Curriculum

 

The aim of our 11 16 curriculum is to offer a wide range of opportunities in a way which encourages your child to achieve his or her full potential. Your child can build upon these opportunities in our Sixth Form where they will be closely guided towards Higher Education or employment.

 

Organisation

During the first term the students are able to settle into their new College and to demonstrate their abilities in the different areas of the curriculum. Year 7 students take tests in their subjects during November and the results of these tests, along with the evidence of classwork and homework, may be used to confirm our placement of the students into two broad ability bands. In the Upper Band there are four classes which are split into two groups of two. In the Lower Band there is one further group of three classes.

 

Organisation
Ability banding	Groups
Upper band	Group 1 - 2 equal classes Group 2 - 2 equal classes
Lower band	Group 3 - 3 equal classes

 

The Maths department puts the children into sets upon entry to Year 7 so that they can be taught according to their ability in the subject. In English the lower band is set upon ability and the upper band is taught in classes. In Year 8 both Mathematics and English set across the whole year. No matter which band your child is in he/she will follow the same curriculum, only the pace is different. Movement of students between bands can and does happen; especially in Years 7 and 8. In Year 8 the students who have proved to be the most capable will be put into an accelerated class with an enhanced curriculum. More setting takes place in Year 8 upwards.

 

Enhanced curriculum

At the end of Year 7 the most able students are invited to join an express class which receives an enhanced curriculum. This takes place after college on one evening per fortnight across the College year. Each member of the express class must commit themselves to attend these classes on a full-time basis. Other children who are not in the express group but are on the A & T register will be invited to join in the extra classes if they wish. The express class will continue into Year 9 and invitations will be sent at the end of Year 8.

 

Curriculum in Years 7 & 8

There is a full range of subjects offered in the lower College curriculum:

• Religious Education
  
• Mathematics
  
• English
  
• French
  
• Information Technology
  
• Physical Education
  
• Music
  
• History
  
• Art
  
• Geography
  
• Science
  
• Design and Technology
  

A combined science course is used in years 7 & 8

 

Curriculum in Years 9, 10 & 11

 

At the end of Year 8 students select option subjects to be taken in addition to certain CORE subjects.

 

Compulsory subjects

 

The compulsory (core) subjects are as follows:

• Religious Studies
  
• English Language and Literature
  
• Mathematics
  
• Physical Education
  
• Science
  
• GNVQ ICT
  
• National Certificate in ICT

Option subjects

The College offers the following subjects to GCSE level and parents are given full information about option choices during Year 8.

• Art and Design
  
• Business Studies
  
• Expressive Arts
  
• French
  
• Geography
  
• History
  
• Physical Education
  
• Technology

Sixth form

The College has a Sixth Form of 135 students and this number is expected to rise over the next few years. There is a set requirement for entry into the Sixth Form – 5 A* to C including English and Maths at Grade C or above. (More information is held in the Sixth Form Prospectus). Courses are available which cover a wide range of interests and abilities.

 

GCE 'A' level and A/S subjects currently offered:

 

• General Studies
  
• Religious Studies – Philosophy and Ethics
  
• History
  
• English
  
• Geography
  
• Pure Maths and Mechanics
  
• Art
  
• Business Studies
  
• Pure Maths and Statistics
  
• Design and Technology
  
• Physics
  
• Chemistry
  
• Biology
  
• Performing Arts
  
• Physical Education
  
• French
  
• I.C.T. (Single & Double Award)
  
• Further Maths

Sixth Form students are prepared for University entrance. A one-year level 3 ASDAN cope course has recently been established. Two year GNVQ courses are currently offered in Health and Social Care. Full details of all the College's Sixth Form courses are available from Mrs Staton.

 

Sex education

 

We do not teach sex education as a separate subject but we do teach it through the work done in departments like Biology, PE and Food Technology. Our main teaching is done by the RE Department and through the Pastoral programme which teach values of self respect for others based upon the principles of our Catholic Faith. In addition Year 8 have a Sex and Relationships Day in Summer term. We believe that loving God and loving your neighbour is the basis for all education concerning relationships.

 

Physical education

Participation in PE and games lessons is compulsory. If your child has to miss an occasional lesson then a note from you explaining why will be acceptable. If, however, your child needs to miss lessons for an extended period then you should send in a medical note. If you have a problem with PE kit for a short time we would like you to give your child a note to explain this but we will expect you to replace lost PE kit as soon as possible.

 

The College has a gymnasium, Sports Hall and large playing fields which allow the students to take part in a wide variety of sporting activities. Our aim is to encourage students to take part in some form of sport and to achieve excellence in this.

During the Autumn of 2008. the department moved into a new building which gave the additional facilities of a fully equipped fitness room as well as a new classroom. New Changing room facilities are being built during the academic year 2009-2010.