Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8)
- All subjects promote a knowledge approach to the curriculum. The knowledge students are expected to know is specified in all subjects. This knowledge forms the foundations for curriculum planning including the schemes of work, the knowledge organisers, homework and assessments.
- We do not explicitly teach 21st century thinking skills (creativity, collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking and communication). Every student naturally develops these skills within the school environment. Furthermore, these skills can only be applied to 21st century problems if children have a broad base of academic knowledge.
- The National curriculum content is carefully tracked to ensure that pupils have covered all the necessary content by the end of Year 8.
- We will not cover GCSE material, or use GCSE style assessment, in Years 7 or 8 as we believe this reduces the quality of the provision.
- A knowledge-based approach to the curriculum is accessible for all learners and therefore we do not expect to see differentiated tasks or objectives in lessons. Instead we keep scaffolding in place for longer whilst maintaining our high standards so that the students can master the essential elements of the curriculum.
- We firmly believe that improving students’ reading, building their vocabulary and their knowledge of language is a prerequisite of success. If students cannot read to a minimum of their chronological age then they are not able to access the curriculum in its entirety. Literacy is a focus across the curriculum through being promoted in all subjects as well as explicitly during reading lessons and tutorials.
- Students are taught in form groups for the majority of their subjects: computer science, art, music, geography, history, RE, reading lessons and PSHE. Form groups are mixed ability.
- English, mathematics, science, modern foreign languages and technology set their classes at Key Stage 3.
- PE is taught in single-sex groups.
- The PSHE programme and collective worship tutorials are designed to develop students’ social, moral and cultural development as well as understanding British values and culture.
- Students’ spiritual development is delivered through RE, PSHE and collective worship tutorials.
- The extra-curricular programme enriches students learning, opening opportunities to experiences that broaden students’ horizons.
- At Key Stage 3 we do not narrow the curriculum. We expect students to learn arts and technology based subjects alongside the core curriculum offer. The timetable for Key Stage 3 is based on a two-week cycle and comprises of a 25 period week with 5 periods per day (3 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon). Each period lasts one hour. Lessons are scheduled as one hour sessions and are taught as mix of double or single periods where appropriate for the subject.
Subject |
Y7 |
Y8 |
Art |
2 |
2 |
Computing |
2 |
2 |
Design & Technology |
3 |
3 |
English |
7 |
7 |
Geography |
4 |
4 |
History |
4 |
4 |
Mathematics |
7 |
7 |
MFL |
6 |
6 |
Music |
2 |
2 |
PE |
3 |
3 |
PSHE |
1 |
1 |
RE |
2 |
2 |
Reading |
1 |
1 |
Science |
6 |
6 |
Key stage 4 options
Year 8 students complete their Key Stage 3 courses and express a preference about which Key Stage 4 courses they will study in Years 9, 10 and 11.
In Year 8, pupils choose 4 subjects to study in depth in Year 9. This is a deliberate action to enable pupils to learn the depth of their subject they will go on to study at GCSE. The curriculum model allows students to choose 4 subjects in addition to the core Maths, English, Science, PE and PSHRE lessons. These transition courses are not externally examined but lay the foundations for KS4. Students begin their GCSEs in Year 10 and are examined during Year 11. In year 9, pupils are able to move between subjects within option blocks thereby ensuring that they are satisfied with their option choices at the start of their GCSE courses.
Students consider which subjects they would like to study based on their preferred way of learning, interests, ability and future aspirations. Students and parents/carers are given clear information, advice and guidance throughout the options process.
Year 9 Transition
Year 9 is considered to be a transition year as students do not begin their GCSE courses until Year 10. At King Charles I School our curriculum is ambitious and challenging for all students. Our Year 9 curriculum is designed so that the students will study additional knowledge and skills that widens their breadth of subject knowledge, extending beyond the domain of the exam specification. The Year 9 transition year provides every one of our students with the necessary time and teaching needed to fully embed their knowledge and skills and ensure that they are ready and equipped to meet the demands of their chosen GCSE courses. To enable each subject to offer such a deep curriculum, students choose four option subjects to complement their core curriculum. The transition year offers further flexibility during Year 9 for students to change courses. This ensures they are following their chosen curriculum pathway for their GCSE subjects in Years 10 and 11. Year 9 students continue to have access to extra-curriculum clubs and opportunities in the subjects they are no longer studying.
For further information about the curriculum in Year 9 for the different subjects, please click on the ‘subjects’ link in the menu on the left hand side of the page.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)
- At Key Stage 4 all our students study the core academic subjects at GCSE: English, English Literature, mathematics, sciences (combined or separate awards), history or geography and a modern foreign language. Achieving good passes in these subjects keep students’ options open, and allow them to enter the widest ranges of careers and university courses.
- At Key Stage 4 students study a minimum of 9 subjects: the core academic subjects, and two option subjects. This is both academically challenging as well as offering a wide breadth of study.
- Although Key Stage 4 begins in Year 9 the curriculum is focussed around the components required to be successful as well as offering deeper, wider reaching complimentary content that supports the students when they begin their GCSE courses in Year 10.
- No subject at Key Stage 4 is constrained by the examination specification. Each subjects’ curriculum offers a deeper approach to the subject, offering a wide range of content that we deem is important for life-long learning. Appropriate time is given to these subjects to allow for the full delivery of the syllabi and wider subject content to all students.
- All subjects continue to promote a knowledge approach to the curriculum. The knowledge students are expected to know is specified in all subjects. This knowledge forms the foundations for curriculum planning including the schemes of work, the knowledge organisers, homework and assessments. In Key Stage 4 students develop how to apply their knowledge with more extended writing or problem solving tasks.
