Curriculum KS3 Information Evening 2014/2015. At Wrotham School we aim to offer a balanced and focussed curriculum that meets the needs and aspirations.

Curriculum

KS3 Information Evening2014/2015

• At Wrotham School we aim to offer a balanced and focussed curriculum that meets the needs and aspirations of our students.

• In year 7 and 8 all student follow a standard curriculum of subjects before choosing their GCSE options for year 9, 10 and 11.

Subjects – Year 7 and 8

• Core – All students study the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.

• Humanities – All students study History, Geography and RE.

• The Arts – All students study Music, Drama and Art and Design.

• Technology – All students study ICT, Food Technology and Design.

• Sport – All students receive PE and Sport lessons.

Languages

• Languages are an important part of our curriculum and we offer a tailor made provision that caters to the needs of our individual students.

• Most students will study 1 language, those who are highly able study 2 languages and some will not study language and will receive extra English and Maths lessons to ensure they are making the expected progress they are capable of.

Ability Setting

• From September students have been placed in sets based on ability. This is to ensure that each child receives the right level of support and challenge in their classes.

• The sets are based on CAT tests and Primary school assessment. Later in the year decision will also be decided by teacher assessment.

• Sets are reviewed 3 times per year at the end of each full term. Students may move up or down.

Sets

SET A and B2 LanguagesSET C and D1 Language

SET EExtra English and Maths

Appropriate challenge

• No matter which set a child is placed in they will receive teaching that is appropriate for their needs. A higher ability set will not mean more progress will be made.

• Each individual student will be challenged to improve.

• The school’s decision on setting is final and will only be reviewed at the 3 designated times of each year.

Mixed Ability Teaching

• When considered appropriate, in some subjects such as art, drama and P.E; students are taught in mixed ability sets.

GCSE options

• We now have a 2 year KS3 (7+8) and a 2 year KS4 (9+10+11)

• This allows us to prepare students for the tougher requirements of GCSE study.

• This means options events take place in the spring and summer term of year 8.

Assessment

• Assessment is a vital way of tracking, monitoring, supporting and inspiring students to make progress.

• In September the national curriculum levels were removed from all primary and secondary schools.

Assessment

• We have developed and introduced our own system for assessment and reporting that will give each student and parent a detailed guide of how they are progressing.

• We will use bands from 1-9 that will reflect a students progress through years 7 and 8. These have replaced the NC levels at Wrotham School and are closely linked to the new GCSE grades from 2017.

Targets

• Students will be given a target band when they arrive in year 7. This target band will be generated based on primary school levels and performance in our CAT tests.

• This target will give students a challenging goal to work towards throughout year 7 and 8.

• We will review this target on a semester by semester basis.

Band Descriptions

Band 3 – If maintained this student is working towards an F grade standard at GCSEBand 4 – If maintained this student is working towards a D grade standard at GCSEBand 5 – If maintained, this student is working towards a C grade standard at GCSEBand 6 – If maintained, this student is working towards a C grade standard at GCSEBand 7 – If maintained, this student is working towards a B grade standard at GCSEBand 8 – If maintained, this student is working towards an A grade standard at GCSEBand 9 – If maintained this student is working towards an A* grade standard at GCSE

Subject Progress

Progress Paths- It is expected that every student will make 3 Bands of progress in 2 years.

Homework TimetableYear Group Subject Frequency WEEK

7 English 1 x per week ALLMaths 1 x per week ALLScience 1 x per week ALLGeography 1 x per 2 weeks ODDHistory 1 x per 2 weeks EVENMFL 1 x per 2 weeks ODDART 1 x per 2 weeks EVEN

TECH/ ICT/ FOOD 1 x per 2 weeks ODDDRAMA/ MUSIC 1 x per 2 weeks EVENRE 1 x per 2 weeks ODD

8 English 1 x per week ALLMaths 1 x per week ALLScience 1 x per week ALL

Geography 1 x per 2 weeks EVENHistory 1 x per 2 weeks ODDMFL 1 x per 2 weeks EVENART 1 x per 2 weeks ODD

TECH/ ICT/ FOOD 1 x per 2 weeks EVEN

DRAMA/ MUSIC 1 x per 2 weeks ODDRE 1 x per 2 weeks EVEN

The New School Website

New Website- features

• Parent Section• All policies• All News and newsletters. • Head teachers Blog• Twitter feeds for school, departments and SEN department. • Student learning blogs• Full Calendars in digital and printable formats. • Email• Parent Pay• Parent Portal

Parent Portal

Parent Portal

Parent Portal

Parent Portal

Parent Portal Support

[email protected]

Literacy and Numeracy

• Literacy and Numeracy are one of our most important areas of focus at all stages of our provision.

