Nether Stowe School Curriculum Policy Sept 2016 Rationale At Nether Stowe we believe in the following guiding principles which have led us to develop our curriculum. Be broad and balanced. Enable all students to achieve their full potential. Have clear routes of progression from KS3 to KS5 and beyond. Take account of the changing framework of qualifications. Ensure students enjoy, as well as achieve. Develop life, study & employability skills through a Creative Curriculum. PE All students will have the equivalent of 2 hours of Physical Education each week. In year 11 some students will study a qualification such as Sports Leaders. Citizenship/PSHE Students will study PSHE through discrete PSHE days. There will be 6 across the academic year. During these days students will cover a range of topics including Traditional British Values, FGM, Equalities and PREVENT. Further details can be found under the Curriculum Tab on the school website. How our Curriculum prepares students for life in Moden Britain During the PSHE days we have a strong focus on ensuring students are equipped with life skills to succeed in our society. Each year students get discrete lessons around Health, Community, Personal Safety, Wellbeing, Careers and Life Skills. For further information regarding our PSHE programme please contact Miss Rose (Head of PSHE) arose@netherstowe.com KS3 At KS3 we believe that there should be a broad range of subjects so that students can experience a rich choice of subjects. In PE and Design Technology the school has an aim to keep maximum class sizes to 25. Students experience a range of subjects that support their social skill development e.g Dance (through PE) and Drama. We believe that this will help develop Personal Leaning and Thinking Skills, particularly in increasing Communication skills, Social skills, Agility, Self esteem and Teamwork. Year 7 Subject Allocations: Subject Number of Lessons Maths 6 English 6 Science 6 Policies/curriculum v4 1
PE 4 Art 2 Design and Technology 3 Drama 2 Music 2 French 6 Geography 4 History 4 IT 3 RE 2 Year 8 Subject Allocations: Subject Number of Lessons Maths 6 English 6 Science 6 PE 4 Art 2 Design and Technology 4 Drama 2 Music 2 French 5 Geography 4 History 4 IT 3 RE 2 Year 9 Subject Allocation: Subject Number of Lessons Maths 6 Policies/curriculum v4 2
English 6 Science 6 PE 4 Food 2 Product Design 2 Art 2 Drama 1 Music 2 French 5 Geography 4 History 4 IT 3 RE 3 Literacy KS3 Students who have reading and/or writing ages that are significantly below their chronological age will have additional Literacy lessons. These students will be withdrawn from a variety of Foundation subjects for this support. Once students demonstrate that they are working in line with their peers, they will return to normal lessons Numeracy- KS3 Students who have a numeracy age that is significantly below their chronological age will have additional numeracy lessons. These students will be withdrawn from a variety of Foundation subjects for this support. Once students demonstrate that they are working in line with their peers, they will return to normal lessons. The above two strategies are to ensure that all students are equipped with numeracy and literacy to succeed in KS4. Learn to Learn KS3 A small group of students in year 7 & 8 follow a Learn to Learn programme. The aim of this programme is to teach the students about time management, organisation and revision skills so they are equipped to cope with learning in their curriculum lessons. KS4 As the school is a traditional comprehensive mixed ability school, we aim to offer variety and choice to students entering KS4 in terms of type and level of qualifications. Students must study qualifications in English Language & Literature, Maths, Science (Single Science and Additional Science), and short course RE. Core and Option Subjects In addition to the core subjects, we offer a four option block structure. All students have had to study at least one of; Geography, History, French or Triple Science. This is so that students are studying the right combination of subjects for the new performance measures (progress8). There is no requirement for all Policies/curriculum v4 3
students to study French. This will mean that not all students can achieve the English Baccalaureate. However, those who the school feel it appropriate to are encouraged to study French. Alternative Curriculum Some students follow an alternative curriculum as one of their options. This is to support them further with English and Maths as well as social skills. Alternative Provision A small number of students who are risk of exclusion will be directed to the Route 16 qualification that is led by the Bridge Centre (PRU). The majority of these qualifications are level 1. Course offer in KS4: Year 10 Year 11 GCSE Art (Fine Art) GCSE English Language GCSE Drama GCSE English Literature GCSE English Language GCSE French GCSE English Literature GCSE Geography GCSE French GCSE History GCSE Geography GCSE Hospitality & Catering (Hospitality) GCSE History GCSE Food and Nutrition GCSE RE (Full Course) GCSE Resistant Materials GCSE PE GCSE Core & Additional Science GCSE Computing GCSE Further Additional Science GCSE RE (Full Course) GCSE Art (Fine Art) GCSE Core& Additional Science GCSE Business GCSE Separate Science GCSE Computing GCSE Business GCSE PE GCSE Photography BTEC Health & Social Care GCSE Resistant Materials Cambridge National ICT BTEC Health & Social Care Core PE Core PE Core RE Core RE Policies/curriculum v4 4
KS5 The school works in collaboration with four other centres which form the Lichfield District Partnership. There is an agreement since September 2010 that all timetables are aligned. In KS5 we offer two lines of learning, Traditional AS/A2 Level and Vocational Level 3 BTEC s. We offer these subjects through a five option block structure. In addition to this, all students have the opportunity to take part in sporting activities. Citizenship & RE are delivered through PSHE days. Most subject areas in the option blocks will teach nine contact lessons to students over two weeks. The school also offers an enrichment programme where students can opt to do the Extended Project, Young Engineer or Young Enterprise. Course offer in KS5: Year 12 Year 13 A2 Biology A2 Biology A2 Chemistry A2 Chemistry A2 Economics A2 Economics A2 English Literature A2 English Literature AS Further Maths A2 Further Maths A2 Geography A2 Geography A2 History A2 History AS Maths A2 Maths A2 Physics A2 Media Studies A2 Psychology A2 Physics A2 Art A2 Psychology GCSE English Language BTEC Level 3 Art & Design BTEC Level 3 Business BTEC Level 3 Engineering BTEC Level 3 Health & Social Care GCSE English Language English and Maths Re-takes KS5 Where a student fails to get a good pass (C or above) in maths, they will have discrete teaching lessons and be entered for the re-take in November and/or June. Where a student fails to get a good pass (C or above) in both English Literature and English Language, they will have discrete teaching to prepare them for the November English Language re-take. Where a student achieves a good pass (C or above) in English Literature but not English Language, the school will not fund the re-sit in English Language. In this case, students may pay to be entered for the re-take should they so wish. Policies/curriculum v4 5
Work Experience On occasions students in KS4 & KS5 will undertake period of work experience. Students who undertake this do so after discussion and negotiation for with the school. This option is not offered to all students and will be granted at the schools discretion. Policies/curriculum v4 6