Curriculum

Chenderit School provides a broad and balanced curriculum for all its students. It has a traditional blend of subjects and activities and these are supplemented by 7 Digging Deeper Days in which the timetable is "collapsed" and broad, integrated activities are undertaken or subjects are studied in depth. In the Summer term we run a cross curricular week where students in Years 7, 8 and 9 work in mixed aged teams to study themes such as the Olympics, Eco-towns and Migration. Year10 work as teams on a Social Enterprise challenge and Year 12 work actively on democracy or engage as active citizens, working with younger students.

We also complete an Activities Week in the summer which is a particularly successful aspect of learning in our school with a Year 7 camp, a menu of activities for years 8 and 9, work experience for Year 10 and a Year 12 Enterprise week , culminating in a Dragon's Den style presentation to Business professionals.

We have recently been awarded Schools of Creativity status, which recognises our creative approach to the curriculum and will further support creativity across the curriculum, building on our outstanding record of cross curricular work supported by the visual arts.

Our curriculum was judged as "outstanding" by Ofsted in May 2011.

Years 7, 8 and 9 – Key Stage Three
In Year 7, students are taught mainly in mixed-ability groups which are often based on tutor groups. Setting by ability is then introduced progressively, especially in Years 8 and 9. The subjects of the curriculum are: History, Religious Education, Drama(taught within English lessons in Year 7 and 8), ICT, PSHE(Personal,Social & Health Education), English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Music ,Technology(Including Licence to Cook), French or German, Spanish (beginning in Year 8) and Art.

We have also introduced immersion teaching to all our Year 7 groups. All students study Geography in either French or German, during their designated language time. They may also have one other subject in either French or German. This may be from a range of subjects such as PSHE in French, Tutorial time in German and ICT in German. This method is called CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) and if you would like to find out more about it, please visit the following weblink to see our staff and students in action http://www.all-nsc.org.uk/nsc/?q=node/94.

In Year 8 all students study a second foreign language : Spanish and we offer a progression route in CLIL through subjects such as Geography.

At the end of Year 8 students choose to concentrate on two from three of their subjects (Spanish, Music or Drama) and also choose which technology subjects they wish to specialise in during Year 9. Students begin a Cambridge National qualification in ICT which leads to qualification equivalent to GCSE by the time they finish Year 11.

In addition, we have a Learn 2 Learn programme that involves all students in Key Stage Three. This programme involves students in developing their own learning as a result of specific activities which encourage self-reflection and analysis. This is a particularly innovative approach that helps to "personalise" the curriculum and "Build Learning Power" The curriculum provides further opportunities for in depth study via our "Digging Deeper Days". Seven of these are run by departments and allow students to explore one topic or problem for a whole day either on or off site. This approach culminates with Ace week and cross curricular week . Such an approach helps to secure the development of enterprise ,team building , problem solving and other characteristics of creativity which are so important for employability We aim to enter some students for functional skills tests in Year 9 in Maths, English and ICT . These reflect our ongoing emphasis on the development of cross-curricular literacy, numeracy and ICT.

14 – 19 Pathways for Learning at Chenderit
For many students, choosing courses for Year 10 is the first time that there has been choice in a programme of study. The courses that they select will allow them to make progress in areas that they enjoy, study a broad and balanced range of subjects, develop new skills, develop culturally and artistically and prepare for further education and a career.

We have developed our curriculum to offer a wide and flexible range of subjects. There is a mix between highly specialised, traditional, practical and vocational subjects. Recent developments include the possibility of studying three separate science subjects, a BTEC course in Physical Education, Environment and Landbased GCSE, access to vocational courses and placements .

Students begin to study GCSE Maths content in Year 9 . Some able students will reach GCSE Maths standard early and may progress to study AS modules or Free Standing Maths Qualification. Others will take three years to reach GCSE standard, gaining an extra years tuition to ensure success. In Modern Foreign Languages some students who reach GCSE standard early may also have the opportunity to study modules at AS standard .

EBacc and National Curriculum Review
We believe that students respond well when given as much choice as possible . We have therefore introduced much choice alongside the compulsory elements of our curriculum. All students are expected to follow a core of:

  • ICT
  • Maths
  • English Language (plus Literature for those students who gain a level 2 in Functional Skills in Year 9)
  • RE
  • PSHE
  • PE
  • Science
  • One language (from a choice of French, German or Spanish)
  • Either Geography or History
  • An Arts Subject (from Art textiles, Art Painting and Drawing
  • Art 3D, Drama. Performance Arts, Music )
  • In addition to this broad offer students then choose further vocational subjects such as Business Studies, Health and Social Care, Land based Science or BTECH PE or develop further interests by studying Triple Science , Spanish as a second language, Geography, History , PE GCSE .

