CURRICULUM POLICY

1. Definition

The Curriculum may be described as the total experience of a pupil while at school. Its most obvious and accepted form is in the list of areas of study which make up the formal teaching programme of the school, whether or not they lead to public examinations. If they do not they must nevertheless be subject to the school’s assessment policy if we are to inform ourselves about their effectiveness.

2. Hidden Curriculum

Besides this list there is also the hidden curriculum which consists of the rest of a pupil’s experience at school. This is to be found in the way in which both pupils and teachers relate to one another, the examples they set, the encouragement they give, the opportunities presented to them for wider experience and personal development and the clear structures and standards within which we work and from which they learn.

3. Foundations

Underpinning the whole curriculum are:

a) The appreciation that this is a Catholic school and that all aspects of the Curriculum should reflect the Christian message to be found in Christ’s teaching in the Gospels.

b) The school’s Mission Statement (qv).

c) The requirements of the National Curriculum (qv), to provide a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated education.

d) The most recent curriculum policy statement of the Leeds Education Authority, the aims of which are as follows:

(i) help pupils to develop lively, enquiring minds, the ability to question and argue rationally and to apply themselves to task and physical skills;
(ii) to help pupils to acquire understanding, knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and employment in a fast changing world;
(iii) to help pupils to use language and number effectively;
(iv) help pupils to develop personal moral values, respect for religious values and tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life;
(v) to help pupils understand the world in which they live and the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations;
(vi) to help pupils to appreciate human achievements and aspirations.

4. Religious Education

a) It is the Governors’ policy, following the recommendations of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, that 10% of curriculum time should be devoted to religious education for all pupils in the school.

b) There will be special Masses and liturgies to recognise significant occasions in the church’s liturgical year and in the school’s academic year. All pupils and teachers will be expected to attend them.

c) There will be opportunities for pupils to reflect on their spiritual lives, away from the school environment.

d) There will be a formal act of worship each day for all pupils in the school as required by law. It is expected that all teachers will be prepared to take an active part in this, unless formally excused from it by the headteacher.

5. National Curriculum

The National Curriculum applies to pupils of compulsory school age.

a) Key Stage 3
The following subjects are included:
English, Mathematics, Science, Design & Technology, Information
and Communication Technology, Geography, History, Art, Music, Physical Education and a Modern Foreign Language.

b) Key Stage 4
The following subjects are included:
English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Information and Communication Technology, Sex Education, Careers Education and Personal and Social Education.

Option subjects are available and these include:
Art, Child Development, Dance, Drama, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education (GCSE), Sociology, Modern Foreign Languages and Design & Technology (including Food Technology, Graphics, Resistant Materials).

Schools are allowed to set aside up to two subjects of Modern Foreign Languages, Science and Design and Technology for some pupils in order to offer them wider support for work related learning. This support could include work experience and college placements.

All pupils will have access to the full curriculum and will be afforded the opportunity to opt for GCSE courses at the end of Year 9.

The aims, objectives, methods, schemes of work and assessment of all subjects in the curriculum should be found in the Departmental Handbooks.