Curriculum

Keystage 3 Years 7 to 9

The main features of the Keystage 3 Curriculum are dictated by the National Curriculum, however the college priorities are the core subjects due to their importance across many subject areas. All three subjects have generous teaching time allocations and are taught by subject specialists; however a broad and balanced curriculum is maintained. Only one modern language is offered but this is based on the premise of one language taught successfully rather than two with partial success. The college believes a healthy body promotes a healthy mind and therefore PE is given 10% of teaching time. The college values Drama as a tool in personal development and as a subject in which students of all abilities can excel and enjoy. EQ is taught within Citizenship and L2L within Technology as a means of developing independent learners.

Subjects are clustered in some subjects with small allocations of curriculum time to avoid fragmentation in the student timetable. Hence the Citizenship circuit includes Drama, RE and Citizenship with students having 3 lessons of each subject in a circuit. Recent changes to the KS3 Curriculum have increased the time allocated to ICT.

Each half term there is a timetable collapse for a morning session (4 lessons) across the college, this is called `Stop the Clock`. Cross curricular topics such as Enterprise, Health Education, Student security, Well- being, Careers and Learning styles are addressed.

Homework is key component of student learning. In Year 7 it takes the form of weekly projects set by each department and in Years 8 and 9 each subject sets homework based round a set homework timetable. The homework timetables are displayed on the FTC web-site and are sent home with each student by letter to help parents support their children.

Subject Time Allocations Keystage 3 September 2008

The Curriculum Model is included in the appendix

Subject

Lessons (30)

Percentage of time

English

4

13.3%

Mathematics

4

13.3%

Science

4

13.3%

Technology

3

10%

PE

3

10%

French

2

6.7%

History

2(Y7 1.5)

6.7%(5%)

Geography

2(Y7 1.5)

6.7%(5%)

RE

1

3.3%

PSHE

1

3.3%

Drama

1

3.3%

I.C.T.

2(Y9 1)

6.7%(3.3%)

Music

1

3.3%

Art

2 (Y8 1)

6.7%(3.3%)

 

Keystage 4

The curriculum is divided into three distinct pathways: Vocational; Traditional and Work Related. Whilst students and parents are offered guidance on which pathways are most appropriate the final choice is left to the student and parents. These prepare students for lifelong learning, and in particular for further education post 16, work or a mixture of both work and further learning. The curriculum recognises student’s entitlements under the Curriculum 2004 directive and the statutory guidance on Work Related Learning.

Vocational Pathway (V): This includes all the college’s core subjects (English Language and Literature, Double Science, Mathematics, Technology, a Humanity, RE/PSHE/Citizenship, PE) additionally, it involves students choosing a BTEC First Diploma in Art and Design, Performing Arts or Health and Social Care. Further to these GCSE Manufacturing will also be offered using Technology and one option allocation. Additionally students can combine Core PE with an option to study BTEC First Diploma in PE Many have our students have continued on level 3 Vocational courses in post 16 education.

Traditional Pathway (T): This includes all the college’s core subjects as above but also involves students choosing two single options from a selection of traditional single GCSE options and ASDAN courses.

Work Related Pathway (W): This involves students in extended work placements and occupational opportunities with local training providers, our partner FE College or West Yorkshire Fire Brigade. Students gain a range of qualifications from NVQ Level 1 to BTEC level 2 First Certificate.

Curriculum Model at Keystage 4

This is included in the appendix. The tables below show the breakdown in lesson time.

Vocational Pathway

Subject

Lessons (30)

Percentage of time

English

4

13.3%

Mathematics

4

13.3%

Science

5

16.6%

Technology/ ICT

4

13.3%

PE

3

10%

RE/ PSHE

1

3.3%

Humanity

3

10%

Vocational Options

6

20%

Students following this pathway will have the opportunity to complete up to 13 equivalent GCSEs. (Including Adult Literacy, numeracy and key skills ICT) Additionally students will study a level 2 Health and Safety Award. It is expected the majority would complete this programme.

Traditional Pathway

Subject

Lessons (30)

Percentage of time

English

4

13.3%

Mathematics

4

13.3%

Science

5

16.6%

Technology/ ICT

4

13.3%

PE

3

10%

RE/ PSHE

1

3.3%

Humanity

3

10%

Single Option

6

20%

Students following this pathway will have the opportunity to complete GCSE in 11 subjects.(including Adult Numeracy, Literacy and ICT key skills) Additionally students will study a level 2 Health and Safety Award. It is expected the majority would complete this programme.

