Our Curriculum
We believe that it is important for students to follow a broad and balanced curriculum throughout their school lives, particularly up to the age of 16. The idea is certainly reflected in the National Curriculum, and will be increasingly relevant in a constantly changing scene for employment and further education.
Years 7, 8 & 9
Our curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9 (the first three years at Ousedale) for all students is as follows:-
| YEAR 7 | YEAR 8 | YEAR 9 | ||||
| Hours per week | Type of Group | Hours per week | Type of Group | Hours per week | Type of group | |
| English | 3 | M | 3 | M | 3 | S |
| Maths | 3 | S | 3 | S | 3 | S |
| Science | 3 | S | 3 | S | 4 | S |
| Technology | 2 | M | 2 | M | 2 | M |
| Information Communications Technology | 1 | M | 1 | M | 1 | M |
| Art | 1 | M | 1 | M | 1 | M |
| Drama | 1 | M | 1 | M | 1 | M |
| Music | 1 | M | 1 | M | 1 | M |
| Modern Foreign Languages** | 2 | M | 2 or 3 | S | 3 | S |
| Geography | 1 | M | 2 | M | 1 | M |
| History | 2 | M | 1 | M | 1 | M |
| Physical Education | 2 | M | 2 or 3 | M | 2 | M |
| Religious Education | 1 | M | 1 | M | 1 | M |
| Literacy/Thinking Skills | 1 | M | 1 | M | ||
S = taught in sets
M = taught in mixed-ability groups
*Information Communication Technology is also taught in a variety of subject areas to give students a wide range of contexts in which to develop their skills.
**In Year 7 all students study French. In Year 8 the more able linguists study a second modern language (Spanish or German on the Newport Campus and German at Olney) which they choose towards the end of Year 7, others have additional lesson of PE.
Year 10 & Year 11
In Years 10 and 11 a degree of choice is available within a broad curriculum framework. The choices are made in Year 9 by students and their parents, in consultation with subject and form tutors. Parents wishing to withdraw their children from studies involving Religious Education should contact Miss Jones, Deputy Head (Curriculum).
ICT in Year 10 is timetabled in rotation with RE and in Year 11 students opt to take one of these subjects.
Assessment of all students' progress is carried out regularly, and is used to review grouping arrangements in subjects which are organised into ability sets. These are kept as flexible as possible to allow students to change according to progress.
We believe the whole curriculum provides opportunities for the development of personal and social skills. All subject areas seek to promote the social, moral, cultural and personal development of students. In this way our curriculum and pastoral systems work together for the progress of all students.
Coursework Deadlines 2007-8
SUBJECT
|
YEAR 10 |
YEAR 11 |
ENGLISH |
15th October: 1st piece 17th December: 2nd piece 11th February: 3rd piece 31st March: 4th piece 19th May: 5th piece |
2nd November: Final Deadline All Work |
MATHS |
No coursework |
8th November – North School 9th November – South School |
SCIENCE |
4th April: Investigative Skills Assignment |
4th April: Investigative Skills Assignment |
HISTORY |
21st April: Start Teaching USA 1920’s 12th May: Start Teaching Prohibition 6th June: Prohibition Deadline 9th June: Start Teaching Depression & New Deal 1930’s 11th July: New Deal Deadline 18th July: Final Deadline For All |
|
GEOGRAPHY |
23rd July: Ely |
|
LEISURE & TOURISM |
28th March: Marketing |
4th April: Customer Services |
RS |
12th June: RS Church Coursework |
2nd November: Moral Issues Coursework |
ART |
14th December: Art Unit 1 28th March: Art Unit 2 18th July: Art Unit 3 |
10th September: Revisit Units 1, 2 & 3 21st December: Revisit Units 1, 2, & 3 4th February: Begin Exam Preparation 17th March: Art Exam Starts 11th April: Art Exam Finishes |
DRAMA |
2nd November: Drama Theatre Review 21st April – 2 May: Paper 1 Unit 1 |
7th January – 18th January: Paper 1 Unit 2 |
MUSIC |
11th July: Special Events Composition |
3rd December: Ensemble Performance 14th March: Integrated Assignment Composition 31st March: 2nd Music Solo Performance & Integrated Assignment Performance |
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY |
19th March: Final Deadline |
|
MFL |
10th December: Written Coursework 14th July: Written Coursework |
10th December: Written Coursework |
CHILD DEVELOPMENT |
28th March: Individual Study |
|
ICT |
25th April: Short Course Portfolio |
Sixth Form
A Prospectus for the Sixth Form is published annually in the late Autumn Term.
Currently, the school offers AS and A2 examination courses in:
Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design Technology, Maths and Further Maths, Economics, English Language, English Literature, French, Geography, General Studies, German, History, Music, Physical Education, Photography, Physics, Psychology & Ethics, Sociology, Spanish, Law, Theatre Studies, Politics, Media, Business Studies and World Development. Additionally, AS exams in Graphics and Financial Studies are available
In addition, Young Enterprise, Sports Leadership, ICT and First Aid are offered to broaden further students’ learning.