Author: SCR Committee: Curriculum Approved by Governors: January 2017 Review Date: January 17 Statutory Policy Review Frequency - Annual Context Birchwood High School 2017-2018 Birchwood High School is an 11-18 non-selective mixed comprehensive school in Bishops Stortford. It s intent is to: provide outstanding educational opportunities for all. The curriculum is central to the school s function and therefore the policy reflects our ethos and intent. Curriculum Drivers "If anything is certain, it is that change is certain. The world we are planning for today will not exist in this form tomorrow." - Philip (Bayard) Crosby In times of change, learners will inherit the earth, while the learned will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists - Eric Hoffer successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society Birchwood s Strategic Intent To provide outstanding educational opportunities for all To be a great school Birchwood s Mission Statement At Birchwood we are part of something special, something outstanding: Welcoming all, supporting all and encouraging all. Enjoying together the exploration of ideas, the excitement of learning and the celebration of our achievements, in a school where we feel safe. Our future matters to us. your dreams, your future, our challenge Curriculum and learning provision Page 1 of 13
The Birchwood Curriculum entitles young people to access high quality learning opportunities, relevant to their personal talents, needs and aspirations, which will enable them to realise their full potential. Curriculum design The design of the curriculum at Birchwood High School aims to meet the societal change noted in the introduction and fulfils the mission set out above. Welcoming all and supporting all with pathways designed to cater for all students. The principle of design is that of using effective data to design pathways that cater for the students on intake and at transition. The curriculum is also shaped by the local and national context during a period of sustained reform to the nature and content of qualifications Page 2 of 13
Key Stage 3 Curriculum The Year 7 intake is split on intake to recognise the differing ability in English, which has such a bearing on Achievement and Attainment throughout their school career. Those with a low SATS score in English when measured against the overall year cohort are placed into Pathway 2. The vast majority of pupils are placed on Pathway 1; the differences are outlined below. Year 7 2017-18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Pathway 1 E E E M M M S S S PE PE PE T T T T EPA EPA EPA MFL MFL MFL HI GG RS Pathway 2 E E E M M M S S S PE PE PE T T T T EPA EPA EPA MFL Lit ICT HI GG RS Cross-curricular PSHE provision. Personal Development also supported by planned learning experiences. Pathway 1 follows a core entitlement of 3 hours of English, Maths and Science. They also have 3 hours of Expressive & Performing Arts, Modern Foreign Languages and Physical Education. Humanities have 3 hours with 1 hour of History, Geography and RS. Technology has four areas in Year 7 and 2 in Year 8 to ensure balance across the Key Stage. ICT is delivered as part of this Technology teaching block.the programmes of study that they follow within this plan all reference the new National Curriculum and have schemes of work that look to aid coherence and understanding for the students. Pathway 2 have the same entitlement, the only difference is that they only have 1 hour of Modern Foreign Languages. They then have 1 hour of further English support and 1 hour of Discreet ICT, this is to support Pathway 2 with the ability to use ICT in a highly competent way, as this will aid them in greater confidence and success. Pathway 2 has the ability to move into Pathway 1. If movement occurs, they would lose the extra English period and be given support in the Personalised Learning Centre for this period. Their ICT period would remain. Year 8 2017-18 Page 3 of 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Pathway 1 E E E M M M S S S PE PE PE T T EPA EPA EPA MFL MFL MFL HI HI GG GG RS Pathway 2 E E E M M M S S S PE PE PE T T EPA EPA EPA MFL Lit ICT HI HI GG GG RS Cross-curricular ICT and PSHE provision. Personal Development also supported by planned learning experiences. Year 8 will change from 4 hours of Technology to 2. This will allow History and Geography to gain an hour to each, enabling Ebacc foundation to begin. This is a response to student choices, not a school driven expectation Key Stage 4 Curriculum Page 4 of 13
