School

Key Stages 3 and 4 in School

Key Stage 3

Throughout Key Stage 3 the National Curriculum forms the basis of our timetabled lessons and all subjects, core and foundation are experienced.


In Year 7, students receive a Foundation Curriculum whereby they spend approximately half of their time with a team of teachers who deliver English, Maths, Science, ICT, PSHE and Humanities in a familiar classroom base which helps to support the transition from primary school. The remainder of their time is spent with specialist teachers in Art and Design, Technology, PE, Performing Arts and additional PSHE lessons.

Secondary SEAL plays a significant role in the Year 7 curriculum, helping students to develop their social and emotional skills in a supportive environment, in turn aiding their personal and academic progress.


Following Year 7, students are grouped in mixed Year 8 and 9 classes according to individual need. Careful consideration is given to the grouping process to enable students to develop confidence and self-esteem and progress both academically and socially. The core subjects of English, Maths, Science, ICT, PSHE and PE again form the basis of the curriculum for Years 8 and 9.

The Humanities subjects: History, Geography, RS, Citizenship, MFL and European Studies are delivered in a cross-curricular format under the heading 'Our World'. Four teachers, each specialising in at least one of these subjects plan and deliver the two year programme as a team. This approach to Humanities allows students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the discrete subjects under one topic heading, making learning more meaningful and relevant. Much use is made of the local community in helping students to develop their understanding of society, their place within it and helping them to understand how they contribute as an active citizen.

Performing Arts is delivered on a modular basis whereby students have the opportunity to experience Music, Dance, Drama and Media for two lessons each week. Opportunities are available for teaching staff to plan and deliver lessons together to enable students to understand the link between these subject areas. Students have further opportunity to develop their interest in these areas through Enrichment Afternoon.

At Key Stage 3 students benefit form 3 PE lessons, two of these with all classes timetabled together to allow for viable groupings in relation to ability and numbers and also to allow for an all-girls' group, giving staff the opportunity to address self-esteem and confidence issues.

Key Stage 4

Throughout Years 10 and 11 the focus turns towards accreditation and continuing of students' personal development and well-being.

A wide range of courses is available enabling students to work towards all levels of external qualification from P Level to GCSE, depending upon their level of ability and aptitude for the examination process.

The new admissions guidelines which the Local Authority have used since 2006 mean that students in our current Year 7 and any subsequent years will not have the Life Skills curriculum described in the paragraph below available to them.

Those students working at P levels follow the ASDAN Transition Challenge course, via their Life Skills lessons, which helps them to develop every day skills through a series of practical tasks and challenges which link in with National Curriculum subjects. These students also follow practically based Literacy and Numeracy courses again leading to accreditation through the ASDAN award body. In addition, they receive a broad and balanced curriculum covering PSHE, ICT, PE, Drama, Art and Technology.

The majority of our Key Stage 4 students study for Entry Level or GCSE qualifications in English, Maths and Science and Entry Level or CLAIT in ICT. In addition, they may opt for two subjects currently from Art and Design, Food Technology and Design Technology (all either GCSE or Entry Level), Entry Level Leisure and Tourism or Performing Arts Bronze Award.

All students at Key Stage 4 have the opportunity through cross-curricular work to gain the ASDAN Bronze Award and for our more able students this may begin in Year 9.

A system of regular monitoring and tracking of student progress enables us to ensure that all students leave Corley having had every opportunity to gain the accreditation for their work of which they are capable.

Work-related learning is an important element of the Key Stage 4 curriculum. All Year 11 students take part in a two week work experience programme. While most of our students manage the two weeks independently, we provide Teaching Assistant support where appropriate in order to maximise the benefits of the experience to our less able students. Alternative, off-site curriculum opportunities are also available for our Year 10 and 11 students at a range of schools, colleges and work placement providers who work closely with us and our Connexions Advisor to ensure that students are appropriately placed on courses and closely monitored to maximise success. These courses may be of one or two year's duration or last for 6-8 weeks, providing students with a taster to assist them in making realistic informed decisions about their future.

