Curriculum overview
The curriculum is excellent and offers students appropriate courses that are very well matched to their needs
— Ofsted
Introduction
To achieve this we have to continue to be determined to develop, grow and change. Currently at St Paul’s our results place us consistently within the top ten percent of schools nationally, our aim in the improvement plan is to get into the top five percent.
Students don’t get a second chance in education. This means that we have to cherish every lesson as an opportunity to learn, equally we need to invest in high quality teaching, research and development to nourish and develop outstanding learning and teaching in all we do.
Overview
INTENT
The curriculum has been designed and developed to challenge, support and inspire students to achieve their God-given potential in all areas of their time at St Paul’s. In each curriculum area this is planned, implemented and evaluated carefully to ensure a broad and balanced experience of learning and development.
IMPLEMENTATION
As an 11-18 school we have continued to adapt and evolve the curriculum to match the changing needs of our students and the curriculum changes nationally. Each subject has mapped and planned this carefully and we ensure on-going opportunities for evaluation, reflection and improvement.
IMPACT
The consistently strong outcomes at all key stages demonstrate the positive impact of the curriculum on offer at St Paul’s. This can be seen by the culture of high expectation in all areas of the school and a drive to continually improve and build on the strengths of the school.
Our Mission
Inspiring a Living Faith with Hope and Love.
Whole school vision and intent
BROAD AND BALANCED
Carefully designed opportunities at KS3 for students to experience and enjoy wide range of opportunities which promote intellectual, moral, spiritual, creative and physical development.
KS4 – carefully considered balance of traditional Ebacc subjects alongside choice to incorporate wider subject opportunities.
AMBITIOUS
A curriculum that is designed to challenge and push all student at all levels but with appropriate support to create an environment of low stress. This will enable them to develop their god given talents throughout their life.
ENGAGING
A curriculum that develops a love of learning that will stay with students for ever.
COHERENT
A curriculum that carefully sequences knowledge and focuses on progression. Knowledge and skills are horizontally and vertically integrated.
NURTURING
A curriculum that develops the whole child which enables students to explore and develop their potential. It encourages empathy and integrity.
RELEVANT
The curriculum is relevant to student’s needs and the demands of a rapidly changing world.
Opportunities are created within the formal and hidden curriculum which enable students to make informed choices and engage with the world.
RIGOROUS
A well-planned curriculum underpinned by ‘Science for Learning’ techniques to enable students to best learn, understand and remember.
Broad and balanced
We have made a firm commitment to retain a broad and balanced curriculum. Even during times of significant curriculum change we have invested in ensuring that all subjects flourish at St Paul’s. RE and spiritual life remain at the core of life at St Paul’s as a faith school. Core subjects have flourished alongside a wide variety of curriculum areas including humanities, languages and the arts.
Research & Development
We are heavily involved in initial teacher training, leadership development and school improvement. Through the commitment to lead the Inspire Teaching School Alliance and Sussex Maths Hub we do extensive work developing teachers at all stages of their careers. This benefits and grows staff at St Paul’s too.
Education
We are fully committed to investing time in development of the highest quality of learning and teaching. This has included seeking out opportunities to work closely with exceptional schools nationally and internationally.
Development
We believe we have a moral obligation to do what’s right for education not just our school. This has led us to take on outreach work with primary and secondary schools in supporting their growth and development. This has provided opportunities for us to develop and articulate best practice in the work we do on learning, teaching, leadership and the curriculum.
Morals
Key Stage 3
A traditional, broad and balanced curriculum over three years
We have made a firm commitment to retain a broad and balanced curriculum. Even during times of significant curriculum change we have invested in ensuring that all subjects flourish at St Paul’s. RE and spiritual life remain at the core of life at St Paul’s as a faith school. Core subjects have flourished alongside a wide variety of curriculum areas including humanities, languages and the arts
| Key Stage 3 Curriculum | Timetable Allocation | Key Stage 3 Curriculum | Timetable Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious Education | 18 | English | 23 |
| Mathematics | 23 | Science | 21 |
| Computing | 4 | French | 15 |
| Learn to Learn | 2 | Spanish | 15 |
| History | 12 | Geography | 12 |
| Art | 8 | Drama | 8 |
| Music | 8 | Technology | 9 |
| PE | 12 | Information Literacy | 2 |
| LovEd | 3 |
Key Stage 4
Investing in depth and a love of each subject
We have committed to most students doing ten GCSEs at Key Stage 4. With all students doing RE, English, Maths, Science, Humanities and Languages. During the options process we guide each student to choose subjects that will stretch and challenge them as well as meeting their interests and aspirations.
| Key Stage 4 Curriculum | Timetable Allocation | Key Stage 4 Curriculum | Timetable Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious Education | 12 | English | 18 |
| Mathematics | 18 | Science - double or Science - triple | 22 |
| Geography | 10 | History | 10 |
| German | 10 | Spanish | 10 |
| French | 10 | Design Technology - Food | 10 |
| Design Technology - Product Design | 10 | Art | 10 |
| Drama | 10 | Music | 10 |
| Media Studies | 10 | Computing | 10 |
| BTEC Sport | 10 | CAMNAT Media | 10 |
| CAMNAT Business | 10 | LovEd | 2 |
| Core PE | 8 |
Key Stage 5
Success leading to the next chapter
Students study three A level, or equivalent qualifications, at Key Stage 5. We have invested extra curriculum time and teaching in the Key Stage 5 provision. This has allowed us to nurture, support and challenge our students to ensure they are successful at Key Stage 5. This can lead them on to further education and employment, up to 85% achieving their first-choice university and one in four successfully applying for Russell group universities.
| Timetable Allocation | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3 (A Level) Subjects | 22 | BTEC Double Subject | 44 | ||||
| L2 BTEC Sport | 20 | BTEC Single Subject | 22 | ||||
| Core Maths | 6 | Sports Leaders | 8 | ||||
| GCSE English | 8 | GCSE Maths | 10 | ||||
Want to know more?
For Key Stage 5, please contact Mrs Hubbard (Deputy Head of Sixth Form) by emailing [email protected].