At Birchwood we operate a 3 year KS4 model to enable students to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of their chosen GCSE subjects. This is also designed to ensure that students are challenged in Year 9 to build firm foundations for their further GCSE study in Years 10 and 11. Students therefore make option choices in Year 8. A comprehensive package of advice and guidance is in place to ensure students make choices that are suitable for their future progression. As from September 2016 we will operate four pathways for students at GCSE. Pathways 1 will ensure that students with sufficient aptitude are directed towards an E Bacc suite of GCSEs. This will ensure that we have significant numbers of students following this route. Within this framework there remains an element of open choice. Pathway 2 students also have the opportunity to study for an E Bacc suite of GCSEs should they choose to do so. However, there will be a more open choice for these students according to aptitude and ability. Pathway 3 will be retained for students who require a more tailored suite of subjects at GCSE and / or BTEC level. Students will be placed on relevant pathways according to prior attainment, current rates of progression and projected future attainment. All students will study core GCSE subjects in English, Maths and Science although the exact nature of content and level of qualification will vary. All students will receive an additional core entitlement to Social Studies. This encompasses elements of RS, Citizenship and other humanities based subjects. This will be a non - examined unit although there will be an extended project qualification available as part of the curriculum. All students will also retain an entitlement to core PE. Pathway 1 This pathway is designed for students who are capable in languages and have the appropriate levels to pursue the English Baccalaureate subjects in full. Students would study for 9 or 10 GCSE level subjects. Page 5 of 13
Core Core Core Core Core Block Block Block Block Maths PE Triple or Double Social Studies History Science Geography English Language English Literature ( None Examined) ( None Examined) French Spanish German Music Music Technology Art Drama Dance French Spanish German Statistics PE History Religious Studies Psychology Geography Media OR Film Studies R.M. OR Graphics OR Textiles Food ICT BTEC Business Studies BTEC Health & Social Care BTEC (Maximum two tech to be taken) Pathway 2 Students on this pathway must choose either a language or a humanities subject. They are also free to follow the English Baccalaureate subjects in full should they wish to do so. Students would study for 9 or 10 GCSE level subjects. Page 6 of 13
Core Core Core Core Core Block Block Block Block English Language Maths PE Triple or Double Social Studies English Literature Science ( None Examined) ( None Examined) History Geography French Spanish German Music Music Technology Art Drama Dance French Statistics PE History Religious Studies Psychology Geography Media OR Film Studies R.M. OR Graphics OR Textiles Food ICT BTEC Business Studies BTEC Health & Social Care BTEC Construction BTEC (Maximum two tech to be taken) Page 7 of 13
Pathway 3 This pathway is reserved for students who may require some additional support at GCSE and are not yet at the level to follow the English Baccalaureate subjects in full. These students will also study for up to 9 GCSE subjects. Core Core Core Core Core Block Block Block Block English English Literature Maths PE ( None Examined) Double Science Social Studies ( None Examined) Music Music Technology Art Drama Dance PE History Geography Religious Studies Media OR Film Studies Resistant Materials OR Textiles OR Graphics Business Studies BTEC Health & Social Care BTEC Construction BTEC ICT BTEC Year 9 Teaching Time English Maths Science PE Social Studies Option A Option B Option C Option D 4 hours 3 hours 4 hours 3 hours 1 hour 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 Year 10 Teaching Time English Maths Science PE Social Studies Option A Option B Option C Option D 4 hours 4 hours 4.5 hours 2 hours 0.5 hour 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 Year 11 Teaching Time English Maths Science PE Social Studies Option A Option B Option C Option D 4 hours 4 hours 4.5 hours 2 hours 0.5 hour 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 Page 8 of 13
Key Stage 5 The Key Stage 5 curriculum again follows the principle of pathways accessible to different groups of students and ensures that we retain the comprehensive ethos that drives the provision at other key stages. The range of subjects offered is broad and balanced. As from September 2017 the structure and requirements of Post 16 study are changing from previous years. This is line with government reforms to A Level and BTEC qualifications. The vast majority of students will study for 3 subject choices over the course of two years. For A Level these will be linear in structure, with examinations taken at the end of the two years. Unlike in the past, AS examinations will not form part of the majority of student s pathways. This is a significant change and means that students should select very carefully the subjects they wish to pursue from the start of. With this is mind our admissions pathways are designed to ensure students are following appropriate courses based upon their previous levels of achievement. We will be retaining an Average Points Score (APS) system that measures what you achieve at GCSE. Grade Points Score Equivalence Grade English & Maths only 64 9 A* 58 8 A 52 7 B 46 6 43 5 C 40 4 D 34 3 E 28 2 F 22 1 In principle the following pathways will apply for the academic year 2017 / 2018 Page 9 of 13
