BLUE COAT CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL AND MUSIC COLLEGE CURRICULUM POLICY Updated: September 2014 Policy duration: 3 years Committee: Teaching & Learning
The following terms shall be interpreted as indicated below when used hereinafter within this policy: a) Trustees refers to the registered trustees of the Coventry Blue Coat Church of England School Foundation, registered charity number 511793 b) Academy trust refers to the holding body of the Academy namely, Blue Coat Church of England Academy Ltd, registered company number 7594562 c) Blue Coat School refers to the physical entity of Blue Coat Church of England School and College d) Any reference to either the school or the Academy contained within this policy is taken to refer to the appropriate given body within context Assessment of Policy s Impact The effectiveness of this policy and its impact will be assessed by the Teaching & Learning Committee who will monitor the outcomes and impact of this policy every 3 years. The evidence base for assessment will be presented as agenda items at the Teaching &Learning Committee meetings. Curriculum Vision At the current time in education innovation is encouraged and the rigidity of the National Curriculum is being challenged. As an Academy we opt into the best educational offerings for the needs of our students, providing a broad and balanced curriculum that is tailored to the needs of each individual student. We seek to federate and innovate but do so in a way that maximises the opportunities for all at the school. To this end, we employ highly skilled staff to provide support for students who require extra tuition and focused intervention strategies. We continue to work alongside Coventry LA to ensure specialist services are accessed and utilised by our students. Alongside this we develop our own staff expertise through professional development, choosing to buy into even more comprehensive packages of support from other services providers and, as necessary, are able to adapt our resources and organisation to provide full access to 21 st century facilities to those with special needs. The Curriculum aims to be: be balanced, relevant and differentiated promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of all students prepare students for the responsibilities and opportunities they will face in adult life be delivered in ways which help the students to learn provide a seamless pathway through to education at age 19 provide the opportunities for students to work at a pace best suited to their own needs 2
Curriculum Outline We have multiple curriculum pathways throughout each key stage for students to follow. In Years 7 and 8 we operate an Accelerated Reader programme for students with a reading age below their chronological age. They receive extra English tuition to help boost their comprehension and writing skills, skills that will be needed across all subject areas. Students are taught in streamed ability groups in Drama, MFL,,, and RE. Fine setting occurs according to mathematics for Maths, Science,, Technology and. Students are taught in ability sets for English from October half term of year 7. In subsequent years, there is an increasing amount of setting according to ability. This is done in order to match the learning experiences to the ability of the student so that they reach the highest possible standards of achievements. In Year 9 we have a personalised pathway for students who will benefit from studying fewer GCSEs (Non-EBACC) whilst also catering for students who are studying the EBACC subjects of English, Maths, Science, a Modern Foreign Language and a Humanity subject. Option Blocks in GCSE Block A Block B Block C Block D Enrichment - English & Maths* German French (ECDL)* Business Drama Computing Product Design Food Tech Textiles Employment & Life skills* Spanish German Business Drama Product Design Dance Health/Social Enrichment - English & Maths* Red subjects (Non-EBACC) Blue subjects (EBACC) Black subjects 6 11 GCSE pathway 10-11 GCSE pathway Both streams can opt for these subjects In Years 9-11 all students study a core curriculum of GCSEs in Sports Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, and Religious Education. This is supplemented by a PSHCE curriculum and a dedicated tutor period each day. Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural values are taught throughout each curriculum area. Targeted, assertive mentoring from a member of staff takes place throughout KS4 to help focus specific students on their academic performance, set learning targets and review their progress towards these over a given period of time. 3
In Year 11, students receive extra English, Mathematics and Science tuition from a member of teaching staff according to their need. The learning support team work closely with all departments, supporting students so that they all have access to the curriculum. The curriculum is constantly evolving and all departments are constantly reviewing what is taught and how it is taught at both key stages. In particular: the pace of lessons the most appropriate time for assessment and the methods of assessment the suitability of courses being offered During the course of the year there are enrichment days when students study different subjects in different ways (various time slots, outside speakers, trips, different groupings). In Key Stage 3 - Y7 & 8 students will study Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE)/Citizenship/Careers English Mathematics Science Modern Foreign Language - French or German Design and Technology Physical Education Religious Education In Key Stage 4 - Y9, 10 and 11 students will study as Core subjects Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE)/Citizenship/Careers English Language English Literature Mathematics Science Sports Studies Religious Education Modern Foreign Language French or German* * * (NB: * = A small group of students will not take a modern foreign language or a humanity, being offered two further subjects as outlined above in blue). 4
In addition all students have two choices from the list of optional subjects listed below. Optional subjects offered in KS4 Business Studies Computing Dance Drama Employment and Life Skills* Enrichment* Food and Nutrition Health and Social Care (European Computer Driving Licence ECDL)* Product Design Spanish (as a second foreign language) Sports Studies Textiles (NB: * = Non-GCSE subject) Personal Social and Health Education/Citizenship/Careers PSHE/Citizenship/Careers is taught during one lesson each week Y7-13. We also make extensive use of outside speakers and the variety of content and delivery make this a popular timetable slot. In addition the careers department provide specialist advice. Blue Coat has a proud tradition of providing its students with a large range of extracurricular activities. All of these activities are seen as enhancing the learning experience and providing students with opportunities not available during the school day. They are very much valued by both students and their parents, as can be seen by the large numbers attending. There are regular competitive games in athletics, cricket, football, swimming, tennis, rounders and netball. The quality of the music department has long been recognised as well as individual peripatetic tuition being available to all students. Homework Club exists for any student who requires help after school. Clubs after school gives students the chance to study additional languages. Other clubs include Chess and Drama and we also enter many local and national competitions and quizzes. As well as clubs, we believe that trips and visits are a wonderful chance for students to enhance their learning. Each year departments run day trips which are closely 5
tied into the curriculum. There is an annual Business Studies MFL trip to Germany, skiing holidays and cruises. A residential weekend of physical activity takes place in the Spring of Year 7. In KS5 students choose 4 subjects to study at AS level. They receive 10 hours of teaching for each subject per fortnight. Most students take 3 of these subjects to A2 level in Y13. They receive the same amount of teaching per subject as in Y12. 6