Curriculum Overview
Intent:
Students follow a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum. The curriculum enables students to:
- Develop their knowledge, skills and understanding
- Gain understanding of social, economic and political issues
- Be aware of the spiritual dimensions of life
- Develop attitudes, values and beliefs that are reasoned and acceptable within society
- Develop a willingness to learn and apply themselves to study
- Develop a sense of self-respect
- Develop independence of learning fostering the skills and attributes for lifelong learning
- Engage with local communities
- Prepare for life in Modern Britain. The Curriculum promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and those without faiths
- The school operates a one week, thirty-five period timetable with a two focused tutor time periods; which incorporates literacy, current affairs, articles, PSHE and assemblies
- Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and Science will set students based on ability whereas all other subjects are broad banded or mixed ability.
This information is shared with Parent, Carers and Students in our Key Stage 4 Options Booklet.
Curriculum Statements are available for each department as well as Careers and PSHE. We also have Key Stage 3 and 4 Learning Journeys for each subject, which can be viewed on their website page.
Teaching and Learning is at the heart of our curriculum, our school Insets are designed to incorporate this and the Teacher Effectiveness Enhancement Programme (TEEP).
By offering CNAT/VCert qualifications we are able to offer non-MFL candidates a more vocational pathway whilst maintaining the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) entries above 70%. The selection process for the vocational pathway involves parents, carers, students, staff.
Implementation:
Key Stage 3
In Years 7, 8 and 9 we aim to give all students a broad education in a wide variety of subjects:
The Core Subjects
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Religious Studies
Non-core Subjects
- Art
- Design Technology/ Food/IT
- Drama
- French or Spanish
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Physical Education
Key Stage 4
In Years 10 and 11 Students continue to maintain focus on the core subjects – English, Mathematics, Science, and Religious Studies alongside either MFL or a CNAT/VCert, History and/or Geography as well as selecting 1 other option subject:
- Art
- Computer Science
- Design Technology
- Drama
- Food & Nutrition
- Music
- PE
- A second Humanity
Impact:
The quality of teaching and learning is observed during learning walks. Assessment is organised and structured and is inclusive of moderation and standardisation of levels within departments. Learning Ladders are consistently used in Key Stage 3 assessment.
Progress reports, which incorporate grades which reflect how class teachers believe students are currently performing against their end of year/GCSE predicted grade, based on classwork, homework and any other independent learning are shared with parents and carers three times a year. Parents and carers also receive one written report per year and are invited to one parents’ evening per year. In some instances parents and carers of a Year 11 students may be invited to meet with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Standard Assessment Test (SAT) scores have been used to set targets on Fischer Family Trust (FFT) analytics for current Years 7 -10 (FFT20 is used – this is aspirational as we are an FFT50 school). For Year 11 the school has used Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) scores to set targets.
Students with SEN and/or disabilities are tracked and monitored by our SENDCo’s, Head of Departments and Head of Years. The curriculum planning cycle occurs after Pathways Presentation and submission for Year 9 this commences in January.
For further information about our Curriculum please contact adminoffice@bcs.hants.sch.uk