Personal, Social and Health Education

PSHE plays a vital role in our curriculum at both key stages. A comprehensive and progressive programme is in place which is planned and delivered by a team of 3 staff throughout the school to ensure consistency of content and standards. Students in Key Stage 3 have 2 lessons of PSHE while at Key Stage 4 this is increased to 3 to also allow for the delivery of RS. Of the three staff, one takes responsibility for RS, one for Sex and Relationships, Drugs and Alcohol Education and the other for Careers, Work-related Learning, Citizenship and Financial Well-being.

Religious Education is taught within the framework of a multi-cultural approach to moral and spiritual development and is supported by whole school assemblies.

A comprehensive programme of Sex and Relationships Education is in place and is supported by a range of outside agencies, including representatives from SHADOW (Sexual Health and Drugs Outreach Workers).

An important aspect of our PSHE programme is our Social Awareness programme. This is incorporated into PSHE lessons and also forms an important focus of small group sessions. There is an emphasis on an understanding and development of social and communication skills.

Citizenship

Throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, Citizenship is delivered through the PSHE programme in the way of discrete lessons as well as via a cross-curricular approach in other subjects with a significant emphasis in Our World for Key Stage 3 and the ASDAN Award Schemes for Key Stage 4. The principles of Citizenship are very much embedded in the school ethos, with tutorials and assemblies playing a vital role, alongside non-timetabled learning opportunities such as School Council, prefect elections, whole school focus days and fund-raising activities.

Enrichment Afternoon

September 2007 saw the introduction of our Enrichment Afternoon, whereby students are able to select from a range of up to 12 courses each half term offering a variety of alternative learning opportunities. Students are grouped according to choice of activity and therefore have the opportunity to work alongside other students from all year groups and of all abilities.

Enrichment Afternoon provides students with a range of experiences, enabling them to learn new skills, develop new interests and develop their social and communication abilities as well as their confidence and self-esteem. These sessions help students to make this progress, while at the same time having fun and making new friends in a safe and supportive environment.

Enrichment activities have so far included:

Band

Cycling

Country Walks and Farm Experience

Country Walks and Photography

Dance

Drama

French Experience

Gardening

Painting and Decorating

Relaxation

School Newsletter

Sign Language

Story-telling

Sporting Challenge

Young Engineers' Challenge

Post 16 in School

Post 16 is open to students who already attend Corley Centre. Its aim is to allow those students who are not quite ready to move onto college education, time and experiences to develop their skills and self confidence.

In the first year students access courses within the North West Federation. These are BTEC qualifications in Land and Environment (Level 1), Media Studies (Level2) or Sports studies (Level2).
All these courses involve practical skills, theory sessions and a year long weekly work experience placement.
Whilst in Corley Centre the students access Broadening Horizons, a new initiative set up to develop self confidence and E-Learning where they develop computer skills through the European Computer Driving Licence.
They also work on their numeracy and literacy skills, life skills, ICT, PSHE and Social and Autism Awareness.

In the second year students choose to access individual courses at different colleges, generally supported by Corley but this is entirely negotiable. Over the years these have been as varied as catering, countryside skills, drama and life skill based courses.
Again time spent in Corley is used to develop basic skills and personal development and well being.

Students tend to stay in Post 16 for the two years and then move on to their chosen colleges. However some have moved after one year and this is entirely student led.

Residence

All pupils who attend Corley Centre have access to 2 to 4 nights residential provision according to their individual need, determined though the Statement of Special Educational Need. Students follow specific educational programmes to aid independence whilst in residence. The residential provision also provides extended day opportunities where students can stay on at school to develop their social skills until after the evening meal.

After School Activities

A varied programme of After School activities is offered to all our students. These are run by various staff associated with the school.

 

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