An All-through Co-operative School. Preston Manor Curriculum Policy (Upper School)

Transcription

1 An All-through Co-operative School Preston Manor Curriculum Policy (Upper School) Revised June

2 Date Adopted / Reviewed Version Author Approved by Curriculum and Learners Welfare Committee Approved by Full Governing Body Review Date placed on RC & FGB Agenda. Sept 2014 Revised June 2015 RYW 2

3 Preston Manor School Curriculum Policy (Upper School) Introduction Preston Manor School aims to provide an education of the highest quality for all its students. The curriculum is broad and balanced and meets all the statutory requirements. A rich learning experience is offered through the curriculum that develops literacy, numeracy, information and communications technologies skills as well as a range of other skills to support the students in their future lives. Our curriculum is organised so that all students are able to access learning opportunities that foster Preston Manor as a learning community that enhances the quality of students lives, their expectations and their aspirations both now and in the future. Student Entitlement Preston Manor School recognises that every student is entitled to a curriculum that is characterised by breadth, balance, coherence, relevance, differentiation and progression. Underpinning the curriculum is the belief that every child should have a curriculum that is personalised to their needs which helps them to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to adult life, employment and leisure in a fast changing world. We believe that students are entitled to a curriculum that: Meets the requirements of the National Curriculum and the needs of the students; Promotes spiritual, moral, cultural, social and physical development; Promotes the development of Literacy and Numeracy skills; Is rigorous, creative and engaging; Motivates, challenges and raises aspirations; Recognises and celebrates achievement; Helps to develop lively, enquiring minds and the ability to question, to argue rationally, to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills, promotes independent learning and encourages lifelong learning; Promotes the maximum possible development of individual talents and potential within a caring community; Promotes equal opportunities for all, to counter racism, sexism and all other forms of discrimination whenever they occur; Is enriched by and influenced by the communities in which we live and by the wider community and which encourages respect for religious and moral values and other races, religions and ways of life; Provides additional opportunities and activities outside of the main school day to enrich the educational experience. Curriculum Organisation - Key Stage 3 Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is broad and balanced, and fully meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. Our timetable is based on a one week cycle of twenty five 1 hour lessons. All KS3 students study the subjects outlined in the plan below. 3

4 Year 7 Subjects (Periods/ Hours per week) Year 8 Subjects (Periods/ Hours per week) Year 9 Subjects (Periods/ Hours per week) English (3 + 1 Literacy) English (3 +1 Literacy) English (3) Mathematics (4) Mathematics (4) Mathematics (4) Science (3) Science (3) Science (3) Art and Design (1) Art and Design (1) Music, Art, Drama, Food Technology, Resistant Materials, Business and Enterprise, Computing (4)*. Design Technology (1 carousel) Design Technology (1 carousel) Drama (1) Drama (1) Geography (2) Geography (2) Geography (2) History (2) History (2) History (2) Computing/ ICT (1) Computing/ ICT (1) Computing/ ICT (1) Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish, French or German) (3) Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish, French or German) (3) Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish, French or German) (3) Music (1) Music (1) Physical Education/ Games (2) Physical Education/ Games (2) Physical Education/ Games (2) PSHEE/ Citizenship (1 rolling) PSHEE/ Citizenship (1 rolling) PSHEE/ Citizenship (1 rolling) Religious Education (1) Religious Education (1) Religious Education (1) Teaching groups are set according to ability in Maths from the beginning of Year 7, while English and Science have mixed ability classes in Years 7 and 8 and band by ability from Year 9. All other subjects teach in mixed ability groups throughout Key Stage 3, and a small number of students receive extra support instead of taking a Modern Foreign Language. Design and Technology and Food Science are taught on a carousel basis with Modern Foreign Languages in Years 7 and 8. *Students will select two of these subjects to study for four hours each. PSHEE is delivered for one hour every week in form groups, but on a rolling basis where it does not occupy a permanent slot on the timetable. Curriculum Organisation - Key Stage 4 Our Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) curriculum is characterised by an increasing element of choice for 4

