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Curriculum Subjects

Year 7 & 8 – Key Stage 3

We try to ensure that our curriculum meets the needs of young people, the expectations of universities, schools and employers, and responds to Government legislation and advice to schools.  The school     follows a two week timetable (A & B).  Year 7 and 8 students take most of their subjects alongside the rest of their mentor group whereas Year 9-11 students are placed into one of two bands based on       attainment (Band L and Band R).  Sixth Form students follow the Key Stage 5 curriculum.

For students in Year 9, 10 or 11 in 2023-24:

All students have studied a wide-range of subject at KS3 including English, Mathematics, Science,         Computing/ICT, Spanish, French, History, Geography, Food, Art, Design Technology, Dance, Music, PE, Drama and Philosophy and Ethics.

Students have selected their five KS4 option subjects towards the end of Year 8. This includes a core    curriculum of English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science and PE.  A variety of Science    courses are offered, which include Triple Science and Additional Science. RSHE is delivered through five dedicated days for the whole school as well as through ‘character’ sessions during morning mentor time.

For students in Year 7 or 8 in 2023-24:

Students will study their KS3 subjects for three years and will select their KS4 options towards the end of Year 9. From Year 10 the vast majority of students will take one of the Humanities subjects (Geography/History) and three further option choices. For most students one of these subjects will be a modern    foreign language. These option choices run alongside our core curriculum of English Language and       Literature, Mathematics, Science, PE and RSHE.

SIXTH FORM – Key Stage 5

We offer a large range of level 3 subjects covering A level and vocational courses (BTEC). In each subject, students receive nine one-hour lessons per fortnight.

Students choose three subjects to study, either all A Levels, all Vocational Level 3 qualifications or a ‘mix and match’ of these. Students continue these courses through Year 13.

The Sixth Form course offer is reviewed annually. Current level 3 subjects offered are:

A-Levels

Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, DT: Product Design, Economics (B), English Language, English Literature, Fashion & Textiles, Fine Art, French, Geography, History, Philosophy, Photography, Physics, Psychology, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Media Studies, Spanish, Sociology

Vocational Level 3

Applied Law (BTEC National Level 3), Applied Science (BTEC National Level 3), Business (BTEC National Level 3), Creative & Performing Arts (RSL Level 3), Criminology (WJEC Level 3), Health and Social Care (OCR Technical Level 3), Music (BTEC National Level 3), Sport (OCR Technical Level 3), Travel & Tourism (BTEC National Level 3)

All students who have not achieved GCSE English (either Language and Literature) or GCSE Maths at Grade 4 must re-sit them, and include them in addition to their Level 3 study programme.

Number of sessions per fortnight:

Subject

Year

Year
Year
9
Year
10
Year
11
English 8 9 8 8 8
Maths 8 7 7 7 7
Science 7 7 8 8 8
Art & Design 2 3 Option Option Option
Dance & Performing Arts 3 3 Option Option Option
Design Technology 2 2 Option Option Option
Drama 2 2 Option  Option Option
Food Technology 1 1 Option Option Option
Geography 3 3 Option Option Option
History 3 3 Option Option Option
ICT 2 1 Option Option Option
MFL 3 3 Option Option Option
Music 1 1 Option Option Option
Religious Studies 2 2 Option Option Option
PE 3 3 2 2 2
Total 50 50 50 50 50

In Years 9-11 options subjects have 5 periods per fortnight, most post 16 courses have 9 periods per fortnight.

For further information about our curriculum, please contact Mr Conlon, Deputy Headteacher by email dco@ifieldcc.co.uk or call 01293 420500

ICC Curriculum Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you offer the range of courses that you do?

Different students have different strengths and different interests. We want to stimulate the students’ interest and ambition so that they are successful in school, seek further study and a fulfilling career. The breadth of choice is to allow as many students as possible to be on courses that stimulate and engage them.

Why do you have a two-week timetable?

This allows for a wider range of contact times for different subjects. For example if a subject has five hours per fortnight, in a one-week timetable it could only have two hours a week (four hours per fortnight) or three hours per week (six hours per fortnight).

What subjects will I study in Key Stage 3?

In Key Stage 3 all students study a variety of subjects within the curriculum allowing them to develop their skills from primary school or even discover new interests in some specialised ways. Each student is timetabled into lessons for: English, Maths, Science, Physical Education, Geography, History, Religious Studies, French or Spanish, Computer Science, Art, Design Technology, Dance, Drama, Music, Performing Arts. Having a broad curriculum helps our students to establish good foundations in the core subjects and enables them to have informed choices for their GCSE options for Key Stage 4

How do you ensure student options are suitable?

We guide one choice to be History or Geography to establish a strong academic base. There are then four further choices. Every year 8 student has a meeting with their parents and a member of the senior leadership team to ensure they have considered balance in their choices during one of their Progress Review Days.

Do all students have to study a language?

All students study French or Spanish in year 7 and 8. Studying languages is then a choice for the parents and students. We encourage, but do not insist on, students studying languages to GCSE.  A language is part of the English Baccalaureate which is recommended for most students by the Department for Education.

What subjects can I study in Key Stage 4?

In Key Stage 4 all students will study the core subjects, English, Maths, Science and have Physical Education. They can choose from Geography or History and four other options. We encourage students to choose a modern foreign language.  The four free options can be any combination from below as we provide option blocks to facilitate as many student choices as possible.

Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Dance, Design Technology, Drama, Food, French, Geography, History, Health and Social Care, Media, Music, Psychology, RE, Spanish, Sport, Triple Science, Travel and Tourism.

Why do you have RHSE (ICC) days?

Six days of the year the timetable is suspended for all students and staff, so we have the flexibility to deliver RHSE topics in an optimal way. We can allocate the most appropriate staff to the subject matter and have outside speakers and educational trips without disruption to other lessons. We have found this model much more successful can ensure all students cover key areas of their wider learning. The days also include some of our futures programme to help guide students with their post 16 choices and entitlement trips to give every student a wider range of experiences beyond the classroom environment.

What is your entitlement curriculum?

We believe every students’ learning is enriched by visits to museums, art galleries and universities. Students’ personal development is enhanced through a residential experience in year 7.

We ensure that every student is able to access these experiences at low cost so that there is not a financial barrier to these important learning experiences.

What choices exist in the sixth form?

There is a range of courses to suit all abilities. There are traditional academic A Levels in a wide range of subjects, vocational qualifications at level 2 (GCSE equivalent) and level 3 (A level equivalent) and opportunities to re-sit GCSE English and Maths if this is required. Please see our sixth form pages for the up to date list of choices.

Interviews are held with Year 11 students to offer advice on both sixth form and external opportunities in the autumn term. Those who wish to apply to sixth form here have a further interview in the spring, and we ensure students have an intended destination through individual support.

Our curriculum complies with our duties in the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 about making the curriculum accessible for those with disabilities or special educational needs.