School Information
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The Curriculum
Pupils entering the school from Primary schools at 11+ and from the Middle School at 12+ undertake a broad, balanced, educational programme that forms a sound base for the delivery of the National Curriculum. 25 hours are spent on teaching per week. When pupils first join us they continue to work, as they have in their previous schools, in broad ability groups. Teaching programmes enable the children to progress at rates that suit their differing abilities. At the beginning of Year 9 pupils are setted by ability in Mathematics and some ability banding is arranged for most other subjects, including Modern Languages. The theme of a broad-based education for all continues into the final two years of the High School to provide the maximum range of opportunities for our youngsters. Teaching approaches are varied, and matched to suit the demands of the different subject areas. Whole class teaching clearly has its place but there is also the need for pupils to develop, and benefit from, team approaches to learning. Individual-based coursework becomes more important as pupils move up through the school and this is formally assessed in all GCSE courses.
Key Stage 3
(Years 7, 8 and 9) All pupils follow courses in:
ENGLISH
GEOGRAPHY
MATHEMATICS
HISTORY
SCIENCE
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
FRENCH
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
ART
MUSIC
GERMAN (for all in Year 8 and a majority of pupils in Year 9)
TECHNOLOGY (Design and Technology; Home and Food Technology; and Information and communication Technology).
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION (Including Sex Education, Citizenship and Drug use and abuse).
Key Stage 4
(Years 10 and 11) All pupils follow courses that can lead to GCSE’s in:
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
ENGLISH LITERATURE
MATHEMATICS
FRENCH or GERMAN
SCIENCE (Single or Double Certificate)
HISTORY or GEOGRAPHY
TECHNOLOGY (involving: Graphics, Food, Textiles or Wood/Metal/Plastic)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (half credit GCSE)and one other subject from:
ART
DRAMA
MUSIC
HISTORY
GEOGRAPHY
FRENCH
GERMAN
PHYSICAL EDUCATION. The broad GCSE provision is supported by a compulsory programme that includes: PHYSICAL EDUCATION; PERSONAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION (including Sex Education, Citizenship and Substance use and abuse); CAREERS EDUCATION; and INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY.
Further curriculum details are available here.
Learning support
Close links with our feeder schools and with support services of the Local Educational Authority enable us to identify children with Special Needs. Such youngsters may already have undergone an assessment under the terms of the 1981 Education Act but others with less serious difficulties also come within the scope of our Learning Support programmes. Mrs. Jeary has the assistance of a small team of staff who provide pupils with support both in the normal classroom situation as well as giving individual and small group tuition. She is available to discuss with parents any aspect of the school Special Educational Needs Policy, a copy of which may be viewed on request.
Homework
Homework is set for all pupils to support/underpin lesson work, as part of the school’s curriculum, and to provide opportunities for improvement in performance. The amount of homework is not excessive but it does give pupils the opportunity for independent work and some responsibility for their own progress. There is little doubt that the regular practice that homework study provides is vital if pupils are to do their best in school and in their examinations. Homework diaries are provided and pupils have a timetable of homeworks that can be expected on a daily basis. It is hoped that parents will: provide a warm room where homework can be donetake an interest and encourage their child to aim for high standards and for consistencyencourage the proper use of homework diariesinspect homework to ensure that it is carefully done. Parents should contact the school if there are any concerns over homework.
Careers and Further Education
All pupils are provided with instruction and advice on careers opportunities. This begins in Year 9 in the Personal and Social Development course and continues as timetabled lessons in Years 10 and 11. A Careers Officer visits school to interview pupils in their final year. Work Experience: All of our Year 11 pupils choose a two week work placement from a wide range of work situations. There are varied opportunities for Further Education and, with our active encouragement; increasing numbers of youngsters continue their formal education. Many students transfer to Diss High School, Eaton School or the Hewett School. Norwich City College has been the popular choice of our pupils seeking vocational qualifications, and other colleges specialise in Art and Agriculture. Both parents and pupils are invited to seek advice on career prospects for young people from Mr. I. Hinde who is in charge of Careers Education at the school.
Additional Curriculum Information
Religious Education follows the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, a copy of which may be viewed on request. Parents having any concern over aspects of Religious Education, Acts of Common Worship, or who wish to withdraw their child from this part of the curriculum and wish to have alternative provision, should discuss the matter with the Headteacher. A programme of Sex Education has been agreed with the Governors of the school and a copy of the syllabus may be viewed on request. The syllabus includes discussion of such sensitive issues as: drug and alcohol use/abuse; contraception; and ‘Aids’. Parents may withdraw their children from sex education except that which is required by National Curriculum Science.