Curriculum Statements

Title: Curriculum Policy

Responsible: Academic Deputies – Pre/Pre-Prep

Date implemented: Oct 11

Next Review: Sept 2013

Rationale: to set out details of the curriculum offered at The Hawthorns School

Aims:

1. to provide full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory and pre-school age, ensuring continuity, breadth and balance in the curriculum
2. to monitor the range and extent of subjects taught and make decisions about new subjects coming on-stream

Practice (in order to do this the School will):

1. The curriculum gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, aesthetic and creative education. All pupils have a core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, French, PSHCE, Geography, History, Religious Studies, ICT, DT/Textiles (from Year 2), Conservation (from Year 5: Gardening Club is available for Years 3 and 4), Art, Music, PE, Games and Swimming.
2. Emphasis in the curriculum and timetable is placed on literacy, numeracy and speaking and listening, making use of technology to support learning, where appropriate.
3. The School aims to prepare pupils for 13+ Common Entrance to independent senior schools (and in English, maths and verbal reasoning for 11+ entry).
4. In addition, pupils in Years 2 –8 will receive specialist Drama and Dance (including musical theatre),  teaching with those in Reception, Years 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 having opportunities to take part in school productions.
5. Latin is taught from Year 5 onwards, with some pupils continuing and others taking up Spanish or doing extra French, for Years 7 and 8. Whilst parents are consulted on this change, the course to be studied is the School’s decision.
6. Pupils in Years 7 and 8 follow a Study Skills programme to support their learning.
7. Pupils in the Pre-prep are taught mainly by their Form Teacher, with specialist input for Music, Sports, Drama and Dance. In addition, Year 2 has 30 minutes per week of French.
8. Lower School pupils (Years 3 and 4) are taught the majority of their timetable by their Form Teacher, with older pupils having all subjects taught by specialists.
9. The individual needs of pupils are assessed and those with Specific Learning Difficulties may receive one-to-one tuition by peripatetic teachers or some in-class support (see also Special Educational Needs Policy). Where a pupil has a statement, provision is made to ensure that the education provided fulfils requirements;

10.  Syllabus details are set out in Whole School Policies, with medium term planning carried out termly by all teachers; this is scrutinized and moderated where necessary by Heads of Departments and the Academic Deputy.

11.  Internal systems of monitoring and assessing are in place (see Assessment, Recording and Reporting Policy)

12.  Pupils are prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life through Citizenship (within PSHCE), including Sex and Relationships Education and the Pastoral system.

13.  Curriculum Statements on the School website give an overview of topics and themes covered. These are updated annually.

14.  Setting: teaching in the Pre-Prep is mixed ability except for Spelling Groups, often differentiated by table/groups. Able pupils have extension group work in mathematics and literacy. In the Lower School there are maths and spelling groups with Setting in maths and English in Year 5. Further up the School there is setting in more subjects but the precise nature of this can vary from year to year, according to need.

15.  Careers guidance is provided through Wider Interest Talks, the post-examination period for Year 8, a variety of talks and visits undertaken by the pupils. This helps to prepare them for the world of work and for adult life.

16.  ESL pupils are taught in English, with appropriate in-class support as required.

Monitoring:

Academic Deputy Heads (whole school, middle and lower schools and pre-prep)

Heads of Departments

Headmaster

Governors’ Education Committee