5 students. 48% of curriculum time is for studying courses that students have chosen. During Year 9, every student is supported to choose and follow courses most appropriate to them for their Year 10 and 11 studies. Students are carefully prepared for making their choices with appropriate advice and guidance. Years 10 and 11 Allocation of time Subject Periods/ Hours Per Week English 4 Mathematics 4 Science 5 Physical Education/ Games 1 or 2 PSHEE/ Citizenship 1 (rolling) Option subjects x or 3 x 4 Total 25 Curriculum Organisation- Key Stage 5 Our Key Stage 5 curriculum (at post-16) is one that offers three pathways to success for students with different abilities and skills. At the transition from key stage 4 to key stage 5 all students are provided with information and guidance and advised on their choice of pathway, the subjects that match their ability and their career or higher education ambition. Students follow one of three pathways: Green Pathway: A Level Programme (Advanced Level Courses) (Year 12 AS Level / Year 13 A2 Level) A Levels are academic courses that provide students with the necessary requirements for entrance to all University courses including Oxford and Cambridge as well as Medicine. Students can progress to Higher Education degree or diploma level 4 courses at university or other colleges or gain employment. A Levels are examined in two steps. After successful completion of Year 12, students receive AS qualifications and will be able to study their subjects further at A2 in Year 13. The standard course for students in Year 12 is four AS subjects. In Year 13 all students are expected to continue with three subjects. Purple Pathway: Applied A Level /BTEC - Level 3 Programme A Levels in Applied subjects / BTEC Level 3 provide students with the opportunity to achieve academic success and apply their knowledge in a practical way, often referred to as a vocational route. Courses are mainly assessed by coursework and an exciting and valuable aspect is their links to industry. These courses study various aspects of their subject focusing on the vocational elements. Students would be expected to select the equivalent of three subjects. Those with higher than the minimum entry requirements may be able to combine their Applied A Levels / BTEC Level 3 with one or two other AS subjects. Blue Pathway: BTEC First Level 2 Programme- (Year 12 Only One Year Course) - BTEC 5

6 Firsts in Health and Social Care This one-year course, equivalent to three GCSEs, is completed over the year, in addition to re-taking GCSE Mathematics and English (where students have not already achieved a C grade in these subjects). At the end of the course students with the required grades can continue their studies to Advanced Level, another Level 3 course at another institution or enter work based training. KS5 CURRICULUM OFFER The Key Stage 5 curriculum is characterised by breadth, quality and progression opportunities that set our students on the correct path to Higher Education, Further Education or employment as young adults. Subjects and Course Level (Periods/ Hours per week) A LEVEL COURSES GREEN PATHWAY Art and Design (5 hours per week) Government & Politics (5 hours per week) Business Studies (5 hours per week) Graphics (5 hours per week) Biology (5 hours per week) History (5 hours per week) Chemistry (5 hours per week) Computing (5 hours per week) Information and Communication Technology (5 hours per week) Mathematics (5 hours per week) Drama & Theatre Studies (5 hours per week) Media Studies (5 hours per week) Economics (5 hours per week) Modern Foreign Languages (5 hours per week) English Literature (5 hours per week) Music (5 hours per week) Further Mathematics (5 hours per week) Physics (5 hours per week) Geography (5 hours per week) Psychology (5 hours per week) Religious Studies (5 hours per week) Applied A Level /BTEC - Level 3 Programme PURPLE PATHWAY: 6

7 Applied A Level Business Single (5 hours per week) Applied A Level ICT (5 hours per week) Applied A Level Science (5 hours per week) BTEC Sport Level 3 (5 hours per week) ONE YEAR LEVEL 2 COURSE BLUE PATHWAY Btec Firsts Health and Social Care (12 hours per week) Resit English Language (4 hours per week) Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (4 hours per week) Resit Mathematics (4 hours per week) Extra Curricular A wide range of extra-curricular activities are available that both extend and enrich the curriculum and enable all students to play a full and active role in the life of the school. In addition, Activities and Sports Days, Music events, School Productions and other performing arts events enable all students to participate in a wide range of activities beyond the school and community. Work Experience In Year 10, students undertake at least 5 days of work experience. There are also Sixth Form work experience opportunities. Tutor Time Tutor time takes place for all students on a daily basis. Each year group follows a set programme that includes the following: Year Group Assembly The teaching of PSHEE/ Citizenship. Tutors follow a programme of study for their year group that meets the statutory requirements. Academic Review and Monitoring Days Curriculum Access and Delivery All students have equality of access to the curriculum. Appropriate progression is available for all students from their particular Key Stage, course or pathway including progression to further education, higher education, training or employment. Differentiation, enrichment and support are available for all students to ensure that the learning needs of all students are met. Appropriate assessment, reporting and recording arrangements are designed to support the progress of all students. Curriculum Monitoring and Evaluation The curriculum is evaluated annually to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of students. The standards reached by all students are also monitored so that priorities for further development can be agreed. The success of the curriculum will be monitored and evaluated against a range of measures including: Government performance measures; Ks4 and 5 examination results and analysis; Progress data at KS3; Benchmarking against national standards; Appraisal Objectives; Annual timetable and curriculum review; Comparison with local and national priorities at Key Stages 4 and 5; 7

