Working closely with quality-assured and exam board approved resources – Twinkl, Espresso, Discovery, MyMaths and Kerboodle, to name a few – teachers are able to plan and prepare blended lessons to complement the textbooks used at different key stages to further supplement and support pupil learning.
Drop down days and PRACTICE workshops are interwoven through the curriculum embedding British Values, RSE, SMSC and PSCHE through these media and are delivered in everyday lessons, thus providing a vibrant and varied learning experience for all pupils.
KS3
Pupils study a wide curriculum which is in sync with the UK’s National curriculum and additional subjects to compliment the Islamic ethos of the school, these include:
- English
- Maths
- Science
- Arabic/Quran
- Religious studies
- French
- Geography
- Computer Science
- History
- P.E
- PSCHE
- Art & Food technology
KS4
Pupils study seven core subjects and three from the optional subject blocks under the guidance of specialist subject teachers. P.E and PSCHE, although not core subjects, are delivered through to KS4 as it is pertinent that all pupils continue to develop themselves in these areas. Pupils are guaranteed a balance between academically assessed subjects and everyday key skill and educational development.
- English Literature
- English Language
- Maths
- Science – Trilogy
- Science – Separate Sciences (Biology/Physics/Chemistry)
- Religious studies
- French
- Geography
- Computer Science
- History
- Business Studies
- Psychology P.E (no terminal assessment)
- PSCHE (no terminal assessment)
Pupils are prepared for their GCSE exams as well as the transition from KS4 to KS5 and further studies during KS4.
SMSC
The personal development of students is a fundamental part of their academic and pastoral development here. To this end, we want to develop students spiritually, morally, socially and culturally and ensure that they are treated as individuals.
We aim to deliver spiritual, moral, social and cultural education through all aspects of school life; curriculum, PSHCE, inter-faith work, extra-curricular, activities, school trips, assemblies as well as special events.
At our school we have a clear ethos that informs our expectations of one other. In keeping with this we offer positive and realistic examples and role models for pupils to follow. We provide opportunities for reflection, discussion, advice and support to enable pupils to set personal goals, SMART targets and develop self-esteem.
All departments understand the importance they play in contributing to the personal development of each pupil, and so provide opportunities for all pupils to study Religious Education and undergo Work Experience. Our Senior Leadership Team work closely to ensure the Pastoral and assembly programmes have the aims of this policy in mind and the delivery is appropriate for each key stage.
Pupils have opportunities to reflect deeply on moral or social issues relating to school life and the wider world. Pupils are offered first-hand opportunities to meet different people, visit different places and discuss different belief structures and faiths.
Assessment
Assessments are an integral way for both teachers and pupils to assess pupil understanding and progress. This is carried out through Assessment for Learning (AfL), which includes retrieval activities, as well as more formal formative and summative assessments across the year. There are Baseline assessments at the start of year 7 to help generate pupil targets.
Following on from this, pupils are assessed termly on their understanding of the topics covered during the term. End of term exams in Year 10 look not just at the termly content but the content covered that entire year in the form of mini-mock assessments. Year 11 pupils sit two rounds of Mock exams the first of which is in November, on the basis of which teachers prepare predicted grades in readiness for college applications. The second round of Mock exams take place at the end of term 2, further refining the pupil’s understanding of content and exam technique.