The Curriculum Vision
At Presdales School, we aim to provide a curriculum which:
● Is as rich, inspiring and broad as possible with well designed, inclusive and carefully sequenced content.
● Provides students with opportunities to take their curriculum beyond the classroom to develop their love of learning, build their independence and expand their creativity.
● Enables students to build on prior learning, deepen the knowledge essential for each subject and enhance their skills
● Raises students aspirations and equips them with the knowledge,skills and ambition to flourish in their future careers.
● Will support all students to develop the character and resilience to face the constantly changing world in which we live.
● Fosters the development of students’ character, personal development, health and wellbeing preparing them to make a valuable and responsible contribution to society
The Curriculum Plan
Years 7 to 9
We have a very broad KS3 Curriculum covering 15 subjects meeting all the national curriculum requirements.
● All students study: Art, Computing, Design & Technology, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, PE, Religious Education and Science. In Year 7 students also commence study of a second Modern Foreign Language (MFL), chosen from German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.
● In each year at KS3, students are taught in mixed ability teaching groups for all subjects, apart from Mathematics and MFL (except lessons in Year 7). In Year 9 students are put in sets for Science lessons.
● Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) is delivered in teaching groups in Years 7 and 8. In Year 9, PSHE will be taught on a combination of one day on an ‘off timetable’ basis and during 10 RE lessons. Citizenship is delivered across the curriculum at KS3.
Years 10 and 11
Students begin to specialise to provide them with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the subjects they will choose to study to GCSE level.
● At KS4 all students study GCSEs in Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Combined Double Science (Trilogy), or the three separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics); either Geography or History and a GCSE Short Course qualification in Religious Studies B (Philosophy and/or Applied Ethics).
● All but a few selected students study an MFL and then select up to three subjects from: a second MFL (choosing from: French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish), a second humanity (Geography, History), Art & Design, Business, Computing, Design & Technology (Graphics or Textiles), Drama, Food Preparation and Nutrition, Music, Physical Education, Sociology or Health and Social Care.
● In addition students have lessons in PE, with PSHE taught on five single days on an ‘off timetable’ basis over the Key Stage. Citizenship is delivered across the curriculum at KS4.
Sixth Form
● All students follow two year courses which lead to A level in Year 13. Students will normally choose three A level subjects to study from: English Literature, English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, History, Geography, Government & Politics, Economics, Travel and Tourism, Business, Philosophy & Ethics, Psychology, Sociology, Art & Design, Photography, Music, Drama, Film Studies, Design & Technology and Physical Education and Sports Studies.
● GCSE qualifications in Mathematics and English are available for those students who have not attained a grade 4 in either of those subjects.
● All sixth formers follow courses in careers and physical education, whilst many also choose to take a Sports Leadership qualification and/or an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) to supplement their academic studies.
● The curriculum is reviewed and evaluated annually to ensure it reflects the needs of our cohorts of students and to keep in step with cultural and technological changes and educational developments.
Homework
All girls are expected to undertake homework which averages an hour each night in Year 7 rising to two and a half hours by Year 11. A homework timetable is given to every girl at the start of each year so that she and her parents know which subjects are set each night. Parents are asked to ensure that suitable provision is made at home so that the work can be done effectively.
Special Educational Needs
Provision for those with a special educational need is usually made through differentiated teaching and materials and classroom management strategies. Where appropriate, additional support is given to girls requiring help with literacy and numeracy. This may be in the form of extra classes at lunchtime or being disapplied from other subjects for a fixed period of time.
The Exceptionally Able
Exceptionally able girls are identified at an early stage. Provision is made for them within each teaching group, through quality differentiation where the students are stretched and challenged accordingly. Students are set in particular subjects early on in their school careers.
All information about the curriculum we offer is correct at the time of going to press. The exact curriculum offer may vary each year.
Accessibility Plan
The school welcomes those with disabilities. Every effort is made to enable students to access all areas of the curriculum. Lifts and ramps have been installed wherever possible to allow access to all ground floor areas.