8 Evaluation from external agencies; LA Advisor feedback; Governor feedback; OFSTED reports; Lesson Observations; Work sampling and student interviews; Parental feedback. Student recruitment and retention at Key Stage 5. CURRICULUM GROUPING ARRANGEMENTS ( ) KEY STAGE 3 Subject Blocking Ability Grouping English Taught in tutor groups in year 7 with half year blocking to enable LNC withdrawal. Mixed ability Literacy Half year blocked in year 8 and 9 Half year blocked in years 8 and 9 Maths Taught in half year blocks Setted Science Taught in tutor group years 7-8 Half year blocks year 9 Core PE Three blocks in years 7-9. Ran as a carousel to incorporate dance Mixed ability teaching groups with setted ½ term take out groups in years 8. Banding by ability in Y9. Mixed ability teaching groups with setted ½ term take out groups in years 7 and 8 Mixed ability Banded with 2 top sets in each half year block Mixed ability gender groups. Dance Taught as part of the PE Mixed ability carousel PSHEE Taught in tutor groups Mixed ability MfL 3 blocks in year 7 and 8 Mixed ability tutor groups (disapplication for small number of SEN students) History Taught in tutor groups Mixed ability Geography Taught in tutor groups Mixed ability RE Taught in tutor groups Mixed ability IT Taught in tutor groups Mixed ability Art Taught in tutor groups Mixed ability Music Taught in tutor groups Mixed ability 8

9 Drama Taught in tutor groups Mixed ability DT/Food Science Taught as part of the MfL carousel in years 7&8 and life skills carousel in year 9 Mixed ability LNC Half year blocked in year 7 only with classes to run against English, Maths and Literacy Students identified as requiring intensive literacy and numeracy support in year 7 CURRICULUM GROUPING ARRANGEMENTS ( ) KEY STAGE 4 Subject Blocking Ability Grouping English Half year blocked in years 10 & 11 Banded teaching groups with 2 lower ability groups and a top set in each half year block Maths Science Half year blocked in years 10 and 11 Half years blocked in years 10 and 11 Setted Grouped according to course - Separate Sciences (Higher), Dual additional (Middle), Dual applied or BTEC Lower)] Core PE Half year blocked Mixed ability gender groups with one mixed group MfL Taught in option blocks Setted History Taught in option blocks Mixed ability (Students require minimum of 4b in English and subject) Geography Taught in option blocks Mixed ability (Students require minimum of 4b in English and subject) RE Taught in option blocks Mixed ability (Students require minimum of 4b in English and subject) Sociology Taught in option blocks Mixed ability (Students require minimum of 4b in English and subject) Media Taught in option blocks Mixed ability (Students 9

10 require minimum of 4b in English and subject) IT Taught in option blocks Grouped according to course/learning programme Programme D Computing/ ICT GCSE Programme C ICT GCSE & BTEC Programme A & B ICT Entry Level Business Taught in option blocks Grouped according to course/learning programme Programme D Business GCSE Programme C Business GCSE & NCFE Programme A & B Business NCFE Art Taught in option blocks Mixed ability Graphics Taught in option blocks Mixed Ability Music Taught in option blocks Mixed ability Drama Taught in option blocks Mixed ability Catering Taught in option blocks Mixed ability Performing Arts Taught in option blocks Mixed Ability 10