Curriculum

The morality of our values- Trust, Hope, Endurance, Forgiveness, Friendship and Thankfulness are at the heart of the Davison family ethos.

Academically, students thrive in a calm and purposeful environment. Students’ life chances improve as their numeracy and literacy improve and their progress in this area is a key focus. Well-resourced and highly qualified staff deliver programs of study based on high expectations and the belief that students can go beyond their best in all areas of the curriculum.

Our assessment system is based on the growth mindset theory and involves the use of key performance indicators and personal learning check lists. Our students become independent learners as their assessment develops in partnership with their teachers.

Parents and carers are instrumental to students’ progress and we endeavour to involve them as partners in their daughters’ learning journey.

We believe that the timetabled lessons are only a part of the curriculum at Davison and we encourage all members of the Davison family to fully immerse themselves in the life of the school. As well as our “Colour Family System” there are numerous opportunities for personal development outside the classroom. Our reward systems and Davison Pledge also reflect this.

The many life changing extra-curricular opportunities at Davison help students to:

· exceed their academic expectations

· become confident, successful and responsible young women

· understand Christian values whatever their beliefs and faith

The Davison Pledge:

We want you to have an enjoyable and successful time at Davison, to become a confident young woman and to leave here armed with the necessary knowledge to make a positive contribution to society. We want you to do well for yourself, having developed the relevant skills, attributes, and attitudes to lead a happy and fulfilled life.

We will push – and support – you to do your best in all aspects of your education and will try hard to provide you with challenges, both in and out of lessons.

During your time at this school, you will have the opportunity to:

•  take part in at least one residential trip
• represent your Form, Family, Year or the School in some activity
• speak in front of – or entertain – an audience of students
• speak in front of – or entertain – an audience of adults
• be involved in at least one after school club
• raise money for a good cause
• give practical help to a community group
• have some of your work displayed
• gain experience in the workplace
• develop an understanding of courses available to you at college
• have access to helpful careers guidance
• have a role in mentoring younger students
• be of service to the school in some capacity.

This is a two-way process, though, and we urge you to take up the opportunities that will be offered to you.

The experiences on offer both within and outside the timetable are designed to give students a broad and balanced experience. The curriculum is reviewed each year and adjusted to ensure that:

· our resources are used effectively

· subjects have the correct time allocation and content

· the subjects on offer are in line with our intent

· we comply with the national curriculum

· it is relevant to our new students and our students as they progress to post 16.

See the Davison Curriculum description & option pathways

We regularly review and monitor the curriculum content through lesson observations, subject line management and data analysis of student progress, attendance and behaviour. Our continuing professional development sees teachers as reflective practitioners, ensuring that we read and utilise the most recent educational research.

We ensure that able students are challenged, those with additional needs are supported and all have the opportunity for enrichment.

Our learning Platform FROG is used for communication with students and parents/carers through all year groups and Frog Progress uses a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system for year 7,8 and 9. This enables all to understand what has been learned and how to develop further using the FROG learning locker.

KPIs are assessed regularly in an appropriate way for each subject.

In years 10 and 11 learning checklist and regular assessments and feedback enables students’ progress. This is done in a way appropriate to the particular subjects.

Students have formal exams annually to help prepare them for their final assessments in their qualifications.

Our aim of giving every girl a better future is realised in our academic results and evident in the wonderful young women who leave us at to go onto further education and training.

Our system of Key Performance Indicators uses the FROG platform. This is our “Growth Mindset” take on life after levels and we now believe it is having a significant impact upon our students’ academic outcomes. At key stage 3 this has helped our students become much more independent learners so that they are able to start their qualification courses as with the tools they need to succeed.

Our progress 8 scores have been consistently at least above average in national comparisons. In 2019 we broke all of our school records for the all of headline measures for progress, attainment and attendance.

Our first full cohorts to experience five years at Davison completing their qualifications in 2020 and 2021 continued this success despite the challenges of these years due to the lockdowns.

We had excellent engagement in e-learning whilst the students were on lockdown when many students experienced more than normal absences. Many of our systems of “catch up” have been catalysed into improvement because of these challenges. This has included our bespoke Davison Tutoring Programme (DTP) and our “Continuity of learning” section of the website. This enhances students’ chances of keeping up with their school work if they miss any aspects of their learning.

Progress 8 measures at Davison continue to be very positive showing that overall student progress is well above the national average. Most pleasing was that students of all abilities made similar and excellent progress overall. SEE: https://www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables FOR MORE PERFORMANCE DATA.

In Creative Arts, pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made.

Pupils are encouraged to reflect critically on their own and other people’s work, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as artists, photographers and designers while developing their own creativity. This allows them to develop an appreciation of the arts and its role in the creative and cultural industries that enrich our lives.

ART & DESIGN         INTENT        YEAR 7

ART & DESIGN         INTENT        YEAR 8

ART & DESIGN         INTENT        YEAR 9

The Creative Arts Department offers 3 GCSE’s –
ART, CRAFT & DESIGN,
ART TEXTILES
PHOTOGRAPHY
They all follow the same format and are assessed using the same attainment objectives
All are moderated by the AQA exam board

GCSE Art Overview – click here

GCSE Art Textiles Overview – click here

GCSE Photography Overview – click here

ART, CRAFT & DESIGN GCSE

AUTUMN AND SPRING TERM YEAR 10
UNIT 1 PORTFOLIO
NATURAL FORMS Teacher led project

Assessment Objective 1
AQA – Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources
Pupils will be researching the work of other artists – collecting images, researching, annotating and analysing artists and their artwork. Interpreting art and developing their own ideas to produce their own outcomes

Assessment Objective 2
AQA – Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes
Experimenting with media, materials and techniques – pupils will experiment with a variety of media throughout the project, refining their skills and exploring how other artists use & manipulate media.
New media, materials and techniques such as lino printing and ceramics are introduced, processes and experiments are recorded with photos & annotation

Assessment Objective 3
AQA – Record ideas, observation and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses
Recording ideas by working in a sketchbook to show their visual and written development. Pupils are required to work from Primary and secondary sources to record their ideas.
They must include drawing as part of their recording and annotate their work as it progresses

Assessment Objective 4
AQA – Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language
Produce a final outcome, this is the artwork at the end of the project. There are two final outcomes for this project – ceramic pods and a series of lino prints

SUMMER TERM – YEAR 10
UNIT 2 PORTFOLIO
IDENTITY Semi-independent project based on a past GCSE paper

Pupils will begin with teacher led activities which they can draw upon to develop their own ideas and work more independently

• Pupils will research a variety of artists, they can choose from artists provided by the teacher and also select their own choice of artist
• Pupils are encouraged to experiment with media and materials by looking at examples and watching workshops/videos which demonstrating a range of two-dimensional techniques. They will refine and develop their skills with individual media and materials and experiment with unfamiliar techniques to develop confidence.
• Pupils will select some appropriate ideas & techniques to develop further to begin exploring ideas for a final piece
• Pupils will produce a final outcome which will be a mixed media portrait with a background & other elements inspired by one of the artists they have researched

AUTUMN TERM – YEAR 11
UNIT 3 PORTFOLIO
SURROUNDINGS Mock exam and controlled assessment

• Pupils will be given several starting points relating to the project theme, they select one pathway to respond to, then investigate suitable artists showing the impact this has on their own ideas.
• Pupils should select the most appropriate media, materials and techniques to develop their own ideas, linking their ideas to start to develop a personal response.
• The controlled assessment will focus on drawing from life and drawing from pupil’s own photos taken in response to their chosen pathway for Unit 3. Pupils will begin to show a clear development towards their final outcome
• Final outcome will be produced under exam conditions in the classroom during lessons.

The sketchbook shows the visual journey pupils have made throughout the project, all work should be relevant and record the progress of their ideas towards a final outcome/s

SPRING TERM – YEAR 11
EXTERNALLY SET ASSIGNMENT – GCSE exam

The GCSE exam paper is distributed on the first lesson after the Christmas holidays in January.
AQA will provide an exam paper with a variety of titles which pupils must select from and then respond to one starting point from their chosen title

“The externally set assignment provides pupils with the opportunity to demonstrate, through an extended creative response, their ability to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and understanding in response to their selected starting point.
The extended creative response must evidence pupil’s ability to draw together different areas of knowledge, skill and understanding from initial engagement with their selected starting point through to their realisation of intentions in the 10 hours of supervised time”

Preparatory time – pupils will work in sketchbooks or on presentation boards from January until Easter to develop their ideas.
Exam – the exam takes place over 10 hours (2 school days) during which time pupils produce their personal response to the preparation work in their sketchbooks

Organisation

Key stage 3 and 4 pupils are taught in mixed ability classes. At key stage 3 the students have 2 x I hour lessons, most of them are taught as doubles within a fortnight and all lessons are taught by subject specialists. At Key stage 4 students have five hours a fortnight which is split into 2 double lessons and one single

Our Creative Arts technician prepares, organises and monitors materials and resources and creates displays of pupils work both inside and outside the classroom.

All the departments’ schemes of work which includes resources and homework are shared on course materials and also on FROG. These materials are reviewed at departmental meetings which happen once a fortnight and are up dated regularly.

As a team, we employ a variety of different teaching strategies to develop critical thinking, creativity, practical skills and cultural understanding. Personal qualities such as organisation skills, empathy, resilience, and personal expression are fostered as pupils work through the projects

Feedback and feedforward

At key stage 3 all of our Key performance Indicators reflect the creative process and are interrelated, we focus on two per term. At key stage 4 pupils performance indicators are set by AQA exam board in the form of assessment objectives. As students work through projects they are made aware of how they are showing evidence of each objective.

At both Key stages verbal praise and feedback is given constantly throughout the lesson, sometimes as a group critique and also as part of a teacher walk. These methods for a practical subject are the most effective as pupil can respond immediately to improve their work. Pupils are also encouraged to become more independent in reviewing their own work and that of their peers. To assist them with this, success criteria are shared with the groups. This is useful if given part way through a piece of work allowing pupils time to reflect and respond. Teacher assessment of pupils artwork takes place via Frog and visually and verbally in lessons. We aim to encourage and challenge pupils by completing WWW & EBI comments, which they then use to set personal targets.

At key stage 3 a FROG KPI log is kept at the front of their sketchbooks with blue, green and amber status given to the tasks set for each project.

At Key stage 4 a grid showing GCSE criteria is used to inform students of their progress.

Developing Independence.

Students in Key stage 3 are expected to complete a 30–45 minute task for homework each fortnight. This is set using FROG and will relate to their class work, or require them to produce something that they will use in their next lesson. The homework will be graded using success criteria and there may also be an extension task for those students who like a challenge.

At key stage 4 the expectation is that students will spend at least 90 mins a week on the homework tasks. At this stage homework is more personalised as it will relate to pupils individual focus and areas of development within the GCSE project theme.

Progress of key stage 3 students is monitored through FROG. There are 6 linked Key Performance indicators for each year group which reflects the creative process and shows a progression of skills that directly relate to the assessment objectives at Key stage 4. Two KP strands across all year groups are assessed each term. This assessment is standardised during department meetings to ensure consistency of judgement.

Further opportunities to show achievement and meet challenges are given through extension tasks. Most students achieve their KPI’s by the end of the year and some exceed them. Those students who do not achieve are monitored and supported to develop their confidence.

Key stage 4 students are assessed against AQA assessment objectives. In their class and homework tasks they are given interim feedback and the opportunity to respond and make modifications before final marking takes place. Year 11 are given a mock exam in the autumn term where they can learn strategies to evidence each of the assessment objectives so that in the Summer term they are more confident to tackle their final controlled test.

AQA standardisation courses are attended by representatives of the Creative arts staff and moderation of both portfolio work and controlled test takes place in the department before marks are sent to the exam board. Throughout the GCSE course the Horsforth Quadrant is used to identify students who are in danger of not achieving their Most Likely Grade. Intervention sessions at lunchtime and after school are offered to these pupils.

We offer three Arts subjects at GCSE, Art, Craft & Design, Art Textiles and more recently, Photography. Exam results are consistently above the national average.

2019                                      2020                                      2021

4+   95.12%                          4+   100%                             4+    100%

7+   46.34%                          7+    32.8%                           7+     44.4%

P8   +0.94                             P8    +1.08                            P8     +0.5

We have evidence that many students choose to study the Arts post 16. Students chose to study a wide variety of arts and arts related courses e.g. Fine art, art & design, Photography, Film, 3D design, Textiles, Fashion, Graphic design, Media studies & game design.

Anecdotally, other past students have told us that although they do not continue to study art they continued to produce their own art work and enjoy visiting exhibitions and seeking cultural experiences. Many apply their creative mindset to contribute to their workplace.

This subject intends to provide the academic knowledge and understanding for any student who may progress to a career working with young children as well as providing personal knowledge and understanding for all students who may go on to be parents or carers themselves in the future.

In Child Development students will gain knowledge and understanding of how a child develops from conception to the age of five years. This subject builds on knowledge gained at KS3 in science and personal development about relationships and how a baby is conceived and born, by going into greater depth about how the child is cared for up until the age of five.

Students will start in year 10 by learning about the health and well-being of the child. This knowledge will then be used in their coursework by allowing them to show their understanding of the equipment and nutritional needs of different aged children in a nursery setting.

Students will then learn about how a child develops physically, socially and intellectually and how different types of play can aid this development. They will then use this knowledge for the second piece of coursework which is to plan two play activities to carry out with a child in a nursery setting.

Year 10- R018 health and well-being of a child

Term1

• Reproduction and the roles and responsibilities of parents
• Antenatal care and preparation for birth
• Postnatal checks, postnatal provision and conditions for development

Term 2

• How to recognise, manage and prevent childhood illness
• Child Safety
• Coursework R019- understanding the equipment and nutritional needs of a child from birth-5 years task 1-2

Term 3

• Coursework R019- understanding the equipment and nutritional needs of a child from birth-5 years task 3-4

Year 11

Term1

• Coursework R020- understanding the development of a child task 1-3
• Revision – R018- health and wellbeing of a child

Term 2

• ALL STUDENTS SIT R018 written paper
• Coursework R020- understanding the development of a child- task 4
• Coursework R019 and R020 review

Term 3

• Coursework- R019 and R020 act on feedback
• Revision R018- health and wellbeing of a child (re-takers only)

Child development is currently taught by three teachers, each with sole responsibility for their classes. Each class has 5 hours per fortnight and the lessons are delivered in a multipurpose computer room. The benefit of this classroom is that students sit at desks for teacher led discussions, group work and practical activities as well as computers for each student for research, coursework and independent theory. Teachers of child development meet once every half term to share planning, develop new teaching ideas, standardise marking and discuss the logistics and management of teaching resources. Teachers are also in regular contact by email for matters regarding individual students. Teachers are observed by the subject leader this is also the opportunity for students to voice their opinions of the course and where areas of development can be identified.

All aspects of the specification are taught with as much practical application as possible. We have a large store of teaching resources including model babies, examples of travelling equipment, feeding equipment, sleeping equipment and clothing and footwear for children. These resources are used for teaching to enable the students to gain hands on experience and enhance their understanding of the theory

Where possible students will make models, draw diagrams and make films to appeal to the many different learning styles of students. Students are supplied with or can provide their own A4 folder for notes made in class. Any work completed on the computer is saved into our shared OneDrive folder where the teacher and student can both view, edit and comment on the work.

Homework is set regularly to consolidate new information learned in class. Once coursework lessons commence at the end of year 10 and continue into year 11 – homework will entirely focus on completing coursework tasks.

All year 10 Child Development students are given the opportunity to volunteer at the Davison Day Nursery. This opportunity gives them experience of working in a nursery and being around young children. It benefits them in their coursework by being able to see for themselves nursery equipment being used; meals being produced, and young children’s development being observed and recorded by the Nursery staff.

All students have access to the course textbook for use in lessons and are encouraged to purchase the course revision guide for use in lessons and at home. All powerpoints used by teachers in lessons are available to the students on the FROG department site.

There are high expectations of behaviour in child development lessons, where we aim to create a calm atmosphere of trust and openness, where student and teacher both feel comfortable with discussions of their own experiences. This discussion adds to the learning of students as well as enhancing student-teacher relationships. Students are encouraged to write a letter to their teacher at the start of year 10 to tell them anything they feel the teacher should know about them. This gives the teacher the knowledge to approach certain topics with sensitivity, for example Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or childhood illness. There are also high expectations for achievement with a target to improve the number of students gaining D2 or D2*. Students capable of achieving these highest grades are identified by teacher assessment and by using the department spreadsheets where data is analysed to estimate current grades. Students who are identified to be close to a higher grade boundary are encouraged to re-take their exam in summer of year 11 in order to gain more marks, they will be specifically targeted in term 2 year 11 to work on areas of their coursework where they can improve. Every Friday after school there is a child development booster club which is adapted for the students who attend, to either focus on coursework or exam content. All students are invited to attend and those aiming for the highest grades encouraged.

Teachers are in regular contact with parents via email, phone or school comms. Particularly where students need extra support with meeting deadlines. Parents are directed to the department site on FROG which holds details of all coursework tasks to be completed and materials to help them.

A wide range of students choose child development as an option at key stage 4 and any student can choose it. Lessons are differentiated to provide extra resources, including exemplar materials, for students of lower ability and students are extended by the regular discussion opportunities within lesson time. Pupil Premium students are provided with a revision guide.

The exam content (R018) focuses on five learning objectives, students will complete an assessment at the end of each. The assessment ranges from 25-45 marks depending on the length of the learning objective and consists of past exam paper questions. The purpose of this assessment is for the students to practice exam style questions and for the teacher to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the topic. The results of these end of topic tests are recorded on the department spreadsheets.

Students will work on coursework in lessons and at home and will be set clear deadlines for handing in each task, these deadlines will be made clear in lessons and sent on FROG. Each task will be assessed, and feedback given via OneDrive. Estimated marks for their work will be recored on department spreadsheets.

Students will complete the externally marked written exam paper R018 in January of Year 11, the results are published in March with the option to re-take in June. Coursework R019 and 20 will be submitted to the teacher by Easter of Year 11 for final marking and moderation.

Citizenship Studies has two strands at Davison.  There is National Curriculum delivery and also the opportunity to choose GCSE Citizenship Studies.

Our National Curriculum delivery is woven through core subjects at Key Stage 3, through drop down opportunities in Key Stage 4 and during tutor times.  Our whole school community work compliments the provision across the whole school. The purpose of National Curriculum Citizenship is to provide our students with the ability to understand and access the UK political system whilst understanding what rights citizens have and how to actively participate in their communities.

Our GCSE in Citizenship Studies intends to develop politically and legally literate students who are confident advocates.  They will gain the knowledge to be able to participate fully in British society throughout their life and widen their communication, decision-making and advocacy skills.

National Curriculum

Our developing National Curriculum provision focuses on understanding the following points;

• The democratic government in the UK.
• The operation of Parliament including voting and elections.
• The liberties and human rights for citizens of the UK.
• How the law helps society deal with complex problems,
• The diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK and the need for mutual respect and understanding.
• The contribution of citizens to their communities and how they can make change happen
• Income, expenditure, credit and debt, insurance, savings and pensions and financial products and services.

GCSE Citizenship Studies

We follow the AQA GCSE Specification which you can find in detail here (https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/citizenship/gcse/citizenship-studies-8100/specification-at-a-glance).

Through 3 key knowledge-based units – Life in modern Britain, Rights and Responsibilities (legal systems in UK) and Politics and Participation (political and governance systems in the UK) – students learn about the structures which make the UK work and how citizens can bring about change within them.

There is a more practical unit of Active Citizenship where students carry out their own research and decided upon an issue that they would like to take action on and to make a change.

All four units are examined through 2 examination papers at the end of year 11.

Curriculum delivery

National Curriculum Citizenship is taught by a variety of teachers throughout a variety of Key Stage 3 lessons, by form tutors, and by teachers from a multitude of subject areas for drop down days.

GCSE Citizenship Studies is currently taught by 3 members of staff via 5 hours of lessons per fortnight. These examination classes are taught in mixed ability groups.  At present there are 2 GCSE classes in year 10 and 2 in year 11.

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

Students will often discuss events occurring in real time with their form tutors and GCSE teachers.  Our programme of Citizenship in tutor time encourages discussion of facts vs opinions and analysing the different points of view about a particular news item.

Our GCSE students are encouraged to consider critically issues which exist with the UK, for example, how the UK Government balances its public service funding whilst being able to provide the necessary level of care and provision. This is particularly prevalent as they tackle 8 mark synoptic questions where they provide different points of view support with examples.

