Curriculum Intent & Overview
Curriculum Rationale
The curriculum is central to the formation of our students, providing the foundation for academic, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Based on our core virtues of Justice & Compassion, Respect & Responsibility, Honesty & Self-Belief, Confidence & Resilience our curriculum enables our students to become fully alive, developing their God-given gifts and talents. As a Catholic school, we exist to serve the children of our local community especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. Education is the greatest tool for ensuring social justice, opening opportunities for our students and broadening their horizons. We are ambitious for our students and want the best for them. This means enabling our students to achieve a broad range of strong qualifications and engender a love of learning, giving our students the powerful knowledge and experiences that will enable them to contribute positively to society, lead happy, fulfilled lives making manifest the Glory of God which lies in every child and helping them to be the person God is calling them to be.
‘I came that you may have life in abundance.' John 10: 10
For all students to achieve their full potential, we will enrich their learning by providing quality teaching which is shaped by:
- High expectations
- Strong student teacher relationships
- A curriculum which is carefully planned to sequentially develop student’s knowledge.
- Evidence -based pedagogy
- High quality subject expertise
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum is shaped by the backgrounds of our students, designed to develop the key knowledge, skills and experiences required to be informed and thoughtful members of our community who understand and believe in our values and contribute positively to society. To do this, we must take a holistic view and consider our students' different needs. The long-term driver for success is a broad and balanced curriculum that motivates students and provides pathways to appropriate qualifications that reward students for their learning.
Our school curriculum aims to reduce barriers to learning where they exist, providing qualifications that develop powerful knowledge and skills fundamental to the wider achievement and success of students in school. Our curriculum intent is to teach students the best of all that has been thought and said to equip them with the cultural capital needed to be ready for the next stage in their learning. Our curriculum will challenge and motivate students seeking to close the gaps existing from disadvantage, enabling students to engage fully with their learning. The curriculum is planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before. Learner journeys shared with students and parents enable students to map their progression through the curriculum towards clearly defined end points. Essential knowledge is embedded into long term memory using regular recall and retention strategies and consolidation through meaningful and purposeful homework. Though a tenacious focus on quality first teaching and high expectations we will develop our students into professional learners, preparing them for their next steps in education and employment.
Our School Curriculum
All students study the following five subjects throughout key stage three and four; these are referred to as the core curriculum:
- Religious Education
- Mathematics
- English Language and Literature
- Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- Physical Education
Religious Studies: As a Catholic community, Religious Education is at the core of our school curriculum, not only is the subject very successful academically, but it also provides important moral and spiritual education which is vital to the formation of every child and adult. Religious Education develops a deeper understanding of the world in which we live, our interconnectedness as human beings and our relationship with God. At St. Michael’s, we believe Religious Education provides an understanding and perspective that is central to the long-term success of our students.
English and Maths: High levels of literacy and numeracy are crucial to future success, health, and opportunities of students whether they go straight into the world of work, apply to college or for an apprenticeship. As such, students study English Language, English Literature and Mathematics as part of the core curriculum. Developing a love of reading is central to our whole school curriculum, students are expected to have a reading book and all subjects dedicate time to reading challenging and engaging subject specific material through disciplinary reading.
Science: An understanding of science is essential to all students to help make sense of the world around them and develop real curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills. Qualifications in STEM subjects provide the skills to drive the growth in our national economy and open the doors to many exciting careers for our students. All students study all three sciences at Key Stage 3 and 4 and will study towards GCSEs in either combined science or the separate sciences.
Physical Education: Physical Education is essential to a student's health and wellbeing. All students participate in core PE but this is not an examined subject. If students would like to attain a qualification in PE then they can opt to study BTEC Sport or GCSE PE at Key Stage 4.
Key Stage Three Curriculum
In Years 7, 8 and 9 students experience a broad foundation of subjects to help identify areas of strength and love for subjects they would like to pursue at GCSE level. In addition to the core subjects, students study:
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Art |
Computing |
Design Technology |
Geography |
History |
MFL |
Music |
Furthermore, all students from Year 7 through to Year 11 follow a course of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, which is scheduled on a rolling rota. This curriculum covers a range of important subjects such as financial education, British values and Sexual and Relationships Education. All aspects of PHSEE are delivered through the perspective of the Catholic Values that underpin all areas of curriculum in St. Michael's.
The English Baccalaureate and Curriculum at Key Stage 4
The English Baccalaureate or EBacc is made up of subjects that are considered essential to many degrees and the needs of business and the UK economy. These subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Science (including Computer Science), History, Geography and a foreign modern or ancient language, and are considered enabling subjects which significantly increase the life chances of students who study them. Research shows that a student's socio-economic background impacts the subjects they choose at GCSE and that this determines their opportunities beyond school. A study by University College London’s Institute of Education shows that the EBacc provides students with greater opportunities in further education and increases the likelihood that a student will stay on in full-time education. The Sutton Trust research reveals that studying the EBacc improves a young person's performance in English and mathematics.
At St. Michael’s, we strive to ensure that our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful and to compete effectively for the best opportunities in further education and the labour market. For this reason, students with high prior attainment will be encouraged to follow the EBacc pathway and study the full English Baccalaureate at Key Stage 4, with all students studying at least one English Baccalaureate subject in addition to the core curriculum. Increasing entries to modern foreign languages is essential to increasing the number of students achieving the EBacc. The Key Stage three curriculum has been changed so that all students study either French or Spanish throughout key stage three to increase their depth of knowledge, fluency and confidence to support greater uptake of languages at key stage 4.
In addition to the core curriculum, students in Year 9 may choose to study for GCSEs at Key Stage 4 in: 3D Product Design, Art, Computer Science, French, Food Preparation & Nutrition, Graphic Design, Geography, History, Music, Spanish, and Textiles.
Level 1/2 vocational qualifications in Digital I Media, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Catering, Retail Business and Sport Studies are available for students who thrive on a more vocational approach to their learning. These qualifications have an equivalent grade structure to GCSE qualifications though a greater proportion of the grade is derived from controlled assessment. Entry-level qualifications in English and Maths are available for a small number of students as a pathway towards GCSE and alternative provision provides the opportunity for students who need to develop key skills and confidence.