Work Related Level 1

Subject

Lessons (30)

Percentage of time

English

4

13.3%

Mathematics

4

13.3%

Science

3

10%

Technology/ ICT

4

13.3%

PE

2

6.6%

Cit

1

3.3%

Options

3

10%

Work placement/ NVQ course

6

20%
Humanity

3

10%

Students following this pathway will study 8 GCSE or equivalent courses plus Adult Numeracy and Literacy and ICT Key Skills level 2. The Work Based Learning will gain either NVQ Level 1 or BTEC first certificate qualifications.

Work Related Level 2

Subject

Lessons (30)

Percentage of time

English

4

13.3%

Mathematics

4

13.3%

Science

5

20%

ICT

1

3.3%

PE

3

10%

Cit

1

3.3%

Young Apperentice NVQ Level 2

12

40%

Students following this pathway will study 11 GCSE at A*-C or equivalent courses plus Adult Numeracy and Literacy and ICT Key Skills level 2. The Work Based Learning will gain either NVQ Level 2 equivalent to 5 A*-C at GCSE.

Curriculum OFFER

GCSE

BTEC

Key or Basic Skill
English Language

Art and Design

ICT level 2

Mathematics

Health and Social Care

Litracy level 1&2

Core Science

Performing Arts

Numeracy level 1&2

Vocational Science

PE

ASDAN Life Skills

Single Science

Firefighters's Course

Health and Safety Certificate level 2

Additional Science

 

 

Technology

 

 
French NVQ level 1  
English Literature Hairdressing (Dimensions training provided)  
History Childcare (Wakefield F.E. College)  
Geography Animal Care (Hemsworth centre)  
Manufacturing    
PE    
Music    
Food Technology    

• All students follow a GCSE course in English Language and the great majority also study English Literature. The department use AQA.

• All students follow the AQA modular course in Mathematics.

• Technology and Science are compulsory subjects at Featherstone, which is distinctive feature of our Technology college status. Students are able to choose between Product Design, Resistant Materials, Textiles and Food Technology. Furthermore within Technology all students will undertake a level 2 Health and Safety Certificate in Year 10 prior to works experience. Some students will choose to study GCSE Vocational Manufacturing, which in essence means they study double Technology.

• The College is committed to a broad and balanced curriculum and all students are required to study a Humanity at keystage 4 and with ‘Healthy colleges ’ concerns all students follow a PE qualification (GCSE full or half course or BTEC level 2)

• RE and some aspects of Citizenship are taught within the Humanities column. The curriculum model allocates 3 periods to the Humanity and one to RE/Citizenship/Careers however in practice the latter will be delivered one lesson per week within their Humanity class. There is Keystage 4 Citizenship co-ordinator.

• All option courses lead to GCSE or BTEC qualifications other than the ASDAN course, which is an option for traditional and work related pathway students throughout Keystage 4.

• Students who demonstrate an aptitude for ICT will also be entered for OCR Key skills level 2 ICT. Those less able will be entered for CLAIT certification. The great majority complete the level 2 course.

• All students will complete two weeks of Works Experience during summer term of Year 10. The college based Work Related learning takes place in tutorial time of Year 10 under the guidance of the Head of KS4. A full programme of Careers guidance is provided and all students have post 16 taster sessions are provided to encourage progression. Those students looking to training have apprenticeship taster sessions. Enterprise Education is provided by a wide range of events across keystage 3 and 4. These are full year group activities such as Year 8 ‘Stop the Clock, - Piece of Cake or group based such as the Enterprise Show.

• The college recognises the need to educate students in multicultural awareness. Our curriculum map indicates substantial coverage of multicultural issues in a wide range of topics from History to Art and Technology to English. Further to this the Subject Leader responsible for Multicultural Education has a programme of Special Assemblies and a Stop the Clock event.

Curriculum Banding/ Setting

KEYSTAGE 3

• Year 7 is taught in mixed ability groups until Christmas and then streamed into A, B and C bands for all subjects (except PE and Technology). The mirror group will be BB (there will be one A group two B groups and one C group). All groups will be streamed within equal gender weightings. This is to ensure balanced teaching groups and ensures boys are not penalised by their later maturity.

• The Year 7 half year groups are A and C, and, B and BB for PE, Citizenship, RE, Music, Drama, All four classes are taught Technology and Mathematics together with 5 groups.