They will also complete individual news diaries in order to apply their growing knowledge to current events on a fortnightly basis to be checked by staff once a month.

Modelling and Explanation

From the outset of the GCSE course, students are given frequent opportunities to develop and improve their technique for written examination answers.  We use detailed “Quizlet” resources created by the department to ensure student can access and easily revise the key concepts with definitions to check their answers against.  Command words and questions are discussed as a whole class with modelling through “walking talking” mock questions, self and peer assessment and writing frames provided as appropriate.

Our lessons contain visual cues in order to support our explanation and tasks are broken down into small steps to ensure that all students are able to access the understanding and explanation that is required.

Feedback/Feedforward

At GCSE our students are assessed in a variety of ways.  They sit regular practice questions which are either peer assessed or marked by our teachers.  This written feedback will suggest what further improvements need to be made so that students can apply this in future practices.

They also do knowledge quizzes every fortnight in order to embed their understanding of key terms and examples.  Whilst staff record these scores, the core purpose of these is to allow students to try different methods of revision to find their most effective ways of working to retrieve this essential information.  Their quizzes help them to personalise their feedback for how they can revise more effectively in future.

Challenge for Every Student

Challenge is provided through discussions in the classroom.  Students are challenged to make links between the key concepts being learned in the classroom and news events.  This is also supported by their news diaries.

The synoptic 8 mark questions demand a higher level of understanding and the ability to draw their knowledge together from all units of the course.

Students are supported in being able to meet the challenges of Citizenship Studies where appropriate with a range of key words and interventions.

Independence and Self-regulated learners

By providing the “Quizlet” resources created by the department throughout the whole course for GCSE, we support students in their development of independent learning and revision.

Students also have access to a FROG site which suggests a variety of ways to develop their knowledge and understanding.  Students are required to complete news diaries fortnightly which widen their knowledge and deepens their understanding by reading newspapers (either physical or through internet platforms), watching relevant documentaries and critically evaluating the news that they access through social media.

The Active Citizenship investigation requires a high level of independence in order to research, plan and take action as part of a group. Students are required to use their initiative and resourcefulness to conduct meaningful and effective research and action.

As we develop the National Curriculum delivery through our tutor activities, more students will participate in political and legal discussions.  Our community work embeds the concepts of democracy, the rights of citizens and how individuals can make change.

GCSE Citizenship Studies students leave Davison as enthusiastic legally and political engaged young people who proactively participate in society.  It is common for some of our students to have joined local political groups or to run and be successfully elected to the Worthing and Adur Youth Council.

In the summer of 2023, we recorded the following GCSE examination results.

Grade 4+    96% (National average 66%)

Grade 5+    81% (National average 50%)

Grade 7+    39% (National average 17%)

Our intent is to promote computational thinking and digital creativity to give our pupils the life-skills that will enable them to embrace and utilise new technology in a socially responsible and safe way in order to flourish. We want our students to develop foundation capabilities to enable them to be discerning, life-long learners in a fast moving technological society. We want the students to be:

• Confident in using code and can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including logic, algorithms and data representation
• Confident while coding so they can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• Effective communicators and who evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
• Able to connect with others responsibly and are competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology

Not only do we want students to be digitally literate and competent end-users of technology, but through our lessons we want them to develop creativity, resilience, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, enabling them to be responsible digital citizens of a wider global community.

Pupils should be taught to: PoS

design, use and evaluate computational abstractions that model the state and behaviour of real-world problems and physical systems COMPUTING

understand several key algorithms that reflect computational thinking [for example, ones for sorting and searching]; use logical reasoning to compare the utility of alternative algorithms for the same problem COMPUTING

use two or more programming languages, at least one of which is textual, to solve a variety of computational problems; make appropriate use of data structures [for example, lists, tables or arrays]; design and develop modular programs that use procedures or functions COMPUTING

understand simple Boolean logic [for example, AND, OR and NOT] and some of its uses in circuits and programming; understand how numbers can be represented in binary, and be able to carry out simple operations on binary numbers [for example, binary addition, and conversion between binary and decimal] COMPUTING & ICT

understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems COMPUTING & ICT

understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system; understand how data of various types (including text, sounds and pictures)
can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits COMPUTING & ICT

undertake creative projects that involve selecting, using, and combining multiple applications, preferably across a range of devices, to achieve challenging
goals, including collecting and analysing data and meeting the needs of known users COMPUTING & ICT

create, re-use, revise and re-purpose digital artefacts for a given audience, with attention to trustworthiness, design and usability COMPUTING & ICT

understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct and know how to report concerns. COMPUTING & ICT

Year 7

Term 1

Using Davison Network – networks, folders and files/ DFP, FROG, ONENOTE, O365 etc.
KPI – You know how to operate the school’s core Computing network systems.

History of Computing
KPI – You can understanding how computers have developed through History.

Term 2

Under the Hood
KPI – You understand how a computer works including both hardware and software

Thinking like a computer scientist
KPI – You understand the main ideas behind ‘Computational Thinking’

Term 3

Drawing and manipulating shapes – Programming in Scratch
KPI – You understand the basics of text and block based programming (coding)

Creating an animation – Programming in Scratch
KPI – You effectively apply your knowledge of programming to a specific task

Year 8

Term 1

Computer Aided Design/ Manufacture
KPI – You have developed your knowledge of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM), to develop a desired 3D outcome.

Understanding Computers – Operating Systems & Software.
KPI – You have an understanding of different types of software: Application Software, Utility Software and Operating System Software.

Term 2

Manipulating files and folders – CLOUD COMPUTING/ ONE DRIVE
KPI – You can use, organise and structure files and folders together in a logical manner

Binary
KPI – You have understanding of how data is stored as Binary and you know how to manipulate Binary data by adding Binary Strings

Term 3

Programming and Algorithms MICROBITS
KPI – You can use a Block Editor with a Microbit Processor to achieve a desired programming outcome

Patterns
KPI – You have an understanding of patterns leading to a workable program

Year 9

Term 1

Representing data – image manipulation. Vector drawing on publisher.
KPI – You understand how data is represented in files and how to manipulate the files to optimize quality.

Programming in Python
KPI – You can use Microsoft Block Editor with a Microbit Processor to achieve a desired programming outcome.

Website Design
KPI – You can use a variety of software to plan, design and develop a functional website

Programming in Python
KPI – You can use Python text base programming to achieve desired outcome.

Term 2

Cracking Code – Encryption
KPI – You can apply your knowledge of Binary to new situations to solve problems

Representing data – image manipulation. Vector drawing on publisher.
KPI – You understand how data is represented in files and how to manipulate the files to optimize quality.

OCR Entry Level Computing – See Entry Level Course

Term 3

OCR Entry Level Computing – See Entry Level Course

Year 10

iMedia Digital Graphics Level 2 – Pre-production skills

Term 1

• Introduction to the Pre – Production unit and initial assessment
• Production planning
• Legislation
• Evaluation
• Creating mind maps/spider diagrams
• Creating visualisation diagrams

Term 2

• Introduction to unit 1 Digital Graphics
• Introduction to Digital Graphics techniques
• Digital Graphics Purposes and audience influence
• Introduction to types of Digital Graphics
• Introduction to equipment for Digital Graphics
• Digital Graphics software – Bitmaps
• Digital Graphics software – Vectors
• Interim assessment – 15 hours

Term 3

Revision for Pre Production Exam

Year 11

• Second assignment – exploration tasks
• How to review
• How to plan
• Final assignment – planning tasks

OCR GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE

Year 10

Term 1

• Systems Architecture
• Memory
• Algorithms
• Python Basics
• Wired & Wireless Networks
• Networks
• Further Python
• NEA

Term 2

• Storage
• Algorithms – Sorting & Searching
• Python Basics
• Networks
• System Security
• Data Representation (Sound)
• NEA
• Programming Techniques
• Producing Robust Programs
• Computational Logic

Year 11

Term 1

• Systems Software
• Ethical, Legal & Cultural Issues
• Revisit whole curriculum again focussing on knowledge gaps
• Exam Technique
• Past Questions

Term 2

• Translators & Facilities of Languages
• Data Representation
• Revisit whole curriculum again focussing on knowledge gaps

Computing at Davison High School offers opportunities for students to:

• Prepare them for participation in a rapidly changing world where activities are increasingly transformed by access to ICT
• Develop initiative and independent learning skills
• Gain rapid access to ideas and experience from a wide range of people, communities and cultures

Year 7 Computing

Being at a new school and learning new information can be daunting for Year 7 students. Students are taught discrete Computing for one hour a week. We, at Davison High School, have created an inviting and exciting first year. The course initially involves looking at using the school network system and how to work safely and responsibly on the network.

Internet – or cyber – bullying has become a big issue with the increase of social networking among young people and our first project is designed to make students aware of the rules and etiquette involved in communicating in all aspects of Computing. Students are assessed according the assessment criteria laid out in the Assessing Students Progress criteria and will be given an assessment level at the end of each contextual unit of work.

Year 8 Computing

Year 8 builds on the assessment levels they achieve in Year 7. The class work is task-based and encourages independent learning and creativity. Davison High School has a progressive attitude towards Computing and is keen to use new and contemporary programmes as well as teach more advanced techniques in the Windows Office Suite.

Year 9 Computing

In Year 9 students are encouraged to work more independently in projects that involve web site creation, Flash animation, Java and HTML coding and writing control systems. Their work is assessed to help students achieve their ‘target’ grade at the end of Key Stage 3.
Within lessons a variety of techniques are used to deliver content or skills (using our five year plan, SOW, FROG and Course Materials). We aim to strike an effective balance between teacher input with active discovery of learning, creative and research tasks, debate/discussion and the development and practice of key skills/techniques. Computing lessons often underpin the SMSC values of Davison, particularly social and moral questions by asking the big questions related to our contextual challenges.

The KS3 curriculum offers regular opportunities for deep and critical thinking, challenging tasks and forming clear thoughts about contexts. All lessons include challenge tasks to develop thinking further and design ideas that meet a context. We ensure equality of opportunity by making lessons inclusive (this can be through a variety of ways, including use of technician support in lesson, storytelling, visual clues, questioning, explanation of key vocabulary etc.)

We have an extensive subject web pages on our VLE (FROG) which has a dedicated section for each year group containing activities, tasks, support information and resources. Learning lockers contain exemplar materials and homework is set upon this platform. This links parents into the loop of communication and also serves as a reliable way to inform about tasks and homework.

Functional Skills in Computing

The term ‘functional’ should be considered in the broad sense of providing learners with the skills and abilities they need to take an active and responsible role in their communities, in their everyday lives, workplaces and educational settings.

Students learn how to use their ICT skills to take an active and responsible role in their communities, in their everyday lives, future workplaces and educational settings. Functional ICT enables students to be able to use ICT in ways that make them effective and involved as citizens.

Functional ICT requires learners to be able to use ICT in ways that make them effective and involved as citizens, able to operate confidently in life and to work in a wide range of contexts. The ICT programme of study for key stage 4 embeds the level 2 Functional Skills standards. The key concepts reflect the ICT functional skills standards:

• ICT capability, where learners use a range of ICT tools in a purposeful way to tackle questions, solve problems and create ideas and solutions of value in a range of contexts, and in other areas of learning, work and life
• Communication and collaboration, where learners share and exchange information safely, effectively and responsibly
• Exploring ideas and manipulating information, and becoming aware of the impact of technology, including issues of risk and safety surrounding the use of ICT critical evaluation of information and of the use of ICT

In Computing we focus on specific key KPIs for contextual projects visited in years 7, 8 and 9 with increasing challenge and new context allowing a really strong understanding of the key skills required for progress the subject. By focusing on using research and contextual themes we confidently believe pupils have the opportunity to explore the skills and knowledge necessary to progress to the two KS4 course we offer. Within each context there is a focus on Key computing and ICT skills and knowledge. This allows staff to support pupils to really challenge themselves and develop these skills.

Pupil voice in lesson observations, learning walks and via the FROG VLE is always positive and indicates high levels of pupil enjoyment and an understanding of the relevance of Computing.

Behaviour in Computing indicates that students are engaged and show real enjoyment as well as effort in this area – particularly the practical element.
The majority of student’s complete homework tasks to a good standard.

Links to FE – some of our student’s have progressed to FE Colleges. As the subject is relatively new under its new guise, it is still very early to track the development and take up of computing as a subject, to a higher level.

KPI results show high levels of attendance and success.

GCSE results – above national average – 2019 84% 9-4 with a high P8
The department continues to use the OCR exam board for both the GCSE and CAMNAT, as context content at Key Stage 3 is be a solid foundation for this KS4 course. We consistently achieve exam results above the national average in this academically rigorous subject.

Assessment at Key Stage 4 is based on exam questions, contexts, knowledge, practical skills and providing formative and summative feedback to help pupils improve. By the time pupils start NEA’s and lead onto written exams they should be confident in the content of the exam process and how to approach exam/ contextual questions and tasks.

Curriculum Support is a safe and nurturing environment which allows students to grow in confidence, not only academically, but socially and emotionally. Students develop their literacy and numeracy skills working either in small groups or on a 1:1 basis. The lessons, based on the development of social and emotional skills, are tailored to meet the needs of the individual students and could involve small group activities or a focussed 1:1 session with an LSA. Lessons also take place for students with an Education, Health and Care Plan, to deliver the targets/activities written into their plan and other students receive additional lessons if suggested by supporting outside agencies e.g. Speech & Language or the Autism & Social Communication Team. DEAR support is provided daily to help improve students reading levels and comprehension.

Literacy

Year 7

Spellings
Punctuation – full stops, capital letter, question marks, exclamation marks and commas
Adjectives, Similes and Metaphors
Apostrophes – contractions & possession
Alliteration
Homophones
Creative Writing

Year 8

Spellings
Punctuation
Nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs
Similes, metaphors, personification
Homophones
Persuasive Writing

Year 9

Spellings
Sentences – simple, compound and complex
Sentence Starters – starting a sentence with a verb, adverb, simile and adjective
Persuasive writing
Apostrophes – possessives
Vocabulary and creative writing

Year 10 and 11

AQA Entry Level Certificate Step Up To English

Numeracy

Year 7

Place Value Whole Numbers
Place Value Decimal Numbers
Addition & Subtraction

Year 8

Solving Numerical Problems
Fractions
Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
Algebra

Year 9

Ratio & Proportion
Angles, Area & Pie Charts
Square Numbers and Cube Numbers
Mean, Median, Mode & Range

Year 10 and 11

AQA Entry Level Certificate Mathematics

CS Nurture

Year 7
Social Skills – Settling into High School
Literacy Skills – Talk for Writing
Emotional Literacy – Dragon Project
Literacy Skills – Inference
Cross Curricular Project – Literacy, Geography and Art

Year 8
Emotional literacy – Poetry
Cultural Capital – Poetry
Social and Emotional Skills – Creative Writing

Year 9
Cultural Capital – Victorians
Literacy – Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol
Poetry – Inference

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

• Encourage independent note-taking and selecting information which is then used to inform their own work.
• Development of vital communication skills, empathy and emotional literacy skills
• Development of confidence to share work verbally

Modelling and Explanation

• Use of template material to scaffold understanding of task
• Model examples of previous student work across a range of achievement levels
• Peer mentors to model positive behaviour for learning

Structured Practice of Key Mastery Skills

• Repetition of key literacy skills in Year 7, 8 and 9.
• Practice assessment papers for Step-Up to English and Entry Level Maths.
• Repetition of skills delivered in lessons.

Feedback / Feedforward

• Employ a range of verbal / written feedback strategies in both literacy and numeracy lessons.
• Students are given the opportunity to respond to the feedback, and ask questions if they are unsure.
• Use of formative verbal feedback in lessons.

Challenge for Every Student

• Students are encouraged to challenge themselves by making a direct link between what they have learnt in CS and their subject lessons.
• Give students the opportunity to ask questions and support them to develop their answers.
• Learning spellings, times-tables and encouraging students to read at home

Independence and Self-regulated learners

• Give students opportunities for learning independently through paired and group work.
• Key adults are available at all times to encourage students to become confident with their own abilities for learning.
• Deliver life skills programmes in small groups or on a 1:1.
• Targeted independent learning

Students (SOS) Profile Review Meeting with the SENDCo or Lead Nurture Supervisor. The meetings are designed to discuss the impact of the intervention and to identify whether further support is required.

Within the Curriculum Support learning areas progress is tracked using KPI’s on FROG.

If students are progressing well, a discussion is held with parents/carers to decide if intervention is still required. For many students the discussion usually takes place at the end of an academic year when exam results from core subjects are also taken into consideration.

At the end of Key Stage 3, some students are identified to study the Level 1 courses in English and Maths. These courses will form part of the student’s individualized GCSE timetables for Year 10 and 11.

Some students are assessed by outside agencies and revisited throughout the year to measure the impact of the interventions in place.

Students’ progress in reading is measured through the accelerated reader programme. Students who access DEAR support in CS are monitored more closely through a reading log which is completed daily. Their data is analysed termly when the level of support required is re-evaluated.

Studying cultural subjects such as Dance, Drama, Music and Art sparks creativity across the curriculum encouraging our students to be inquisitive, disciplined and determined.

Dance at Davison enables our students to gain artistic skills as well as developing their physical interactions, team working, problem solving, observing, analysing, evaluating, verbal and non-verbal communication. Dance improves self-esteem and confidence in our young people; it can widen aspiration and give students a platform to express themselves physically which has a positive impact on mental health.

We aim for all students to have the opportunity to access an extra-curricular programme of participation and performance at all levels.

Year 10

Term 1

• Ways into Choreography
• Anthology works 1 and 2 (including written responses – Section C Written paper)
• Technique Development
• Set Phrases 1 and 2
• Section A Written paper

Term 2

• Anthology Works 3 and 4 (including written responses – Section C Written paper)
• Technique Development
• Set Phrases 3 and 4
• Section A Written paper

Term 3

• Anthology work 5 (including written responses – Section C Written paper)
• Technique Development
• Development of Performance in a duet or trio
• Section B Written paper

Year 11

Term1

• Development of Choreography
• Development of Performance in duet or trio
• Examination of Choreography/Performance in duet/trio and Set Phrase 1

Term 2

• Examination of Set Phrase 2
• Anthology work 6 (including written responses – Section C Written paper)
• Written paper – Revision and exam practice

Term 3

Written paper – Revision and exam practice

Curriculum Delivery

GCSE Dance is taught by 2 subject specialists. Dance is allocated 5 hours of curriculum time per fortnight.  Students are taught practical and theory based work together, interwoven to enable them to make the links required to be successful in the C2 written paper.  In Year 11 students have 1 formal classroom based lesson focusing on requirements of the written paper and examination technique.

Teaching

Critical thinking and thinking hard

Students are required to learn key threshold concepts related to performance, choreography and analysis.  They are required to recall facts and be able to recognise and apply them to their own and others work.

Students develop the ability to describe in detail, to analyse, evaluate and offer personal interpretations of movement and constituent features of professional dance works.

Students develop the ability to learn and apply complicated choreographic principles and concepts to their work as well as solve choreographic problems and challenges.

Modelling and explanation

The learning process in GCSE Dance is structured in the following way:

• Observation of Professional dance works
• Description and analysis of key movement and stylistic features
• Learning carefully selected repertoire
• Developing selected repertoire to develop form and structure.
• Analysis and evaluation of own and/or others work using GCSE performance criteria

During the process of learning professional repertoire, students will see movement content demonstrated by the teacher being modelled in the moment.  Technical points will be given with regards to action and dynamic content in order for pupil to develop and embody the style of the work being studied.

During written tasks students are provided with model full mark answers.  They then develop their own responses with the use of writing frames and structuring guidance which are gradually withdrawn as the course progresses on an individual basis dependent on students grasp of key concepts.

Structured practice of key mastery skills

Throughout the course students will practice and develop key Physical, Expressive, Technical and Mental skills.  These will be repeated and refined on an individual basis depending on the students level of experience to ensure all students have the necessary skills to learn and perform the set phrases and duet/trio successfully and safely.

