You are here:  

• Home
•  » Curriculum

Curriculum

CURRICULUM

In developing a curriculum for St Thomas More Catholic School reference has been made to National and local directives and documents issued by the Catholic Education Service, the Bishops’ Conference and the Diocese of Northampton. The curriculum is based on and reaffirms the aims and values expressed in the school Mission Statement.

The curriculum is central to the process of education. It is the process by which the aims of the school are translated into the full network of learning experiences through which pupils are enabled to develop. We believe that the curriculum should be designed to offer high quality learning experiences to enable pupils to access a broad range of intellectual, personal, social, emotional and physical activities, to address the legal requirements of the National Curriculum in our Catholic school. Many of these experiences are structured and planned but some are of a less structured nature. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all our young people, so they are motivated to make the commitment to lifelong learning.

Curriculum Organisation
The school operates a 50 period fortnightly timetable.

Religious Education

Religious Education is implicit in every aspect of our school curriculum to reflect the ethos of the school; all pupils achieve academic qualifications in this area. The pupils in our school study Religious Education from Year 9 to Year 13.

In Year 9 the contact time for Religious Education accounts for 4% of the contact time and the pupils follow the Diocesan approved ICONS course.
In Year 10 and 11 Religious Education accounts for 10% of contact time with the vast majority of pupils achieving GCSE in this subject. A small minority of pupils who do not achieve GCSE are awarded a Christian Theology qualification.
At Sixth Form level all pupils study for the Bishop’s Certificate which accounts for 4% of their contact time

Year 9: Intake year and final year of Key Stage 3

All of the core and foundation subjects which form the National Curriculum are taught in Year 9. The broad, balanced curriculum promotes equal opportunities for all students and there is provision to support those students who have special educational needs. Curriculum continuity is well established with feeder middle schools and transfer of information provides a smooth transition for pupils starting courses in Year 9.

The pupils are grouped into teaching groups based on CATs data together with Key Stage 2 results, QCA Year 8 test results and information received from middle schools. They are taught in sets for RE, PE, Maths, Science, ICT, French, Italian, Drama, History and Geography and in mixed sets in English, Technology and Music. A small number of pupils with specific learning needs have additional access to literacy and numeracy classes.
Personal, Social Health Education and Citizenship are taught in specific Tutor sessions and as aspects of core subjects.

Curriculum Outline

Currently all students study both English and Italian in Year 9.

Year 10/11: GCSE

A new curriculum structure was implemented in September 2004 in line with National Curriculum changes at Key Stage 4 to encompass the 14-19 curriculum framework. This has enabled us to provide increased flexibility to meet the needs of individuals. The year group is split into two groups ST and M based on CATs base line data, actual performance at Key stage 3 and guidance from the Year Manager.

All Year 10 pupils will study the following subjects as their core curriculum to GCSE level:
Religious Education, English, Maths, Science (Single Award) and ICT.
Non examination subjects include Personal Social Health Education and Citizenship, Physical Education, Careers Education and Work Related Learning.

There is considerable flexibility in the remaining 20% of the curriculum where students have the entitlement to choose additional GCSE and VGCSE subjects from:
Science (additional award), Food, Graphics, Resistant Materials, Textiles, Media, Italian, Core Study French, History, Geography, Music, Drama, Art, PE, Business Economics, Business, Health and Social Care, Leisure and Tourism, Art and Design and Sociology. We also hope to extend the modern language selection in the near future.

An additional group of pupils are offered the opportunity to study a Level 1or Level 2 Vocational qualification as part of the Increased Flexibility Programme and attend Bedford College one day a week. These students are guided in their choice in consultation with parents and Year Managers and undergo Careers advice, taster sessions and college interviews; this is then supported in school by a complimentary curriculum programme.

Sixth Form

The Sixth Form curriculum is designed to accommodate a wide variety of students’ needs. The aim is that all students should select a course of study that will enable them to progress. Access to the appropriate Sixth From courses is based on points accrued from GCSE grades and on individual departmental entry criteria. The curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ abilities to the full.

Students may embark on AS courses either in a vast range of traditional subjects or AVCEs in Vocational subjects, or a combination of both, in up to four subjects for one year. In exceptional circumstances, to facilitate our Gifted and Talented students some students may follow five AS and A2 courses. Students may continue with three or four subjects at A2 level for a second year.
Level 2 BTech courses in Media, Business, Health and Social Care, Drama and Sport are also offered to accommodate pupil needs and to facilitate access to level three courses where appropriate. We also offer a package of resits if this is necessary.

In the Sixth Form students are encouraged to take greater responsibility for their own work and learning. They are encouraged to organise their own time in order to meet deadlines. An element of independent study time is built into every student’s timetable. During this time students are expected to work in the newly refurbished leadership centre, specifically designed for Sixth Formers.

At Sixth Form level all pupils study for Bishop’s Certificate which accounts for 4% of their contact time. This course looks at a variety of Moral, Social and Ethical issues facing young adults today. On completion of the course a certificate is awarded for successful students.

Personal, Social and Health Education Work from the main school programme is extended developing themes to include Higher Education applications and careers education. In essence, the focus of the programme is about the development of personal and social effectiveness.

Students are encouraged to become involved in a variety of ways in supporting both the school and wider community, undertaking a Sports Leader’s qualification, supporting individual pupils or departments or undertakiing Community Service.

SIXTH FORM

At St Thomas More we believe that our Sixth Form offers a supportive, high quality caring, Christian environment. We aim to provide a stable community and make every attempt to encourage all our students to reach their potential.

We seek to build excellent relationships between staff and students based on mutual respect and understanding.

We offer a wide range of subjects and take time to guide students into the appropriate combination of courses. We have high expectations and many of our students continue their education to University level.

We recognise that Sixth Form is an important stage in a student’s life and we therefore offer many opportunities for the development of personal qualities and interpersonal skills through a varied enrichment programme.

We encourage a happy, purposeful atmosphere and hope our students find their time in the Sixth Form enjoyable, educationally challenging and profitable in many ways.

The Sixth Form environment is characterised by its sense of community and its individual care, guidance and support.

Access to a range of bursary schemes.

Our Sixth Form Offers:

• A caring Catholic community with excellent relationship, guidance and support.
• Relatively small teaching groups that promote good learning environments.
• Well qualified, experienced and committed teachers.
• A good choice of courses to meet student needs and career goals.
• Many opportunities to develop personal qualities, and interpersonal skills.
• Opportunities to contribute to wider community through a Programme of Community Service.
• Honest, objective advice, always given in the best interests of the individual student.
• A very high level of success in University entrance and career progression.
• Financial support through the Government EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance) Scheme for families on lower income circumstances.

PUPILS WITH DISABILITIES

The school has a ramp to the main building and dining hall in order to provide access for wheelchair users. There is a lift in the Science block as well as a ramp at the back of the Sociology rooms and all mobile units have ramps. Allocated spaces are provided adjacent to wheelchair access for vehicles carrying disabled occupants or drivers. The Emmaus Centre has disabled toilet facilities.

In all cases St Thomas More School will attempt to meet the particular needs of pupils in order to allow them to take their full part in our school community.