Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Vision

Knowledge empowers. We build knowledgeable, resilient, skillful and compassionate students, fostering character growth and lifelong learning through a challenging and inclusive curriculum. Our students have a positive view of challenge, dare to think in new ways, are creative, and realise that: “Life is what I make it!”

Curriculum Values

Knowledge is empowerment: A rich and broad knowledge base is the foundation for growth and igniting aspiration. We are determined to constantly increase the ‘circle of knowers’ - empowering students, enabling them to shape, and aspire to a better world. We believe that excellence is achieved through the pursuit of knowledge mastery which underpins all aspects of our curriculum.
Explicit Instruction and Knowledge Sequencing: Explicit instruction and carefully sequenced learning are essential in ensuring that students build a strong knowledge base. Effective sequencing ensures students have the necessary knowledge before attempting to develop a related skill. Explicit instruction and careful knowledge sequencing, makes the connection between knowing what to do and knowing how to do it clear.
Cultural Capital and Equity: We value the development of cultural capital. We see its importance in promoting social mobility and ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.
Character Development, Creativity and Challenge: We value the development of character, strong relationships, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. We foster creativity.We encourage students to embrace challenges and perceive failure as a critical part of learning. We support learners to become kind and respectful members of society.
Inclusion: We foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel safe, valued, respected, and empowered to contribute.

Curriculum Intent

Delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum: We prioritise the explicit teaching of powerful knowledge which is sequenced to build a strong understanding of core concepts across disciplines. This will ensure learners have the knowledge they need to develop skills and understanding.
Ensuring rigorous standards: We cultivate excellence through deep knowledge mastery and encouraging students to strive for the highest levels of understanding. We will ensure retrieval practice is used across the curriculum to ensure that knowledge gained is embedded within long term memory.
Develop disciplinary expertise: We will explicitly teach students the specific ways of thinking, reading, writing, creating and problem-solving that are unique to each subject area.
Building cultural capital for all: We supplement the curriculum with our bespoke SAIL Curriculum, which aims to broaden learners’ opportunities and experiences, deepening their understanding and empowering students to participate fully in society.
Developing well-rounded individuals: We foster character, strong relationships, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning that extends beyond the classroom. We will encourage students to embrace challenges, persevere through difficulties, and become kind and respectful members of society.
Creating an inclusive learning environment: We will ensure that all students are kind, feel safe, respected, and empowered to contribute. We will provide the support and resources needed for every individual to reach their full potential.
Igniting Aspiration: We aim to create an environment where students are inspired to use their knowledge and skills to shape a better world and have high aspirations for their own future.

As a maintained school, we teach the latest National Curriculum as prescribed by the Department for Education. We offer a full range of National Curriculum subjects, ensuring that each child follows a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum. Alongside the National Curriculum, we enhance and broaded our curriculum offer further through our bespoke and unique SAIL Curriculum.

Our school timetable comprises 50 one hour teaching periods per fortnight for each year group. We operate a 2 week timetable, with a Week A and a Week B. This allows us to maximise the number of lessons taught by subject specialists and allows KS4 courses to be allocated 5 hours per fortnight.

Key Stage 3 (Year 7, 8 and 9)

During the first three years at Shevington High School, pupils follow subjects according to the National Curriculum. As well as the ‘core subject’ of English, Maths and Science, the students also study the ‘foundation subjects’ of Art, Computing, Design and Technology, Drama, Humanities (History, Geography and Religious Education) Languages (French, Spanish or Mandarin) Music, Physical Education, together with Personal, Social and Health Education, Citizenship. Students also have a 30 minute base group session 4 days a week where they develop their independent working skills and complete our SAIL missions which aim to foster 21st Century Learner Skills.

Subjects in Key Stage 3	Number of Lessons per Fortnight
English	8
Maths	8
Science	6
Geography	4
History	4
Modern Foreign Language (Spanish, French or Mandarin)	4
RE	2
Computing	2
DT/Art Rotation (Y7 and Y9) DT/I Media and Photography Rotation (Y8)	2
Art (Fortnightly in Y8 only)	2
PE	4
Music (rotated with drama in Y8)	2
Drama (rotated with music in Y8)	2
PSHE	2

Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and 11)

In Year 10 and 11, pupils work towards a range of GCSE and vocational qualifications. They follow a core curriculum of English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (Combined Science or Separate Sciences) Physical Education, Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship. Pupils have a choice of option subjects from a guided option scheme. We offer a range of KS4 courses recognising that some students require a personalised curriculum to meet their needs and alternative courses, including vocational qualifications are available.

Students typically study four additional subjects from the following list and spend 5 hours per fortnight on each subject.

Art
Art – 3D Design
Computer Science
Creative I Media
Design and Technology
Drama
History
Geography
French
Hospitality and Catering
Music
Mandarin
Religious Education
Photography
Spanish
Sports Studies
Film Studies
Triple Science

Curriculum Journeys

Each subject has designed a curriculum journey which charts students’ learning throughout each year.

For further information regarding our curriculum please contact the school