WEST HATCH HIGH SCHOOL

Transcription

1 WEST HATCH HIGH SCHOOL THE BEST THAT I CAN BE Curriculum Policy Policy reviewed December 2015 Signed

2

3 Purpose and scope of the Curriculum and this policy The Governors, Head Teacher, teachers, pupils, parents and all staff with responsibility for learning at West Hatch believe that the curriculum should aim to enable all young people: to achieve the outcomes of becoming successful learners who progress and achieve, to become confident and well-adjusted individuals who lead safe and healthy lives and responsible citizens,who make a positive contribution to our school and beyond. We recognise our considerable responsibility in fulfilling our role in ensuring that every individual is offered the opportunity, challenge and encouragement to achieve these outcomes. The purpose of our curriculum policy is to define what is meant by these terms and to ensure that all of those who are responsible for the curriculum organise teaching and learning to achieve these aims and outcomes. Key principles underpinning the curriculum We believe in a curriculum which: Is broad and balanced and inspires our pupils to learn, Promotes their spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development, Promotes and develops their functional skills of literacy, numeracy and ICT as well as their personal, learning and thinking skills in preparing them to be successful in their future education and at work, Prepares pupils positively for life in modern Britain and promotes fundamental British values, Offers pupils the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in all aspects of their education across a broad range of subject areas, Develops pupils knowledge and understanding of specific subjects and the world,being enriched and influenced by the communities we live in, Recognises & celebrates their own achievements, Motivates, challenges & raises their expectations; instilling in them a positive disposition to learning and a commitment to learn, Spans from 11 to 19 years of age and offers progression at each stage. All our students, regardless of their gender, colour, creed, ability, background or disadvantage, will be given the opportunity to follow a curriculum which is broad, balanced, relevant, differentiated and coherent and which enables continuity and progression. Every student will be expected to experience success. Curriculum content The school currently follows the National Curriculum of study for Key Stage 3 and 4 which came into force in September From September 2016, in line with changes to government education policy, the new accountability measures and the needs of our pupils, the school s curriculum will be changing to a flight path curriculum, This will ensure that pupils develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes to learning required to be successful within their future academic careers and in later life. Our curriculum offers pupils the opportunity to access a wide range of subjects while maintaining a commitment to offering the opportunity to study the Baccalaureate suite of subjects. Support for those pupils with Special Educational Needs, and those for whom is an additional language, is provided through either in class support, intervention within the curriculum or a tailored curriculum offer in Year 7 and 8 that ensures pupils make rapid progress and are therefore able to follow the full range of subject choices in Key Stage 4. At Key Stage 4, all pupils are offered a wide range of options and are supported in making choices that meet their individual needs through high quality, impartial careers advice and guidance. This support continues to aid pupil s

4 transition into post 16 study where pupils are offered a wide ranging curriculum with pathways that prepare them for success in higher education and/or the workplace. Assessment at West Hatch informs the curriculum both in terms of curriculum design and support for pupils. At Key Stage 3, 4 and 5, swift and decisive intervention is put in place for all ability levels where it is identified that they are not reaching their potential. Intervention is based upon the principles of diagnosis, therapy and testing at West Hatch to ensure that intervention is focussed and impacts upon specific areas identified for improvement. Formal assessment for each Key Stage takes place 5 times per year, adapted across department areas to ensure they are fit for purpose. At Key Stage 3 and in Year 10 pupils will take a formal exam at the end of each year. In Year 11, 12 and 13 pupils complete two pre public examinations each year to prepare them for success in their public examinations. All pupils in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 study our PSEC and religious studies, philosophy and ethics curriculum through Period 5 lessons weekly. Curriculum Design Mixed ability teaching takes place at Key Stage 3 except in, mathematics, science and languages where pupils are set based on their ability levels. In Key stage 3 within the non-core subjects (see below), one class in each side of the year group is made up of our most able pupils to ensure stretch and challenge for these pupils across the curriculum. PE, technology and art are grouped differently to meet subject requirements. There is also one class in Year 7 and 8 that receives extra support in terms of and mathematics to ensure they make rapid progress in these areas. This small group are taught together, with the majority of their teaching completed by one teacher. They do not study languages to give greater time for and mathematics, as well as studying a humanities curriculum that prepares them for future study. In year 9, a small group of pupils have been grouped together to support them in and mathematics, while also focussing on aspiration and life skills. They do not receive languages as a result. In Year 7 all groups are mixed until October half term to ensure we are able to make informed decisions about groupings. Key Stage 3 curriculum Design Two halves in each year West and Hatch Core Subjects, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages. Non core History, Geography, Computing, RS, music, drama, PE, art, technology Key stage 4 In Key stage 4 the majority of pupils have access to the full curriculum offer, although there are some subjects that students can only study if the school believes they are suitable These subjects are triple science, economics and a second language. All pupils are offered the opportunity to study the Ebacc suite of subjects and guided to do so if the school feels it is a suitable curriculum for them. A number of pupils are expected to take a vocational subject within their options and a very small selection of pupils have one option withdrawn to give extra time to support their literacy and numeracy skills. Key Stage 4 curriculum Design Two halves in each year West and Hatch Core Subjects (4 hours pw), Mathematics (4 hours pw), Science (top 60 pupils offered the opportunity to study triple science)(double 6 hours pw, triple 7 hours pw). Preference subjects 2 from history, geography, languages, computer Science (preference 1-3 hours pw, preference 2 2 hours pw) The school offers all pupil the opportunity to opt for a wide range of GCSE and vocational subjects from our options list. (Vocational 3 hours pw, GCSE 2 hours pw)

5 Key Stage 5 The school utilises programmes of learning at Key Stage 5 to ensure the curriculum meets the needs of each individual. For the academic element of the programme of learning, pupils can follow a full Advanced Level curriculum, studying either 4 or 3 AS Levels depending upon ability. Some pupils integrate Advanced Level and single award Vocational subjects such as Dance. The school also offers a range of standalone Vocational qualifications as well as and mathematics resit at GCSE. A small number of pupils in the Sixth Form complete study programmes alongside work based learning programmes. All pupils can also opt to study the extended project qualification (EPQ). Advanced Level courses are currently provided with 5 hours of curriculum time. Vocational courses receive between 12 and 15 hours pw depending upon the guided learning hours and pupil numbers. The full range of qualifications available at KS5 can be seen on the following page.

6 GCSE Options BTEC ICT Art Business Studies Catering Child Development and Care BTEC Music Technology Computer Science Drama Economics (only if advised) French Resistant Materials Spanish BTEC PFA - Acting Geography Italian (only if advised) History ICT Travel and Tourism Media Studies Music Physical Education Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Post 16 Programmes of Learning Advanced Level Art and Design Biology Business Studies Computer Science Core Mathematics Chemistry Drama & Theatre Studies Economics Language Literature Language and Literature Extended Project Level 3 Film Studies French Geography German History Information Technology Law Mathematics + Further Maths Media Studies Music Physical Education Philosophy & Ethics Physics Product Design Psychology Sociology Spanish Vocational courses to take alongside Advanced Level Applied Science Music Technology Standalone Vocational Courses Dance Performing Arts ICT Travel & Tourism Level 3 Diploma Children s Care and Education (CACHE) Business Sport Performing Arts Level 2 Qualifications Level 2 Diploma Children s Care and Education (CACHE) GCSE (re sits) Maths GCSE (re sits) Nb. A full list of entry requirements for post 16 qualifications can be found on the school website with the Sixth Form Brochure or upon request from the school office.