Curriculum Implementation

Principles

• The curriculum is delivered 98% of the time by specialist teachers and shared resources mean that any lessons taught by non-specialists receive the maximum amount of support from the subject leader.
• The curriculum in each subject area is designed to show clear progress over 5 years accelerating student progress.  Aspects of the courses are revisited in order to help students retain key knowledge.
• There should be depth before breadth.  We aim to maximise learning time in all subjects through teaching The Preston Way.  This also gives a uniform structure to the learning for students across the school whilst at the same time providing flexibility for teachers different teaching styles.
• Formative assessment techniques built into The Preston Way ensure that learning is constantly assessed each lesson as well as the school providing regular formative assessment points throughout the year.
• Additional time was added into the timetable three years ago for English and Mathematics to ensure that students have the essential skills needed for life and to access the full curriculum.
• The addition of a dedicated lesson for reading has also been introduced for years 7-9 to help accelerate their reading skills in readiness for GCSE.
• Targeted support and additional challenge is in place to ensure all students make at least national rates of progress.
• Whole school Enterprise Days in addition to timetabled lessons help to address SMSC, PSHE, Careers and aspirations.
• Additional time is offered for sports, arts, revision and aspiration through an extended curriculum programme 

The Curriculum

We have a very broad KS3 Curriculum covering 14 subjects meeting all the national curriculum requirements. This is taught in 25 hours of contact time each week.

Year 7 - 9

The curriculum includes:

• English 
• Mathematics 
• Science
• Three Modern Foreign Languages (MFL); French, Italian and Spanish
• Humanities – History, Geography
• Performing Arts – Drama and Music
• Creative Arts – Art and Design Technology
• Computing
• Physical Education
• PSHE 
• Renaissance Reading

Four Enterprise Learning Days, when the normal lesson timetable is suspended, take place during the year.  These days allow students to learn in different ways such as off site, with external providers and a range of students.   These days cover subjects such as PSHE, RE, British Values, Study Skills, Careers, Pathways and Work-ready Skills.

An additional after-school enrichment programme includes a range of sporting activities, music (including orchestra and choir), drama, Coding Club.  There is daily support for homework in one of our IT rooms.

Year 10-11

We have a large uptake for the more academic subjects through this options process but we also allow students to broaden their curriculum experience through the arts subjects; art, DT, Music and Drama.  This curriculum is taught in 25 lessons each week, each lesson lasting 60 minutes.

All students must study the following:

• English – Literature and Language
• Mathematics
• Science – Separate Sciences or Trilogy
• Humanities and or a Language -  History or Geography, French, Spanish or Italian
• Physical Education (two hours per week) – No external examination
• PSHE – No external examination
• Renaissance Reading – In Year 9 only

Optional Subjects (at least two of the following):

• Performing Arts – Drama, Music and Dance
• Creative Arts – Art
• Design Technology
• Computing or Computer Science
• Business Studies –GCSE or BTEC
• Physical Education BTEC

Alternative Pathways to GCSE

For a very small number of students where the full complement of GCSEs is not appropriate we offer the Foundation Learning course, which complements their future pathways to college or apprenticeships.

We also provide the opportunity for students to study a range of vocational and other subjects through our links with our local FE College provider – Yeovil College.  These are courses such as:

• Screwfix Academy
• Dance
• Psychology

Enrichment

Enterprise Learning Days, when the normal lesson timetable is suspended, take place during the year.  These days allow students to learn in different ways such as off site, with external providers and a range of students.   These days’ cover subjects such as PSHE, RE, British Values, Study Skills, Careers, Pathways and Work-ready Skills.

Example programme:

	YEAR 7	YEAR 8	YEAR 9	YEAR 10	YEAR 11
29th September	Paul Stevens A Telling Tale	RE Day	Forensics	Stock Market	Nick Osborne
11th November	Shakespeare	Paul Stevens Time in a Bottle	RE Day	Nick Osborne/Mock Interviews	Strode College
4th February	Paul Stevens Virtual Reality	Dragons Den	Industry Day	RE Day/Mock Interviews	Study Day
27th April	RE Day	WW1

 

An additional after-school enrichment programme includes a range of sporting activities, music (including orchestra and choir), drama, Coding Club, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.  There is daily support for homework in one of our IT rooms.  These extra-curricular activities are another way for students to enjoy the subjects they may not be studying at GCSE but still enjoy participating in.