subjects of maths and Science.

In year 8, the format is similar to that of year 7 and the flexibility of the curriculum allows for movement of students should their progress dictate a need for it. Students make their option choices in year 8 and from year 9 will study up to 10 GCSE’s or equivalent qualifications over 3 years. The Options process is extremely thorough and students are guided at every stage through this process. Computing continues to be delivered as a discrete subject and there remains a strong focus on the core subjects of English, Maths and Science. New subjects not studied in years 7 and 8 are introduced as options from year 9 and these include:

Business Studies
• Health and Social Care
• Computer Science
• Classical Civilisation
• Practical Learning Pathway (PLP) – from year 10

The year 7 and 8 curriculum provides all students with a firm foundation on which to base GCSE success in years 9, 10 and 11.

Support and Intervention

Students who on entry to the school require support with literacy and numeracy receive additional tuition in tutor times and through a withdrawal programme co-ordinated by our interventions manager and learning support team.

Ongoing intervention is provided for students by teachers and additional support where identified is set in place.

Year 9, 10 and 11 Curriculum

In years 9, 10 and 11 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 Language and English Literature; Science (combined or triple award); Computing, PE, and a Modular Enrichment Course (MEC – Year 10/11).

A suite of optional subjects is then made available and includes those offered in years 7 and 8. Students are expected to continue to study at least one Humanities subject, (History and/or Geography) or a Modern Foreign Language or Computer Science to satisfy the EBacc requirements. Additional subjects as options are then available for students to choose which include, RE, Classical Civilisation, Business Studies, Drama, Music, PE and Health and social Care. Vocational courses are being explored as they become accredited. 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 offer for students from year 10. This course provides an opportunity to attend a more vocational college course alongside work experience, in conjunction with studies in school. The options process is open to allow maximum choice and flexibility for students.

We also deliver a Modular Enrichment Course (MEC) throughout year 10 and 11 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

If you need more information about the curriculum our school follows, you may contact us on 01793 822284.