• We provide catch up and intervention sessions with those who need it to ensure all of our students are prepared to succeed at GCSE.

Literacy and Numeracy

• Changes to GCSE’s and the curriculum have sent a clear message. Expectations of literacy and ability in Maths and English have been significantly raised.

• High levels of reading, writing and maths skills will be required and assessed in ALL subjects.

Literacy and Numeracy

• We have increased curriculum time in Maths and English substantially.

• We put these skills at the front of everything

we do.

• But… We also need your help and support.

Parent Views My Child Is happy at school 98.6%My child feels safe at school 99.1%My child makes good progress at this school 98.1%My child is well taught at this school 99.1%My child receives appropriate homework 91.6%The schools makes sure its pupils are well behaved 95.2%The school effectively deals with bullying 97.1% The school is well led and managed 98.6%The school responds well to the concerns I raise 96.2%I receive valuable information from the school about my child progress 94.3%Would you recommend Wrotham School to another parent? 99.5%

From over 220 survey returns last academic year; the data tells us that over 90% of parents surveyed agree with the statements provided in all categories.

We are very proud of this.

Thank you for your continued support.

Parent Voice

• Parent voice meets once every term.

• This session is run by our behaviour support officer Mrs S James.

• Each session has focusses on a key theme requested by parents or involves consultation on key issues.

• If you are interested in joining, keep an eye on our parent mail letters or contact Mrs James at [email protected]

Parent Evening and Reports• We are now reporting on student progress once every 8 weeks. This

means there will be 6 assessment points in each academic year – all of equal length.

• Full reports will remain 1 x per academic year and will be followed, as before by a parents evening.

• Following parent concerns raised last year. Year 7 will now receive a parents evening earlier in the year.

• Year 8 parents evening will line up with options evening and will be accompanied by an open night to meet teachers and choose options.

Pastoral Support and Behaviour

Mrs K Ward

Passport to Success at Wrotham School

Academic Achievement + Professional Skills

Contributions to Discussions

WROTHAMPASSPORT

Independent Study

Problem Solving Performance and

Presentation

Teamwork

Leadership Growth Mind-Set Citizenship

Well-Being Self-Presentation

Cultural Experiences

Contributions to Discussions

Problem Solving

Performance and Presentation

Teamwork

Leadership

Independent Study

Self-presentation

Well-being

Growth Mind-set

Cultural Experiences

Citizenship

Name House

Contributions to Discussions

Performance & Presentation

Independent Study

Problem Solving

Growth Mindset

Teamwork

Leadership

Self Presentation

Citizenship

Well-Being

Cultural Experiences

Grand Total

Student 1 Puma 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 14Student 2 Puma 4 1 2 4 2 1 1 1 18Student 3 Tiger 4 1 3 3 6 2 1 1 1 24Student 4 Puma 7 6 5 1 1 4 2 1 30Student 5 Tiger 8 4 2 1 2 2 2 23Student 6 Jaguar 3 1 3 1 2 5 1 1 1 3 21Student 7 Tiger 2 6 5 1 5 4 1 1 2 30Student 8 Cheetah 3 1 2 2 5 1 2 18

REWARDS

HouseCitizenship

Contributions to Discussions

Cultural Experiences

Growth Mind-set

Independent Study

Leadership

Performance & Presentation

Problem Solving

Self Presentation

Teamwork

Well-Being Grand Total

Cheetah 11 135 15 17 136 6 115 15 67 202 18 737Jaguar 16 149 25 24 117 7 122 29 70 173 12 744Lion 42 152 21 27 111 4 105 26 118 146 19 771Puma 12 194 23 20 131 6 126 28 29 138 19 726Tiger 14 179 10 25 117 13 146 24 53 168 16 765

Graduation 2015