The Parrs Wood curriculum is designed to offer each pupil the opportunity to fulfil their potential through a wide range of on site non-vocational and vocational qualifications.
Our curriculum structure works through a one-week timetable where every day has 6 lessons of 50mins each plus a Personal Development Curriculum session at the start of the day. Within this schedule we aim to provide a broad, balanced, coherent and challenging curriculum for all, which enables each pupil to enjoy learning and achieve success in school. We also suspend the normal timetable once each term for Immersion days, with a significant emphasis on skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication developed through full-day projects with a pair of curriculum areas working collaboratively with a year group of pupils.
Pupils move through the Key Stage 3 (years 7-9) National Curriculum at the rate most suited to their ability and we work closely with our partner primary schools to ensure a smooth and successful transition to high school and the new curriculum.
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Many pupils may embark on GCSE programmes during year 9 and all have the chance to complete at least 1 BTec National Certificate (equivalent to 2 GCSEs at grades A*-C) by the end of the year.
For Years 10 and 11, pupils can opt to study a full range of GCSEs or combine their core GCSEs with other qualifications in more applied or vocational subjects. Our curriculum at this key stage is aimed at securing the best possible opportunities for students post-16 and we offer a comprehensive package of Careers guidance and support to underpin this.
The range of GCSEs on offer at Key Stage 4 builds into our sixth form curriculum and we encourage as many of our students as possible to remain with us into the sixth form to continue their education. A separate prospectus for the sixth form is available from the Sixth Form Centre. |
Years 7 and 8
Pupils will follow a common curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, Drama, Religious Studies, Physical Education and either French or Spanish. Some pupils can study a second language in Year 8 leading to the potential for 2 languages GCSEs in Years 10 and 11. During Year 6 we identify a cohort of pupils to join our ‘Transition Classes’ in Year 7. These pupils will be taught by fewer teachers and receive extra literacy, numeracy and SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) lessons. All parents will receive a Curriculum Booklet outlining further details of the courses with ideas on ways to help their child.
Year 9
Pupils may begin their GCSE (or equivalent) courses in English, Mathematics, Science and ICT alongside the KS3 course in the Foundation Subjects. BTec National Certificate courses are also run in PE and E-Media - some completing at the end of Year 9, others in Year 10. Some pupils will achieve GCSE or equivalent qualifications in Languages while others will embark on their GCSE Languages course. Courses in Citizenship and Religious Education are also followed. |
Years 10 and 11
A number of option choices are available alongside the core Curriculum subjects. Facilities are available to study specialist subjects. It is possible to follow up to ten subjects at GCSE or equivalent (eg BTec, NVQ) examination level. External examinations and assessed pieces of work take place at a range of times. This depends on
the courses undertaken and the assessment opportunities that we consider appropriate to the pupil. We offer students the opportunity to achieve GCSE equivalent qualifications in applied subjects through on site provision in Construction, Beauty Therapy and Animal Care.
Tutors and Heads of Learning have a key role in monitoring progress and raising achievement through the Personal Development Curriculum. |
