Curriculum (2022-2023)

Picture of pupils on pathway leading from school

Introduction

The aim of the curriculum is to fulfil the school’s mission statement:

"Live to Learn (Enjoy and Achieve)"
"Learn to Live (Now and in the Future)"

It helps to prepare students to be knowledgeable, successful and fulfilled global 21st century citizens. The curriculum covers the entirety of provision in taught time and extra-curricular. It provides opportunities for students to become knowledgeable, successful and develop into fulfilled global 21st century citizens. The curriculum aims to provide a broad and balanced experience; it is a high quality education to enable all to have a deeper understanding of the different subject areas and to provide a range of personal development opportunities.

High standards of achievement are available to all students through an appropriate and relevant curriculum, that is flexible to meet the needs and aspirations of all learners. The curriculum aims to provide an ambitious, broad and balanced experience; it is a high quality education to enable all students to have a deeper understanding of a range of subject areas, be successful and develop as individuals. In addition, it provides opportunities to develop and apply a broad range of generic skills in literacy, numeracy, thinking, independent learning, employability and understanding examination techniques; it helps to prepare students to take responsibility for their own learning, now and in the future.

Background

The planning for delivery of the curriculum has been developed simultaneously to include the curriculum model, the substantive and disciplinary knowledge of the different subject areas, the use of appropriate pedagogies and the sequencing of learning over time. This will foster engagement and a willingness to learn and be challenged; it will stretch and deepen knowledge and improve retention over time.

Curriculum Philosophy

The aim of the curriculum is to fulfil the school’s mission statement:

“Live to Learn - Enjoy and Achieve"
"Learn to Live - Now and in the Future”

Maximising the success and achievement of the students at Byrchall High School is the responsibility of all staff. Each member of staff supports students to do this through clear planning and teaching, accurate and challenging personal target setting, monitoring, praising, offering additional learning opportunities and providing support. We encourage students to be resilient, responsive, passionate and reflective learners.

The Curriculum Model

There are 25 periods per week, each 60 minutes long. The Personal Development curriculum is delivered by a weekly rolling additional period across the year, and then additionally during registration periods and planned enhancement days.

The Curriculum Delivery Model for 2022-23 (Year 11 on the old model)

Curriculum

This is an ambitious curriculum for all, providing breadth and depth, developing subject knowledge and skills; it will engender interest, provide challenge and promote achievement.

Subject areas have detailed five-year overview plans, showing the learning progression across the year groups; the curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced across the school experience. Opportunities are provided for re-visiting content, deepening retention and memory, and then extending and embedding knowledge and skills.

The overview plan is supplemented with detailed Programmes of Study. These plans meet the expectations of the National Curriculum, in both specifying the content and the skills, and also provide challenging opportunities for additional depth and breadth above the National Curriculum requirements. The plans prepare students from their starting points; this enables them to explore and deepen their knowledge of the subject discipline, developing their subject specific skills and the appropriate application of them.

The Curriculum model and planning is designed to build on the learning and experiences at Key Stage 2 and ensure progression post 16. It meets the needs of individuals and allows for personalisation, while remaining broad and balanced.

Each year group has a clear focus:

Year 7 Transition

Broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, that meets all statutory requirements
Progression from Key Stage 2
Establish high expectations
Development of numeracy and literacy skills
Opportunities for additional support for improving numeracy and literacy for those in need, while retaining the breadth of the curriculum
Introduction and development of the expectations for the National Curriculum
An age appropriate, ambitious and personalised Personal Development curriculum, with opportunities and enhancements
A bespoke extra-curricular range of opportunities to meet the needs, aspirations and interests of individuals

Year 8 Development

Broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, that meets all statutory requirements
Development of numeracy and literacy skills
Opportunities for additional support for improving numeracy and literacy for those in need, while retaining the breadth of the curriculum
Development of subject specific skills, knowledge and understanding in National Curriculum subjects.
An age appropriate, ambitious and personalised Personal Development curriculum, with opportunities and enhancements
A bespoke extra-curricular range of opportunities to meet the needs, aspirations and interests of individuals

Year 9 Progression

Broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, that meets all statutory requirements
Opportunities for additional support for improving numeracy and literacy for those in need, while retaining the breadth of the curriculum
Subject skill development, and depth and breadth of knowledge designated in the National Curriculum
Subject specific key skill enhancement, increased depth and breadth of subject knowledge and understanding in advance of the National Curriculum to challenge and engage
An age appropriate, ambitious and personalised Personal Development curriculum, with opportunities and enhancements
A bespoke extra-curricular range of opportunities to meet the needs, aspirations and interests of individuals