Students will practice choreographic development through structured teacher led tasks which they then apply to their own choreographic work in year 11.  Choreographic tasks may relate to:

• Creating action content which explicitly links to the stimulus
• Developing action content using a range Choreographic Devices
• Structuring movement content

Written work is woven throughout the course with structured examination and question practice repeated and applied to different professional dance works.  Students will develop skills of detailed description using key adjectives to develop a rich and varied vocabulary.  They will analyse key features of the 6 anthology works and be able to make clear links with the choreographic intention of each.  Students will practice developing personal interpretations of the professional works which will enable them to access top band marks in the C2 written paper.

Feedback/Feed Forward

Feedback in GCSE dance is continual and ongoing every lesson. During practical tasks students are given immediate verbal feedback:

Performance skills – Individual feedback given
Choreographic skills – Individual and group feedback given.

Students self-assess using mirrors or video recordings and also develop their skills in peer assessment based upon key assessment criteria.

At the end of each unit of study students are assessed against the GCSE criteria in relation to performance and choreography providing them with a benchmark of where they currently sit within grade boundaries. They are given oral and written feedback on an individual basis in order to access the next level on the assessment ladders. This ensures students know what they need to do/practice in order to improve their outcomes.

Written marking and feedback is given for the C2 written paper along with model answers and writing frames. Mark schemes are annotated and provided. Students then remodel answers based upon feedback and marking requirements in order to bring about improvement and practice what is required of top band written answers. This practice is embedded and repeated throughout the 2 year course.

In year 11 a programme of individual intervention is set up as students work towards producing their choreographies (30%). This takes the form of an extra-curricular programme of sessions before school, at lunch time and after school. During these sessions students receive personalised, specific feedback related to action, dynamics, space, relationships, choreographic devices, form and structure and use of music.

Challenge for every student

The GCSE Dance specification is an exceptionally challenging course for all students.
Students will study works designed and performed by professional artists with many years’ worth of dance experience and training.

Even for our most advanced students, studying work in a variety of movement styles often pushes them outside their comfort zone and encourages exploration of techniques not experienced before.

All Students have the opportunity and freedom to demonstrate their learning and skills in an individual context in order to access the higher grade boundaries.

Support and structured feedback enables students with less experience to achieve exceptionally well and also aim for the highest grades.

Differentiation is embodied in every lesson to enable to students to access the curriculum at their own level whilst providing the stretch and challenge required for them to meet and exceed target grades.

Students are provided with guidance and examples to assist them when experiencing moments of ‘struggle’. They are then able to apply this knowledge in new situations in order to practice and embody key threshold concepts throughout the course.

Independence and Self-Regulating Learners.

This concept is vital for the success of all students in GCSE Dance. Dance practitioners need to be self-motivated, independent learners who are able to apply skills learned to practice inside and outside of the classroom to ensure continual improvement.

During year 10 we build these skills through structured tasks that are broken down and layered. Students are required to extend upon these tasks for homework and ‘Flip’ their learning in order to prepare movement content/develop movement content for subsequent lessons.

Teacher guidance is provided when embarking on the organisation of their 30% choreographic task in year 11. This task requires pupils to create their own piece of dance work on a group of between 2 and 5 other young people. The pupils select and refine their dance idea taken from a range of starting points from the exam board. They select their dancers and set their own rehearsal schedule. Create and teach the material. Develop and lead choreographic tasks, structure their material. Select costumes and music all outside of curriculum time.

This task is supported by a teacher prepared workbook and individual intervention sessions to help guide them through the process in an appropriate order.

During lesson time students work on practical aspects in groups or individually and are encouraged to take ownership of their practice time. Each task set is given a specific focus for students to work towards which helps to motivate and ensure a high level of activity in the lesson. The nature of the dance course often means groups of students work in different teaching spaces. Students are extremely hard working and motivated to succeed even when not under the direct supervision of the class teacher. Exceptional outcomes are always reached with performances shared at the end of lesson time.

Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours independent study work is set per week.

Assessment

Formative assessment is ongoing throughout the course.  Explained above.

All formal summative assessment performances happen in year 11.

Set Phrase 1, Performance in duet/trio and Choreography – November/December of Autumn Term

Set Phrase 2 plus any outstanding assessments from the Autumn are completed in Spring 1.

C2 Written paper – May/June in the Summer term.

Extra-Curricular Programme and Opportunities

All students in years 8, 9 and 10 have the opportunity to participate in an annual Colour Family Dance event at Worthing Pavilion Theatre. This enables all students to experience and perform in a professional venue in front of an audience.
All year groups have weekly Dance clubs to which all students are welcome and encouraged to attend. At least one performance platform per year is provided for each year group for all students who wish to be involved.
Key Stage 3 and 4 Dance Companies rehearse weekly and provide opportunities for our gifted and talented dancers to be challenged and perform on local and national platforms.

Opportunities to take part in professional dance workshops are provided annually along with Theatre visits to motivate and enthuse students and develop their passion for watching professional dance artists and companies.

Student progress is monitored closely throughout the course. GCSE assessment criteria is used at regular intervals for benchmarking in performance and choreographic aspects. Written work is marked/assessed, feedback given, students then respond and make improvements. This practice is embedded

GCSE Dance outcomes at Davison are consistently higher than the national average.

GCSE Final Outcomes 2020
Results
6+ 100%
7+ 94%
8+ 88%
9+ 69%

P8 Score 2.72
A8 64.74
APS 8.5

No Students Entitled to Pupil Premium Funding in 2019/2020

SEN
6+ 100%
7+ 67%
P8 = 3.85
A8 = 47.83
APS = 8
R3 = 3.01

GCSE Outcomes 2019
Results
6+ 100%
7 + 94%
8 + 76%
9 + 41%

P8 Score = 3
A8 = 57.94
APS = 8.12
Residual against other subjects = 2.35

Students Entitled to Pupil Premium Funding
7 + 100%
P8 = 2.22
A8 = 43
APS = 7.5
R3 = 3.05

SEN
7 + 100%
P8 = 1.86
A8 = 41
APS = 7
R3 = 2.37

From this cohort 9 students have gone on to further study Dance post 16.
Worthing College – 7 students
Northbrook Met – 1 student
Ballet Theatre UK – 1 student

Intent 

To allow our students to experience a range of creative contexts within our curriculum framework which comes under the umbrella of Product Design and Engineering. These opportunities will offer our students a unique introduction to the creative, engineering and manufacturing sectors. 

Design and Engineering presents students with the opportunity to learn about a wide range of industry-relevant skills, from user centred design (UCD), engineering principles, working with a range of compliant and resistant materials in a well-stocked Design studio and workshop. The projects we run combine conceptual thinking with practical skills that lead our students into the solving of “real-world” problems. These projects encourage communication, teamwork, resilience, analytical skills, and problem solving. Through experiencing practical contextual led challenges, students develop transferable skills that are highly valued by employers and link directly to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths and Geography.    

As part of the ‘Iterative Design Process’ our students utilise their creative and practical skills to incorporate intellectual capabilities that relate to a wider understanding of aesthetic, technical, cultural, historic, health, social, emotional, economic, industrial, and environmental issues. 

Our five-year target is to provide wide ranging projects that are stimulating and give opportunities for students to identify needs and opportunities in a variety of contexts within a variety of materials. Our students always work creatively and are motivated to succeed. The subject takes students out of their intellectual and social comfort zone, encourages the transference of knowledge and skills experienced elsewhere in the curriculum and demonstrates that failure is rarely an end point; it is instead a necessary part of a longer journey to success. 

Our Objectives: 

To create a framework that our students can build up their knowledge and understanding of what Design & Engineering is from year 7 to GCSE. To develop our young engineers’ skills and knowledge so they can solve real world issues with practical solutions. 

Curriculum 

Our current curriculum is broken down into the below format: 

Year 7-9 (KS3) = 2 hours a fortnight.  

Year 10-11 (KS4) = 5 hours a fortnight 

Assessment 

FROG VLE – Used for Marking, comments, department resources and evidence of students work. 

Year 7 

Heat Mat Project 

Origins & classification of Fibres.
Developing a stencil. 

Construction of fabrics, including seams and quilting techniques.
Hand sewing methods.
How a sewing machine works. 

Smart materials and their properties.

Mechanisms Project 

Introduction to Mechanisms through VEX kits. 

Exploring Levers, linkages, and Pulleys
Understanding CAM’s 

Papers & boards and their properties 

Graphics  

User Centred Design
Systems input & output

Chocolate Packaging Project
Nets 

Rendering skills 

Isometric 

2 Point Perspective 

Folding, Scoring and Cutting techniques 

Branding 

Year 8 

Robotics In Society 

Robotics Investigation
Forces
Structures
Materials tolerances
Materials testing
Team production
 

Charity Birdbox 

Designer Investigation 

Types of woods 

Types of glues  

Types of hand tools
Health and safety in the workshop 

2- Point Perspective
 

Designer Inspired Reactive Bag 

Designer investigation 

Surface pattern design
Series and Parallel circuits
Reactive materials. 

Hand sewing methods.
How a sewing machine works. 

Following a Pattern. 

Year 9 

Sustainable Architectural Project 

Iterative design process
Rapid concept modelling
Social moral ethical values.
Sustainable materials.
Product Analysis 

2-Point Perspective 

Orthographic Projection 

Rethink Revolution Project 

Anthropometrics
Ergonomics
The 6 R’s (Recycle, Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Refuse, Repair) 

Designers 

Material Properties 

Pattern Analysis 

Applique 

Transfer Ink 

Thermochromic Paint 

Embroidery techniques 

User Centred Design 

Manufacturing techniques 

Packaging  

Marketing of a Product 

KS4 (GCSE)  

AQA 8552 Design and Technology 50% Non-Examined Assessment, 50% Theory. 

Core Content covers: 

Core Technical Principles, Specialist technical principles and designing and making Principles. All of which are relevant to both the NEA and theory elements of the course.  

Term 1- We investigate new and emerging technologies in industry, Energy generation and storage, Developments in new materials, a systems approach to designing, Inputs Processes and Outputs, Mechanical Devices, Changing magnitude and direction of force. 

Term 2- In this term we look at materials and their working properties. (Although the students just need to focus on one in depth, we look at a range of materials so that the students can use this information for their NEA later.) Materials we investigate are papers and boards, natural and manufactured timbers, metals and alloys, polymers, textiles. Properties investigation: absorbency, density, fusibility, electrical and thermal conductivity, strength, hardness. Toughness, malleability, ductility and elasticity.  

Term 3- In this term we explore one material and look at it in further detail, investigating specialist technical Principles such as selection of materials or components, forces and stresses, ecological and social footprint, sources and origins, using and working with materials, stock forms, types and sizes, scales of production, specialist techniques and processes, surface treatments and finishes. 

NEA starts at the beginning of June. 

Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) 4O% GCSE– Deadline February Half Term.
Contexts are given out by the exam board and the students are to choose 1 to explore. Some examples of previous contexts suggested are listed below: 

• A high-profile sporting event. 
• Addressing the needs of the elderly 
• Children’s learning and play 

Term 4- The following terms will be broken down into NEA and theory-based lessons. 

investigation, primary and secondary data, environmental, social and economic challenge, the work of others, design strategies, communication of design ideas, prototype development, selection of materials and components, tolerances, material management, specialist tools and equipment, specialist techniques and processes. 

Term 5- NEA deadline February half term. 

In this part of the year the students will be working on the conclusion of the NEA full time. Once their NEA is completed the focus will move to revision of the previous topics, reviewing past papers and exam practice. 

Term 6- Exam practice and revision 

AQA 8852 Engineering 40% Non-Examined Assessment, 60% Theory 

Core Content covers:  

Engineering Materials, Engineering Manufacturing processes. Systems, Testing and Investigation, The impact of modern Technologies and Practical engineering skills. These topics will be covered through a series of practical and theoretical lessons. Tapping into the problem-solving capabilities of the students.  

Term 1 

Engineering Materials– We investigate and use materials such as metals, polymers, composites, timbers, to establish material cost and supply, methods of machining, treatment and life cycle assessment. We also investigate factors influencing design solutions such as energy production methods, the lifespan and maintenance of a product, and user centred design, where the decisions of the user impact the outcome of a design. 

Term 2 

Engineering Manufacturing Processes– In this term we investigate additive manufacturing, material removal, shaping, casting and moulding, joining and assembly, Heat and chemical treatment and surface finishes. All these features allow the students to develop their practical experiences in preparation for their NEA.  

Term 3 

Systems– In this term we explore system block diagrams, schematic drawings and flow charts. Mechanical Systems, that include conversion of motion, gear trains, pulleys, linkages and bearings. Electrical systems- that include power supplies, input control devices, output devices and the difference between alternating and direct current. Electonic Systems that include, programmable devices, electronic components, Structural Sytems that lead to the bending and torsion of monocoque and space frame structures. Pneumatic systems links to robotics, process/factory automation and machinery.  

NEA starts at the beginning of June.  

Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) 4O% GCSE– Deadline February Half Term.
Contexts are given out by the exam board and the students are to choose 1 to explore. Some examples of previous contexts suggested are listed below: 

• Engineer a product that someone can use outdoors to pick litter without bending over.  

• Engineer a product or system that reduces the bulk of litter.  
• Engineer a product or system that sorts three objects of different sizes 

Term 4- The following terms will be broken down into NEA and theory-based lessons.  

Testing and Investigation- will be encouraged in lessons through modelling and calculations of designs and aerodynamics.  

The Impact of Modern Technologies- where we discuss examples of new and emerging technologies and how this can impact on engineering industries.  

Term 5- NEA deadline February half term. 

In this part of the year the students will be working on the conclusion of the NEA full time. Once their NEA is completed the focus will move to revision of the previous topics, reviewing past papers and exam practice. 

Term 6- Exam practice and revision 

Key Stage 3– 

All classes are mixed ability, and our projects are aimed to run termly. This is based around a three-rotation system, where students will study a variety of contexts and materials with different teachers (Including Food & Nutrition). Most students will study our subject for 2 hours every two weeks where practicable. We provide demonstrations, provision of equipment and use of a safe working environment to prepare products students are manufacturing. The bulk of our class time is used for practical work, mixed with research and design activities. Students are expected to complete work using design books, digitally collated work, and three-dimensional outcomes so their progress can be assessed, and feedback duly given. 

Our staff work closely with support staff that are in lessons with SEND students and ensure that the correct guidance is given using a briefing and debriefing system at the beginning and at the end of each lesson.  

The staff in department plan collaboratively and individually on specific Design and Engineering contexts. As a small team we work closely in sharing resources and good practise regularly. We frequently discuss the sequencing of topics and are consistently reflecting and evaluating on the impact of tasks and topics within the rotation model we use. We are constantly developing new methodology and adding new resources to enable students to progress as well as developing the department site on our Frog VLE. 

Within lessons a variety of techniques are used to deliver content or skills. We aim to strike an effective balance between teacher input and active discovery of learning, creativity, research tasks, oracy and the development and practice of key skills/techniques expected in our subject. Design & Engineering lessons often underpin the SMSC values of Davison, the social and moral aspects of life that link to our design contexts. 

The KS3 curriculum offers regular opportunities for critical thinking, offering our students the opportunities to tackle challenging tasks and to form a clear focus about each of our contexts. All lessons include challenge tasks to develop the students design concepts further and push their design ideas to the next level. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity by making lessons inclusive (this can be through a variety of ways, including use of technician support in lesson, storytelling, visual clues, questioning, explanation of key vocabulary etc.) 

We have extensive subject pages on our VLE (FROG) which has a dedicated section for each year group containing activities, tasks, support information and resources. Homework is set up on this platform and assessment is directed and manageable during each rotation, where we provide both verbal and written feedback to students.  

In KS3 all KPI’s are visited at least once in several contexts and materials; developing in complexity each year. As the students work through the department, the KPIs have been carefully developed to prepare students for the challenges of GCSE. To aid in our assessment our department meetings offer regular opportunities to discuss pupil progress and curriculum planning priorities. Department have reviewed marking and workload to ensure that marking is manageable, targeted and effective. 

Modelling and exemplars are used regularly to promote pupil understanding of what a higher-level answer looks like. These are shown clearly via the department FROG website. 

Key Stage 4  

Much of the GCSE content is taught in year 10, which allows for the students Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) to be completed in the bulk of year 11. Contexts for NEA tasks are published in June and the students have an end date of February half term to have the work completed. There is a mock exam in year 10 and November of year 11. This time scale allows for appropriate theory work to be revised in preparation for the summer exam series. 

Our VLE (Frog) is used extensively and knowledge, information, exemplar and model work is included to support the students as well as many useful links. 

Students work is both digital and manual in their nature, of which are regularly reviewed and as well as being given written feedback which informs them of their progress the students are provided with verbal feedback each lesson. 

Within KS3 and 4, there is a heavy focus on practical work as this keeps students engaged in this subject. The slight exception to this is in year 11 in which there is an added focus on written (typed) NEA work and exam preparation. 

In Design & Engineering we focus on specific key KPIs, revised KPIs are visited in years 7, 8 and 9 with increasing challenge and new contexts allowing a strong understanding of the key skills required for progress in our subject. By focusing on using research and contextual themes we confidently believe students can explore the skills and knowledge necessary to progress to GCSE. Within each context there is a focus on Identifying & Investigating Design possibilities, producing a design brief and Specification, Generating & Developing design ideas, realising design ideas and analysing & evaluating KPI’s. This allows staff to support students to really challenge themselves and develop their skills. 

Student voice in learning walks and via the FROG VLE is positive and indicates high levels of pupil enjoyment and an understanding of the relevance of Design & Engineering. 

Behaviour in Design and Engineering indicates that students are engaged and show real enjoyment as well as effort in this area – particularly the practical element. Most student’s complete homework tasks to a good standard. 

There is a strong uptake at our Design and Engineering club by key stage 3 students and key stage 4 helpers/prefects. 

National competition uptake – We are examining our involvement in external competitions to ensure they are contemporary and relevant to the capability of our students. 

Links to FE – We are reviewing the links to Further Education. In recent years many of our students have progressed to Northbrook or Chichester FE colleges to continue D&T related courses 

GCSE results – above national average – 2019 88% 9-4 with a high P8 

The Design and Engineering department continues to use the AQA exam board, as context content at Key Stage 3 is a solid foundation for this KS4 course. Assessment at Key Stage 4 is based on exam questions, contexts, knowledge, practical skills and providing formative and summative feedback to help pupils improve. By the time pupils start NEA’s and lead onto written exams they should be confident in the content of the exam process and how to approach exam/ contextual questions and tasks. Where students have followed a Design and Engineering course, there has been a good uptake in post-16 courses.  

Drama is both as aesthetic, practical subject, but also a vehicle to promote deep thinking, discussion and issues across the curriculum. Students will have widely varying backgrounds from their primary experience and own cultural capital: some will have had West End and industry experience whilst others yet find the subject daunting and will be approaching it with very limited experience. We aim to provide a subject where all students can thrive, build confidence, develop skills and expertise and appreciate Drama both as a performer and as a considered audience member.

Year 7

Term1

• Exploring techniques through Myths, Fairytales and Folklore
• Techniques delivered: Still images, split staging, flashback, flashforwards, use of narrator, thought-tracking and other basic drama techniques.
• KPI2: You can carry out a performance at a basic level.
• KPI4: You can recognise at least three drama techniques.

Term 2

• Heroines

Students explore through Drama women who have shaped the world. A vareity of styles will be used: scripts, improvisation, verbatim and docu-drama. Devising techniques form The Paper Birds will be developed working towards a final assessed performance. Heroines include, but are not limited to Malala Yousfi, Rosa Parks, Florence Nightingale, Anne Frank, Greta Thurnberg, Grace Darling

KPI You can create a functional piece which meets the brief

KPI You can make a simple evaluative judgment to a piece of work.

Term 3

• Friendship explored through the script Blood Brothers
• Mickey and Eddie key scenes
• Kids’ Game staged as whole class (musical theatre)

KPI You can learn and perform a short scene (perhaps with prompt needed)

KPI You can produce a recognisable character

Year 8

Term1

• Scripted Scenes exploring relationships (recognising healthy/unhealthy markers)
• Referencing the practitioner, Stanislavksi, consider naturalistic techniques in your acting.

