Curriculum

Overview

Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form has a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical developments of students and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

This is achieved through a coherent and relevant Academic Curriculum that is clearly planned and sequenced with consistently high standards of teaching. Our Academic Curriculum is designed to counterbalance some of the barriers created by social disadvantage and allow all students to achieve excellence. In addition, our curriculum expands the horizon of our students to see beyond Norfolk and be ready to be members of a diverse global community.

At Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form we have also developed our Pastoral Curriculum. This is designed to support personal development, wellbeing and the growth of our students’ character. We believe that excellence is the result of the consistent application of three behavioural traits: Aspiration, Respect and Engagement. Our Pastoral Curriculum is delivered through Form Time and is the basis of all interactions in the school will.

Together our Academic and Pastoral Curriculum will build strong independent learners who are well prepared for the challenges of a highly competitive, rapidly changing global society.

Curriculum Intent

Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form continues to have a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical developments of students and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. This is achieved through a coherent and relevant curriculum that is clearly planned and sequenced with consistently high standards of teaching. Our curriculum intent is a statement of our approach to the curriculum, the course of study, the experiences and challenges we will make available for every student. This not only reflects our current practice but also sets out our beliefs and values for the curriculum for the future.

We will keep this under constant review in the light of changing circumstances for students, changing evidence from research and feedback from staff, students and the community.The National Curriculum and statutory commitments are our minimum responsibility in meeting the needs of our learners. We believe our focus on excellence is essential. We believe that excellence is the result of the consistent application of three behavioural traits: Aspiration, Respect and Engagement. All interactions in the school will reflect these traits in order to build a strong sense of focus and purpose. In turn, this will build strong independent learners who are well prepared for the challenges of a highly competitive, rapidly changing global society. We believe that the academic and pastoral curriculum must support each other and are not separate curriculum components for students

Our Academic Curriculum is Driven by the Following Core Principles

All students acquire powerful knowledge and expertise by prioritising subject depth and valuing deep knowledge and value scholarship

We provide a breadth of curriculum opportunity from Key Stage 3 to Key stage 5 for all learners that is inclusive, aspirational and enables all to achieve excellence developing a passion for their careers and further study.
Students will read widely and develop a love of reading so that they have access to the best that has been said and thought using ambitious literary and other texts.

We have the highest expectations of ALL groups of students in order that they achieve excellence

We will develop the cultural capital of students so that they appreciate life beyond Norfolk and see the value of subjects in everyday life
All students will be supported to access the curriculum and achieve excellence in all that they do.

Have an understanding of what it means to be a citizen of Britain

Understand the values that underpin our diverse society and have the knowledge and understanding of the contribution different cultures and histories have made to Britain’s global context.
Promote tolerance of others and have an understanding of democracy and the rule of law

The curriculum extends beyond the classroom

Our extra-curricular clubs, trips and visits and student leadership provision will provide opportunities for all students
Home learning is supported through developing technology for all students at our school

We prioritise social routines to create a purposeful learning environment

This will ensure that every second counts in lessons and that students make the most of every learning opportunity.
This will provide students with experience of learning and working routines to help themprepare for life beyond the classroom and school

Our Pastoral Curriculum and Social Routines

Foster the personal development of the whole child by ensuring that all students:

Aspire to be active citizens in a local, national and global context by:

Aiming high and dreaming big
Striving to be the very best they can be
Being involved in student leadership

Respect themselves, each other and all members of their community by:

Being kind and behaving sensitively
Keeping themselves safe
Accepting and celebrating diversity

Engage in independent learning and aspire to excel in all that they do by:

Turning up and working hard
Experiencing a variety of enrichment opportunities
Contributing positively to our community

Our curriculum will create a safeguarded environment for students where ALL:

Feel safe and listened to
Understand risk and make informed choices to navigate the reality of their lives
Know how and who to contact for support, help and guidance
Always believe it could happen here