Curriculum
Curriculum Policies and Design
The Aims of the Curriculum- To cater for pupils of all abilities and needs but specifically those with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties.
- To provide, within the school, different levels and styles of teaching appropriate to the abilities and aptitudes of all pupils.
- To stimulate all pupils including the most and least able.
- To offer a broad and balanced education for all pupils, regardless of gender, religion or ethnic origin.
- To encourage and nurture enthusiasm for learning.
- To develop lively, enquiring minds in our pupils, encouraging them to argue both rationally and courteously.
- To help pupils to acquire the understanding, knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and employment in a fast-changing world.
- To help pupils develop creative and aesthetic skills and appreciation.
- To help pupils to use language, mathematical and computing skills effectively.
- To develop in pupils, personal moral values, respect for religious values and tolerance of other religions, races and ways of life.
- To help pupils to understand, appreciate and contribute to the world in which they live.
- To help promote meaningful progression from key stage three to key stage four and from secondary education to the world of work or further education.
- To promote effective links between home and school.
Hope View School operates in line with the National Curriculum which focuses upon the following areas:
Key Stage 3- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- History
- Physical Education
- Social Development – RE, sex education, citizenship
- Cooking
- ICT
- Art & Design
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- ICT
- ASDAN – Certificate of Personal Effectiveness
- Geography
- Art & Design
- Physical Education
- Social Development – RE, sex education, citizenship
- Construction
- BTech Business
- Retail and Administration
Progress
The progress of pupils is monitored throughout the year by test and/or continuous teacher assessment.
Parents/carers are encouraged to discuss with the Headteacher, any problems or queries, as and when they arise. In addition, parent’s meetings are held at regular intervals to permit parents/carers to discuss in detail, their child’s progress in individual subjects.
Homework
Homework is set regularly for all pupils. Assignments are chosen to stimulate interest, encourage initiative, self-sufficiency and self-discipline or simply to reinforce the learning of necessary facts and techniques. Pupils should be encouraged to work neatly and conscientiously, away from distractions. It is hoped that parents/carers will work with the school to ensure that homework is completed to a good standard and handed in on time.
Literacy and Numeracy
Emphasis is placed on improving pupils’ reading, spelling and numeracy skills. All pupils are assessed in these areas upon entry to the school. Those with a reading age below 9 years are placed on the “Toe by Toe” programme (a phonetic approach to improving reading particularly beneficial to pupils with dyslexia); on completion this is followed by “Stride Ahead.” Pupils with a reading age above 9 but 2 or more years below their chronological age follow the “Stride Ahead” programme. All pupils have a reading book and read to a member of staff at least twice a week. Reading ages are re-assessed twice yearly. Spelling is addressed through the reading programmes as well as during English lessons. “Stareway to Spelling” is used for pupils who have an exceptionally low spelling ability for their age.
All pupils follow the Folens Numeracy Programme which is dedicated by their pre-assessed National Curriculum Levels. They are engaged in this on a one-to-one basis at least twice a week.
Behaviour Management and Outdoor Education
To deliver the curriculum successfully it is necessary to manage the classroom effectively. Due to the emotional, social and behavioural needs of our pupils it is important to equip them with the skills they need to enable them to manage themselves. Behaviour management engages pupils in a variety of tasks designed to provide them with strategies they need to successfully engage in the curriculum.
Outdoor Education is an integral part of the curriculum at Hope View. It ranges from working in small groups on school based activities, to building shelters or map reading in the local woodland area. Pupils are encouraged to work together in teams, solving problems and supporting one another. In addition, an annual residential visit to Kent Mountain Centre in North Wales enables pupils to take on new challenges and experiences.
Information Communications Technology
During the summer 2009, a brand new fully operational network system was installed in the school. At present there are 10 computers on site which give access to a wide range of learning resources including closely monitored Internet access.