KPI5 You can learn and perform a sustained scene

KPI6: You can produce a recognisable character with focus

Term 2

• The Match Girls and Women Protestors – (docu-drama)

Students will explore moments from history when protestors stood up for what they thought to be an injustice. Topics will include The Match Girls and Annie Bessant, The Women’s March on Versailes 1789, The Million Mom March (anti-gun violence) (2000)

KPI You can create a functional piece which meets the brief

KPI You can make a simple evaluative judgement to a piece of work

Term 3

• A Taste of Theatre – exploring theatre history
• Greek theatre, Shakespeare, 20th century

KPI You can create a satisfying piece showing some originality

KPI You can carry out a performance with focus and consistency

Year 9

Term1

• “Girls Like That” scripted contemporary play and technique development
  This play exposes the online world our young people face and issues around texting, sexting, reputation, exposure, friendship and peer relationships. Current legislation is investigated to look at the legalities of some of these issues to tie in with relationship work and practical Drama technique should now be developed to a more sophisticated level.

KPI 4 You can recognise and effectively demonstrate a range of techniques

KPI2 You can carry out a performance with confidence and an awareness of the audience

Term 2

• Devising from Stimuli (connected to GCSE Component 2)

Styles will be explored including Frantic Assembly and The Paper Birds.

Students are grouped and have to collaborate to create an effective piece using research and devising techniques. Written work is collated and submitted as a group project with individual components.

KPI You can create a sustained piece showing originality.

KPI You can make a sophisticated evaluative judgement to a piece of work.

Term 3

• Topic List

Year 10

Term1

• Set Text work (Blood Brothers or A Midsummer Night’s Dream) (Section B of AQA GCSE Drama component One)
• Knowledge and Understanding of Roles in the Theatre (Component One, Section A of AQA GCSE Drama)

The text will be explored practically in order for students to access the written paper. Detailed examples of practical work need to be described to the examiner so the students will have experienced presenting many scenes from the text and exploring the challenges within.

Theatre Knowledge and Understanding will include looking at staging, roles in the theatre, descriptions of specific terms and technical knowledge too.

Term 2

• Exploring practitioners: Stanislavski, Brecht, The Paper Birds. Different eras have produced different styles of theatre. Why has this happened and what is unique or successful in the different practitioners? Again, students will explore this practically but be able to identify the individuality of each style.
• Students will also experience a ‘mock’ of Component 2 – they will produce a shorter version of the devised work that will need to be submitted and will also produce an accompanying log book.
• Component 3 ‘mock’. For component 3, students have to deliver two extracts from a published play, within time limits according to group size. For the ‘mock’ version of this, they will just have one scene to deliver from a wide and challenging selection of plays.

Term 3

• Component 2 explored and delivered. Students will spend the whole term researching, refining, performing and evaluating their final devised piece which will be submitted to the moderators in the final term of their course. This will be performed to parents and filmed and recorded.

Year 11

Term1

• Component 3 prep and research and Section C (component one) exploration.
  Term 2
• Component two (depending on the availability of visiting examiner) and component one revision.

Term 3

• Revision.

Critical thinking and thinking hard

The GCSE Drama course is exceptionally challenging course where performance skills not only have to be demonstrated at a high level, but the students have to also describe and analyse their performances and that of professional performers. Students have to develop a language in performance and find the vocabulary to define it. At GCSE one lesson per fortnight is dedicated to classroom work with access to computers and on line dictionaries and thesauruses in order to develop these skills.

What is the progress and achievement like in your subject? Frog /GCSE results.

How do you monitor their progress and how does intervention work? This does not need to be details analyses of grades just a brief summary.

2019 GCSE results:
4+ 77.27
7+ 36.36
P8 0.61 or 0.15 CHECK

Studying English allows students to build their literacy skills which are transferable across the curriculum. We provide a creative and engaging curriculum for our students in order for them to develop a love of reading, writing and the spoken word. We draw on a variety of texts and stimuli to motivate and inspire students into engaging with the wider world around them. We provide a curriculum which allows our students to leave Davison as confident and effective communicators.

• The Gothic – Frankenstein and Coraline

• Poetry – Performance Poetry and Spring Poetry

• Power – Intro to Shakespeare and The Tempest with non-fiction viewpoint writing

• Dystopia – The Giver (class novel) and Creative writing/setting description

• Shakespeare in Love – Romeo and Juliet and Love poetry

• Inspiring Voices – Non-fiction reading and Speech writing

• Identity – The Crossing and Words That Burn (poetry)

• Dystopia – Extracts from Dystopian texts and creative writing/setting description

• Macbeth – Preparation for GCSE Literature

Year 10 GCSE Language

Term1

• Paper 1 – Spotlight on Question 4 and paper 1 reading skills
• Paper 1 – Spotlight on descriptive writing

Term 2

• Paper 1 Mock and spotlight on Paper 2 Question 4
• Paper 2 reading skills and viewpoint writing

Term 3

• Spotlight on language analysis and narrative writing
• Paper 2 reading skills with a focus on context for literature

Year 11 GCSE Language

Term1

• Spotlight on Paper 2 Question 4 and paper 2 reading walkthrough
• Mock exam – Paper 2
• Spotlight on Paper 1 Question 3 and creative writing skills with a focus on structure

Term 2

• Narrative writing
• Mock exam – Paper 1
• Re-visit paper 2

Term 3

• Exam technique revision

Year 10 GCSE Literature

Term1

• An Inspector Calls
• A Christmas Carol

Term 2

• Poetry
• Macbeth

Term 3

• Macbeth
• Poetry

Year 11 GCSE Literature

Term1

• Macbeth
• Poetry

Term 2

• Revisit Macbeth
• Revisit A Christmas Carol
• Revisit Poetry

Term 3

• Exam technique revision

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

Critical thinking plays a role in every English lesson.

Students are encouraged to:

• Consider a range of perspectives and identify bias.
• Make links between and across texts.

Students revisit topics at KS4 regularly and are encouraged to use a range of revision techniques including mind maps, dual coding and research,

Modelling and Explanation

Modelling is fundamental in demonstrating required skills to students in English. We use a variety of different ways to make extend standards clear to our students including:

• Teachers model in the moment by demonstrating constructing a piece of writing or answer live in front the class.
• Students’ examples are used as model answers to show effective work and also to unpick what might need to be improved.
• Highly effective writing is regularly experienced by the students through using relevant and topical examples from the media and literature to inspire them.

Structured Practice of Key Mastery Skills
The Key Performance Indicators we use at Key Stage 3 feed directly into the KS4 GCSE Assessment Objectives. This system allows our students to develop skills over the 5 years which will help them to be successful at GCSE level. Key Performance Indicators are layered over years 7, 8 and 9 adding more challenging skills and texts in each year and revisiting core skills regularly.

Records of evidence are kept on tracking sheets within students’ assessment portfolio books and are also recorded on FROG.

Students are set targets linked to their success in evidencing Key performance Indicators and regularly complete Progress Paragraphs after receiving targets to show how their work can be improved. Personalised KPI boost activities are set for students to complete independently to help support their development of skills.

Support:

For students working below the expected standards of their year group, there is the Davison Tutoring programme in which students are given small group support and mentoring by ex-students to improve their English skills and boost their confidence. There are also several different reading groups that involve staff, ex-students and older students that aim to support students’ reading progress. Some students will also receive support in CS and Study Skills lessons. There is also an Accelerated Reader weekly support club to support those struggling with reading skills.

Challenge;

Students who are clearly working at the expected levels early in the year are able to access a range of extra resources and challenging activities through our FROG challenge pages and there are also challenge reading lists to compliment units of work. Lessons our planned to stretch all students and there are always challenges for able students to try. We also have a range of exciting extra-curricular clubs that we signpost to students, such as; poetry club and creative writing club, debate club and Book Award tracking clubs.

Due to the nature of the GCSE course we follow at Key Stage 4, students revisit topics and skills regularly throughout the two year course. We use retrieval practice, spaced learning and interleaving principles to help students develop their understanding and skills and to apply their knowledge effectively.

Feedback / Feedforward

Each unit has a formative supported task as well as at least one independent summative  assessed KPI / GCSE criteria assessment.

Before each independent assessment, a supported task is completed using teacher modelling and self-assessment to feedforward into formative assessments. KPI assessments are marked using a success criteria and targets are set from this.

Students are given the opportunity to respond to feedback in a variety of ways depending on the task including:

• Correcting identified spelling errors
• Completing a KPI boost HW to address a GPS issue such as punctuation errors
• Improving a paragraph/rewriting a section of the assessment
• Individual discussion with teacher
• When KPIs are revisited, students are given time to look back at the last piece of work they completed on the same skill and set themselves targets for the next piece to ensure it is better than the last
• Opportunities to revisit KPIs and boost progress are prioritised throughout the year and students are given time to achieve KPIs that they needed more support to achieve.

Challenge for Every Student
Lessons regularly contain layered tasks which students work through. Some students will start at a high level task which requires deeper thinking skills whilst others will work up towards this level of independent thought,

Independence and Self-regulated learners

Each unit of work has additional materials on FROG to extend learners such as contextual reading, high level vocabulary, links to online masterclasses which students are encouraged to access.

Student engagement with independent learning tasks is rewarded through the school ATL reporting system

We aim to give our students at KS3, the knowledge and practice required to be able to safely and hygienically prepare and cook healthy food for themselves and their families.
The key priorities are; personal safety in a kitchen environment, food hygiene to include food purchasing, storage, safe preparation and cooking of food, high risk foods, guidance on allergens, healthy eating guidance, food provenance and an introduction to food science.

We aim to inspire learners to cook healthy and creative dishes independently after practising and developing their skills in school. We hope to encourage our students to cook fresh food for themselves in place of ready and convenience meals, takeaways and other less healthy options. We aim to empower our students with the realisation that adapting behaviours around diet and food preparation can bring improvements to health as well as financial and environmental benefits.

The key Stage 3 curriculum allows for a smooth transition into our GCSE option where students will be building upon this knowledge as well as developing more advanced food preparation and cooking applications. At key stage 4, we aim to provide a more in-depth knowledge of nutrition, with a deeper understanding of specific nutrients their sources, functions, excesses and deficiencies. We also seek a wider and more in-depth grasp of food science and subsequent application; for example: denaturation of protein and its application within meat cookery, aeration and its application with meringue making, gelatinisation and its role within sauce making.

We aim to deepen understanding of food provenance with a focus on benefits and drawbacks to the consumer, the environment and local/international communities.

We aim to encourage a passion for cooking and presenting meals and food products and the development of a range of skills required for this aim.

We have one third of an academic year in years 7, 8 and 9. We have two hours per fortnight in a double lesson during this timeframe. This gives us roughly 12 hours each year to deliver our content. Much of this time will be taken up with practical application

Year 7

KPIs – You can follow recipes given and show a range of culinary skills demonstrating safe and hygienic working.

You can demonstrate an awareness of social/ moral/ ethical issues linked to food production and can discuss pro’s and cons for these

You can give reasons for your choices when designing your own dish and starts to make links to nutrition and/or sensory qualities

You can write about your practical work and food in terms of it’s sensory qualities, nutritional content, health, hygiene and safety in making it and the new and developing skills you have shown. You also may draw in any food science elements that are relevant.

You understand the principles of the Eatwell Guide and can Identify a number of food types for each section

Our set practical applications and subsequent theory attached in year 7 is as follows: Pizza (healthy eating), Bolognese, scones, deli salad, bread making and a chosen product based on what they have already made.

Demonstration and class teaching will bring the theory and practical together. An example being the understanding of moral and ethical issues related to food being linked with the Bolognese making or the food science (functions of ingredients) being linked to the bread making task.

Classwork (making examples and written work) and homework tasks will allow students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

Year 8

KPIs – You can apply the principles of safe and hygienic food handling to your practical work, which demonstrates your understanding of how to make dishes which are safe to eat as well as appetising and wholesome.

You can demonstrate, through practical and written work, a clear understanding of the nutritional content of your dishes and what a balanced diet looks like and why this is beneficial to our health

You can independently make a range of dishes showing a variety of skills and working safely and hygienically. A detailed evaluation is carried out for at least one practical session which includes analysis of nutrition, practical working, teamwork, sensory qualities and how each of these aspects could be improved.

You understand the 8 tips for eating healthy and can explain ways to achieve them using at least one reference showing that some research has taken place

Our set practical applications and subsequent knowledge attached in year 8 is as follows: Fajitas, fish goujons and wedges, carrot cakes, vegetable stir fry, empanadas, pizza swirls and a chosen application of their own. In year 8, we start to encourage students to bring their own adaptations to dishes where appropriate.

Demonstration and class teaching will bring theory concepts together with practical application – for example the goujons lesson leads naturally into the development of the concept of the healthy plate and the Eatwell Guide and the government’s 8 healthy eating tips.

Classwork (making examples and written work) and homework tasks will allow students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

Year 9

KPIs – You can independently and accurately make a range of sweet and savoury dishes showing a variety of skills and appropriate consideration of nutrition and the provenance of ingredients. You can show also how recipes could be adapted to improve these aspects

You can write a detailed and accurate plan for cooking which draws in the nutritional, sensory and economic considerations of food choice

You can design a dish that meets a set brief and fully explains and justifies your choices

You can demonstrate a high level of hygiene, safety and organisation and can explain why it is important

You can carry out detailed evaluations of their making and final products in terms of food science, health and safety, hygiene, practical skills, sensory qualities, nutrition and provenance. This work will contain detailed suggestions for improvements and their own testing methods for the foods

Our set practical applications and subsequent knowledge attached in year 9 is as follows: Breakfast tarts, enriched bread application, chicken chickpea and spinach curry, Mexican bean chilli and wedges, lemon meringue pie and a choice of assessed practical requiring high level skills.

Classwork (making examples and written work) and homework tasks will allow students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

KS4 – OCR Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE

A link to their website provides a curriculum at a glance

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/food-preparation-and-nutrition-j309-from-2016/specification-at-a-glance/

This course is delivered thus:

Week 1 – Bread making, functions of ingredients, raising agents, basic hygiene requirements

Week 2 – 3 – Nutrition – sources, functions of macro and micro nutrients

Week 4, 5 and 6 – raising agents – steam for puff pastry and choux pastry, aeration for Swiss roll

Food safety, food poisoning, temperatures, danger zone, fridge and freezer and cooking temperatures.

Week 7 – Health conditions and diet – obesity (weight loss and gain), cardiovascular, coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes, diverticulitis, bone health (osteoporosis), dental health, anaemia and high blood pressure

Week 8 – Food Science terms – an introduction

Week 9, 10, 11 – Preparing a balanced meal, presenting dishes for assessment or competition in a timeframe

Week 12 and 13 – Food provenance – Fairtrade, locally sourced food, seasonal food, carbon footprint, organic, free range, intensive farming, fishing methods – classifications of fish.

Week 14 – Secondary food production – Dairy products and how they’re made – milk into yogurt, cheese, butter. Flour based products (bread and pasta)

Week 15 – Food preservation methods.

Week 16 – Food security – moral issues. Factors affecting food choice

Week 17 – additives and fortification

Week 18, 19, 20 – Food Science – why food is cooked, cooking methods, heat transfer, the food science terms

Week 21 – Sensory properties of food – testing panels

Week 22 – Food Safety – revisit

Week 23 – nutrition revisit – functions, sources

Week 24 – Nutrition – diets for individuals with particular needs

Week 25 – Provenance revisit

Week 26 and 27 – High level skills check – fish, meat prep etc

Week 28 – Roux based sauces – gelatinisation

Week 29 – Emulsified sauces – mayonnaise

Week 30 – Equipment in the kitchen – knives, utensils, larger and electrical equipment – safety.

Week 31-35 – Mock preparation and completion

Week 36-39 – NEA preparation

Year 11

From September – November NEA1

From November to February – NEA2

Homework to be set from September onwards in preparation for our mock exam in January

From March to June – Revision and exam practice

KS3 – 12 hours per student per academic year (approx), mixed ability classes. We have a double lesson every two weeks (where this is at all possible) in which we provide a demonstration and the provision of equipment and environment in which to safely prepare and cook dishes and food products. Students provide their own ingredients and are encouraged, particularly as they get older, to take ownership of this organisation (exception – pupil premium). Girls work in tables/kitchen areas, which they are collectively responsible for the cleaning and tidying of. The bulk of our class time is used for practical work although potential dead time is filled with requirement to produce written evaluation and other written activities.

We have a work book which we give to students containing recipes and other tasks to complete. Other written work that is produced is placed into the booklet for assessment.

We have an extensive subject web page on our VLE (Frog) which has a dedicated section for each year group containing activities, recipes, information and knowledge. Learning lockers contain exemplar materials and homework is set upon this platform. This links parents into the loop of communication and also serves as a reliable way to inform about ingredients.

KS4 – 5 hours per fortnight across the year. The majority of the content for GCSE is taught in year 10, which allows for NEA to be completed in the bulk of year 11. Titles for NEA tasks are published in September and then November. We aim to finish NEA work by the end of February. There is a mock exam in year 10 and January of year 11.

Once again our VLE (Frog) is used extensively and knowledge, information, exemplar and model work is included as well as many useful links.

Students work in exercise books which are regularly marked as well as being given a written statement each term which informs them of their progress and provides formative feedback.

Within KS3 and 4, there is a heavy focus on practical work as this keeps students engaged in this subject. The slight exception to this is in year 11 in which there is an added focus on written (typed) NEA work and exam preparation.

KS3 – the vast majority of students bring ingredients which demonstrates commitment and motivation. The behaviour indicates that students are engaged and show real enjoyment as well as effort in this area – particularly the practical element.

Majority of students complete homework tasks to a good standard.

High uptake of food club by key stage 3 students and key stage 4 helpers/prefects
National competition uptake – an external competition is held within school to which many wish to compete (vast majority of GCSE groups taking part)

Links with industry – local companies involvement – Higgidy, Porridge Company
Links to FE – many of our students progress to Northbrook or Chichester FE colleges to continue food related courses.

KPI results show high levels of attendance and succes

GCSE results – above national average, high P8

Geography helps students to understand their place in a complex and increasingly interconnected world. As we teach students about the human and physical processes and features of our planet, we want them to take joy in difference and become increasingly informed global citizens.

We want to allow students to be curious about the world around them, understanding the part they can play in providing the world with a more hopeful future, using and developing their decision-making skills, their empathy and applying their fieldwork skills to real life situations.

Year 7

Term 1

Geographical Skills
UK geography
Migration
Middle East

Term 2

Water Cycle
River Processes and features
Fieldwork
Flooding – UK case study

Term 3

South Downs National Park

• Geology and Geological Timescales
• OS Map Skills

Globalisation
India

Year 8

Term 1

Atlas Skills
Population distribution
Population Change
Russia
Climate Change
Use of Natural Resources
Fieldwork

Term 2

Tropical Storms
Effects of climate change on natural hazards
India case study
Ecosystems – Climate, Adaptations, Conflicts and Management

Term 3

Regeneration in Worthing
Fieldwork
GIS
OS Map skills
Decision making

Year 9

Term 1

Coastal Processes and Protection
Fieldwork
Worthing case study
International Development
Ghana case study

Term 2

Plate Tectonics
Earthquakes – Nepal and NZ case studies
Economic Activity
China case study

Term 3

Glaciation
GIS
Lake District case study
Tourism
OS map skills

Year 10

Term 1

Urban Issues and Challenges:

• Global Urban Change
• NEE City Case Study
• UK City Case Study
• Sustainable Cities

Human Geography Fieldwork: New England Quarter, Brighton

Natural Hazards:

• Definition + risk factors
• Plate tectonic theory
• Earthquake effects, responses, management

Term 2

Natural Hazards:

• Tropical Storm formation and distribution
• Tropical storm effects, responses, management
• UK weather hazards
• Climate Change

Physical Landscapes – Rivers:

• River processes and features
• Flooding causes, effects and management

Term 3

Changing Economic World:

• Causes and consequences of uneven development
• Reducing the development gap
• NEE Case Study

Issue Evaluation: Tourism in Bali

Year 11

Term 1

Changing Economic World:

• UK case study

Physical Landscapes – Coasts:

• Coastal processes and features
• Coastal management

Physical Geography Fieldwork: Newhaven Beach

The Living World:

• Distribution and characteristics of Ecosystems
• Tropical Rainforest characteristics
• Tropical Rainforest opportunities and challenges
• Managing the Tropical Rainforest

Term 2

Issue Evaluation: Peruvian Amazon road building

The Living World:

• Hot Desert characteristics
• Hot Desert opportunities and challenges
• Managing desertification

The challenge of resource management:

• Food, energy and water in the UK
• Food demand and supply
• Increasing food supply

Term 3

Issue Evaluation: Pre-release

A team of four geography subject specialists deliver the curriculum. Students learn a range of physical, human and skills-based topics, with strong links between topics, demonstrated by the 9 KPIs we use to assess students in KS3.

