The curriculum at Knutsford High is based on the principles of choice and diversity – the belief that, as a school, we should cater for the needs, aptitudes and interests of students as individuals.
The school has adopted a creative and innovative approach to curriculum planning, enabling students increasingly to choose between a wide range of programmes, particularly at Key Stage 4 and in the Sixth Form but also within Key Stage 3. The quality and diversity provided by our curriculum model has been recognised by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which has asked Knutsford High to play a part in national development work with other schools.
YEAR 7: THE TRANSITION PROGRAMME
The first year at Knutsford High School is designed to make the transition from primary to secondary learning as beneficial as possible. With this aim in mind students are taught by a comparatively small number of teachers, many of whom focus their work in Lower School. These arrangements mean students become well known to their teachers who are able to identify and respond quickly to their needs. Specialist teaching ensures that the National Curriculum is fully covered, with teaching styles drawing on best practice from both primary and secondary models of education.
An integral part of the transition programme is the use of Integrated Tasks, designed to help Year 7 students develop skills that are appropriate to their future needs. Students are encouraged to adopt a range of working practices as part of this task-based curriculum, with a different task being pursued each term. The tasks have been designed to include content and skills from traditional subject areas yet allow students to integrate their learning. Even at this stage, an element of choice is introduced into the curriculum. Core, optional and self devised tasks are undertaken with students working on their own, in pairs and in groups. Staff provide expertise in specialist areas as well as working as facilitators to support and evaluate learning.
YEARS 8 & 9: THE FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
The Foundation Programme in Years 8 and 9 is seen, in many ways, as preparation for the GCSE years that follow, but is also a valuable and important part of students’ learning and development in its own right. All students study the subjects listed here:
English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, French and/or German, Information Technology, Coordinated Studies (Y8), Citizenship and PSHE, Art, Design and Technology, Music, Dance and Drama, Physical Education.
Increasing choice is a further feature of the Foundation Programme, both within and between subjects. In Year 9 a wide range of academies exist, allowing students to choose from a number of areas in which they may focus, spending an increased amount of time on these subjects.
The academies currently available are:
Humanities, Art & Design, Sport, Science, IT, Performing Arts, International (French), International (German), Business Studies, Digital Media
Students select two academies from these, to reflect areas of particular talent or interest and pursue these in addition to the full range of subjects in their standard curriculum.
Students wishing to retain greater breadth of study may opt for a combined Humanities/French or Humanities/German academy as one of their choices.
YEARS 10 & 11: THE INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMME
The basic principle for curriculum design in the GCSE years is that, while there needs to be a common core for all students, individuals should be able to focus their learning in areas of greatest interest or aptitude. It is our belief that by this age students have developed clear preferences between areas of study and through being able to concentrate more on these subjects, their achievement will be greatly increased.
All students therefore follow a core curriculum including English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, PE and General Studies, which includes Personal, Social and Health Education. This core provision is seen as providing a broad and balanced basis for further study.
In addition to the compulsory subjects a range of specialist programmes is also offered, students being able to choose between 2 or 3 GCSEs within a particular area of focus. Some students may, for example, focus on Science by opting for 3 separate Science GCSEs, while others may prefer to specialise within the Humanities, Art Design & Technology or Performance based subjects. Students preferring a more general range of options are also catered for while a number of vocational courses are offered, some in association with local Ccolleges. Other options include the opportunity to follow an extension course in Mathematics leading to early AS module entry, GCSE short courses in History or Geography, or to gain a qualification by undertaking an Extended Project in a subject area chosen by the student.. Courses are certificated by GCSE, BTEC or alternative accreditation; the full range of subjects varies from year to year but typically includes:
Business Studies, German, Physical Education, Fine Art, Geography, Religious Studies, Dance, Graphics, Environmental Studies, Drama, History, Psychology, Textiles, Sociology, Information Technology, 3D Design, Music, Food Technology, Media Studies, French, Outdoor Pursuits.
Students preferring a more practical range of options are also catered for through our links with Macclesfield, Reaseheath and Mid-Cheshire Colleges. These enable us to offer certified courses in disciplines including Engineering, Construction, Salon Services and Land-Based Study. These courses allow students to gain a combination of GCSE, BTEC, Diploma and NVQ qualifications and provide a good basis for progression into post-16 vocational courses. In addition to studying a core element of English, Maths, Science and ICT, students typically spend up to two days a week on their chosen vocational option, usually supplemented by work experience in the relevant area.
Another specialised option is the Performing Arts Academy, in which students talented in this area of the curriculum become skilled in the theory and practice of performance. A thriving music theatre group carry out regular performances and recitals to the delight of students and parents alike.
SIXTH FORM: THE ADVANCED PROGRAMME
The Sixth Form of 300 students is one of the largest in the county. Provided that a suitable course is available and that a genuine commitment to further study has been demonstrated, all students have access to the Sixth Form.
Each year we attract many new students to the school whilst the majority of our own 16 year olds choose to return. AS and A Level, BTEC and Applied courses are all offered, as well as some GCSE and other qualifications. Most students are admitted for 2 years’ further study, with the majority following four AS courses in the Lower Sixth and three A2 levels in the Upper Sixth. Some students return for a one year course in Travel and Tourism. In November, all Year 11 students receive a copy of the Sixth Form Prospectus which details the range of courses available.
Subjects currently offered are:
TWO YEAR COURSES
Fine Art, English Language, Politics, Pure Mathematics & Mechanics, Design & Technology English Literature, Psychology, Pure and Applied Mathematics, Graphics, English Language & Literature, Sociology, Further Mathematics
Textiles, Media Studies, Law, French, Food Technology, RS: Philosophy and Ethics, Critical Thinking, German, Computing, History (Conflict and Stability), Physics, Music, Business Studies, History (Impact of Ideology), Chemistry, Dance, Economics, Geography, Biology, Drama and Theatre Studies, Information Technology (Single or Applied Double option), Sport and Physical Education, BTEC Music Performance.
OTHER COURSES
Travel and Tourism (one year course), Community Sports Leader Award.
Students may also opt for one-year GCSE courses (English, Mathematics) and may take General Studies, Key Skills or Extended Project qualifications.
SETTING
By setting students we believe that teachers can focus more clearly on individual needs and abilities and therefore encourage each student to reach his or her potential.
During the first term, students who demonstrate high all-round ability are identified and grouped in such a way that their studies become more challenging and demanding. In addition, the results of internal assessments are used to place all students in sets for Mathematics. At the start of Year 8, students are placed in sets for four further subject areas;: Science; English; Modern Languages and Humanities. PE, Art and Design and Performing Arts are taught in mixed-ability groups throughout Key Stage 3.