Curriculum

Students have 25 lessons per week. They study a broad and balanced curriculum including the EBACC subjects: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and a language. They also study a range of other subjects including PE, Art, RE, Design Technology, Computer Science, Music, and Drama.

Through this journey they can expect to be introduced to many different ideas, disciplines and opportunities to flourish and progress, to build skills, knowledge and experience, finding their areas of interests whilst addressing the core skills they need to be successful. During the journey, there is a clear emphasis on developing and securing the core skills in literacy and numeracy that will impact on all other learning.

Students have a 25 hour week and study a core programme of English, Maths, double or triple science, core PE and PSHE.

Students make their option choices at the end of year 9 and choose from a range of subjects from four different option blocks. We want students to be able to choose between a wide range of subjects on offer.

Our view on the EBacc:

• We support the idea of a broad and balanced curriculum that has some flexibility to meet the needs and aspirations of all our students
• We want students to have choice
• Studying the EBacc subjects alongside one of the Arts and a Technology subject would provide breadth and balance

We will not insist on students doing the full suite of EBacc subjects.

The current options are as follows:

• Art
• Business Studies
• Computer Science
• Construction
• Design Technology
• Drama
• Food and Nutrition
• French
• German
• Geography
• Health and Social Care
• History
• Music
• Information Technology
• Physical Education
• Psychology
• Religious Education
• Sport

These subjects will change each year based on the needs of the students and group.

In Year 11, the curriculum expands to a 30 hour week, with all students expected to attend a session 6 revision session each evening. This ensures that they have all the preparation they need before their exams in their final year of secondary school. This is not an optional additional lesson and is designed as part of the curriculum.

Welcome to Idsall School Sixth Form. We are an ambitious and inclusive Sixth Form of over 200 students. Across the Sixth Form we share a culture of high aspiration, continuous improvement and independent learning. Our students are supported as individuals throughout their time here to achieve their potential and exceed their own expectations of themselves.

Many of our students have gone on to accept places at world-leading universities including Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrew’s, Imperial College, UCL, King's College and LSE. This has been achievable through the foundation of outstanding teaching students receive at Idsall Sixth Form, as well as our ethos of ambition and hard work within a supportive learning community.

Idsall Sixth Form students thrive and are actively encouraged to study their courses in greater depth, to discover new talents and interests; to develop leadership and teamwork skills and to develop their employability through enriching experiences.

At Idsall Sixth Form we share a clear and ambitious sense of purpose which enables staff and students to create a learning environment that produces truly exceptional success. The core of our ethos is to treat all students as the unique individuals that they are and so provide bespoke education and guidance as they make some of the most important and exciting decisions of their lives.

The curriculum at Idsall School utilises consistent SEND specific strategies, as recommended by the Education Endowment Foundation, to ensure that all students are supported, learning and growing.

Appreciating cultural influences; understanding the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participating in cultural opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.

At Idsall School students are part of a community with many different races and languages spoken which enables them to develop tolerance, understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Students have opportunities to enhance their cultural capital through art, theatre and travel opportunities. Students’ cultural development is promoted in a number of ways:

• Trips and journeys to a wide range of places.
• The development of partnerships with local institutions.
• ‘General Election’ week where students have the opportunity to vote for a political party.

Various opportunities provided enable students to:

• Develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Distinguish right from wrong and to respect the law of England.
• Accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to their academy and community.
• Develop tolerance of others and their faith/beliefs.
• Encourage respect for others.

In addition, SMSC activities promote fundamental British values.

As a result of this work we expect our students to have:

• An understanding of how they as citizens, in our academy and in their local community, can bring about influence through a democratic process.
• An understanding regarding the rule of law and how it aims to protect individuals and the need for it to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.
• An understanding of the freedom of choice, particularly related to choice regarding faith and beliefs, and how these choices are protected in law.
• An acceptance of others who hold differing beliefs, faiths and opinions. This leads to awareness of how tolerance is required and how discriminatory or prejudicial behaviour is not only against the values and ethos of this academy but is also against the law.
• An understanding of the importance of identifying discriminatory behaviours and actions and also understanding that action needs to be taken to combat such behaviours.

NB: parts of the above are taken from ‘Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools’ – DFE, November 2014

British Values
At Idsall School , we promote fundamental British values in a number of ways:

• Our school curriculum and form time activities ensure that knowledge is acquired around democracy, law and different governments.
• We hold regular student voice across all year groups on a variety of important matters including curriculum, extra-curricular, healthy eating and wellbeing. Student ambassadors work alongside staff to ensure different points of view are listened to.
• We hold mock elections and votes on school wide issues. Debate is encouraged in all curriculum areas through our ‘Big Questions’ initiative and our Debating Society.
• Our RE and PSHE provision ensures an understanding of different faiths and respect for them. Our assembly calendar and curriculum also ensures that different religious festivals are noted at different points in the year
• Our extracurricular programme includes many extra-curricular activities with student led clubs such as Eco club.

As a result of this work, we expect from our students to have:

•  An understanding of how they as citizens, in our academy and in their local community, can bring about influence through a democratic process.
• An understanding regarding the rule of law and how it aims to protect individuals and the need for it to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.
• An understanding of the freedom of choice, particularly related to choice regarding faith and beliefs, and how these choices are protected in law.
• An acceptance of others who hold differing beliefs, faiths and opinions. This leads to awareness of how tolerance is required and how discriminatory or prejudicial behaviour is not only against the values and ethos of this academy but is also against the law.
• An understanding of the importance of identifying discriminatory behaviours and actions and also understanding that action needs to be taken to combat such behaviours.

NB: parts of the above are taken from ‘Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools’ – DFE, November 2014

Recognising right and wrong; understanding choices and consequences; respecting the law and understanding the consequences of breaking the law; investigating moral and ethical issues; offering a reasoned viewpoint.

At Idsall School, students are guided to make the correct choices and display positive behaviours towards others which will enable them to live a safe and happy life. Our  core values of kindness, honesty and respect, are integral in guiding students to be good people. We develop students’ morality in a number of ways:

• Academy behaviour for learning system
• Rewards system
• House system

Using a range of social skills appropriately in different contexts; appreciating diverse viewpoints; showing tolerance of the views of others; resolving conflict and engaging with British values (democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance).

At Idsall School, students are taught how to work together effectively with different ages, genders, races and religions. Students have the opportunity to develop their school community and contribute in their local community which ensures that when they leave school they can engage with society’s institutions and form successful relationships with others. We support students’ social development in a number of ways:

• A strong student council and prefect system
• Student Voice
• PSE programme

Exploring beliefs and experiences; respecting all faiths and values; discovering and learning about the world and your place within it; using imagination and creativity; reflecting on your actions.

At Idsall School students have the opportunity to explore their own personal values and beliefs and listen to others. An important aspect of spirituality is developing a sense of awe and wonder in our students which furthers their creativity and imagination. Students have a number of opportunities to develop their spirituality:

• ‘Big questions’ mapped across curriculum areas and explored with students
• Compulsory Religious Education (RE) lessons at KS3 with an option take RE as an exam subject in KS4 & KS5

We work to ensure students can get the very most from their time with us. As part of this, we have high expectations for all of our students.

We are truly dedicated to providing you with not only a first-class education, but an unforgettable experience too. We are dedicated to upholding our values of empowering everyone to embrace learning and achieve their personal best. Therefore, it is important that all students show the same level of dedication in order to reach their potential.

As a community we value:

• Each other, ourselves and our difference.
• Kindness, honesty and respect.
• Hard work and determination to be the best we can be.
• Independent learning, organisation and self-reliance.
• Courtesy and good manners