In KS4 human and physical topics are interwoven along with practical fieldwork opportunities and decision-making exercises through the use of issue evaluation tasks.

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

• Encourage students to think deeply about the work they are doing e.g. by reducing, transforming, ranking, categorising and comparing information.
• Using graphs and maps, to identify trends, use evidence to form arguments, identify anomalies and use mathematical and statistical skills to inform ideas.
• Give students opportunities to be critical about the typically western worldview, critique resources and understand what makes reliable data e.g. sample size.

Modelling and Explanation

• Using physical modelling where appropriate e.g. actions, practical demonstrations
• Model in the moment by demonstrating constructing a piece of writing or answer live in front the class.
• Use students’ examples as model answers to show effective work.
• Use examples of work to unpick what might need to be improved.
• Exemplar work for KS3 against each KPI can be found on Frog

Structured Practice of Key Mastery Skills

• Key geographical skills e.g. map, graph, fieldwork, numeracy and GIS skills to be practised regularly across the Key stages
• KS3 Assessments which are similar in style and language to GCSE assessments
• Encourage focused practice that replicates exam conditions
• Regular quizzing e.g. using AfL techniques such as mini whiteboards to inter-leave topics
• Dual coding of key terms to promote recall

Feedback / Feedforward

• Employ a range of verbal / written feedback strategies with targeted areas for development.
• Allow students opportunities to respond to feedback, whether immediately through feedback response time, or later by linking similar tasks and topics.

Challenge for Every Student

• Ensure students are deep-thinking rather than task busy
• Give space for students to discuss and ask geographical questions
• Have a dedicated resource bank of challenge tasks and questions for students to use
• Make explicit links to up-to-date case studies, and geographical career opportunities, at relevant points in the curriculum

Independence and Self-regulated learners

• Give students opportunities for learning independently through group work and presentations at least one per year.
• Give students regular fieldwork opportunities, both on and off the school grounds.
• Use differentiated homework tasks to promote independence outside the classroom.
• Challenge tasks are embedded into planning, with tasks on slides.

In KS3 Progress is monitored using Frog. In Y7 students work towards 7 KPIs and in Y8 and 9 they work towards 9 KPIs. These are assessed regularly in lessons, moderated at least termly in department meetings, and recorded on Frog at least termly

The Subject Leader monitors students who are under-performing, and the department discuss these students at department meetings, and make use of KPI Boost time to support their progress.

In KS4, students are monitored using mixed exam questions, which take place in lessons approximately half-termly, and using two sets of Mock exams, on in the summer of Year 10 and one in January of Year 11.

Mock exams are marked and moderated by the department and students who would benefit from intervention are identified. These students are invited to targeted Booster sessions and their progress is reviewed half-termly.

2019 GCSE Results:

4+ 87.5%
7+ 27.08%
P8 0.68

A large and growing health and social care system both nationally and locally has prompted us to set up a key stage 4 course in this subject. We have a large hospital on our doorstep which is a huge employer in the town. As well as this, as a large town there are a number of health and social care providers ranging from childcare, nursing, midwifery, social work, mental health care and care for the elderly. We wanted to give our girls the opportunity to study a course which specifically prepares them for a possible future role in this very large and varied sector.

The Btec we offer is a vocational route into the sector which may extend into further education at level 3/ A level equivalent. This route is suitable for those that may wish to pursue a career in this sector but do not favour a more heavy emphasis on science within their studies. This course may also be attractive to students that favour portfolio assessment that can be created developmentally rather than solely on a summative and written examination.

Wellbeing is high on our agenda as a school. Lifestyle choices and the impacts of these choices ranks highly on our intentions and reasons for the inclusion of this course into our offering. Girls will study all aspects of wellbeing and lifestyle choices, concerning themselves as well as potential clients/patients.

The course comprises of three components/units/sections. These are as follows:

1. Human Lifespan Development

In this component, students study how people grow and develop over the course of their life, from infancy to old age, this includes physical, intellectual, emotional and social development, and the different factors that may affect them. An individual’s development can be affected by major life events, such as marriage, parenthood or moving house, and students will learn about how people adapt to these changes, as well as the types and sources of support that can help them.

This unit is assessed internally by the completion of a written assessment completed in class time.

2. Health and Social Care Services and Values

This component will give students an understanding of health and social care services and will help them to develop skills in applying care values that are common across the sector (some of which are transferable to other sectors that involve interactions with clients or customers). This component will help students to progress to Level 2 or 3 vocational or academic qualifications.

This unit is assessed internally by the completion of a written assessment completed in class time.

3. Health and Wellbeing

In this component, students look at the factors that can have a positive or negative influence on a person’s health and wellbeing. They will learn to interpret physiological and lifestyle indicators, and what they mean for someone’s state of health. Students will learn how to use this information to design an appropriate plan for improving someone’s health and wellbeing, including short and long-term targets. Additionally, they will explore the difficulties an individual may face when trying to make these changes. Students will develop skills in analysing information and communicating for a specific purpose, which will support their progression to Level 2 or 3 vocational or academic qualifications.

This unit is assessed with an external exam

The full specification can be viewed here:

Health and social care qualifications

We have the same time allocation as a GCSE option – 5 hours per fortnight. This is currently allocated as one single and two double one hour lessons on the two week timetable. We are programmed into a room which is furnished with PCs. The content is taught and the ‘assignments’ are completed within this setting. A range of learning and teaching methods are used in order to keep the lessons as fresh and as interesting as possible for the students and to encourage a good quality outcome. Examples of learning and teaching methods employed: Case studies, group work, mind mapping, problem solving, practical application, visits, links to work experience, personal experiences shared, visiting speakers.

We wish to encourage students to be proud of the portfolio work that they complete and therefore take ownership of their learning experience as it develops over the course.
We have set aside some ‘wellbeing’ time for the groups, in order to allow them to competently set a good example and to display and promote wellbeing in future clients/patients.

This course is new to Davison in 2019-2020. It is hoped that many of the students will progress to FE colleges to continue with their interest in this area. It is hoped that undertaking this course will inspire them to continue and develop their career intentions.

Early indications from the completion of coursework and student voice, indicate that the course has had a successful first term.

The purpose of our KS3 curriculum is to give students a broad (mostly chronological) knowledge and understanding of the significant people, events and developments and their impact on Britain and the world from 1066 to the 21st century. Within this there will be aspects of depth study, storytelling, enquiry and thematic study focusing on change over time.

We aim to develop literacy and inspire a life-long love of History. We want to develop passionate historians and independent learners who seek further knowledge, value education and want to ask questions, think critically about evidence and how the past is constructed and presented. We hope to develop student understanding of the impact and relevance of the past on the world and society today and the ability to make links and connections to other topics and subject areas. We aim to help students develop empathy, their moral compass and a greater understanding of their own choices and responsibilities as members of a community and diverse society. We hope that they will be able to recognise how they are able to flourish where others have been unable to do so in the past due to lack of democracy and discrimination.

Our KS3 curriculum also aims to provide a good basis and smooth transition for those who opt at GCSE with a focus on significance, explanation of causes, developments and consequences and evaluation of main factors, as well as the skills of evaluating contemporary sources for usefulness and analysing and comping later interpretations for accuracy.

We want our students to be able to communicate enthusiastically and knowledgably about the past and aim to develop high levels of written and verbal communication, as well as the confidence to argue their points convincingly.

Through exploring the past pupils should be able to critically assess evidence and write well-structured arguments; these vital skills will enable them to succeed as they move through education as well as develop a better understanding of the world they are growing up in.

Year 7

Autumn term key enquiry: What were the causes, developments & impact of the Norman Conquest?

Spring term key enquiry:  How was the Feudal System and authority of the monarch challenged from Thomas Becket to the Peasants Revolt?

Summer term key enquiry: How did the religious beliefs of the Tudor monarchs impact England?

Year 8

Autumn term: key enquiry 1: Why did Charles I lose his divine right?

Autumn term key enquiry 2: How did Parliament establish authority over the monarchy by 1700?

Spring term: Enquiry:  How and why did Britain extend its power in the 18^th and 19^th centuries?

Summer term Key enquiry: How did people around the world people gain civil rights in the 20^th century?

Year 9

Autumn term key enquiry: What were the causes, developments and impact of WW1?

Spring term key enquiry: Why was there a rise in political extremes in the 1920s and 30s?

Summer term: Enquiry 1 What were the causes and developments of WW2?

Enquiry 2: Is bombing civilians justified to end war quickly?

Enquiry 3: The Holocaust and genocides before and after.

Enquiry 4:The impact of World War 2 ( Cold War, end of Empire and the Windrush generation)

Year 10 – AQA GCSE History, paper 2, British History

Autumn Term: Elizabethan England depth study (1558-1603)

Spring and Summer Terms:  Power and the People Thematic Study (the study of parliamentary democracy and rights from 1215 to 1984)

Year 11 – AQA GCSE History, Paper 1, Wider World History

Autumn term:  Russia, Tsardom to Communism (1896-1943)

Spring term: The Cold War in Asia 1945-1975

Summer term: Revision

How do we deliver our Intent?

Mixed ability classes.

Year 7: 2 hours per fortnight.
Year 8 and 9: 4 hours a fortnight.
Year 10 and 11: 5 hours a fortnight.

The department plan collaboratively and share resources and good practise regularly in our meetings. We frequently discuss the sequencing of topics and are consistently reflecting and evaluating on the impact of tasks and topics, adding new delivery methods or resources, developing or culling as befitting the students’ needs.

Within lessons a variety of techniques are used to deliver content or skills. We aim to strike an effective balance between teacher “story telling”, active or discovery learning, creative and research tasks, debate/discussion and the development and practice of key skills/techniques. We reward effort and enthusiasm of our students through the school reward and ATL system. History lessons often underpin the SMSC values of Davison, particularly social and moral questions. We are continuing to develop retrieval practises to ensure long-term retention of information, particularly at KS4.

The curriculum offers regular opportunities for deep and critical thinking, challenging questions and forming clear arguments. All lessons include challenge tasks and/or differentiated resources to develop thinking further. We ensure equality of opportunity by making lessons inclusive (this can be through a variety of ways, including use of a learning support assistant, storytelling, visual clues, questioning, coloured overlays and pre-teaching key vocabulary. This allows all learners to make progress through scaffolding or differentiated planning.

Homework is set as appropriate at KS3 with a focus on research and preparation for subsequent learning or recapping previous learning. We hope that this encourages independent and self-regulating learning and good habits from the outset. This culminates in a challenging local history project in Year 9 (some of these were exhibited in 2014 to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of WW1 and were permanently digitalised at Worthing reference library). Outstanding projects are shown to the Head teacher and rewarded in the year 9 celebration assembly. Homework at KS4 is weekly with a focus on building or reviewing contextual knowledge, practising exam techniques or learning key facts and vocabulary. There is always an extra challenge to encourage independent learning and deepening of contextual understanding, for example reading an article from a history magazine.

For our most able readers and passionate historians we offer a wider reading group in the LRC once a week to develop broader contextual knowledge and gain an understanding of how diverse historians are writing about the past. As a department we are aware of trying to redress a “cultural capital gap” so also encourage wider reading and watching films and documentaries (fiction and non-fiction) around the topics to develop a love of history and further engagement with topics. Within history lessons there is exposure to the perspectives of different historians, as well as politics, religion and rich vocabulary. We also use art, music and film to enhance teaching and learning. This enables students to see how the past is constructed and reflected in and influences wider culture.

Mastery, Assessment and & Frog

At KS3 the 7 key skills (KPIs) are revisited at a more developed and complex level each year. The KPIs have been carefully designed to develop the key skills necessary to approach the study of history and to underpin core GCSE skills, enabling a smooth transition from key stage 3 to key stage 4.

Teachers evaluate the needs of their classes and plan accordingly to address skill gaps. Department meetings offer regular opportunities to discuss pupil progress and planning priorities. We have reviewed marking and workload to ensure that marking is manageable, targeted and effective.

At KS3 we use progress booklets to structure the mastery of the key KPI skills each term. Students gain written practise of the KPI skill at least once before a formal assessment (although there is reference to KPI skills in almost every lesson).  Feedback is given verbally, through discussion or to individuals in lessons, as well as through FROG or by peer and self assessment. A formal assessment will be followed by a feedback lesson using a whole class feedback sheet and reflection time. The progress booklets are retained throughout KS3 to allow pupils to reflect on their progress.

KS4: A5 progress books. Regular exam technique practice in class, then followed by self, peer and/or teacher feedback.  Formal assessments (including walking/talking mock style examinations) and followed by whole class feedback and reflection lessons.

Throughout KS3 and 4 the department are committed to regularly revisiting key skills. Modelling and exemplars are used regularly to promote pupil understanding of what a high quality answer looks like.

FROG pages have an overview of topics plus video links and some useful activities for remote learning. There are also links to wider reading suggestions.

STAFF: An experienced and passionate team with a minimum of 11 years teaching experience. Staff are committed to regularly attending local CPD sessions, subject network meetings and Historical Association webinar training. We also use training webinars for post GCSE analysis and delivery of the Historical environment question. 2 members of the department have marked exams for AQA since 2018 (Elizabethan England and Conflict in Asia sections) and are therefore able to offer expert assessment training.

TRIPS: We have taken students to Ypres and we have collaborated with the MFL department on trips to Berlin. We endeavour to take out year 10 students to the site of their Historical Environment location should it be feasible. We have run a year 7 trip to the Tower of London and are endeavouring to make more links with our local museums.

Key Stage 3

In History we focus on 7 key KPIs, the same KPIs are visited in years 7, 8 and 9 with increasing challenge allowing a really strong understanding of the key skills required for excellent historical writing. By focusing on using evidence, research and written explanations we confidently believe pupils will have the writing and evaluative skills necessary for the challenge of GCSE History. Each term there is a focus on 2 KPI’s this allows staff to support pupils to really challenge themselves and develop these skills. Data capture shows the majority of KS3 achieve most of the KPIs by the end of year 9. Most students do well in their history assessment in the exam weeks in years 8 and 9.

History is a popular subject with high pupil engagement and strong uptake for GCSE study, in fact it has been the most popular option for the last 12 years! Pupil voice is overwhelmingly positive and indicates high levels of pupil enjoyment and an understanding of the relevance of history as a subject.

Key Stage 4

2022 GCSE results
4+ 84%
7+ 45%

We consistently achieve exam results above the national average in this academically rigorous subject and most students go into the exam phase feeling confident in the knowledge and skills required to succeed.

Intervention groups at KS4 are identified early and students are invited to revision sessions or to attend the DTP (Davison Tutoring Programme). Pupil Premium students are always invited and also issued with revision guides.

Intervention is focused at certain times, for example pre year 10 and 11 mock exams and in the spring term prior to the GCSE exam period. We offer differentiated revision sessions and opportunities to suit the different needs of the students, whether it be reassurance, core content or honing their exam skills in order to aim for a grade 8 or 9.

At Davison we recognise that a good understanding of Maths is essential in ensuring that students flourish in the modern world.  Our curriculum plan is based on the profile of the intake.  This enables us to maximise their enjoyment of Mathematics through an appropriately planned program of study.  We follow the National Curriculum and are aware of the needs of all the abilities of our students. We focus on the needs of both the disadvantaged students and the more able ones.

By the time they leave Year 11 we wish them to have a positive outlook regarding their Mathematics experience, and show independence to confidently approach unfamiliar tasks.

The whole school’s aim to improve Numeracy outcomes for disadvantaged students involves the department in the LETs curriculum and Numeracy intervention.

Our curriculum objectives are available on the Maths Department site on Frog, including resources for KPI preparation, post KPI resources for Y7-9 and Personal Learning Checklists for Y9-11.

Mathematics Schemes of Work

Curriculum Delivery:

• A team of 8 full-time subject specialists with 3 other experienced members of staff teaching a further 30 hours.
• The department also has 2 dedicated intervention tutors providing small group sessions for PP students.
• Mathematics is allocated 8 hours per fortnight in Year 7 and Y11 and 7 hours for Y8-10.
• In Y7/8 we follow the WRM (White Rose Maths) SOW to deliver the best balance of content and fluency across all topics covered in the national curriculum.
• This incorporates 6 ‘official’ Key Performance Indicator assessments (KPIs) with Core and Extension levels for each one.
• We teach from an adapted version of the AQA 3-year program at KS4 (Y9-11) for both tiers.
• We ensure that teachers work collaboratively, sharing good practice and key resources, particularly where teachers share groups of similar ability level.
• Resources are drawn from a variety of sources to enable teachers to deliver a varied and rich set of activities covering all topics.
• Regular informal conversations between staff and students help ensure that students are able to progress in a supportive and encouraging environment.
• We make extensive use of the Frog platform to provide clear and concise information to all our students and parents covering such aspects as schemes of learning, revision lists and resources at appropriate times, extension resources and careers/beyond GCSE information.

Teaching:

Critical thinking and thinking hard:

• Students are encouraged to think deeply about the work they are tackling e.g. by applying skills to more open-ended questions, questions in unfamiliar contexts, or in a real-life context.
• At Key Stage 3 students are taught skills that can be assessed for fluency, reasoning, problem-solving, application and misconceptions and are taught within these aspects.

Modelling and Explanation:

• Over the last year the department have adopted some of the principles of Craig Barton’s research book ‘How I wish I had taught Mathematics’. As a result of this, the department has now moved towards a method of teaching that focuses on modelling work while students observe and analyse what they are seeing.
• This encourages students to build an analytical and problem-solving approach to new work which will help foster independence and confidence in approaching new material.

Structured practice of Key Mastery Skills:

• There are 6 Key Skills attributed each to Y7 and Y8. These are taught and assessed within the scheme of work, with results recorded in terms of having met or working towards the KPI.
• Standardised KPIs are set for all Y7/8/9. Resources are available on Frog for students to access prior to the learning of that topic. This includes video links and practice questions to CorbettMaths, Hegarty or DFM. It also includes extension resources for all.
• At Key Stage 4, students will take half-termly assessments, mostly focusing on the material they have been taught during that half term. This allows students to reflect on how well they have retained this knowledge as well as enabling teachers to have conversations with those students who are doing well or need to be pushed a little harder.

Feedback/feed forward:

• After every KPI, half term, termly or end of year assessment students are expected to complete self-analysis sheets, set targets and complete feedback tasks.
• A whole class feedback (WCF) form is provided as well for students to self-analyse.
• Year 11 students are encouraged to use DFM site for any ‘official’ exam papers where subsequently a selection of feed forward questions is provided in a digital or paper format and support is provided through tutorials.
• At key stage 4 we have started to give recorded audio feedback and are developing the use of video feedback of tests as best worked solutions. This allows students to independently review their assessments and see where they need to make improvements; whether in subject knowledge or exam question practice.

Challenge for every student:

• Extension resources are provided on the Frog platform for Y7-9 for all KPI related topics.
• Use of the tutorials and quizzes on the Hegarty website is made for Y7/8 providing extension resources for all students.
• In Year 11, students who are hoping to pursue maths at a higher level after GCSE, have the option to apply for our Further Mathematics course.
• In Year 10 (2021) we offered our most able the opportunity to study Statistics GCSE as an additional subject. All learning takes place out of lesson time.
• The highest ability students in years 7-10 have the opportunity to participate in the Maths Challenge every year, organised by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT).

Independence and Self-Regulatory Learners:

• After every KPI, half term, termly or end of year assessment students are expected to complete GAR self-analysis sheets, set targets and complete feedback tasks. A whole class feedback (WCF) form is provided for students to self-analyse.
• Extra resources on DFM and/or Hegarty Maths are provided for any student to complete for extension homework.

We use the Frog platform to track KS3 student progress against KPIs. Students are assessed as to whether they have met, not met or exceeded each KPI and are provided the opportunity to improve their scores through independent study.

We use results from half termly assessments and KPIs to ensure students are in the correct teaching groups as well as making sure that every student is being appropriately supported or stretched and challenged.

• In 2020 our GCSE CAG results for Maths were as follows: Grades 4+ (85%), 5+ (64%), 7+ (26%) and P8(0.29).
• In 2019 our GCSE results for Maths were significantly above the National Average. Davison 4+ (81%), NA (60%), NA Girls (59%), Davison 7+ (30%), NA (16%), NA Girls (14%) and P8(0.22).
• In 2018 our GCSE results for Maths were comparable to the National Average. Davison 4+ (69%), NA (71%), NA Girls (59%), Davison 7+ (13%), NA (17%), NA Girls (15%) and P8(0.05).

