Curriculum Overview

Whole School Curriculum

Developing influential women of the future

Our curriculum is designed to help us develop our students as influential women of the future who are respectful, ready and resilient.

We aim for all girls to be happy, learn and thrive in a stimulating environment with a learning culture that offers intellectual excitement, fosters a love of learning and provides a range of opportunities to develop their full potential. We want them to leave the school equipped and prepared for successful futures in an ever-changing world. We want our students to be confident, articulate, adaptable and independent. We aspire for students to be digitally literate, emotionally mature and socially aware. All of this is possible with our ambitious, aspirational and adaptive curriculum, delivered through outstanding teaching.

We follow the National Curriculum, ensuring that all statutory requirements are delivered without compromising the individual needs of our students. The National Curriculum provides students with an introduction to the core knowledge that they need to be educated citizens. It aims to:

• embody rigour and high standards and create coherence in what is taught in schools
• ensure that all children are taught the essential knowledge in the key subject disciplines
• go beyond that core, to allow teachers greater freedom to use their professionalism and expertise to help all children realise their potential

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development plays an important part in the education students receive at Challney High School for Girls. These aspects are covered in the curriculum, particularly in Personal Development Curriculum (PSHCEE), Enrichment days, social action events, assemblies and displays around the school. Our careers education is developed around the three main areas of self-development, career exploration and career pathways. It is integrated into the taught curriculum and enriched by a programme of organised activities. Our girls know what it is to live in a tolerant diverse society following the laws of the land, to believe in the importance of individual liberty and to enjoy freedom in our democratic country.

Curriculum model

Our curriculum follows a progression model. Students build on their previous knowledge,skills and competencies. Curriculum is organised around core concepts. These are coherently brought together for a progressive acquisition of new knowledge and skills. Coverage of this curriculum allows all students to access age-appropriate competencies, making progress through the five years they are with us.

We have a three-year Key Stage 3. This allows all students to study subjects like art, design technology, drama, MFL and music for as long as possible.

All students learn RE from Years 7 to 11. Our Key Stage 3 RE curriculum is based on Luton SACRE’s Agreed Syllabus where we cover the main faiths of the United Kingdom: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. At Key Stage 4, all students study GCSE Religious Studies where they have an in-depth look at the beliefs and practices of Christianity and Islam. Students will discuss the importance of religious practices and symbolism, evaluating moral, cultural and religious issues promoting British values and encouraging students to grow as responsible citizens of multi-faith Britain. Parents do have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of the RE curriculum.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) Curriculum Model

We have a two-week timetable with five one-hour lessons per day.

Many subjects like Art, Computing, Drama, Geography, History, Music, PSHCE and RE are taught in form groups (mixed ability). However, in English, Maths and Science, students are set according to their abilities.

In Year 7, form groups are allocated to learn French or Spanish. Students continue to study this language in Years 8 and 9. This gives depth to their learning of these languages leading to a better appreciation of cultures that use them. Students who are already familiar with the language have the opportunity to select Urdu as one of their Key Stage 4 subjects. Pupils who wish to undertake GCSE exams in other languages, not offered as part of our curriculum, are supported to do so.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) Curriculum Model

CORE CURRICULUM:

Subjects in the Core Curriculum (with the exception of the Personal Development Curriculum) are taught in ability sets. However, for the majority of subjects, students are in mixed ability classes when studying the Optional Curriculum.

OPTIONAL CURRICULUM:

School leaders monitor and drive the ambition and adaptivity of the curriculum through a supportive quality assurance process. This process places the development of leaders, departments and staff, alongside our relentless ambition for outstanding student outcomes, at its core.

Departments identify gaps in the skills and/or knowledge of a particular cohort in their subject. They identify various components relating to both curriculum and pedagogy that can help them to bridge these. Heads of Department lead on this evaluation. This ensures that our curriculum is fit for purpose for all students.

For further details on our whole school curriculum model please contact Mr Fisher via admin@challneygirls.luton.sch.uk