Some students follow a curriculum where the number of GCSEs is reduced and a combination of additional literacy, numeracy , course work support, personal and social education, work placements or college courses are accessed.

The choice is wide with some areas allowing for two subjects, for instance History and Geography could be studied together, up to two Languages can be studied, two Arts can be taken or two Technology subjects. All students are encouraged to talk to their teachers to discover more about each subject and how it would suit them. Subjects are chosen after consultation between students, parents and teachers.

Most students continue their education at Chenderit post-sixteen, with other students joining the school to take advantage of the high standard of education on offer and the specialised facilities.

Some students study one year courses in Year 12 before moving on to further education , apprenticeships or work whilst most follow two or three year courses through Years 12 and 13. We offer the Higher Level Diploma in Creative and Media for Year 12 students.

Sixth Form students have their own common room and through the Sixth Form Committee make a major contribution to the school. Through charity work and supporting the learning of younger students, Sixth Form students enhance their reputation both in the community and the school as a whole. This community work can be accredited through our COPE(Certificate of Personal Effectiveness Programme). There are regular opportunities for residential experiences, debates, community service and a wide range of subjects to study,including: core GCSE retakes, Functional skills, vocational qualifications in Health and Social Care, Business and Administration NVQ, Customer Services NVQ(both within work placements ), ICT, and AS / A levels in Fine Art, Art 3D, Textiles, Photography, Applied Science, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Product Design, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, English Literature and Language, Extended Project ,Food Technology, French, Further Mathematics, Geography, German, History, Human Biology, IT, Pure Mathematics and Mechanics, Pure Mathematics and Statistics, Media Studies, Music, MusicTechnology, Applied Science, Physics, Philosophy, Psychology, RE, Sociology, Spanish and Sports Studies.

We also offer the opportunity to study Level 4 modules. For example, a Business and Enterprise module is offered in partnership with Northampton University. All Year 12 students have the opportunity to take part in an Enterprise Week where they have the opportunity to develop a social enterprise. We hope that some Year 12 students will also take part in a Work Experience Week . Gifted and talented students enjoy the challenge of subjects such as Philosophy, Further Maths, level 4 modules, Extended Projects and actively taking part in the schools debating club and democratic sixth form structure.

Students are encouraged and supported with Oxbridge applications and applications to competitive courses such as Medicine.

We expect that the personalised approach to our curriculum allows students to be highly successful and motivated. Recent developments such as our huge investment in ICT, the creation of a virtual learning environment and new facilities means that the curriculum offer at Chenderit is extensive, allowing students to plan a pathway that is appropriate for their aptitudes and aspirations. We frequently personalise the courses that Sixth formers study . For example we have had students who have combined A levels with work placements. We have also supported budding entrepreneurs who have started businesses and accredited them by following the Extended Project format to write them up .

The 14 – 19 Curriculum
Key Stages 4 and 5
Qualifications and Awards
The following qualifications and awards are currently available at Chenderit 14 – 19: Entry Level Certificate – for those who may not achieve a GCSE grade, allows progression to NVQs at Level 1. Assessment is through coursework and examination.

GCSE – allows achievement at Level 1 (grades D – G) and Level 2 (grades C – A*) and therefore progression to Level 2 or 3 courses as appropriate. Assessment is through coursework and examination.

Vocational GCSEs – as above but more clearly focussed on particular vocational areas such as Health and Social Care or Engineering. Enables progression to Level 2 or 3 courses such as AS / A levels, or other vocational courses at Chenderit, or Further Education College. Assessment is through coursework and examination.

Cambridge Tech ICT qualifications which are equivalent to a GCSE. All students will follow this course in Year 9, completing it in Year 11. Cambridge Techs in Health and Social Care are offered at level 3 in Year 12 and 13

GCE AS and A levels – Level 3 courses in traditional and vocational subjects allowing forprogression to University and a range of Higher Education courses. Assessment is largelythrough external examination.

NVQs – vocational qualifications based around work related learning in a work placement . Chenderit is currentlyrunning level 2 and 3 NVQs in Business, Administration and Finance. And /Customer Service . Production of a portfolio of evidence is the method of assessment.

BTEC – specialist work-related qualifications at levels 1 – 3. Students will be able to start courses such as PE in Year 10 .

Functional Skills
These can be taken as stand alone qualifications and are offered in ICT, English and Maths. They can be awarded at level 1 or 2. They can form the ICT, English and Maths requirement for apprenticeships if passed at level 2.

Extended Project
These can be taken at level 2 (Higher Project )or 3(Extended Prpject ), as stand alone qualifications .

The Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (COPE) is offered at Levels 2 and 3 . This is awarded following submission of a portfolio of evidence and covers many of the skills that employers are looking for, such as problem solving and team work.

ASDAN awards These are offered to accredit personal and social education programmes .