We have links with our local College where Maths can be studied at a higher level. In the Summer Term taster courses are run for potential Y10 students by Worthing College. Most of our students who study Maths to a higher-level attend one of 3 main colleges locally.

Media studies is offered as a GCSE option for students in years 10 and 11. In media studies we intend to help students to become discerning consumers of a range of media products, with the ability to recognise the ways in which the media manipulates the consumer. They will also develop practical skills to create realistic media products. By the end of the course, they will have explored a range of set products, have a clear understanding of the media theoretical framework and an ability to apply media theories to texts.

Year 10

Term1

• Introduction to Media language, Media Audiences, Representation and Media Audiences
• Set product – Sitcoms – Genre, Narrative, Audiences and Representation

Term 2

• Film Industries
• Film Marketing – Mise en Scene, Media Language, Semiotic Codes, Conventions,

Term 3

• NEA – responding to a brief connecting with generating printed marketing materials for a film within a specified Genre
• Set product – Radio – Industry, technology and convergence, Radio Audiences

Year 11

Term1

• Set Product – Print Advertising, Media Language, Semiotics and Codes, Representation in Advertising
  Term 2
• Set Product – Music, Video and Online Media. Media Language, Representation, Industries and audiences
• Set Product Magazines and Newspapers – Media Language and Representation, Media Contexts and Industries

Term 3

• Set Product – Pokemon Go/Fortnite – Video games – Media Industries and Audiences

Use Digital Textbooks and exercise books. Make use of a range of multimedia resources and tools.

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

• Encourage students to think deeply about the work they are doing e.g. by reducing, transforming, ranking, categorising and comparing information.
• Using graphs and maps, to identify trends, use evidence to form arguments, identify anomalies and use mathematical and statistical skills to inform ideas.
• Give students opportunities to be critical about the typically western worldview, critique resurces and understand what makes reliable data e.g. sample size.

Modelling and Explanation

• Using physical modelling where appropriate e.g. actions, practical demonstrations
• Model in the moment by demonstrating constructing a piece of writing or answer live in front the class.
• Use students’ examples as model answers to show effective work.
• Use examples of work to unpick what might need to be improved.
• Exemplar work for KS3 against each KPI can be found on Frog

Structured Practice of Key Mastery Skills

• Key geographical skills e.g. map, graph, fieldwork, numeracy and GIS skills to be practised regularly across the Key stages
• KS3 Assessments which are similar in style and language to GCSE assessments
• Encourage focused practice that replicates exam conditions
• Regular quizzing e.g. using AfL techniques such as mini whiteboards to inter-leave topics
• Dual coding of key terms to promote recall

Feedback / Feedforward

• Employ a range of verbal / written feedback strategies with targeted areas for development.
• Allow students opportunities to respond to feedback, whether immediately through feedback response time, or later by linking similar tasks and topics.

Challenge for Every Student

• Ensure students are deep-thinking rather than task busy
• Give space for students to discuss and ask geographical questions
• Have a dedicated resource bank of challenge tasks and questions for students to use

Independence and Self-regulated learners

• Give students opportunities for learning independently through group work and presentations at least one per year.
• Give students regular fieldwork opportunities, both on and off the school grounds.
• Use differentiated homework tasks to promote independence outside the classroom.
• Challenge tasks are embedded into planning, with tasks on slides

What is the progress and achievement like in your subject?

Motivation levels are high in Media Studies. Learner engagement in lessons fosters a level of interest that results in a higher than average uptake of students following Level 3 Media related courses. Recent results have been above the national average for all key measures at 4+, 5+ and 7+. Levels of progress as measured by progress 8 are above national average for the subject

The purpose of our curriculum is to give students access to a broad and in-depth knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and phonics (NCELP) via a communicative approach to teaching and learning, using Listening and Reading as Modelling for Speaking and Writing.

We also aim to motivate our students to enjoy their learning of a language through the use of Content and Language Integrated Learning (C.L.I.L), so that they have the most favourable attitudes to languages, to users of other languages, and to their chance of success in language learning with a view to improving their future employment prospects.

Through the combination of these approaches, we intend to develop all 4 skill areas (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing), as well as intercultural understanding and language learning skills in order to promote self-efficacy and support learners to develop their character – including their resilience, confidence and independence.

Year 9 – AQA GCSE

Term1 – Themes of the AQA specification: Theme 1: Identity & culture

• Key routines for TL usage and the register
• To revise key vocabulary for introducing yourself
• To revise vocabulary for family members & personality adjectives
• To describe and compare the people in your family
• To describe the appearance of your family and friends
• To say what makes a good friend
• To say what you do with your friends
• To make arrangements to go out with your friends
• To understand people describing family relationships
• To say how you get on with your family
• To talk about a day out
• To understand a description of a first date
• To examine and write a model response to a 90-word writing question
• To say who you admire and why
• To research and present about a famous French-speaking person
• To understand opinions on marriage and partnership
• To be able to give opinions on marriage and future plans
• To be able to describe your ideal partner
• To examine and prepare a model response to a photo card task

Term 2 – Themes of the AQA specification: Theme 1: Identity & culture

• To revise and extend vocabulary for sports using ‘jouer’
• Sports using ‘faire’
• To give opinions of and compare different sports
• To understand people describing what sport they do and why
• Types of technology and to say what you do online
• The pros and cons of the internet
• Use of the internet
• What you do on your mobile phone
• Describe reading habits
• What books you used to read
• To revise types of TV programmes & understand people’s viewing habits
• Your favourite TV programme
• To describe the films you watch
• To ask for tickets at the cinema
• To write a film review based on Le Petit Nicolas
• To understand the superlative when describing films / actors

Term 3 – Themes of the AQA specification: Theme 1: Identity & culture

• To revise and extend vocabulary for food
• What you eat for different meals
• Vocabulary for quantities and shops
• Role play vocabulary for interactions at a market
• What you eat for different meals
• To give advice around healthy eating
• Clothes and to say what you wear
• Buying clothes in a shop
• Your daily life
• Descriptions of foods for special occasions
• To describe foods and traditions for special occasions
• Descriptions of special occasions in the past
• To understand and produce more complex descriptions of special occasions in the past
• To understand descriptions of festivals in France
• To research and present about a French festival of choice
• To describe plans for future celebrations

Year 10 – AQA GCSE

Term1 – Themes of the AQA specification: Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest.

• Places in town
• Directions
• Prepositions
• Describing where you live
• What can you do in your area?
• Using adjectives to describe where you live
• Comparatives and superlatives
• Describing your region
• What did you do last weekend?
• Describing your town in the past
• Pros and cons of where you live
• What you would like to do in your area
• Asking for information about an area
• Weather and plans
• Describing your house
• Ideal house
• Where you would like to live
• What you do to help at home
• What you did to help at home

Term 2 – Themes of the AQA specification: Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest; Theme 1: Identity and culture.

• What you do on holiday
• What you can do on holiday (on peut…)
• Holiday preferences
• Understanding and using 2-3 tenses (past, present and future) together
• Describing a past holiday
• Future holiday plans
• Holiday accommodation
• Dream holidays
• Hotel reviews
• Booking a hotel room
• Restaurant dialogues and ordering food
• Restaurant reviews
• Preferred modes of transport
• Buying travel tickets
• Buying souvenirs
• Holiday disasters

Term 3 – Themes of the AQA specification: Theme 3: Current and future study and employment; Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest.

• To revise and extend vocabulary for school subjects
• Opinions about school subjects
• Describe your school day
• To understand how to use reflexive verbs
• Daily routine
• What you did yesterday at school
• To understand descriptions of schools
• School uniform
• To understand comparisons of the French and English school systems
• School rules
• What you did at primary school
• Extra-curricular activities
• School exchanges
• Advice about healthy living
• Your lifestyle in past and future
• Opinion about fast food

Year 11 – AQA GCSE

Term1 – Themes of the AQA specification: Theme 3: Current and future study and employment; Theme 1: Identity and culture.

• Types of jobs
• To say what is important to you in a job
• Part-time jobs
• Work experience
• Future plans
• Pros & cons of going to university
• Ideal plans
• Job adverts & applications
• Benefits of speaking another language

Term 2 – Themes of the AQA specification: Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

• What issues are important to you
• Causes of poverty & possible solutions
• Environmental problems
• What you do to help the environment
• Ethical shopping
• Voluntary work
• Big events and their impact

Term 3 – Revision of all Themes of the AQA specification:

Skills focused revision questions

Our French classes are taught as follows:

Year 7: 3 hours per fortnight, in sets from A-D, following the Maths sets.

Year 8 and 9: 5 hours a fortnight, in mixed A-D sets.

Year 10 and 11: 5 hours a fortnight in mixed ability sets. Students who are in sets A or B for Maths have to continue with their learning of French into KS4.

Our Spanish classes are taught as follows:

Year 7: 3 hours per fortnight, in sets from A-E, following the Maths sets. At the end of Year 7, students in Maths sets E have the option of choosing LETS instead of studying a language.

Year 8 and 9: 5 hours a fortnight, in A-E sets.

Year 10 and 11: 5 hours a fortnight in mixed ability sets. Students who are in sets A or B for Maths have to continue with their learning of Spanish into KS4.

In Year 7, there is a small number of students who have a Special Educational Need, who do not study a language and are educated in Curriculum Support for extra literacy and numeracy.

Additionally, at KS4, there is a number of girls who do not have to study a language at GCSE level because they are in a set C or below in Maths, but still choose to opt for a language. This is something that we would like to improve on and we have identified as a target in our 2019-2020 Departmental Improvement Plan, so that we are more in line with the uptake in the national average.

The department plans collaboratively, shares resources and good practice on Course Materials and in Departmental meetings.  Since May 2019, the department has reviewed the Schemes of Work at KS3 in order to include sequences of lessons, which reflect our shared belief in both the ‘Communicative’ and ‘C.L.I.L’ approaches via our Mid-Term Plans.

We aim to develop the confidence of our linguists by planning and teaching a wide range of differentiated activities, which promote the use of Target Language between students to teachers; students to students and also the use of spontaneous speaking; ensuring challenge for all.

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

• To offer opportunities for our students to understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources.
• To plan for and deliver activities which allow our students to speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and debates, asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.

Modelling and Explanation

• Listening as modelling the speaking, has been a recent focus and is now at the core of what we deliver to our students, through the use of Target Language and ‘Flooding the input’ approach to embed new key-phrases and grammatical structures in chunks, to avoid cognitive overload and promote more accurate output from students at the production stage.
• Reading as modelling the writing, is also a key factor in helping our learners to develop their writing skills through comprehensible input. To this end, there are substantial quantities of interesting comprehensible receptive activity in both listening and reading.
• Exemplar work for Key Stage 3 against each Key Performance Indicators can be found on the Frog platform.
• AQA GCSE model written answers in the Examiner Reports are used in class and success criteria are shared to show what success looks like at KS4.

Structured Practice of Key Mastery Skills

• Listening, speaking, reading and writing skills are practised in every lesson at both key stages. At Key Stage 3 the four skills are linked to our MFL Key Performance Indicators, which are challenging in the fact that they mirror key skills at GCSE and at Key Stage 4, these relate to the AQA exam skills.
• Opportunities in every lesson to show evidence of Key Performance Indicators in order to show progress via AFL techniques, peer and self-assessment.

Feedback / Feedforward

• Mix of oral and written feedback are given regularly and students are encouraged to respond to the feedback by reflecting on their strengths and areas of development, through planned activities to iron out misconceptions of certain concepts or accuracy of key-vocabulary.
• Students receive helpful feedback which allows them to improve the quality and the accuracy of their language use, either immediately or in the near future via different topics.

Challenge for Every Student

• Depth of processing: we believe that learners should process the items to be learned as deeply and as broadly as possible.
• Use of a variety of differentiated techniques in every lesson to ensure that all students are suitably challenged whilst no one is left feeling stuck. Challenge tasks are embedded into planning, with tasks on slides.
• Extended activities for native or near-native speakers are used to ensure that students continue to practise their language at the right level.
• Wider reading encouraged: subscription to Mary Glasgow magazines, which are available to borrow during the ‘Language Club’ or as an extension in lessons.

Independence and Self-regulated learners

• Students are encouraged to work independently by being explicitly taught how to develop their receptive skills; for example, dictionary skills, reading and listening strategies lessons are delivered regularly. As far as the production skills are concerned, we have been creating and using sentence builders and speaking mats.
• Students are expected to develop their memory skills by learning how to memorise key-vocabulary and grammatical concepts, challenging themselves to speak and write from memory, as they develop their confidence in the target language.
• Learning homework is set regularly on Quizlet and retrieval practice is used to recall vocabulary or grammar points taught over the course of the year or the Key Stage.
• We encourage students to take the learning of the target language outside the classroom by engaging with hobbies they enjoy in their first language; cooking, reading, films, songs etc.… but in the Target Language.

In KS3, we use the Mastery Learning, where progress is monitored using the Frog platform. From Year 7 to Year 9, students work on the same 13 KPIs, progressing from Foundation (Y7) to Secure (Y8) and finally to Confident (Y9). Our most able students can achieve Excelling by the end of Y9.  In every lesson, students have the opportunity to collect evidence of different KPIs, which they record on their personal login sheets. These KPIs are also assessed regularly in lessons in their green assessment books, and recorded on Frog at least termly. We make use of KPI Boost time at key points during the year, after the termly capture data in order to help students who are under-performing to have a chance to catch up but also for our most able students to deepen their learning by using the Extended Learner Resources.

In KS4, students’ progress is monitored through half-termly assessment in Y10 and using two sets of Mock Examinations, based on AQA past papers; one in June of Year 10 and one in January of Year 11. The students are either entered at Foundation or Higher in the 4 skills area, which help us to make the right decision for their GCSE exam entries.

Mock exams are marked according to the AQA marking schemes, by the department and students who would benefit from intervention are identified if they are working 1 grade below their Moderate Learning Grade. These students are invited to targeted Booster sessions and their progress is reviewed half-termly.  We offer a differentiated Booster programme, either at Foundation or Higher level to ensure that our most able students are also challenged to achieve Grade 7+.

At both KS3 and KS4, Pupil Premium students are identified and monitored to ensure that their progress is in line with the rest of their cohort and that they have access to resources that other students would have. This is discussed at Departmental meetings and

2019 MFL GCSE Results:

Since 2019, the uptake for French A’ Level has remained the same but the uptake for Spanish A’ Level has quintupled, which is very encouraging and something that we would like to build on and transfer to French.

The purpose of our curriculum is to give students access to a broad and in-depth knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and phonics (NCELP) via a communicative approach to teaching and learning, using Listening and Reading as Modelling for Speaking and Writing.

We also aim to motivate our students to enjoy their learning of a language through the use of Content and Language Integrated Learning (C.L.I.L), so that they have the most favourable attitudes to languages, to users of other languages, and to their chance of success in language learning with a view to improving their future employment prospects.

Through the combination of these approaches, we intend to develop all 4 skill areas (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing), as well as intercultural understanding and language learning skills in order to promote self-efficacy and support learners to develop their character – including their resilience, confidence and independence.

Our French classes are taught as follows:

Year 7: 3 hours per fortnight, in sets from A-D, following the Maths sets.

Year 8 and 9: 5 hours a fortnight, in mixed A-D sets.

Year 10 and 11: 5 hours a fortnight in mixed ability sets. Students who are in sets A or B for Maths have to continue with their learning of French into KS4.

Our Spanish classes are taught as follows:

Year 7: 3 hours per fortnight, in sets from A-E, following the Maths sets. At the end of Year 7, students in Maths sets E have the option of choosing LETS instead of studying a language.

Year 8 and 9: 5 hours a fortnight, in A-E sets.

Year 10 and 11: 5 hours a fortnight in mixed ability sets. Students who are in sets A or B for Maths have to continue with their learning of Spanish into KS4.

In Year 7, there is a small number of students who have a Special Educational Need, who do not study a language and are educated in Curriculum Support for extra literacy and numeracy.

Additionally, at KS4, there is a number of girls who do not have to study a language at GCSE level because they are in a set C or below in Maths, but still choose to opt for a language. This is something that we would like to improve on and we have identified as a target in our 2019-2020 Departmental Improvement Plan, so that we are more in line with the uptake in the national average.

The department plans collaboratively, shares resources and good practice on Course Materials and in Departmental meetings.  Since May 2019, the department has reviewed the Schemes of Work at KS3 in order to include sequences of lessons, which reflect our shared belief in both the ‘Communicative’ and ‘C.L.I.L’ approaches via our Mid-Term Plans.

We aim to develop the confidence of our linguists by planning and teaching a wide range of differentiated activities, which promote the use of Target Language between students to teachers; students to students and the use of spontaneous speaking; ensuring challenge for all.

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

• To offer opportunities for our students to understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources.
• To plan for and deliver activities which allow our students to speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and debates, asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.

Modelling and Explanation

• Listening as modelling the speaking, has been a recent focus and is now at the core of what we deliver to our students, through the use of Target Language and ‘Flooding the input’ approach to embed new key-phrases and grammatical structures in chunks, to avoid cognitive overload and promote more accurate output from students at the production stage.
• Reading as modelling the writing, is also a key factor in helping our learners to develop their writing skills through comprehensible input. To this end, there are substantial quantities of interesting comprehensible receptive activity in both listening and reading.
• Exemplar work for Key Stage 3 against each Key Performance Indicators can be found on the Frog platform.
• AQA GCSE model written answers in the Examiner Reports are used in class and success criteria are shared to show what success looks like at KS4.

Structured Practice of Key Mastery Skills

• Listening, speaking, reading and writing skills are practised in every lesson at both key stages. At Key Stage 3 the four skills are linked to our MFL Key Performance Indicators, which are challenging in the fact that they mirror key skills at GCSE and at Key Stage 4, these relate to the AQA exam skills.
• Opportunities in every lesson to show evidence of Key Performance Indicators in order to show progress via AFL techniques, peer and self-assessment.

Feedback / Feedforward

• Mix of oral and written feedback are given regularly and students are encouraged to respond to the feedback by reflecting on their strengths and areas of development, through planned activities to iron out misconceptions of certain concepts or accuracy of key-vocabulary.
• Students receive helpful feedback, which allows them to improve the quality and the accuracy of their language use, either immediately or in the near future via different topics.

Challenge for Every Student

• Depth of processing: we believe that learners should process the items to be learned as deeply and as broadly as possible.
• Use of a variety of differentiated techniques in every lesson to ensure that all students are suitably challenged whilst no one is left feeling stuck. Challenge tasks are embedded into planning, with tasks on slides.
• Extended activities for native or near-native speakers are used to ensure that students continue to practise their language at the right level.
• Wider reading encouraged: subscription to Mary Glasgow magazines, which are available to borrow during the ‘Language Club’ or as an extension in lessons.

Independence and Self-regulated learners

• Students are encouraged to work independently by being explicitly taught how to develop their receptive skills; for example, dictionary skills, reading and listening strategies lessons are delivered regularly. As far as the production skills are concerned, we have been creating and using sentence builders and speaking mats.
• Students are expected to develop their memory skills by learning how to memorise key-vocabulary and grammatical concepts, challenging themselves to speak and write from memory, as they develop their confidence in the target language.
• Learning homework is set regularly on Quizlet and retrieval practice is used to recall vocabulary or grammar points taught over the course of the year or the Key Stage.
• We encourage students to take the learning of the target language outside the classroom by engaging with hobbies they enjoy in their first language; cooking, reading, films, songs etc.… but in the Target Language.

In KS3, we use the Mastery Learning, where progress is monitored using the Frog platform. From Year 7 to Year 9, students work on the same 13 KPIs, progressing from Foundation (Y7) to Secure (Y8) and finally to Confident (Y9). Our most able students can achieve Excelling by the end of Y9.  In every lesson, students have the opportunity to collect evidence of different KPIs, which they record on their personal login sheets. These KPIs are also assessed regularly in lessons in their green assessment books, and recorded on Frog at least termly. We make use of KPI Boost time at key points during the year, after the termly capture data in order to help students who are under-performing to have a chance to catch up but also for our most able students to deepen their learning by using the Extended Learner Resources.

In KS4, students’ progress is monitored through half-termly assessment in Y10 and using two sets of Mock Examinations, based on AQA past papers; one in June of Year 10 and one in January of Year 11. The students are entered at either Foundation or Higher in the 4 skills area, which help us to make the right decision for their GCSE exam entries.

