Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Intent

‘To provide an enriching and inclusive experience for all’ 

At Owen’s we aim to engage, inspire and challenge students of all abilities, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to experiment, investigate and create their own areas of expertise and reach their full potential. As students progress, they should be able to think creatively and critically; develop and respond to a thorough understanding of their place in an ever more complex society and to make informed and ethical choices. They should understand the significant impact they can have in shaping our future, whilst appreciating our shared current and historical cultural environment/heritage. Students should be equipped to foster a lifelong attitude of self-care through understanding the importance of wider reading, a healthy and active lifestyle; understanding the benefits and characteristics of positive relationships whilst staying safe physically, virtually and mentally.

Our broad, relevant and balanced differentiated curriculum aims to produce responsible citizens who are innovative problem solvers, who are not afraid to make mistakes in their quest to learn and discover, and make a positive contribution to society. We aim to develop students who engage with diverse experiences and ideas and have the tools to communicate, debate, perform, imagine, scrutinise and empathise with the world around us. Our students should become critical and discerning users of digital technologies, be curious with scientific ideas, as well as evaluate different viewpoints across the diverse religious, theological and philosophical spectrum.

This is achieved in line with the ‘OWENS’ way

OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

WINDOW TO THE WORLD

EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING

NEVER STOP LEARNING

SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

Curriculum Statement

Dame Alice Owen’s School aims:

• to provide a broad, relevant, balanced and differentiated curriculum that has regard to the National Curriculum for all students
• to develop the curriculum to ensure the promotion and teaching of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education
• to ensure all students share and are given access to that common curriculum
• to ensure that the curriculum meets all legal requirements
• to enable all students to progress and achieve their full potential within that curriculum through specialist teaching and on-going monitoring and assessment
• to support each subject and cross curricular area with the appropriate resources
• to provide continuity of curriculum through the different Key Stages
• to monitor and review the curriculum with staff through classroom observations, book reviews, departmental reviews, , meetings and INSET. To introduce change to the curriculum as a result of internal discussions and in response to external requirements
•  to identify areas within development planning, at departmental and at whole school level, which may need review, and to implement any change efficiently and smoothly
• to pursue actively curricular initiatives which will enhance the curriculum offered by the school
• to keep students, parents and governors informed and involved in the curriculum and any changes to that curriculum through the school website and online platforms, and through meetings, booklets and letters
• to involve industry, commerce, alumni and outside agencies to enrich the experience of our students
• to continue to enhance the curriculum to reflect the local, national and international community
• to promote British values including individual liberty, the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility, respect for diversity, including of different faiths, beliefs and lifestyles. We seek to instil in students a sense of belonging, not just to the school community, but to the wider community and to the country
• to ensure all areas of the curriculum promote equality and tackle prejudicial discrimination.

Curriculum Offer

Click on the subject to go to the curriculum map

At Key Stage 3 students will study:

• Mathematics
• English
• Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Science in Year 7)
• 2 Modern Foreign Languages (from French, German, Spanish)
•  Art
•  Computer Science
•  Design Technology
•  Drama (Years 7 and 8)
•  Food
• Geography
•  History
•  Music
•  PE
•  Religious Studies
• Textiles
• Learning for Life

At Key Stage 4 students will study:

•  Mathematics
•  English Literature and English Language
•  Biology, Chemistry, Physics (Combined Science is also available)
•  A Modern Foreign Language (from French, German, Spanish)
• 4 additional subjects are selected from the option columns which contain all other subjects above, plus Business, and Economics.
• Learning for Life

 

At Key Stage 5 students will study:

3 subjects picked from 4 option columns. GCSE subjects can be taken at A level (depending on student uptake). Additional subjects are Government and Politics, Music Technology, Psychology, Sociology. Students will also follow a ‘Futures’ programme’.

Curriculum Resources

The School is exceptionally well resourced with specialist rooms equipped to a high standard and every subject having its own dedicated areas. There is an extensive computer network system providing excellent opportunities for ICT. There are eight ICT suites and wireless computer access in all departments.

We are continually developing our use of Google Classrooms – harnessing the power of technology to make it easier for teachers, students, parents and governors to communicate and give improved access to information and learning materials, via password entry.

Our Library features an impressive collection of books and magazines along with computer terminals with intranet and internet access. It is open throughout the day and after school for private study and class use, as well as being a centre for independent study and recreational reading.

For an insight into what each department offers, please go to our Departments section in Academic Life.

Revision Resources

To aid revision, particularly after so many students experienced absences due to Covid, we have subscribed to GCSE Pod  (https://members.gcsepod.com/login/), a website designed to help pupils with their learning.  This is primarily aimed at Key Stage 4 students but KS3 students can also access it; students simply log in by clicking on the “Sign in with Google” button and use their school Gmail account.

We have already selected the correct exam board specification for each subject; for each subject there are “pods” which are videos explaining content specific to the exam board we study. There are also multiple choice “Check and Challenge” questions for most topics and teachers may also set assignments within it. The main focus is on revising content as opposed to examination technique.  Please look at the information below to understand more about how it works.

 

 

Parents and other members of the public can find out more about the curriculum of our school by emailing any queries to [email protected]