Our Curriculum Intent
The Headteacher leads on curriculum innovation and design. This is a strategic decision to ensure that staff are effectively deployed, the site is utilised to best effect, and the curriculum remains responsive to student needs and aspirations. We are not afraid to be different and believe that our offer is better than the National Curriculum.
Our curriculum is both broad and balanced for all students, including pupils with SEND and those who are disadvantaged. It is ambitious and aspirational for all students, regardless of prior attainment, barriers to learning and socio-economic background.
We are not an exam factory and there are opportunities for students to engage in hinterland knowledge which broadens their cultural capital and prepares them for the next steps in academia, careers and life so they can be effective contributors to society.The mental health of our students is given high priority when designing the curriculum. Great emphasis is placed on children and young people being exposed to a wide variety of subjects to promote wellbeing, encourage active participation and build resilience. Our extensive extracurricular programme is intended to ‘pique the passions’ of our children and young people and is very much integral to the curriculum as a whole.
All subjects have their own carefully planned and sequenced Learning Journey which breaks down the knowledge, skills and understanding which our pupils develop from Year 7 through to Year 11. There is a clear rationale for the choices made with regard to content.
Subject areas have looked at how their content crosses over other subjects and much liaison takes place between subject teachers to ensure there is a consistent approach; an example of this might be how graphs are drawn in maths, science and geography or how equality and diversity are addressed in English, Art, History and Drama.
Teachers plan authentic opportunities to reinforce the School’s shared language both in the classroom and beyond. Kindness, decency and strong work ethic; Character and Culture Wheel (including careers, Gatsby Benchmark Mark 4; linking careers to curriculum learning) and 10 Things to Remember.
Area | Subject | Y7/8 | Y9 | Y10/11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Arts | English Language | 2 | 2 | 2 |
English Literature | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
Art (includes Architecture and Photography) | 1 | 1 | ||
History | 2 | 2 | ||
Performing Arts (includes: Music, Drama, Dance, Stage Design and Animation) | 1 | 1 | ||
French (Spanish is offered at GCSE) | 2 | 2 | ||
STEM+G | Science | 3 | 4 | 6 |
Mathematics | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
Geography | 2 | 2 | ||
IT | 1 | 1 | ||
Engineering Design | 1 | 1 | ||
Healthy Mind and Body | PE | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Sport and Exercise Science | 1 | |||
Dance (6 week block, 1 hour per week) | 1 | 1 | ||
Drama (6 week block, 1 hour per week) | ||||
Food and Nutrition (6 week block, 1 hour per week) | ||||
Healthy Lifestyle (6 week block, 1 hour per week) | ||||
Character and Culture * | Aspirations and Career Guidance | 1 | ||
Cultural Capital | 1 | 1 | ||
Health, Wellbeing and Staying Safe* | 1 | |||
Aspirations and Life Beyond School* | ||||
Diversity and Equality* | ||||
Values, Rights and Responsibilities* (including Modern British Values) | ||||
GCSE Option Subjects x 3 | 9 | |||
Total number of sessions per week | 25* | 25* | 25* | |
*The numbers of hours per subject add up to 26 periods but each week the students have 25 periods. This is because our core Character and Culture Curriculum takes place on a rolling programme throughout the year: Week 1, Monday period 1, Week 2 Monday period 2. There are three full days also dedicated to Character and Culture Curriculum, where normal timetable is collapsed. In Key Stage 3 we build further on the Cultural Capital and Aspirations experience. The Character and Culture Curriculum explores all statutory themes you would expect in a PSCHE curriculum but includes much more specific to our school and the students’ needs. It is also woven into each subject’s curriculum.
All subject areas have given deep thought and preparation into the Intent of their subject. The Curriculum journey from Year 7 to Year 11 provides an engaging academic diet which builds upon prior knowledge, but allowing students to develop their character and culture skills too. Subject areas have looked at how their content crosses over other subjects and much liaison takes place between subject teachers to ensure there is a consistent approach; an example of this might be how graphs are drawn in maths, science and geography or how equality and diversity are addressed in English, Art, History and Drama.
In Year 10 and Year 11, students study three subjects for a total of three hours each per week.
Year 10 subjects | Year 11 subjects |
|---|---|
Animal Care | Architecture |
Architecture | Art |
Art | Child Development |
Child Development | Computer Science |
Computer Science | Construction |
Construction | Engineering |
Dance | Enterprise and Marketing |
Engineering | French |
Enterprise and marketing | Geography |
Film, Production and Animation | History |
French | Hospitality and Catering |
Geography | Imedia |
History | Performing Arts |
Hospitality and Catering | Physical Education |
Imedia | Sociology |
Lighting, Sound and DJing | Spanish |
Photography | Sport |
Physical Education | Statistics |
Sociology | – |
Spanish | – |
Sport | – |
Theatre Performance | – |
Please note that we review our curriculum offer on an annual basis; consequently, the option subjects available for students may vary from year to year.
