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Teaching and Learning
We aim to be at the leading edge of developments in teaching and learning. The latest approaches in educational practice and ICT are being used within the classroom.
11-14 Opportunities
All students follow a broad based curriculum in Key Stage 3 which is designed to give the students a rich and varied experience of academic and applied subjects in order to prepare them for making important choices about their future learning at the end of Year 9. The new National Curriculum has been implemented into Year 7 this year. The focus of this new curriculum is to enable a greater flexibility and allow students to follow a more personalized learning experience throughout the Key Stage. An exciting addition is the introduction of three themed learning days in Year 7 where all students will follow a special series of events for the day all based on a topical theme.
14 -19 Pathways
We believe you will find teaching and learning at Key Stage Four challenging, stimulating and rewarding. The curriculum is designed not just to prepare you for the world of work but to provide you will the skills and knowledge that will equip you for life in the twenty-first century and help you to become a happy, successful and independent adult.
Key Stage Four is the beginning of the 14 to19 phase of education. There are many different qualification routes that you can begin when you are 14 and continue post-16 at a sixth form or
FE College, or through employment training schemes. These qualifications fall into four National Qualification Framework (NQF) levels. You will be given advice about which courses are most appropriate for you.
Which National Curriculum level |
Recommended Courses |
I am achieving below NC level 4 in most subjects. |
Entry Level (below GCSE level) and |
I am achieving mainly NC levels 4 or 5. |
Level One (GCSE grades D-G) and |
I am achieving NC level 6 and above in most subjects. |
Level Two (GCSE grades A*-C) and |
You should choose courses that suit your ability, interests, preferred learning style and career ambitions. Most of the courses we offer are single GCSE courses which cover Levels One and Two. As a Specialist College, we offer BTEC courses at Level One and Level Two. We also offer an NCFE course in Animation at Level 2 and a Creative and Media diploma at Level 2.
As well as the opportunity to follow courses which are more vocational or to study academic subjects in greater depth, you will continue to be encouraged to develop your personal, social and communication skills and to achieve good standards in literacy and numeracy. This is because we believe it is important for you to leave College with a broad and balanced education that will give you a good foundation for the next stage of your life.
Alison Merrills
Principal
Key Stage 4 Curriculum Pathways
In order to personalise the curriculum to better meet the differing needs of our students, the College offers 5 curriculum Pathways in Key Stage 4 which incorporate core and optional subjects.
Core Curriculum
All students will continue to study the core curriculum subjects:
English
Mathematics
Science
ICT
Students will also follow non-examination, enrichment courses in:
Physical Education
Health Education
Citizenship*
Careers Education
Religious Studies*
*(Some students may be able to take a short ‘half’ GCSE course in these subjects)
Expressive Arts
As a Specialist Arts College, we expect all students to study at least one Expressive Arts subject at Key Stage 4. Students can choose from:
Art
Animation
Dance
Drama
Music
Performing Arts
Physical Education
Creative and Media Diploma
Option Courses
Students are able to choose further subjects from the option blocks, which have been organised into the 5 pathways described below. Students will receive individual advice and guidance about which Pathway is most appropriate to them based on their ability, aptitude and interests. They should then choose courses from each of the option blocks within that Pathway.
For details of which subjects are offered in each option block please see the KS4 Pathways option blocks.
For information about progression post 16 in relation to specific qualifications visit the College website. From the home page go to ‘16+ Transition’ and look in either ‘Coursefinder’ or ‘Kudos’.
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Pathways
This pathway is for those students who wish to continue studying science at A-Level or pursue a career connected to the sciences. Students will need to be achieving at least NC level 6 in Science and NC level 5/6 in other areas. Students should consider carefully whether they can cope with the additional workload as they will have reduced learning hours in Option 3.
Core GCSEs |
Option Block 1 |
Option Block 2 |
Option Block 3 |
Option Block 4 |
English |
Expressive Arts GCSEs Level 1-2 |
Mixed GCSE s |
Humanities GCSEs Level 1-2 |
French GCSE |
Pathway 2
This pathway is for students who, along with their normal Level 2 academic courses, wish to follow a Level 2 applied learning course taught jointly with The Lancaster School. These courses are suitable for students achieving NC level 5 or 6 and above in most subjects. The applied learning courses are assessed through portfolios or end of unit assignments rather than by final exam and give the equivalent of two GCSEs.
Core GCSEs |
Option Block 1 |
Option Block 2 |
Option Block 3 |
Option Block 4 |
English |
Collaborative Courses |
Mixed GCSEs Level 1-2 |
Humanities GCSEs |
French GCSE |
Pathway 3
This pathway is appropriate for students who are achieving NC level 5 and above in most subjects but who do not wish to continue to study Science at A level. The options include a mix of GCSEs and BTEC level 2 courses. BTEC courses are assessed through portfolios and end of unit assignments rather than by final exam and are equivalent to two GCSEs.
Core GCSEs |
Option Block 1 |
Option Block 2 |
Option Block 3 |
Option Block 4 |
English |
Expressive Arts GCSEs Level 1-2 |
Mixed GCSEs |
Humanities GCSEs or Level 2 BTECs |
French GCSE |
Pathway 4
This pathway is appropriate for students who are achieving NC levels 3 and 4 in most subjects. The options include a mix of GCSEs and BTEC level 1 courses. BTEC courses are assessed through portfolios and end of unit assignments rather than by final exam.
In order to reduce exam pressure and to support students in achieving their best possible results in each subject, some students following Pathway 4 may complete only one Science GCSE in the core curriculum. Students will have additional English in Year 10 and additional maths in Year 11.
A small number of students in Pathway 4 may be offered a place on the Getting Connected course as an alternative to one of their options. Students and parents will be consulted if this course is considered appropriate to them.
Core |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
English |
Expressive Arts GCSEs Level 1-2 |
Mixed |
Level 1 BTECs |
French GCSE or Level 1 BTECs |
Pathway 5
This pathway is appropriate for students who are achieving level 3 or below in most subjects. Students following this pathway will take a reduced number of GCSE courses, including the single Core Science GCSE.
They will also follow the ASDAN vocational course and the BTEC Introductory Certificate Course in Vocational Studies (NQF level 1) which includes units from different vocational sectors relating to Art, ICT, Personal Effectiveness and basic Financial Management
Core |
Option |
Option |
Option |
English |
BTEC Vocational Studies Level 1 |
Mixed GCSEs |
ASDAN Vocational Qualification |
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How should you decide which courses to choose?
Information, Advice and Guidance.
Read the course details carefully. Ask your tutor, Year Team Leader and subject teachers for more advice about the courses and how appropriate they are for you. You will have an opportunity to discuss your options individually with a senior member of staff who will advise you which is the most appropriate Pathway for you, based on your abilities, interests and ambitions.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do think about what subjects you currently enjoy and have been successful in. What is it you like
about them?
Do be realistic about what level you are at and what level you need to move on to next.
Do think about what you hope to do in the future – will the courses you are considering help you to
achieve your ambitions?
Don’t choose a subject just because your friends have chosen it - you may not be in the same group as they are, or you may find the subject is not suitable for you.
Don’t choose, or drop a subject because of a particular teacher. There is no guarantee you will be taught by them.
Don’t choose what seems to be the easiest subject - choose subjects you think you will enjoy and that are at the level that is most appropriate for you.
Think very carefully about your first and second choices. We give as many students as possible their first choice, but we cannot guarantee this.
Please Note - courses will only run if the necessary numbers of students select them. For this reason the subjects in each option block on the Option Form may not be in the same option block on the eventual Year 10 timetable.