Pathways Pathway 1 For admission onto Pathway 1 to study 4 A levels students should have a minimum APS of 49 and the specific subject requirement. Pathway 2 For admission onto Pathway 2 to study 3 A levels or 2 A levels & BTEC single students should have a minimum APS of 43 and the specific subject requirement. Pathway 3 For admission onto Pathway 3 to study BTEC and 1 Level 3 course (BTEC single OR A level) students should have a minimum APS of 40 and the specific subject requirement September 2017 From 2017 we move to a two year linear model for all a levels ( majority of students choosing 3 A levels; some 4 A levels) No AS examinations partway through the course except in exceptional circumstance. Enrichment and EPQ offer more becomes more robust to use alongside 3 linear A levels. Introduction of single BTECS or equivalent level 3 and a suite of 1 year AS levels for some students to study in addition to the 3 linear A levels SUBJECTS SEP 15 JUNE 16 SEP 16 JUNE 17 SEP 17 JUNE 18 SEP 18 JUNE 19 Specifications LINEAR, STAND ALONE Specifications LINEAR, STAND ALONE (Art Specifications LINEAR, STAND ALONE. Specifications English Lit English Language History LINEAR, STAND ALONE. Page 10 of 13
Biology Chemistry Physics Art Psychology (Art & Design exception to linear). Year 13 OLD A2 SAT FOR THE LAST TIME Resit available for OLD AS & Design exception to linear). New A LEVEL EXAM 2 year Linear (English & History non - linear) (Art & Design exception to linear). New A LEVEL EXAM 2 year Linear(English & History non - linear) (Art & Design exception to linear). New A LEVEL EXAM 2 year Linear (English & History non - linear) French Spanish German Geography P E Drama Music R S Old AS/A2 retained OLD AS EXAM FOR THE LAST TIME Year 13 Old A2 EXAM Resit available for OLD AS Specifications LINEAR, STAND ALONE. (MFL exception to linear) Year 13 OLD A2 SAT FOR THE LAST TIME Resit available for OLD AS Specifications LINEAR, STAND ALONE (MFL exception to linear) New A LEVEL EXAM 2 year Linear (MFL & Geog. exception to linear) Specifications LINEAR, STAND ALONE. (MFL exception to linear) New A LEVEL EXAM 2 year Linear (MFL & Geog. exception to linear Mathematics Further Maths Film Gov & Pol. Media Music Technology Old AS/A2 retained OLD AS EXAM YEAR 13 OLD A2 EXAM Resit available for OLD AS Old AS/A2 retained OLD AS EXAM FOR THE LAST TIME YEAR 13 OLD A2 EXAM Resit available for OLD AS Specifications LINEAR, STAND ALONE. Year 13 OLD A2 SAT FOR THE LAST TIME Resit available for OLD AS Specifications LINEAR, STAND ALONE. New A LEVEL EXAM 2 year, Linear ** Page 11 of 13
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Subject LEVEL Minimum Entrance Criteria Art and Design A Level B in GCSE Art or Graphics Biology A Level 2 B s in GCSE Science including Biology Chemistry A Level 2 Grade B s in GCSE Science including Chemistry Design and Technology: A Level B in GCSE in any Design and Technology subject or Art Product Design Drama and Theatre Studies A Level B in GCSE Drama OR a Grade 6 in English English Language A Level Grade 6 in GCSE English Language English Literature A Level Grade 6 in GCSE English Lit. & English Language Film Studies A Level C in GCSE Film / Media OR 5 in English (Lang. or Lit) French A Level B in GCSE French or ability to speak to equivalent level Geography A Level B in Geography OR B grade in Science German A Level B in GCSE German or ability to speak to equivalent level Government & Politics A Level B in GCSE History OR 6 in English Literature History A Level B in GCSE History OR a 6 in English Literature Mathematics A Level Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics Mathematics Further A Level Grade 8 in GCSE Mathematics Music A Level B in GCSE Music or grade 5 in an instrument/voice Physical Education A Level B in GCSE PE or B Double Science including Biology Physics A Level 2 Grade B s in GCSE Science including Physics Psychology A Level 6 in GCSE English (Lang. or Lit.) & B in GCSE Science RS: Philosophy and Ethics A Level Grade B in GCSE RS or Grade B in GCSE English Lang or Lit Spanish A Level B in GCSE Spanish or ability to speak to equivalent level Applied Science BTEC Certificate APS 40 and a C in Science Business BTEC Diploma APS 40 Financial Studies IFS Certificate APS 40 Health and Social Care BTEC Diploma APS 40 ICT BTEC Certificate APS 40 Media Studies BTEC Certificate APS 40 Music Technology BTEC Certificate APS 40 Performing Arts BTEC Certificate APS 40 Sport and Exercise BTEC Diploma APS 40 Page 13 of 13