• Year 8 is taught in A, AA, BB, C groups for all subjects (except PE and Technology). A and AA are be equivalent groups streamed within gender. BB group is a middle ability group and C group is a smaller group with specialist staff most able to meet their needs.

• The Year 8 half year groups are A and C, and AA and BB for PE, citizenship, RE, Drama and Music.

• Year 9 is timetabled in different half-year groups for Mathematics and English. Technology, Citizenship and Science have A and AA grouped together and B, BB and C together. The Subject Leaders in each area will co-ordinate the half-year groups under the guidance of the Curriculum Co-ordinator. Within these half year groups the Subject Leader is able to set students to best meet their learning needs.

• Year 9 in all other subjects will have A, AA, B, BB and C groups.

• Technology is taught in one double and one single lesson at keystage 3. (except Y9 2 lessons this year only). At Keystage 3 technology is given 2 or 3 standard teaching groups timetabled together and given an allocation of one extra technology group. Furthermore L2L and Citizenship are taught within Technology by a specialist teacher. This is intended to promote the special ethos of out Technology College.

• Citizenship/RE is taught in a circuit with 2/3 classes blocked together. Drama/Music will make a circuit. Drama will be a discrete subject in Y7 but Drama will feature some aspects of the PSHE programme in Years 8 and 9.

KEYSTAGE 4

• English and Mathematics are timetabled in the same half-year groups. In Years 10 and 11 A, AA and C groups in one band and B, BB, B3 in the other. This should allow the most experienced staff to take two groups capable of achieving ‘C’ grades and will furthermore dilute the impact of potentially disruptive students.

• All Science students studying for a double award will be timetabled together allowing maximum setting potential to the department. Those students following the Work Related pathway at level 1 study single Science for 3 lessons per week.

• Technology, PE and Humanities are timetabled together in a half year group rotation. Technology has double and single lessons whereas PE and Humanities are taught in single lessons. Students on the Work Related Pathway have one less Humanity and PE lesson. All students study Key Skills level 2 in ICT in Year 10 and all students do a full course in Technology. Further ICT is provided in the form of ECDL which is undertaken in summer term of Year 10.

Support and Withdrawal

• The college provides educational provision for PN students within Wakefield LEA and given the extreme Special Needs of many of these students some are educated entirely within the PN unit. Other students with PN needs make use of the PN unit resource but are educated within mainstream classes where this is appropriate. The college provides a Foundation Group (Green Group) to support those students unable to access mainstream provision at the outset of secondary education. Students within the Green group study Technology and PE with their year group but have other lessons in their base room with Primary/Special Needs experts. The Green Group will be available throughout Keystage 3 to those students who require this provision. Some will return to mainstream provision when ready.

• Literacy provision is integrated into the traditional curriculum however additional provision will include STEPS in Year 7 taught by a team of H.L.T.A.s during tutor time, carried forward into Year 8 for 8C and 8CC as an extra lesson co-ordinated by the college’s Literacy Co-ordinator.

• A specialist team of two teaching staff and 3 teaching assistants provide the bulk of S.E.N. support of English and Mathematics. Students work in small groups to target literacy and numeracy skills with the use of Successmaker and UFA strategies. Science lessons are similarly supported with Teaching Assistants/ S.E.N. staff focussing on basic skills and the learning needs of students. A feature of technology college status has been the extension of this teaching assistant support into Technology.

• Students with statements are supported within the mainstream curriculum by a dedicated team of teaching assistants working under the guidance their year group Learning Co-ordinator.

• The College further supports the literacy needs of targeted students using CAT data, Reading age data and Spelling age data, through mentors provided by funding from Excellence in City funding. The mentors follow literacy programme by extraction from the second half of 3 lessons per week for a 15 week programme. Students also follow the accelerated reading programme during tutor time and some students are extracted from lessons. Further to this a programme of Numeracy lessons operate for students who are relatively able but have number problems. Students who follow these programmes are placed on College Action.

• Gifted and Talented students will have their needs catered for with the sky blue club run by the G & T Coordinator. Initially these activities will focus mainly in Years 7 and 8.

• The college Aimhigher provision will focus on students identified by the Acorn postcode data and focussed on Year 9 to 11.

• The College has systematically ensured that all students in the lower quartile of the ability range have additional learning support through Going Green, Steps or Literacy/Numeracy mentoring.