Curriculum

Our Curriculum

At Carisbrooke College we provide a broad and balanced curriculum because we understand that students need to be engaged in their learning and able to follow courses in which they are  interested if they are to achieve their potential.

Carisbrooke College will work very hard to give our new students a smooth, positive transition to  secondary school life. We will work closely with primary schools to get to know their pupils and to understand their academic and social needs and abilities.

This personal and proactive approach will ensure the teaching is responsive and tailored to the individual. Year 7 tutor groups are based together. From the start, our focus on pastoral care encourages form tutors to forge strong relationships with their new students.

During the summer term, parents of pupils who will be joining  the College the following September are invited to attend a meeting to discuss our expectations and to begin to establish the crucial two way partnership between home and school. This will be followed  up in the autumn term with a parents’ evening.

Students with special needs benefit from a range of  intervention programmes and receive additional support from teaching and support staff.

The  College screens and assesses pupils for Access Arrangements for both internal and public  examinations. The Director of Individual Needs will liaise with parents/ carers if their child requires  this support.

Gifted, talented and able students are well catered for with a wide variety of curricular  and extra curricular opportunities to stretch them academically and ensure they reach their full  potential.

Key Stage 3:
 

A broad-based academic and vocational curriculum is offered, with a  combinationof setting and mixed ability groups. English, Mathematics and Science are set according to ability. Modern Languages, ICT and the Humanities subjects have a broader setting arrangement, whilst Music,  Drama, Dance, PE, Art and Design Technology are taught in mixed ability groups. Technology  includes the study of Resistant Materials, Graphics, Food Technology and Textiles. Personal, Social  and Health Education includes a Citizenship programme and is delivered on discrete days for all  students.

The Year 7 curriculum consists of a statutory 25 hours per week of study following a wide  range of courses, allowing students to enjoy a broad and balanced programme of study prior to confirming option choices in Year 9.

Excellent lesson planning with an emphasis on differentiation,  ensures that each student makes good progress and will be suitably challenged in lessons. Regular  and consistent assessment tracks students’ progress across the curriculum and identifies those who  need additional support and guidance. A strong rewards system encourages students to work towards even greater success.

Key Stage 4:
 

In Year 10 students continue to study English, Mathematics, double Science, RE and PE but will also  have the opportunity to study three further subjects from an extensive choice. Students will   also have the opportunity to study separate Sciences (Chemistry, Physics and Biology) as well as a  Modern Language, currently Spanish and/or French. The choices for these subjects will be made in  January in Year 9. As a College, we also run specialist courses in wood operations and interior  design. We will encourage students for whom it is appropriate to choose option subjects which will  enable them to gain the new English Baccalaureate (EBac). The EBac is awarded to those who gain  5 GCSE passes at grades A* to C in English, mathematics, science, a Modern Foreign Language  and History or Geography.

Key Stage 5:
 

Our VI form offers a full range of level 3 academic courses including the International Baccalaureate;  or more information see our separate VI form prospectus.