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Curriculum Overview
At Chelmer we strongly believe in giving students the opportunity to continually improve, this infiltrates our curriculum, our pastoral area and every aspect of day-to-day school life. We want to empower our students to effectively contribute to society while they are a student and when they leave Chelmer Valley High School. We achieve this aim through a range of strategies, some embedded and others are new ventures, but always with the drive of making our students life-long learners, that empowered to become future citizens contributing to the local, national and global community.
Alongside a coherent and balanced curriculum, which places value on all subjects at its heart, we seek to inspire and encourage a love of learning, resilience and understanding.
At Key Stage 3 (KS3) we focus on transferrable skills, independent learning and higher-order thinking skills. In Year 9 we offer our student’s clear, differentiated progression routes into Key Stage 4 (KS4).
Through excellent advice and guidance at Post 16, we support all our students in making the right choices as they move from KS4 to KS5 whether at CVHS, College or into Apprenticeships. Ever mindful of the changes in education and the workplace, we strive to ensure that our curriculum and its delivery remains relevant and tailored to the individual student. In so doing we have developed a pathways approach to subjects available for study at Key Stage 5 (KS5).
Our aim is to enable all of our students to leave the school as well as rounded, responsible citizens, ready to play an active and productive role in society.
The menu choices to the left will take you to more detailed information regarding the current curriculum offered at Chelmer Valley. Please also study the subject information provided under the 'Programmes of Study'.
We teach students in ability groups in as many subjects as possible from Years 7 to 11. As a growth mindset school, we aim to offer a range of opportunities to extend children of all ability levels. At least 25 hours a week are spent on teaching, which is in line with the Department for Education’s recommendations. There are many opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities in order to enhance learning where our programme encourages students to pursue an active lifestyle, to kind and compassionate to those less fortunate, to be a positive change in the world and to be prepared for the next stages of their life.
KEY STAGE 3
In Years 7, 8 and 9 the list of subjects currently studied includes:
Curriculum subjects:
Mathematics, English, Science, Computer Studies, a Modern Foreign Language, Art, Music, Technology, Physical Education, Geography and History, Religious Studies, Drama, Citizenship/Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE).
Through Citizenship and PSHE, students are given guidance on careers, finance, relationships, healthy eating, first aid, politics and current affairs.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is used across the curriculum, and students have access to computers in many areas of the school. Emphasis is placed upon the acquisition and assessment of ICT capability within discrete Computer Studies lessons.
In Year 8 many students also take up a second Modern Foreign Language.
Assessment of students’ progress is on-going throughout Key Stage 3. In some areas of the curriculum, some students will complete a shortened Key Stage 3 and begin their Key Stage 4 studies before the end of Year 9.
Tutors support students' learning in Key Stage 3 through a structured tutor programme and by reviewing their achievements and helping them with their target setting. Students are given comprehensive guidance in order to ensure that they follow a broad and balanced curriculum during Key Stage 4. This guidance starts in the Spring Term of Year 9 and involves parents at every stage before the final decisions about curriculum choices are made.
KEY STAGE 4
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum currently offers a range of GCSE and Vocational courses, which lead naturally into the courses offered post-16. Most students are entered for public examinations unless there are exceptional circumstances. A small number of students may follow an alternative education programme, more appropriate to their needs, which does not necessarily lead to GCSE. All students have access to a Pathway leading to the English Baccalaureate.
In Years 10 and 11 the following subjects must be studied:
Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Science (minimum equivalent of 2 GCSE’s) and Core Physical Education. In addition, currently, they must select one from a Modern Foreign Language, Geography or History.
Other subjects can be studied from each of these areas:
Triple Science
Humanities (History, Geography, Philosophy & Ethics)
Modern Foreign Languages (French, German)
Creative (Art, Music, Drama,)
Physical Education
Technology (Product Design, Graphics, Engineering, Food Technology)
Vocational courses can be studied and currently we offer: Child Development, Leisure & Tourism, Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE), Applied Business Studies and Computer Studies (ICT, Computer Science)
To enrich the curriculum, at an appropriate time students have access to Careers, Citizenship, Health Education, Finance, and Enterprise/Work-related learning activities. Additional opportunities are provided across the curriculum for students to apply and improve their computer skills. There is also a full enrichment programme throughout Key Stage 3, 4 and 5.
Individual review sessions and target setting take place throughout Key Stage 4. Progress is monitored through the completion of subject reviews and the preparation of estimated grades at regular intervals.
POST 16
We provide all post-16 students with comprehensive support in order to access Higher or Further Education, a Vocational Career, or Apprenticeships. Currently, students are offered combinations of the following courses in our Sixth Form.
GCE A Level Courses:
English Literature, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Physics, Art and Design, Design & Technology – Product Design, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, Extended Project Qualification, Financial Studies, French, Geography, German, History, Media Studies, Music, Music Technology, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Sport and Physical Education.
OCR Technical:
Information Communication Technology
BTEC Level 3:
Performing Arts, Business and Physical Education.
All students are encouraged to enter for the Extended Project Qualification and there is a suite of Enrichment activities available to all students.
Students have regular time allocated with their tutor for assessing and reviewing progress and target setting. Subject teachers regularly prepare estimated grades for every student and these enable students, parents and tutors to monitor and measure progress.
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