Welcome to Halewood College Online

An 11-18 school specialising in the Performing Arts

Parental Information - Curriculum

- Curriculum Years 7 to 9 - Curriculum Years 10 to 11 - Citizenship -
- Religous Education - Physical Education - Sex Education - Sixth Form - Homework -
- Pastoral Care and Student Progress - Special Educational Needs - Gifted and Talented -
- Learning Mentors - Behaviour -

Curriculum Years 7-9

Year 7 is a very important year when we welcome students from our partner schools and place them in tutor groups where the form teacher has responsibility for their overall welfare. We build on the progress made in Key Stage 2 by using all the information passed on to us. Some subject areas may decide to place the students in ability groups so that they can teach to best effect and maximise opportunities for all to access the curriculum at the appropriate level.

Students follow the National Curriculum and study Art, Dance, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, ICT, Maths, Music, PE, RE, Science and Technology. They are taught by teams of subject specialists to work independently as well as in groups and acquire practical skills, as well as develop their written skills and oral communication.

The national initiatives for the teaching of literacy and numeracy are in place within the overall KS3 strategy. Our school has recently gained the Basic Skills Agency national award for our work in this area.

There are a wide range of extra-curricular activities used to enhance the National Curriculum including dance, drama and music performances, sports clubs, regular trips to see theatre plays, field trips and other events.

The SEN department provides a range of support for students with special educational needs. There is also a wide-ranging programme of activities for gifted and talented students.

Year 8 students have the opportunity to participate in a one week residential at Menai, Anglesey, as part of a wide programme of extra-curricular enrichment activities.

Year 9 students have the opportunity to take a GCSE exam in Expressive Arts as a result of work developed across the whole curriculum.

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Curriculum Years 10 – 11

At the end of year 9 students are placed on 1 of 4 appropriate pathways based on ability and interest. Students choose their options with the guidance of a member of staff.

All students follow a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, R E, P E, and ICT. Students following Pathway A will also study Double Science and French. Optional courses include History, Geography, Ethics, Spanish, French, a range of Art courses, a range of Technology courses, Drama, Dance, Music, Health and Social Care, Leisure and Tourism and PE.

Courses are offered at GNVQ level as well as vocational and traditional GCSEs. Drama is offered at AS level to appropriate students. Students are given guidance in choosing an appropriate level of course.

A number of students are offered a more individual package which may involve 1 day per week or more at college or with local providers and employers. We are proud of our continuing improvement at GCSE and continue to develop a range of courses and opportunities for all our students.

At post-16 we offer a wide range of courses to over 200 students. As well as AS and A level courses we also offer vocational advanced courses, intermediate GNVQ courses, resit courses at GCSE and other courses such as the sports leader award. We work closely with Knowsley Community College and All Saints School to provide a wide range of courses and opportunities for students of all ability.

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Citizenship

This programme is delivered through the existing personal, social and health education course as well as via a number of curriculum areas as a cross curricula theme.

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Religious Education

All students study Religious Education from Year 7 to Year 11. It is studied in accordance with the agreed syllabus for Knowsley and the National Framework. Students cover the six main world religions in year 7 – 9 through a thematic approach. There is a focus on developing skills such as evaluation, analysis and empathy. Where appropriate guest speakers are invited to work with the students to give them a greater understanding. All students complete a short course GCSE in Philosophy and Ethics and there is an option to take full course. Students can also continue their studies in sixth form and take an A Level in Philosophy and Ethics. During this course students are taken to A level conferences in Manchester and are invited to visit Amsterdam to complete a ‘Coming to Justice’ course.

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Physical Education

All students receive a broad and balanced programme of Physical Education which is differentiated to meet their needs and which coincides with their interests. This is achieved through a combination of experiences involving; performing, planning, evaluating, health and fitness, working with others and safety. The department recognises and operates the guidelines laid down in “Physical Education in the National Curriculum”.

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Sex Education

The Governors have approved the teaching of sex education in the school. Within the programme of Health Education it gives due consideration to sexual attitudes, moral values and family life. Parents have the right to withdraw their son/daughter from this by giving advance notice to the school.

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Sixth Form

Halewood College provides excellent and continuously improving Post-16 provision.

