The Curriculum

Sprowston Community High School and Arts College offers a broad and balanced curriculum.

Objectives

The objectives of a truly effective curriculum have been identified nationally as:

• Breadth;
• Balance;
• Relevance;
• Differentiation.

These are the guidelines for our curriculum structure. In a rapidly changing world, the school emphasises the development of an individual's knowledge, understanding and skills by providing a broad, balanced curriculum which gives every pupil access to as wide a range of learning experiences as possible. This is achieved through high teaching standards and a relevant curriculum. Pupils may be grouped in a variety of ways for their lessons.

The widely-acknowledged strength of our pastoral care underpins the academic curriculum. The Year system allows every child to flourish under the guidance of a Tutor and Head of Year. These key people, who usually remain with their groups throughout their time here, monitor the overall progress of each student as well as making sure they are happy and secure in school.

In the Main School, pupils will follow courses of study as set out below:

Curriculum for Key Stage 3

In Years 7, 8 and 9, students study:

• English;
• Mathematics;
• Science;
• Technology (Food, Resistant Materials, Graphics and Textiles);
• A Modern Foreign Language (French, Spanish or German);
• Creative Arts (Art, Music and Drama);
• Humanities (History, Geography and RS);
• Information Technology;
• Physical Education;
• Citizenship, Personal, Social, Health Education and Learning Skills.

At the end of Key Stage 3, students continue to study a core curriculum at GCSE. In addition, they choose from a very wide range of accredited academic and vocational courses.

Cross-curricular skills

Some important skills are taught across the curriculum. These include:

• Literacy;
• Numeracy;
• ICT;
• Thinking skills;
• Research Skills;
• Working Together;
• Presentation skills.

The school adds breadth to the curriculum by organising activities out of school such as an Activities Week, and an induction programme. These are generally local events, but both national and international trips are organised on a regular basis.

ICT at Sprowston Community High School

ICT is an integral part of learning. We encourage students to use ICT wherever appropriate. As well as having timetabled lessons for ICT, students also have access to the computer network at other times. We are fortunate in our computer provision; at present we have a 1 to 5 ratio. There are large computer suites which hold whole classes and, increasingly, smaller groups of computers in many classrooms. Our main library also gives access to the network for private study at lunchtimes and after school. All students are taught to use the internet safely, and site access is monitored and controlled.

Sex and Relationship Education

Our Sex Education Policy is firmly rooted in the context of personal relationships and has been designed and implemented by our teaching staff with the help of outside agencies where appropriate.

Careers

Careers Education forms part of the regular teaching programme for Years 9, 10 and 11. The school has its own Careers Centre where computer programs, videos, books and leaflets are available. All pupils in Year 11 have a period of work experience.

Careers Advisers (now also known as Personal Advisers) from Norfolk Connexions Service visit the school several times each week to help students. They provide careers information, advice and guidance on education, training and employment. The emphasis is currently on seeing Year 11 and older students, mainly in interviews, but any student may ask to see a Personal Adviser. Personal Advisers attend Parents' Evenings and Academic Review Days.

Assessment

Students' work is assessed regularly with written and oral feedback. This may be translated into 'Next Steps' which show students how to progress. These will form the basis for discussion at the Academic Review Day. In addition to this, parents will receive formal assessment of their child's progress through two short reports and a long written report each year. These will be based upon targets generated from cognitive ability tests and prior performance. Regular Parent/Teacher evenings allow parents to discuss progress with teachers.

Homework

Homework is set regularly in order to allow children to practise newly acquired skills, to learn and revise and to give an opportunity for independent study. Homework is recorded in the Journal. OFSTED judged that the school sets an appropriate amount of homework. The Library is open and staffed at lunchtime and after school until 4.15.

Special Educational Needs

The school is committed to supporting all pupils' individual needs. We adopt a flexible approach to students with special learning needs which may include in-class support or an individualised learning programme.

Gifted and Talented Pupils

We recognise that these pupils also need encouragement and an enrichment programme is developed each year to extend their learning and experience.

Equal Opportunities

Sprowston Community High School is committed to equality of opportunity for all its students and staff.