Mock exams are marked according to the AQA marking schemes, by the department and students who would benefit from intervention are identified if they are working 1 grade below their Moderate Learning Grade. These students are invited to targeted Booster sessions and their progress is reviewed half-termly.  We offer a differentiated Booster programme, either at Foundation or Higher level to ensure that our most able students are also challenged to achieve Grade 7+.

At both KS3 and KS4, Pupil Premium students are identified and monitored to ensure that their progress is in line with the rest of their cohort and that they have access to resources that other students would have. This is discussed at Departmental meetings and

2019 MFL GCSE Results:

Since 2019, the uptake for French A’ Level has remained the same but the uptake for Spanish A’ Level has quintupled, which is very encouraging and something that we would like to build on and transfer to French.

Sum up the way the curriculum is connected across the years and from primary phase and onto post 16

At Davison we believe that Music is an integral part of the human condition and is essential to the well-rounded education of all children. Not only is it intellectually satisfying but as an art form it engenders concentration, teamwork, individual confidence and self-discipline.

The aim of the music department is to provide all students with a wide range of practical music making experiences in both curricular and extra-curricular activities. All girls are encouraged regardless of their ability and there are many opportunities available for involvement both in and out of the classroom. We provide a positive, inclusive environment where girls can develop their imagination, self-esteem and teamwork skills.

Through collaborative practical work, the study of music helps to develop lifelong skills such as the ability to:

• Work as part of a team to meet a high pressure deadline
• Have confidence to push your own thoughts forward but be sensitive to others’ opinions
• Listen and respond to new information whilst under pressure
• Work hard to meet the deadline even though you’re tired or sick
• Think on your feet
• Learn new things quickly which you then have to present confidently
• Come up with an original idea and take it all the way to completion
• Persuade people to think or feel a certain way through your presentation or performance
• Delegate roles to other people in your team, taking into account their strengths and weaknesses
• Stand in front of people you don’t know and present your work to them confidently
• Focus entirely on the task in hand regardless of distraction
• Rework an idea at the last minute to adapt to a change in the team

Key Stage 3 Music

In years 7, 8 and 9 students have 2 hours of classroom music lessons per fortnight. The curriculum has been created to ensure that students perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions.

They will learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence.

They will understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated using the musical elements of pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

Students are expected to meet the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for performing (including singing) composing (including improvising) and critical evaluation (including target setting, contextualising and assessing)

Year 7 – Elements of Music

Term1

• Graphic score and other notations
• Recorders and stave notation
• Core skills of group work and feedback
• Using voices as instruments

Term 2

• Musical theatre
• Performance skills
• Developing group work skills and sharing ideas

Term 3

• Reggae
• Developing independence in ensemble playing
• Instruments of the Orchestra

Year 8 – Rhythms and Pulses

Term1

• Jazz, blues and Swing
• Improvisation and chord patterns
• Form and structure

Term 2

• Music from Brazil
• Music from china
• Music from Sub-Saharan Africa

Term 3

• Riffs and hooks
• Chords patterns and melody writing

Year 9 – Timbres and Textures

Term1

• Dance Music
• Exploring Garageband

Term 2

• Musical Futures
• Developing Ensemble work

Term 3

• Chair drumming and cups
• Boomwhackers
• Junk Percussion
• GCSE Music

At Davison we follow the OCR GCSE Music specification. The course consists of 60% Controlled Assessment and 40% examination. Uptake at GCSE is high, despite national trends to the contrary. We currently have 4 GCSE Music groups: 2 in year 10 and 2 in year 11.

Year 10
Term1

• Elements of Music
• Key Listening skills
• Conventions of Pop: Rock n Roll
• Conventions of Pop: Rock Anthems
• Songwriting
• Performance skills and confidence building

Term 2

• Conventions of pop: Pop Ballads
• Conventions of Pop: Solo Artists
• Rhythms of the World: Music of the Americas
• Rhythms of the World: African Drumming
• Rhythms of the World: Indian Raga
• Rhythms of the World: Bhangra
• Ensemble skills
• Responding to feedback

Term 3

• Rhythms of the World: Music of the Middle East
• Instruments of the Orchestra
• Form, structure, texture and timbre in Orchestral Music
• Revision for year 10 exam

Year 11
Term1

• The Concerto Through Time: The Baroque Solo Concerto
• The Concerto Through Time: The Baroque Concerto Grosso
• The Concerto Through Time: The Classical Concerto
• The Concerto Through Time: The Romantic Concerto
• Revision for Mock exam
• Exam board set composition
• Solo and ensemble performances

Term 2

• Film Music
• Completing recordings
• Revision

Term 3

• Revision

Curriculum Delivery
Music is taught by 3 subject specialists. Music is allocated 2 hours per fortnight at KS3 and 5 hours of curriculum time per fortnight at KS4. Students are taught to develop their skills and confidence through regular performance and group work and composing tasks. Students also listen to music from different cultures, times and places and identifying key features and making links.

Teaching
Critical thinking and thinking hard

Students are required to learn key threshold concepts related to performing, composing and analysing. They are required to recall facts and be able to recognise and apply them to their own and others’ work.

During written tasks students are expected to use key vocabulary when answering questions. This is displayed for KS3 on the word wall and GCSE students are expected to learn 10 words per week (which they are tested on weekly) which should be incorporated into written answers

Structured practice of key mastery skills

Throughout the course students will practice and develop key performing, composing, listening and evaluating skills. These will be repeated and refined on an individual basis depending on the students’ level of experience to ensure all students have the necessary skills to perform with confidence and listen to music with understanding.

At GCSE, written work is woven throughout the course with structured examination and question practice repeated and applied to music from our different Areas of Study. Students will develop skills of detailed description using key words, of which 10 and given every week and tested the following lesson. They will analyse key features of the Areas of Study and be able to make clear links between them.

Feedback/Feed Forward

Feedback in music is continual and ongoing. During practical tasks students are given immediate verbal feedback:

Students self-assess using recordings on Frog and develop their skills in peer assessment based upon key assessment criteria.

At KS4, pieces are recorded and detailed written feedback is given for each one, to each student, every half term.

At the end of each topic students sit a mock written paper which is marked and discussed together in class, to identify common errors and areas of success. This is used to inform future planning for that group or set of individuals.

Challenge for every student

Tasks at KS3 are very differentiated by both task and by outcome. Due to the many opportunities for extra-curricular involvement, all students can find a club to stretch them musically. Music GCSE is fully inclusive at Davison. Girls do not need to have had private lessons or be able to read music in order to take the GCSE. The GCSE Music specification is a challenging course for all students due to the range of topics and styles covered. Even for our most advanced students, studying work in a variety of styles and conventions often pushes them outside their comfort zone and encourages exploration of musical forms and devices not experienced before.

Support and structured feedback enables students with less experience to achieve well and also aim for the highest grades. Many girls who have never had instrumental or singing lessons gain grades well above the national average.

Differentiation is embodied in every lesson to enable to students to access the curriculum at their own level whilst providing the stretch and challenge required for them to meet and exceed target grades.

Independence and Self-Regulating Learners.

This concept is vital for the success of all students in Music. Musicians need to be self-motivated, independent learners who are able to apply skills learned even when working in small groups or individually away from the teacher

During KS3 we build these skills through structured tasks that are broken down and layered, with clear expected outcomes and behaviour guidelines for times spent working without a teacher. At KS4 students are required to extend upon these tasks for homework and have work prepared to show to the teacher in their next lesson. As work is often performed to others (even work in progress), students need to ensure that they have reached the expected point in the task in the set timescale.

Teacher guidance is provided when embarking on any new task but at KS4 there is a large element of personal choice when selecting material to perform.

Homework is set every lesson in KS4 (3 times per fortnight).

Assessment

Formative assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Explained above.

All Controlled Assessment formal summative assessments must happen in year 11, although mock recordings have been completed at the end of year 10 in preparation for this.

Extra-Curricular Programme and Opportunities

The Music department is involved in marketing the school at events such as Open Evening, AGAT Musical Theatre year 5 Day, performances at feeder school assemblies and taster days. Davison are frequently invited to take part in Community Charity musical events such as singing at the switching on the Worthing Christmas lights, singing at the Rotary Christmas Tree in the town centre and performing at local care homes. We take part in the annual “Worthing Sings Live” concert organised by West Sussex Music for year 7 singers from Worthing secondary schools. In addition to this, we put on many events throughout the school year here at Davison involving hundreds of girls. These include the annual Winter concert, Spring Concert, Interform Musical Theatre events and GCSE concert, in addition to many smaller chamber music concerts and an annual school musical.

We offer instrumental lessons to a wide range of students through West Sussex Music and a team of private teachers. We have two choirs, a String Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Swing Band, Saxophone Quartet, Recorder group, Live Lounge Club, Worship Band, Grade 5 Theory club and Ukulele Group. In addition to this, students rehearse themselves in smaller chamber music groups and perform in assemblies.

In KS3 Progress is monitored using Frog. In KS3 students work towards 5 KPIs. These are assessed regularly in lessons, moderated at least termly in department meetings, and recorded on Frog at least termly. Work is recorded regularly and teacher feedback is also recorded after every performance and uploaded to Frog.

In KS4, students are monitored using mixed exam questions, which take place in lessons approximately half-termly, and using two sets of Mock exams, on in the summer of Year 10 and one in January of Year 11.

Mock exams are marked and moderated by the department and students who would benefit from intervention are identified. These students are invited to targeted Booster sessions and their progress is reviewed half-termly.

Student progress is monitored closely throughout the course. Recorded work is marked/assessed, feedback given, students then respond and make improvements. This practice is regular and embedded.

GCSE Music outcomes at Davison are consistently higher than the national average.

At Davison CE High School for Girls, PSHE is taught to every student from Year 7 to Year 11.  It encompasses National Curriculum Citizenship as well as Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE).  It also supports the strong Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) provision which is in place at Davison.  The Careers education provision within PSHE makes a strong contribution to the school’s increasing success with regard to the Gatsby Benchmarks for Careers.  From September 2020, the new statutory Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education curriculum (RSE) has been implemented and taught within the PSHE curriculum at Davison.

PSHE at Davison provides every student with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to make safe and informed decisions in the present and in their long-term future.  The focus is upon exploring ideas and concepts through individual reflection or paired discussion which then culminates whole class shared discussions.   Citizenship offers the students the opportunity to learn about the society in which they live, enabling them to know how political and legal processes work; PSHE and RSE provides the platform to learn about how they can look after their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as how to keep safe with regard to relationships, their use of the internet and the risks associated with harmful substances.   Year 10 students are very fortunate to take part in a week-long work experience placement.  They are prepared for this in PSHE lessons.

Students feel secure in the knowledge that their involvement and responses are not assessed and therefore even the most reticent student feels sufficiently confident to participate during discussions.

PSHE provides an excellent platform for the holistic development of each student, taking their education beyond the attainment of academic qualifications.

Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/805781/Relationships_Education__Relationships_and_Sex_Education__RSE__and_Health_Education.PSHEf

PSHE Association – Programme of Study

https://www.psheassociation.org.uk/system/files/PSHE%20Association%20Programme%20of%20Study%20for%20PSHE%20Education%20%28Key%20stages%201%E2%80%935%29%2C%20Jan%202020_0.PSHEf

National Curriculum – Citizenship

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-citizenship-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-citizenship-programmes-of-study-for-key-stages-3-and-4

Gatsby Benchmarks for Careers Education

https://complete-careers.com/gatsby-benchmarks/

Link to PSHE Content 2022/23

PSHE is currently taught by a team of 10 teachers; the team varies from year to year. Their teaching commitment varies from one hour per fortnight to 15 hours pe fortnight.   Many teachers within the team have many years’ experience of teaching PSHE.

Students in Year 7 have two one hours PSHE lessons each fortnight; the remainder of the students have a single one-hour lesson per fortnight.  At KS3, PSHE is taught to students in mixed ability groups, the same groups that they are timetabled for English.   At KS4, PSHE is blocked with RS and Citizenship Studies, and so the students are taught in these mixed ability groups.  PSHE lessons usually take place in the teaching room associated with each teacher; there are no dedicated rooms or dedicated area within the school.  Due to the somewhat ephemeral nature of the department, lessons are prepared by the Subject Leader and uploaded centrally onto Course Materials providing easy access and support for the teaching team.  The PSHE department is well equipped with a set of 32 mini-ipads which can be booked centrally.   There are sets of textbooks to support teachers and students should ‘cover’ be required.

The teaching of PSHE is strengthened by a wealth of excellent external visitors including Positive Voices, Safe in Sussex and Acorn, as well as the Careers Leader and Work Experience coordinator.  Sadly, due to cuts in Police budgets, we are no longer to welcome the school Police Liaison Offer in PSHE lessons, as the role no longer exists.  Throughout each academic year, additional days are timetabled to devote sufficient time to certain aspects of the PSHE curriculum.  For example, Year 7 students participate in a ‘Growing Up’ morning, during which they are taught about the physical and emotional changes that take part during puberty.  Year 7 and Year 11 students also are watch and discuss theatre performances about road safety; these are fully funded by Safer Sussex Roads.  Year 8 students participate in a First Aid morning, during which they learn basic first aid.  Year 10 students are very fortunate to take part in a week-long work experience placement.  They are prepared for this during PSHE lessons.

Critical Thinking and Challenge

PSHE lessons provide a superb opportunity for all students to engage with realistic scenarios associated with the topics they are studying.  The source material always gives contrasting points of view Through discussion with their peers, they examine deeply their individual and then shared responses.  They are challenged by their teachers to justify the reasons for their choices.

Explanation and Modelling

As adults, PSHE teachers have a wide range of appropriate life experiences, which they use to exemplify the topics they are teaching.  Students are remined about the appropriate ways in which to hold positive discussions – the need to listen as well as to contribute, to include all students so each has a chance to share their opinions, to make good eye-contact, to be respectful of other people’s opinions and viewpoints.  At KS3, students are sometimes asked to research and present a topic to present to the rest of the class.  They are reminded of and encouraged to adopt excellent presentation skills.

Mastery Skills

The skills of participation and presentation are constantly revisited throughout the five-year PSHE curriculum.  Students are given many opportunities to hone their skills in a learning environment in which they are not formally assessed.  This kind environment supports the less confident learner and gives them a platform to build success and to develop positive self-esteem.

Feedback and Feedforward

Verbal praise is used widely in our teaching, during question and answer sessions, discussions and when teachers speak to students in a one-to-one situation as they circulate the classroom.   Teachers offer suggestions for improvement with regard to research skills and participation during paired work and whole class discussions.  Students are rewarded in line with school policy using SIMS positive comments and postcards are sent home to parents to reward exceptional contribution.   Written work is commented upon, using WWW and EBI; however, due to the nature of the course and the lack of teaching time available to PSHE, the focus tends to be upon discussion rather than written work. Students complete an end of unit review to identify what they have learnt and their level of confidence in the area.

Independence and self-regulated learners

The nature of the PSHE curriculum favours paired work and whole class discussion.   However, occasionally students are given tasks which offers time for them to reflect upon and evaluate certain attributes of themselves and their past achievements.

Students actively look forward to and enjoy their PSHE lessons and there is positive feedback from parents.  Parents feel able to contact the Subject Leader if they are unsure of an aspect of the PSHE curriculum.  Students understand its relevance in the whole school curriculum and they respond well to the freedom they are given during discussions.  They feel that their opinions are respected and valued.  This develops their self-worth and confidence.  Students appreciate the opportunity to learn essential knowledge and life-long skills which enable them to lead happy, well-informed and fulfilled lives.

Sum up the way the curriculum is connected across the years and from primary phase and onto post 16

Our curriculum aims to develop and instill a lifelong involvement in fitness and health living, combined with a passion for sport and physical activity that promotes a culture of teamwork, sportsmanship and respect for all.

We aim to break down barriers in participation by providing a safe and enjoyable environment for students to be free to improve their physical literacy in all activity areas regardless of ability. We teach a broad curriculum across KS3 allowing students to experience a range of creative, fitness based and team sports in increasing depth. In KS4 students choose pathways to follow depending on their sporting preferences. By offering this curriculum model we hope to establish and promote a lifelong independent involvement in physical activity and ensure pupils leave us with the tools and knowledge to stay fit for life.

In KS4 we also deliver examinations in GCSE PE (AQA) and BTEC Sport (EDEXCEL). Students can opt for these courses in addition to their core PE lessons. By offering 2 examination courses we hope to cover a wider range of learning styles for our students and elevate individual achievement.

We also offer an extensive extra-curricular program across the year with clubs ranging from squad training sessions to recreational games, aesthetic and fitness activities.

Davison PE Curriculum Map 2023/4

Curriculum Delivery

Core PE is taught by 6 PE specialist teachers. In Year 7 they are allocated 5 hours per fortnight, Year 8 & 9 have 4 hours per fortnight and Year 10 & 11 have 3 hours. Students are taught in mixed ability classes for all practical activities. Year 10 and 11 can choose option pathways each year which allows them to take part in different activity areas where they have particular interest.

The PE department plan collaboratively and share resources and good practice on a regular basis.

Examination classes have an additional 5 hours of teaching time per fortnight and are also taught by subject specialists. Students are taught both theory and practical elements of the course together and will spend one lesson a fortnight in a classroom-based lesson.

Examination classes are also taught in mixed ability groups.

Teaching

Critical thinking and thinking hard

Students are required to take part in a wide range of different activities throughout KS3 with most activities being taught progressively throughout the years. Students are challenged to look at links between different activities such as invasion games or aesthetics to look for common principles and apply these in their practical performance and theoretical understanding. Students are given the opportunity to analyse their own and others’ performances to identify strengths and weaknesses and give suggestions for improved success.

In GCSE PE and BTEC Sport pupils are required to learn key terminology and concepts, recall and apply this information to sporting situations. They also need to be able to use given data, show an understanding of what it is showing before applying it using graphs and tables. Students are given the opportunity to think deeply about the topics they are covering, discuss in group and form opinions, describing in detail their reasoning. Pupils also need to be able to analyse syllabus topic areas and provide positive and negative responses when questioned.

Modelling and explanation

We use physical modelling in all lessons combined with verbal instruction to ensure all learners can access and replicate demonstrations in lessons. Both students and teachers are used to show examples of good practice and show required tasks in lessons. Video footage is regularly used in lessons. For example: in dance to show professional works which may act as a stimulus for the lesson or unit content. This is also appropriate in other activities to demonstrate high level game play with a focus on understanding of positions, rules and use of skills. We also use video footage taken in lessons to show effective work and highlight strengths and areas for improvement to the class or individual. Exemplar work for KS3 can be found in the learning locker on FROG for each KPI.

Furthermore, in GCSE PE and BTEC Sport model answers are also used for examination questions along with the use of mark schemes to help pupils understand how an exam question is marked. Writing frames are also used to break down longer answer questions to ensure pupils understand how to structure their answers successfully to gain maximum marks. Practical sports are covered in great technical depth and are demonstrated and modelled by teachers in the moment for accurate replication. Practical activities are chosen by looking at the strengths of the class and past experiences to maximise marks awarded.

Structured practice of key mastery skills

In KS3 core PE lessons students are taught key skills linking to our assessed KPI’s. Our KPI’s remain the same throughout KS3 but through a slight change in wording require students to increase the depth and breadth of their knowledge in key practical and theoretical areas of study. These skills are covered in a range of different activity areas to allow pupils every opportunity for success. Throughout each year they are assessed on ability to: show and increasing understanding of rules; creatively experiment with different skills; select and apply skills effectively in a competitive situation; evaluate performance giving feedback for improved success and develop communication and leadership skills. These are all very important skills in PE which, should they go on to study one of our examination courses will give pupils a good grounding for successfully accessing the syllabus content.

In GCSE PE and BTEC Sport aspects of the required theory content is taught through practical scenarios. By allowing students to physically experience key ideas for themselves such as training principles, they are able to show a better understanding and knowledge in their written responses whilst retaining information in more detail. Regular focused exam question practise is also used to check recall of key terms and topics.

Feedback/ feed forward

Feedback in all PE lessons is continual and ongoing. Due to the practical nature of our subject we can give instant feedback to students who have either successfully completed an activity or who require further guidance. Feedback is either verbal, visual or through manual guidance where appropriate and can either come from their peers or teaching staff. Students are also able to use video footage to gain feedback and further improve future performances. Students are given time in lessons to respond to feedback and further develop their skill level.