- Students are well supported through the option process to ensure they are on pathways that allow the greatest chance of academic success. We design the option blocks so that there is maximum flexibility of choice.
- Students are appropriately guided to whether they study combined science or separate science. Both science pathways are delivered within the allocated core lesson time.
- Students are only set in ability groups in the following subjects: mathematics, English and science. For all other subjects students will be in mixed ability groups.
- Physical education (PE) and personal, social, health and religious education (PSHRE) teaching continue to promote students health and wellbeing.
- PSHRE teaching and collective worship tutorials continue to promote students’ social, moral and cultural development.
- Students’ spiritual development and understanding of British values and culture is delivered through PSHRE and collective worship tutorials.
- The extra-curricular programme continues to enrich students learning, opening opportunities to experiences that broaden students’ horizons. The programme also includes GCSE support and exam preparation after term 1 in Year 11.
- The 3-year KS4 is to support students’ academic success on a very challenging pathway whilst maintaining a breadth of study. Students still have choice on which language and humanity they wish to take along with two additional subject choices. This gives the students opportunity to specialise in the subjects that are of most interest to them. The timetable for Key Stage 4 is based on a two-week cycle and comprises of a 25 period week with 5 periods per day (3 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon). Lessons are scheduled as one hour sessions and are taught as mix of double or single periods where appropriate for the subject.
Subject |
Y9 |
Y10 |
Y11 |
English |
8 |
8 |
8 |
Mathematics |
8 |
8 |
8 |
Science |
8 |
9 |
9 |
French or German |
5 |
5 |
5 |
History or Geography |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Option 3 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Option 4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
PE (Core) |
5 |
3 |
3 |
PSHRE |
1 |
2 |
2 |
The full list of GCSE subjects available to the students are listed below:
GCSE |
Vocational |
Non-examined |
Art & Design Biology Chemistry Computing D&T – Product Design D&T – Textiles English Language English Literature French Geography German History Mathematics Music Physical Education Physics Religious Education Science (Combined Award) |
Business Studies Catering Performing Arts Health and Social Care ICT Performing Arts - Dance Sports Studies
|
PSHRE PE |
In addition to the core subjects there will be opportunities to learn and put into practice the knowledge and skills related to work related learning and enterprise. These will take place across the curriculum within different subjects and activities. They provide students with an experience of working life and help them learn about working practices, the work environment and developing skills for working life. As a school we feel work experience is an essential aspect of students’ development and aim to support them in an ever increasing competitive world of work. We strongly support and encourage our students to broaden horizons and pursue their dreams. Consequently, all Year 10 students have a week of work experience during the summer term.
The government has made changes to the raising of the participation age (RPA) which has now increased to 18. This means that students will be expected to remain in some form of education (school, college or apprenticeship) to age 18. This makes the need to achieve their potential in all their subjects including English and mathematics at Key Stage 4 even more vital
Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13)
- At Key Stage 5 we have a wide curriculum offer enabling students the opportunity to continue to study in subjects of interest to them. We design the option blocks so that there is maximum flexibility of choice, including opportunity to study courses at Haybridge High School.
- At Key Stage 5 students are offered information, advice and guidance for their option choices but will not be segregated into curriculum pathways.
- The curriculum continues to be taught by promoting the mastery of knowledge through interleaving and regular formative assessment. At Key Stage 5 teaching also focusses on the development and mastery of applying knowledge to a broad range of contexts.
- All courses at Key Stage 5 are challenging and rigorous following, and extending on, the awarding bodies specifications.
- Students are offered high quality enrichment that is designed to prepare students for future pathways, broaden their horizons and enhance their academic programme of study.
- Students social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is promoted through the 6th form enrichment programme.
- Students will sit terminal exams at the end of Year 13. Students will not be entered in Year 12 on AS courses.
- Study programmes require students that do not have a GCSE 9-4 in English and/or maths to work towards the achievement of these qualifications.
- Programmes also include work experience and other non-qualification activity to develop students’ personal skills and prepare them for employment, training or higher/further education.
The timetable for Key Stage 5 is based on a two-week cycle and comprises of a 25 period week with 5 periods per day (3 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon). Courses are allocated 10 hours a fortnight. Lessons are scheduled as one hour sessions and are taught as mix of single, double or triple periods where appropriate for the subject.
We currently offer a wide range of courses in collaboration with other local schools. The courses we offer are listed below:
Other
Enrichment
Alongside the academic curriculum, we really value the development of the whole person and offer great opportunities to broaden students’ social skills and confidence.
Personal Development
The personal development curriculum incorporates PSHRE (personal, social, health and religious education), sex and relationship, drugs education, religious education and citizenship education. It is taught through discrete curriculum provision in Years 7 to 11 and PSHRE focus opportunities throughout the academic year.
Religious Education
Religious Education is taught in accordance with the Worcestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. All our students are encouraged to participate in lessons, although individuals may be withdrawn. Any parent/carer wishing to withdraw their child is asked to make an appointment with Jamie Butler (Deputy Headteacher) to discuss the matter.
Sex and Relationship & Drugs Education
We aim to provide students with accurate information, to help them clarify their own values and attitudes, to help them practice skills in communication and decision making, and to recognise the value of family life and parenthood. In accordance with the Sex Education Act parents/carers have the right to withdraw their son/daughter from non-statutory aspects of sex education. Any parent/carer wishing to withdraw their child is asked to make an appointment with Jamie Butler (Deputy Headteacher) to discuss the matter.