Curriculum

St. Anthony’s is a Roman Catholic Aided School where RE is a time tabled subject and the Mercy Ethos pervades the entire School. All pupils in every year group take part in a daily Act of Worship.

Key Stage 3 (KS3)

Key Stage 4 (KS4)

Key Stage 5 (KS5)

KS3
The National Curriculum is delivered in all ten Foundation Subjects in KS3, and the entitlement to a balanced, broad, differentiated and an appropriate curriculum is secured for each pupil in bands of ability or mixed ability groups.

On first coming to school, pupils are placed in one of 7 mixed ability form groups.  After a brief settling in period they are placed in one of two broad parallel bands of ability – F (French) 1,2,3 & 4 and S (Spanish) 1,2,3&4 for the three separate Sciences, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography and History.

English and Mathematics are taught in sets from Y7 to 9.  Band 4 pupils in Year 7, have three literacy lessons (Literacy Plus programme).  In Y7 and Y8, band 4 pupils have additional numeracy lessons.  SEN pupils (the narture group) are taught the three separate science subjects by one science specialist teacher.

In Science, National Curriculum requirements are followed in Y7 and Y8.  In Y9, pupils start studying modules for GCSE core science.

From September 2010, ICT lessons will be part of the Technology rotation.

In Y7 RE, Technology (4 lessons), Art, Music, PE and ICT lessons are taught in mixed ability groups (14 lessons per week).

In Y8 Technology, Art, PE and Music are taught in mixed ability groups (10 lessons per week).

In Y9 Technology, Art, PE and Citizenship/PE are taught in mixed ability groups (10 lessons per week).  A key part of the Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) programme in Y9 is devoted to individual pupil guidance with regard to option choices and progression routes.

All Y7 students will have the opportunity to participate in a Creative Arts lesson with inputs from English / Drama, Music and links with Art.  Successful students will gain the Specialist Schools Bronze Arts Award.

Within the Key Stage, the bulk of Sex and Relationships Education and Drugs Education is delivered as module within the Citizenship programme but some aspects are delivered in tutorials and across the curriculum in RE and Science lessons.  The team is lead by a specialist PSHE co-ordinator.

The achievement of Specialist Status in Technology meant that the time tabled provision for Technology effectively doubled (from one double period to two double periods per week). Apart from the problem of finding extra space in the curriculum to accommodate increased provision, it also resulted in a complex rotation of “hard” and “soft” technology topics both within and between lessons.  As from September 2009, the school will be working as a Language College; this is a very prestigious invitation by the DCSF based on the excellent examination results in 2008.

In addition to class music lessons, individuals in small groups are taught piano, violin, clarinet, flute and cello or requested instruments if parents wish to pay for this service.

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KS4
At KS4 we aim to provide breadth, balance and flexibility so that progression routes to A Level and beyond are kept open.  We ensure that there is continued preparation for working life.

1.  The KS4 Curriculum is made up of "core" subjects including:

• RE
• English, English Literature
• Mathematics, Statistics
• PE
• Science.  Core Science, Additional Applied and Three Separate Sciences
• MFL
• ICT/Technology (Choice of material area.  Product Design or Food or Textiles).
• Information, Advice and Guidance.  (CEG, Citizenship, PHSE (SRE / DRE / Financial Capability).  All students are entered for the Preparation for Working Life (AQA) exam and the British Safety Council Award - Workplace Awareness, Entry Level 1 Qualification).  Planned - "Young First Aider Certificate" (St. John's Ambulance)
• Geography and / or History are "core" subjects for E-Bac students.  These students have one option choice.

ALAN - Literacy and Numeracy Award (L2)

2a  In addition, all students build their learning portfoilio by choosing at least one of the following optional GCSE subjects:

• Art and Design
• Applied Art
• Business Studies
• Second Modern Foreign Language - French
• Geography
• Second Modern Foreign Language - German
• History
• Humanities
• ICT
• Latin (taught outside of the school day - subject to demand)
• Media Studies
• Music
• PE
• Sociology
• Second Modern Foreign Language - Spanish

2b.  We also offer BTEC / OCR Courses in

• OCR Certificate in Child Development.  Co-teachable course.  GCSE or entry level.
• BTEC First Certificate in Sport and Exercise - L2
• BTEC Science (L2)

  Hairdressing (after school).  KAT Hair - Y11 (8) students (L1) and year 10 (10) students (L2)

2c.  The Vocational Pathway.  OCR National First Award in ICT - L2
       Input from external providers.

2d.  Study Plus Programme (Pilot School).
       Study Plus English and Study Plus Mathematics.

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KS5
St Anthony’s Sixth form brochure sets out the courses offered with a summary of the specifications, course entry requirements and career prospects.  The Sixth Form timetable is the outcome of a highly proactive strategy which has embraced all of the reforms embodied in Curriculum 2000 and student subject choices.  However, the reforms were modified and adapted to meet the needs of the individual student. Curricular breadth was achieved without sacrificing subject teaching time. The Curriculum includes an externally examined RE course and General Studies lessons plus a diverse, and expanding, enrichment programme.

During the last 12 years, 13 subjects have been added to the curriculum. We offer 33 AS subjects - 32 at Advanced Level including vocational options such as Health and Social Care.  Some students are encouraged to complete an AS subject at the end of Y12 and pick up another subject to add additional breadth.  It is not unusual for Y12 students to study six AS Level subjects.

From September 2009, students can follow an AS-A Level course in Human Biology, a BTEC National Certificate in Interactive Media (L2/3) and an OCR National Certificate in Business Studies (L2/3).

We also offer an Edexcel BTEC First Diploma course at Foundation and Intermediate levels in Business Studies.  The Vocational Pathway programme was specifically designed for those students who would struggle to meet the entry requirements for AS-A Level courses.  This one year course includes a placement day.  As placements are individually negiotated, the students are able to tailor the course to meet their specific career aspirations.  The Work Related Learning Co-ordinator is the team leader for L1/L2 qualifications programme.

We also offer an Edexcel BTEC First Diploma course at Foundation and Intermediate levels in Business Studies.  The Vocational Pathway programme was specifically designed for those students who would struggle to meet the entry requirements for AS-A Level courses.  This one year course includes a placement day.  As placements are indiviudally negotiated, the students are able to tailor the course to meet their specific career aspirations.  The Work Related Learning co-ordinator is the team leader for L1/L2 qualifications programme.

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