Year 10 Achievement

Broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, that meets all statutory requirements
Consolidation and development in skills, knowledge and understanding in core curriculum as designated in the National Curriculum
Consolidation and development in skills, knowledge and understanding in optional subjects as designated in the National Curriculum
Introduction to the additional requirements of GCSES and vocational qualifications
An age appropriate, ambitious and personalised Personal Development curriculum, with opportunities and enhancements
A bespoke extra-curricular range of opportunities to meet the needs, aspirations and interests of individuals

Year 11 Enhancement

Broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, that meets all statutory requirements
Development, application, extension and support in core curriculum
Development, application, extension and support in optional subjects
Secure knowledge and skills in each subject area to prepare for the next stage of their education
An age appropriate, ambitious and personalised Personal Development curriculum, with opportunities and enhancements
A bespoke extra-curricular range of opportunities to meet the needs, aspirations and interests of individuals

Curriculum planning includes opportunities for deepening learning, developing retention strategies and enable aspiration towards excellence; it allows for breadth, depth and enrichment in subject knowledge and skills. These may include interleaving, rather than blocking of topics, or may have an approach of additional learning opportunities that supports deep learning and retention. Departments choose strategies and pedagogies that are appropriate for their subject, and aspire towards excellence for all. Integral to this is the assessment strategy, to gain insight into what students know, understand and can do; it provides insight for timely intervention and support, and to meet the vision for the ambitious curriculum for all.

Students are aware of the expectations, are able to monitor their own progress and set themselves realistic targets to achieve the ambitions of the curriculum.

Year 11 Study Support Timetable (December 2022 update)

GCSE

GCSE Art
GCSE Business Studies
GCSE Computer Science
GCSE Dance
GCSE Drama
GCSE French
GCSE Food
GCSE Geography
GCSE History
GCSE Music
GCSE Physical Education
GCSE Product Design

Upper School Options

GCSE (continued)

GCSE Spanish

Further Science:
- GCSE Biology,
- GCSE Chemistry,
- GCSE Physics

Further Maths:
- Statistics,
- Level 3 Algebra
- and Level 3 FSMQ

Vocational

Health and Social Care Certificate
Sports Science Certificate
Creative i-Media Certificate
IT Certificate
Child Development Certificate
Drama/Performing Arts
Music Technology
Enterprise and Marketing

Personal Development

Montage of pupils carrying out various activities

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) and Citizenship.

This is delivered through Personal Development Lessons (PDL), RE, Enrichment Days, assemblies, form time and integrated into subject areas.

This incorporates:

Personal values and attitudes
Personal and collective responsibility in society

Entitlement includes:

Relationships and Sex Education
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development(SMSC)
Health and drug education, including mental health and emotional well-being
Environmental issues
Careers and vocational guidance
Industrial and economic understanding
Financial Management
The role of Law
The political system
British Values
Managing risk and personal safety

The Personal Development lesson is delivered on a weekly rolling period.

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

The RSE programme is not delivered as a discrete subject on the timetable, but is included in the broader programmes of Personal Development, Science and Religious Education. Outside agencies also provide additional support when necessary. The aim is to provide correct information and hence reduce any anxieties and guilt providing an appropriate environment for discussion. Students are encouraged to have regard to moral considerations and the value of family life.

Careful consideration has been given to eliminate any discrimination in terms of:

Curriculum content
Option choices
Examination entries
Extra-curricular opportunities
School organisation

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

Impartial advice on careers education is delivered via a partnership between students, parents, school, further education colleges, training providers and external services and employers. The purpose is to:

Prepare students for transition from school to further education and then on into higher education or employment
Make appropriate career decisions
Develop a working partnership between school and the local labour market
Offer tailored advice and guidance to raise aspirations for all the young people
Prepare students for academic and vocational education

This is delivered through Personal Development Lessons, Enrichment Days, assemblies, form time, interviews with staff and independent advisers, vocational options and interview preparation days. Contact with employers and employees, from a range of industries, is encouraged. Opportunities are provided for employers to visit the school. There are also opportunities for students to visit workplaces during the five year learning programme. The Gatsby Benchmarks provide the focus for the planning of CEIAG delivery.