Each year we review our provision so that we can best meet the needs of our students. The majority of our Year 11 students go on to some form of further study within the Sixth Form and we also attract a significant number of students from other local schools.

This is due to the Sixth Forms excellent record both at ‘A’ Levels and Vocational Courses at all levels. A strong teaching team, with detailed knowledge of the students provide a challenging and stimulating learning environment as well as ongoing pastoral support. Our curriculum offers continuity from Year 11 and clear progression pathways for all students and our student support systems maximise each student’s involvement and ownership of the process.

Each year a large number of students enrol at the Sixth Form to take advantage of the wide range of courses on offer. As part of the Knowsley Collegiate arrangements we also share some courses with other Post-16 providers in Knowlsey and make transport arrangements available for all students on these courses.

The courses currently offered in 2005 are:

AS/A2 level courses in :

Other level 3 courses :

Business (Advanced) )

Health and Social Care (Advanced) ) 2 year courses

Travel & Tourism (Advanced) )

Level 2 courses in:

Business (Intermediate) )

Leisure and Tourism (Intermediate) ) 1 year courses

Sports and Leisure progression

Health & Social Care

NVQ in Nursery Nursing 1 year course

Microsoft Academy

In addition to their academic studies students are encouraged to participate in the general life of the school and set high standards in their dress conduct and behaviour. They are also encouraged to follow extra curricular activities designed to support academic studies, develop additional skills and enrich the student experience. We offer community projects, visits to theatres and art galleries and personal development events. We also run an extensive Higher Education programme, which includes summer schools, university visits and guest speakers designed to inspire and inform students in their Post-18 choices.

The Sixth Form also has a team of staff providing round the clock pastoral support and guidance for students. The team is responsible for monitoring academic progress and attendance on a regular basis and parents are consulted as and when necessary.

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Homework

Homework is essential for all students as it enhances skills, improves knowledge and provides valuable practice for external examinations such as the SATs, which take place in year 9, and the GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11. Revising work, in preparation for tests and examinations, forms an important part of homework.

At the start of the school year all students are given a homework timetable, with all subjects having at least one homework a week. All students are expected to write details of the homework set into their Planners, which the school provides at the beginning of the school year. Parents support the school in this process by reading through, and signing, the planners on a weekly basis.

In Year 7 we expect our students to spend up to an hour on average each night on homework, building up to two hours in Year 10. In Year 11 two hours of homework and revision are expected, if possible even after attending extra revision lessons.

Research has proved that regular homework throughout secondary school life greatly improves students’ chances of academic success.

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Pastoral Care and Student Progress

Each year group has a Progress Leader (previously Head of Year), Assistant Progress Leader and Form Tutors who stay with students as they progress through the school. The form tutor is the first point of contact for students and parents and he / she monitors student progress, attendance and behaviour. The programme of Personal, Social and Health Education which takes place each week, affords additional opportunities to support and guide students.

The formal points of contact with parents each year are the written report, parents’ evening, information (when relevant) sent home after progress reviews, two Performance Review Days and progress grades sent home. Copies of these are kept in the Students’ Records, and these are used when the two Performance Review Days take place, targets being agreed between students and their tutors at these times. Parents are encouraged to attend these, if at all possible.

One to one interviews take place with Form Tutors every month to review student progress and summary reports are issued to parents each term. During interviews, current attainment is reviewed, along with CAT scores, SAT levels and progress graphs to support target setting and raise expectations.

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Special Educational Needs

The school recognises that a number of its students, at some time during their education, may have additional needs, which will generally be met in mainstream classes. However, should specific help be necessary, students may then be taught individually, or in small groups, by specialist teachers. Staff in the school aim to work as a team to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to experience success and to achieve their maximum potential, both academically and socially.

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Gifted and Talented

A senior member of staff has specific responsibility for co-ordinating the identification of children with exceptional gifts and talents, and manages special provision both from within the school and via outside agencies. Parents are encouraged to support students and the school in this important work to enhance their school experience.

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Learning Mentors

We have a team providing support to students on an individual basis, both with pastoral and academic matters to help them do their best at school.

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Behaviour

The school operates a Behaviour 4 Learning Policy which encourages a positive learning ethos where students are rewarded for their efforts. The following ‘Charter of Rights’ and ‘Expectations for All’ have been agreed by governors, staff and students.

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