Developing a New Curriculum

1. Walmer Science College Developing a New Curriculum Responding to Parental Concerns Aim High and Achieve

2. Walmer Science College • A Band • Reduced Key Stage 3 • Started taking GCSE exams in Year 8 • Immense pressure on students and parents – one student in year 11 has already sat 37 exams • Very limited vocational options • No History in year 9 • Languages exam at the end of year 9 • Pick up History in year 10 – for one year. • Complete KS4 at the end of year 10 • Three year VI form • B Band • Three year Key Stage 3 • Limited opportunity for early entry in year 10 • Limited academic options • No opportunity to become an ‘A Band’ pupil • Complete Key Stage 4 at the end of Year 11 • Two year VI formOutcomes • Resentful and under-achieving pupils • Resentful and angry parents. • Underachievement in both bands “Two schools”

3. Walmer Science College Ofsted June 2011 “The banding arrangements in Years 7 to 11 are inflexible and lock most pupils into an upper or lower band throughout Key Stages 3 and 4. Students are very frustrated by this arrangement and many report that those in lower groups are 'switched off' by this discrimination. Students report that the college takes little account of their views, because they have few opportunities to be heard.” Aim High and Achieve

4. Walmer Science College • Students are placed in one of two ability bands in Year 7 and a number rightly complain that they cannot move, particularly from the lower band, throughout their college lives. This is deeply dispiriting for some and discriminatory, so equality of opportunity is inadequate. • limitations in college organisation mean that it is not always easy for students to access the choices available and this creates disillusionment. Ofsted June 2011 Outcome: ‘Special Measures’ Aim High and Achieve

5. Walmer Science College What has changed? New Curriculum began in September 2011 A and B bands disbanded Accelerated curriculum disbanded House system disbanded Parents’ meeting held to hear their views ‘Parentmail’ introduced New reporting system introduced New PSA system introduced in ‘The Hub’ Aim High and Achieve

6. Walmer Science College • Why the original curriculum didn’t work • Not financially sustainable – cost of external vocational courses • Didn’t grow capacity within school and stifled school development • Difficult to monitor students’ progress at external provisions • Outcomes did not reflect the huge investments Aim High and Achieve

7. Walmer Science College • Aims for the New Curriculum • Matched to students’ aspirations and needs • Flexible – with ‘cross-over’ points • Sustainable • Growing a culture where the school is responsible for outcomes for all students in KS4 • Ensure National Standards can be met Aim High and Achieve

8. Walmer Science College • Creating the Pathways • Ebacc plus academic pathway • Ebacc plus vocational • Vocational plus some academic • Largely vocational plus core • Guided choice • Data analysed and a recommendation made • Parents and students involved Aim High and Achieve

9. Walmer Science College Maritime Studies • Preparation for work in any maritime related industry –such as • Royal Navy • Merchant Navy • Ferries • Cruise Ships • Fishing boats • Marine insurance • Marine law • Boat design • Ship Building • Marine engineering Aim High and Achieve

10. Walmer Science College Two year course offering a broad range of qualifications • Practical • Hands on • Linked to vocational courses • Stimulating and Enriching Aim High and Achieve

11. Walmer Science College • A Broad Suite of Qualifications at GCSE standard: • STCW Award(Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping)Awarded at GCSE level • Suite of RYA certificates e.g.RYA Youth Sailing Scheme CertificateRYA SRC (Radio) CertificateRYA Competent Crew Certificate RYA Basic Navigation and Safety Certificate …. And more! Aim High and Achieve

12. Walmer Science College Why is the STCW Award so important? • To work at sea, all seafarers need • 4 modules for the STCW 95 scheme: • Personal Survival Techniques (PST), • Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) • Elementary First Aid (EFA) and • Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) training Aim High and Achieve

13. Walmer Science College Term 1 • Rowing • Dinghy Sailing • Introduction to Navigation and Seamanship • Visit to RNLI station • OutcomeRYA Youth Sailing Scheme Certificate – Level 2 Aim High and Achieve

14. Walmer Science College Term 6 • RY Diesel Engine Course • RYA Power Boat 1 • Introduction to Commercial Fishing • Visit to a Ship • OutcomeRYA Diesel Engine Certificate • RYA Power Boat 1 Certificate Aim High and Achieve

15. Walmer Science College Impact? Aim High and Achieve

16. Walmer Science College H.M.I. feedback March 2012 • “There is now a clearly shared vision for the school at all levels to • Raise attainment • Be inclusive and • To ensure that all students have access to the full curriculum offer” Aim High and Achieve

17. Walmer Science College • Feedback from H.M.I. • Engagement with Parents and Carers: • “Parents were absolutely clear that things had improved” They felt that • Communication had improved – and they liked ‘Parentmail’ • Year 9 parents appreciated the discussions about options Aim High and Achieve

18. Walmer Science College Feedback from H.M.I. Removing barriers to movement between groups: “There are good opportunities for students as they move from KS3 to KS4” “Students have a considerable range of opportunities from ASDAN to Ebacc” “KS4 has exciting new opportunities” Aim High and Achieve