Curriculum at Ashcroft High School 2014-15
v2
Year 7 to 9
All students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum which allows them to achieve well and maximise
their potential. All students study: English, maths, science, geography, history, religious studies (RS),
computer technology, design and technology [which includes food modules], art, dance, drama, PE and
either French or Spanish. Students also cover Personal, social, health and careers education (PSHCE) topics
in tutor group sessions. Where appropriate, a student’s curriculum may vary to facilitate intervention
work.
In year 9 work focuses more on the grounding for GCSE, although GCSE skills are taught from year 7 to 11.
In RS year 9 is the start of a three year GCSE course, for which all students are entered. Core subjects
begin GCSE work in the Summer term i.e. English, maths and science.
Year 10 and 11
All year 10 and 11 students study a core of English, maths, science, RS (to GCSE) and PE. In English students
also study either English literature GCSE or media GCSE. More able mathematicians are able to study
statistics as an additional GCSE.
In addition, students can select up to 4 options subjects from: ICT, geography, history, art GCSE, art BTec,
drama, music, travel and tourism (BTec), French, Spanish, child development, product design, construction
(BTec), hospitality and catering (double GCSE) & PE. We also access outside providers for a small number of
students who require a different curriculum.
There are also maths and English intervention groups in options time and groups to help students improve
their English. Students who speak and write another language will also take this at GCSE e.g. Polish, Urdu,
provided there is a GCSE in their language.
Students will also cover personal, social, health and careers education (PSHCE) topics in tutor group
sessions.
KS4 Pathways
We use student data to determine the most appropriate courses for students to follow. All students have
access to a mixture of academic and vocational subjects to select from. Higher ability students are strongly
advised to study a language and / or a humanities [geography / history]. Where a student speaks a
second language they will be encouraged to take this as a GCSE. Russell Group university advice is provided
for all to raise aspirations.
Options
All year 9 students receive careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) prior to selecting
their option subjects. This includes an individual interview and guidance from a variety of staff and external
advisors. The Believe in young People (BYP: web based service] provides students with ongoing access to
independent careers information. Each subject in the options presents to students and there is a careers /
options fair in year 9, where post 16 providers give individual advice and guidance on course selection for
post 16 routes.
MZA/forms/curriculum overview 2014
Vocational
We currently offer construction, travel and tourism, hospitality and catering at KS4. In addition all year 11
may take part in work experience after their exams in the summer term.
PSHCE- CEIAG
PSHCE is currently taught by a variety of methods and arrangements, both within teaching subjects and,
where appropriate, by tutors in vertical tutor groups, to further develop close student relationships.
We also have a wide programme of outside speakers and agencies coming into school to deliver PSHCE /
Wellbeing / CEIAG topics. Work related learning is via taught subjects, outside speakers, post 16 educators
and collapsed time table enrichment days where work related and team building skills are included in
activities for all year groups.
We also provide each student with their own password to access the Believe in Young People [BYP] web
based service for independent CEIAG advice for all students from years 7 to 11. By using BYP students are
able to match their interests and skills against career progression routes / subjects and receive individual
guidance. We also arrange one to one careers interviews with the local authority service, where
appropriate, and offer all students one to one interviews and guidance in years 9, 10 and 11.
Year based activities take place as appropriate e.g. options, post 16 advice. A variety of outside speakers
deliver to different year groups e.g. LAMP Drugs and Alcohol Service, post-16 providers, gang and knife
crime speakers. There is also a monthly drugs and alcohol information point where students gather
information and advice from trained staff.
Year 11 students visit a joint local school careers fair with many representatives from local industry, many
offering apprenticeships, and a wide range of post-16 providers. In year 10, 6th form taster days are
arranged for all, and students are strongly encouraged to attend a variety of post 16 open days.
Year 11 enrichment programme
In year 11 there is a 2 week full time programme of PSHCE, CEIAG, sex and relationships education (SRE),
and all have the opportunity to organise work experience if they wish to. This is timed to take place after
examinations and allows us to give a deeply enriched preparation for life and future parenting. Topics
covered include: knife crime, driving and the law, fire safety in the home, quit smoking , SRE, domestic
violence, internet grooming risks, sexual exploitation, safety at parties, drugs and alcohol safety, gang
crime, interviews, CV writing, mock interviews, networking via the internet, team building, work experience
and future parenting. In addition, a variety of careers speakers cover careers in the fire service, the Army,
facilities management, law, medicine, and apprenticeships.
Students are also encouraged to give back to the school, and may take place in a range of community
activities. Activities include supporting younger students in lessons, running feeder school PE lessons and
working in the LRC.
MZA/forms/curriculum overview 2014
Wider curriculum There is a wide range of extra- curricular activities, ranging from science and language
clubs, use of the LRC and various sports to intervention. Shakespeare festivals, plays, art club,
performances for local pensioners and musicals are amongst the arts extra –curricular programme.
Revision classes are organised after school, during the day, and in holidays / at weekends. Year 11
students have a personalised intervention timetable and there are also intervention programmes for years
7-10. Easter and Summer schools provide intervention for targeted students from year 6 to year 11.
There are trips locally, abroad and mid-distance for academic reasons as well as for rewards and
enrichment. (E.g. Poland for history, Norfolk for geography, various trips for the arts, the local airport for
travel and tourism, and rewards trips / discos. For year 11 we also have their ‘Leavers’ Prom’).
Our sports teams do very well locally, having won the town sports and several tournaments over the last
year. We even have basketball before breakfast club! Our students have gone on to represent at county,
national and Olympic levels, as well as in professional football clubs.
Augmented Curriculum
We provide individualised alternative curriculum programmes for students who struggle to cope with
traditional education. We have ‘bespoke’ arrangements in house for some individuals and utilise external
providers if appropriate.
Home Study
All students are expected to complete a variety of home study activities for a minimum of 2 hours per
evening in order to achieve their academic targets. GCSE study typically requires a minimum of 3 hours of
study per night to achieve target grades, including study time at the weekends.
Students should learn their work each night, complete any written homework or tasks, read through class
notes, read for pleasure, increase their competency in subjects through use of SAM learning and My
Maths, and use free sites such as BBC Bitesize.
The LRC is open at break, lunch time and after school until 5 p.m. to assist with studies. TA support is also
available in the LRC homework club after school. The LRC has a suite of laptops for students to use for their
studies or research.
Parental Support for home study.
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Please provide a quiet area for studying.
Help your child to devise a home study timetable on page 3 of their school planner (in pencil).
Encourage your child to complete their home study tasks, including SAM Learning, My Maths and
BBC Bitesize every night for a minimum of 2 hours.
Please also provide dictionaries, revision books, calculators and writing equipment.
If you cannot provide internet access please encourage your child to use the LRC computers after
school.
Further information will be available from curriculum booklets which are currently under review.
Mrs Hastilow
Deputy Head Teacher , Curriculum
MZA/forms/curriculum overview 2014