Curriculum Aims
South Craven School strives to ensure that the design of the curriculum is responsive to the needs of its learners; equips each student for progression and success, from one Key Stage to another; and is informed by the very best in international and national educational research.
The South Craven curriculum is founded on:
- The mastery of core skills;
- A broad range of opportunities matched to individual needs, interests and aspirations;
- Relevant learning linked to models of progression that lead to further education and employment;
- A variety of effective pastoral and curriculum support programmes;
- Support and challenge for all students from all cultural backgrounds, from the most vulnerable to the more able;
- The notion that it is important to provide an extensive range of learning experiences, beyond statutory requirements;
- An emphasis on skills for life in the 21st Century.
Curriculum Planning Statement
Since becoming an Academy in May 2011, South Craven School no longer has to follow the National Curriculum, which previously provided the central underpinning of our curriculum offer.
In the Sixth Form, courses leading to recognised awards will be provided where we have the staff expertise and facilities thus providing students with progression opportunities. Every year, the curriculum offer is decided by September and is followed by an options process. Decisions are then made by the Headteacher and Deputy Headteachers in relation to the viability of each course. The current option blocks for Year 12 and Year 13 can be found on the Sixth Form section of the website.
At Key Stage 4, for the vast majority of students all courses will lead to Level 1 or Level 2 certification in GCSE, BTEC or other Award courses, with the exception of Core PE. The overriding priority must be the progression opportunities of the individual child. A small number of students may do a reduced and/or alternative curriculum either because of SEN, illness or to avoid permanent exclusion. For most students, this means they will study English Language and English Literature, Maths, double or triple award science, and four options: Core, Perform, Create, and Achieve, with a wide range of choices in each category.
At Key Stage 3 the priority is to offer a broad and balanced, subject-based curriculum that prepares students for Key Stage 4. A wide variety of teaching styles aims to engage and challenge students as well as developing their interests and self-confidence. Students are taught in a range of groups, some of which are set based on ability in the subject, while others are mixed ability groups. The focus of the curriculum at Key Stage 3 is to provide learning, core knowledge, skills and enjoyment as a foundation for Key Stage 4.
In Year 7 students study English, Maths, Science, French or Spanish, Drama, Dance, Art, Textiles, Geography, History, Technology, PE and Music. PSCHE (Personal, Social, Cultural and Health Education) is delivered through Life Skills sessions and performance subjects. An introduction to IT is delivered through Geography and across the curriculum using students’ devices and a range of apps for learning.
In Year 8 students study English, Maths, Science, French or Spanish, Drama, Dance, Art, Geography, History, ICT, Technology, PE, Religious Studies and Music. Some students are given the opportunity to study German as a second language. The Personal Development curriculum continued to be delivered through Life Skills sessions.
In Year 9 students study Maths, English and Science, PE, at least one modern foreign language and the humanities. There is also an options program, where they can begin to personalise their curriculum, ensuring that they have at least subject from our ‘Perform’ suite of subjects and at least one from ‘Create.’ These are not BTEC or GCSE courses, but knowledge and skills on which further study will be based.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Aspects of the Curriculum
Through the whole school curriculum and Pastoral system the school promotes fundamental British values.
As such we:
- Enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
- Enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law in England
- Encourage students to accept responsibility for their own behaviour, show initiative and to understand how they can contribute to the life of the school and the wider community
- Enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of, and respect for, public institutions and services in England.
- Further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions
- Encourage respect for democracy and democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in Britain.
- Commemorate World Wars I and II
- Demonstrate the historical importance of the Commonwealth
Life Skills/Religious Studies
Life Skills lessons are delivered to Years 7-9. The lessons include a combination of topics covering statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education, Safeguarding and Religious Studies.
Students are encouraged to be curious and develop their knowledge of the world around them.
For more information, please see here.
Promoting British Values
The Department for Education’s five-part definition of British Values includes:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
South Craven Learner
These traits are embedded into school life and lessons and are promoted actively in all students:
Courage
- See failure as a learning opportunity
- Never give up
- Take risks
Enquiry
- Take responsibility for your own progress
- Be reliable & respectful
- Respond to feedback
Growth
- Take all opportunities
- Be creative and imaginative
- Be curious
At South Craven School students will encounter these principles throughout everyday school life. The curriculum is mapped in detail across the whole school.
Courses We Offer
If you would like to know more about our curriculum, please contact Paul Snowden, Deputy Headteacher at scs@southcraven.org.