In GCSE PE and BTEC Sport lessons, again feedback is given regularly and immediately in response to practical performance. Students are encouraged to evaluate each other’s work and performance and get used to providing constructive and useful guidance for improvement. Written marking and feedback are given for formal mock papers /assignments and targeted areas for development given to individuals. Additionally, feedback is given on selected homework tasks. If required students are selected for targeted intervention session to help them further improve their knowledge.

Challenge for every student

Our curriculum is designed so all students can access the unit content but work at a level that challenges them to achieve at the highest level. Students are encouraged to complete extension activities and explore different areas of physical literacy that may take them out of their comfort zone. Different aspects of examination content is embedded throughout KS3 units of work to challenge students early on and encourage them to ‘think hard’. PE lessons provide differentiated options to allow learners of all ability to succeed and challenge themselves.

In GCSE PE and BTEC Sport pupils of all abilities are support in their learning and encouraged to independently seek challenge in order to help meet and exceed target grades. Extra-curricular provision is given for students who require extra assistance as well as those who are aiming towards the highest grades. With regular support, guidance and exemplar answers when needed students can gain the confidence to push themselves to improve their practical performance and knowledge application over the duration of the course.

Independence and self-regulating learners

In core PE lessons students are encouraged to work independently every lesson. Due to the nature of the subject opportunity to take on leadership roles and develop communication skills are evident all the time. Students are actively encouraged to think for themselves, solve problems and be creative across a wide range of different activities and scenarios. Each unit of work in KS3 has a differentiated piece of homework to encourage independent learning outside of the classroom. In lessons pupils are often given time to practice a performance or skill or to create a piece of work. They need to use practice time wisely in order to be ready for game play or performance. Working with others also challenges time management and opportunity to lead others and motivate them to succeed. In KS4 lessons, pupils can choose which activities pathway they want to follow. Allowing this independent choice encourages students to work harder and take ownership of their physical education.
In GCSE PE and BTEC Sport pupils need to be good independent learners to succeed. Whilst all syllabus content is given it is up to individual students to keep up to date with their learning and engage fully in lessons. Opportunity to ask questions, broaden knowledge and seek to further learning outside of the classroom is encouraged. During lesson time pupils are required to take ownership of practice time in practical lessons to ensure set tasks and skills have been completed and that they can replicate and demonstrate these to the highest level. Often homework tasks set form the basis of the following lesson and required pupils to complete work to ensure they are prepared and up to speed.

Assessment

KS3 Core PE – Formative assessment is ongoing through all KS3 core PE lessons. Summative assessment at the end of each half term and practical unit where students will be assessed against our key performance indicators (KPI’s). Each activity focuses on 2 different KPI’s with each KPI’s being covered in at least 2 different activity areas.

KS4 Core PE – There is no formal assessment in KS4 core PE lessons with a focus on maintaining participation and recreation. However, attitude to learning grades are given termly to monitor positive involvement in lessons.

GCSE PE – Formative assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Summative assessment on practical and coursework-based marks is dependent on when each activity is completed throughout the 2-year course. Mock exam papers will be completed regularly throughout the course with 2 final 1 hour 15 min exams in the Summer of year 11.

BTEC Sport – Formative assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Summative assessment will take place at the end of each unit. Students will take their external exam in January of year 10 with 1 resit available.

Extra-curricular programme and opportunities

All students in years 7,8,9,10, and 11 have the opportunity to participate in a vast range of extra-curricular activities. These change each half term allowing us to provide a wide variety of different clubs with a view to all being inclusive to all regardless of ability and interest. Our sporting squads practice weekly and participate in local, county, regional and national competitions throughout the year. We also run many recreational sports and fitness clubs to encourage participation at all ability levels.

We run a variety of different inter form sports competitions throughout the year. Through these competitions we aim to get as many students participating as possible. Some these events include; dance, bench ball, cross country, sports day, tug of war.

We also run a yearly fund raiser for equipment and facilities in PE. The Davison PE Colour Run has been a huge success over the past few years with over 1000 pupils participating, raising £9000 to date.

We also work closely with our local partnership to host and provide young leaders for a range of events throughout the year. Our KS3 PE leaders programme helps develop our nominated students’ leadership and communications skills to enable them to confidently help run athletics, gymnastics, multi skills and netball events for younger students from Yr1-6.

There are a number of trips offered in PE including several leadership days at local universities and the biannual ski trip to Europe.

GCSE PE and BTEC Sport student are also provided a variety of different support and intervention sessions, as well as opportunities to develop practical sports when required.

What is the progress and achievement like in your subject? Frog /GCSE results.
How do you monitor their progress and how does intervention work? This does not need to be details analyses of grades just a brief summary.

In KS3 our KPI’s focus on the same key skills across year 7, 8 and 9 but with increasing challenge to improve depth and confidence of knowledge, understanding and performance. By assessing in this way and teaching across the activity areas that we do, we hope to prepare our students effectively for PE examinations courses. Each activity area focuses on 2 different KPI’s. Each KPI’s is covered at least twice per year group allowing students every opportunity to either achieve or exceed each one. Our KPI’s are assessed and inputted every half term at the end of each unit of work. Students who are underperforming are encouraged to boost their achievements and attend extra-curricular clubs, which are linked to specific KPI’s. Our extra-curricular numbers across the academic year are excellent and in all core PE lessons participation and effort levels are high.

PE is a subject with a history of great result over the years in both GCSE PE and BTEC sport course, keeping consistently above national averages. We pride ourselves in being able to offer both courses to give our students a choice of learning pathways tailored to individual learning styles, with a view for getting the highest achievable results. Mock exams set in the summer of year 10 and January of year 11. These are marked and moderated in the department and students who would benefit from targeted booster sessions are identified and individually invited to attend.

Results 2019
GCSE PE
7+ – 40%
5+ – 87%
4+ – 100%

BTEC Sport
D*-D – 13%
D*-P – 100%

We have a number of students who go on to study either A Level PE or BTEC Sport Level 3 at college, as well as some students who follow the subject onto university level. There are also ex pupils in the local area who have jobs in the leisure and sport industry. Further to this it is always a pleasure to see current and ex pupils still leading active any healthy lifestyles outside of the school environment in local gyms, dance companies, swimming pools and competitive sports teams.

The ability to read is a fundamental and valuable life skill. Pupils who can read well are overwhelmingly more likely to succeed at school, achieve good qualifications, and subsequently enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career. In addition to its substantial practical benefits, reading is one of life’s profound joys.

At Davison CE High School for Girls, it is our intent that every student will be supported to read with age-appropriate skill and thrive on the enjoyment and success this brings. In addition, we are committed to encouraging students to engage with texts that are complex and challenging. This journey of challenge will enhance student progress, prepare students for future studies and enable our learners to flourish in life.

The role of the Learning Resource Centre is central to our vibrant whole school culture of reading at Davison. Expert LRC colleagues work in close collaboration with subject teachers to ensure:

• Provision of high-quality reading text and digital resources
• Ready access to a range of interesting, exciting and challenging reading material
• A commitment to embracing equity and diversity in our choice of reading resources
• The promotion of an enthusiastic culture around reading
• The rigorous tracking and evaluation of reading engagement, progress and outcomes

All teaching colleagues have participated in recent training on Reading pedagogy and strategies for best practice in the classroom.

Key information is communicated regularly to all teaching colleagues to enable them to support students’ reading progress effectively.

Data on reading attainment is communicated regularly to parents/ carers to keep them suitably informed and engaged in a partnership with Davison to ensure their child’s progress

In addition, we support our students with reading in a rich variety of ways:

Our robust routines and systematic tracking of student reading result in high levels of student engagement with reading.

Specific reading needs or issues are identified promptly and we are able to offer a range of appropriate and effective interventions to support students in response.

Religious Studies aims to provoke challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. This encourages students to learn from and appreciate the diversity in the world around them and a sense of their own identity and belonging.

Our three-year KS3 curriculum aims to engage students in their learning journey, of both knowledge and understanding of: religion, culture and worldwide issues. We aim to set students up to succeed by making our learning objectives, expectations and the reasoning for them, clear from the start. The intention of our curriculum in the RS department is to ensure that all pupils gain a basic understanding of the principal religions in Great Britain by the time they leave school.

Our aim:
1) To know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews, so that students can:

• Describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising diversity that exists within communities
• Identify, investigate and respond to questions posed by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and world views
• Appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life.

2) Express ideas and insights about nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that students can:

• Explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities;
• Express their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value.
• Appreciate and appraise varies dimensions of religion

3. Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews so students can:

• Find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively;
• Enquire into what enables different communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all;
• Articulate beliefs and values clearly in order to explain reasons why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.

We aim to monitor student’s subject specific vocabulary and to embed literacy and reading into every lesson. We aim to build opportunities for extended writing into our units. We aim that this will enable our students to fully explore ideas and improve literacy skills and subject vocabulary. We aim to build more time into lessons for students to reflect on their learning and their own personal beliefs. We aim to use big questions to build on students’ current knowledge and understanding of world issues and the varying views surrounding them.

Year 7

Term1
Topic 1: Davison Values
Topic 3: The Island

Term 2
Topic 3: What does it mean to be a Sikh?

Term 3
Topic 3: The significance of Jesus for Christians today

Year 8

Term1
Topic 1: The Jewish covenant and the impact that it as today

Term 2
Topic 3: Understanding Christianity

Term 3
Topic 3: What does it mean to be a Muslim

Year 9

Term1
Topic 1: What does it mean to be Buddhist?

Term 2
Topic 2: The Big Story – part I

Term 3
Topic 3: The Big Story – part II
Topic 4: Return to the Island

Year 10

Paper 2: Thematic Studies Paper 2

Term1
Theme A: Relationships and families
Theme B: Religion and Life

Term 2
Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment

Term 3
Theme F: Religion, social justice and human rights
Paper 1: The study of religion
Buddhist beliefs and practices

Year 11

Term1
Buddhist beliefs and practices
Buddhist teachings
Christian beliefs and practices

Term 2
Christian practices
Revision

Term 3
GCSE exam

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

The RS department centre lessons to provoke challenging questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.

Throughout KS3 and 4 students are encouraged to consider deep theological and philosophical concepts and questions.

Analysis of key scriptural text

Modelling and Explanation

Student work provided as model answers to analyse.
In KS4 model student answers are used for students to analyse, scrutinise and write their own responses.

Structured Practice of Key Mastery Skills
In KS3 students are provided regular opportunities to practice and revisit different KPIs.
KPI boosts in the Spring and Summer term allow students the opportunity to self-manage the progress of their KPIs.

In KS4 students are given assessment practice within lessons, homework booklets that focus on particular exam questions.

There is a staggered approach to assessments in Year 10 to allow students to master the skills necessary to write exam questions.

Feedback / Feedforward

KS3 units use half termly teacher feedback sheets which allow students to review progress. This in turn informs students on future KPI opportunities.

Exemplar work available on FROG

KS4 end of unit assessments offer opportunities for formative and summative feedback
KS4 students are given mock paper feedback use exemplar answers which have been written by the RS department.

Challenge for Every Student

Lessons are designed so that students across a range of abilities can access the RS curriculum and flourish within lessons. Embedded into lessons are stretch and challenge tasks that offer opportunities for students to go above and beyond with their learning. Lessons and tasks are oftern layered to develop studnts’ understanding KS4 lessons are designed to allow every student to reach their potential. Schemes of Work have work booklet to allow key content to recorded for the more challenging concepts studied.

Independence and Self-regulated learners

ATL 9 opportunities are implemented into lessons to promote independence and challenge
Peer and group work activities provide opportunity for students to self-manage and regulate learning.

What is the progress and achievement like in your subject? Frog /GCSE results.

How do you monitor their progress and how does intervention work? This does not need to be details analyses of grades just a brief summary.

2019 GCSE Results
9-7
9-4

At Key Stage 3, students will develop a deep understanding of a range of scientific ideas within Biology, Chemistry and Physics through engaging lessons with an emphasis on scientific enquiry. Through an investigative approach to learning, students will learn about the factors to be taken into account when collecting, recording and processing data, how to evaluate their results and identify further questions arising from them. At Key Stage 4 students will build on and deepen their knowledge and understanding while further developing their skills by working like real scientists. For some, this will form the basis of further study, post-16, which will establish a basis for a wide range of careers. All students will have a better understanding of the natural world that will enhance their lives in an increasingly technological society. We want all students to feel inspired and challenged by Science and its achievements. At both Key Stages, we want students to enjoy Science, see its relevance and importance in the real world and be aware of the opportunities it presents for them, and society as a whole.

Year 7

Term 1 – Working Scientifically, Lab Safety, Cells, Variation, Particle Model, Separating Mixtures, Elements.

Term 2 – Contact Forces, Sound, Non-contact Forces, Heating and Cooling.

Term 3 – Acids and Alkalis, Catch-up

All Terms – Communicating Scientific Ideas, Analysing Patterns, Drawing Conclusions, Presenting Data, Planning Variables, Constructing Explanations, Estimating Risks, Justifying Opinions

Year 8

Year 9
Term1

• Pressure, Recap of Y7/8 Chemistry topics, Breathing, Digestion, Electromagnets, Recap of Y7 Electricity topics
  Term 2
• Chemical Energy, Types of Reaction, Evolution, Heating and Cooling
  Term 3
• Wave Effects, Wave Properties, GCSE Cell Biology, GCSE Bioenergetics

Year 10
Term1

• GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE PHYSICS (Energy, Electricity) and GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE CHEMISTRY (Atomic Structure, Bonding) OR GCSE PHYSICS (Energy, Electricity) and GCSE CHEMISTRY (Atomic Structure, Bonding) and GCSE Biology (Cell Biology extension, Organisation)

Term 2

• GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE PHYSICS (Particle Model, Atomic Structure, Energy Changes) and GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE CHEMISTRY (Quantitative Chemistry, Chemical Changes) OR GCSE PHYSICS (Particle Model, Atomic Structure) and GCSE CHEMISTRY (Quantitative Chemistry, Chemical Changes, Energy Changes) and GCSE Biology (Infection and Response, Bioenergetics extension)

Term 3

• GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE BIOLOGY (Cell Biology recap, Organisation, Infection and Response, Bioenergetics recap) OR GCSE PHYSICS (Forces) and GCSE CHEMISTRY (Rate and Extent of Chemical Change) and GCSE Biology (Homeostasis and Response)

Year 11
Term1

• GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE PHYSICS (Forces) and GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE CHEMISTRY (Organic Chemistry, Chemical Analysis) OR GCSE PHYSICS (Waves) and GCSE CHEMISTRY (Organic Chemistry, Chemical Analysis) and GCSE Biology (Homeostasis and Response)

Term 2

• GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE PHYSICS (Waves, Electricity and Magnetism) and GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE CHEMISTRY (Chemistry of the Atmosphere, Using Resources) and GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE BIOLOGY (Inheritance) OR GCSE PHYSICS (Electricity and Magnetism, Space Physics) and GCSE CHEMISTRY (Chemistry of the Atmosphere, Using Resources) and GCSE Biology (Inheritance, Ecology)

Term 3

• GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE BIOLOGY (Ecology, Revision of all topics) and GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE PHYSICS (Revision of all topics) and GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE CHEMISTRY (Revision of all topics) OR GCSE PHYSICS (Revision of all topics) and GCSE CHEMISTRY (Revision of all topics) and GCSE Biology (Revision of all topics)

At Key Stage 3, students follow the AQA Key Stage 3 Science Syllabus, this divides the National Curriculum into Physics, Chemistry and Biology topics. Each topic forms part of one of ten “big ideas,” which are first covered in Year 7 and then revisited in both Year 8 and 9, as in the route-through below:

All Key Stage 3 students are taught in 4 or 5 ability groups, depending on student numbers, based on Maths-ability. Most groups have two Science teachers who teach different topics.

In Year 9, at the end of each topic, students take a summative test and outcomes are used to inform their KPI statuses on Frog Progression Charts. Our KPIs are same as the AQA GCSE “big ideas.” Students have access to support and extension resources for every topic on the Science Frog Department site. In October, students take a Science Exam to monitor progress over Key Stage 3 and to identify students who need extra support before starting GCSE.

Davison Science is in the second year of a rolling programme to further improve our Key Stage 3 provision by reflecting the emphasis on AQA’s Working Scientifically Enquiry Processes in Key Stage 3 and 4 Science. Years 7 and 8 are each given eight of these Enquiry Processes to focus on, with the processes increasing in challenge throughout both years. The learning of these Enquiry Processes is based around investigations, discussions and experiments that are embedded in the subject content in our schemes of work. All students have three attempts to achieve each KPI throughout the year to show their mastery of that skill and outcomes are used to inform their KPI statuses on Frog Progression Charts. Students are also assessed on their subject knowledge through three end of term tests at the end of the Autumn, Spring and Summer term. Students have access to support and extension tasks for each topic through our FROG learning platform. This programme will be rolled out to Year 9 in the 2023/24 academic year.

At Key Stage 4, “Triple Science” (AQA GCSE Physics, Chemistry and Biology) is an option available to students in the top two sets in each half of Year 9. There are one or two Triple Science classes, depending on the number of students who opt for it, in Year 10 and 11. Triple Science classes have one teacher and five hours of curriculum time per week for each of the three Sciences. All other students take AQA Combined Science Trilogy and are taught in four or five groups based on Science-ability, depending on student-numbers. Most students in the Triple Science and top two Combined Science sets take Higher-Tier examinations and the rest take Foundation, although there are a number of exceptions to both, in response to ongoing assessment information.

Both GCSE Combined and Triple Science include the same Physics, Chemistry and Biology topics below, with the exception of Space Physics, which is only in Triple Science. There is more content in each topic for students taking Triple Science. The GCSE topics build on the “big ideas” that underpin Science at Key Stage 3.

Biology
1. Cell biology 2. Organisation 3. Infection and response 4. Bioenergetics 5. Homeostasis and response 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution 7. Ecology

Chemistry
8. Atomic structure and the periodic table 9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 10. Quantitative chemistry 11. Chemical changes 12. Energy changes 13. The rate and extent of chemical change 14. Organic chemistry 15. Chemical analysis 16. Chemistry of the atmosphere 17. Using resources

Physics
18. Energy 19. Electricity 20. Particle model of matter 21. Atomic structure 22. Forces 23. Waves 24. Magnetism and electromagnetism 25. Space Physics

At the end of each topic, students take a test with GCSE past-questions and results/estimated grades are recorded to inform reporting to parents and intervention for students who are underachieving. There is an extensive programme of extra lessons for students who need them.

At Key Stage 3, we endeavour to ensure that all students at least “achieve” the expected level in their KPIs and provide support for those who don’t.

We are proud of our results, which have been consistently good for the last ten years. All students take Combined or Triple Science GCSEs. In the 2021/22 academic year, 72% of Year 11 students taking Combined Science achieved two grade 4s or better and 23% achieved two grade 7s or better. 91% of Year 11 students taking Biology achieved grade 4+ and 49% achieved grade 7+. In Chemistry, these figures were 100%/58% and in Physics they were 100%/41%.

BTEC Travel and Tourism is a vocational qualification which offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the industry. The controlled assessments offer students the chance to demonstrate their learning in a real-life context. Students work on assignments in a variety of ways; some they complete on their own, and for others they work as part of a team. The aim of the course is to give students the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge required for further study and employment in the travel and tourism industry.

Year 10

Term1

The UK Travel and Tourism Sector

• Types of Tourism and Travel
• Principles and Benefits of Sustainable Tourism
• UK Economy, Employment, Economic Multiplier Effect
• Industries e.g. Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Online Travel Services, Transport, Accommodation, Visitor Attractions, Art and Entertainment, Development &
  Promotion
• Key Organisations and types of organisations
• Interrelationships
• Consumer Technology

Term 2

• UK Travel and Tourism Destinations
• significant UK travel and tourism destinations and gateways
• different types of visitors to UK travel and tourism destinations
• appeal of UK tourism destinationsTerm 3
• Factors Affecting Worldwide Travel and Tourism
• climatic conditions affecting travel to worldwide destinations
  – time zones
• entry/exit requirements affect different destinations
• health issues affect travel and tourism
• emergency situations that affect travel and tourism

Year 11

Term1

• Factors Affecting Worldwide Travel and Tourism
• Revision – The UK Travel and Tourism Sector

Term 2

• The Travel and Tourism Customer Experience
• What is customer service?
• different organisations in the travel and tourism industry
• customer types
• needs of different types of customers
• responding to customer needs
• expectations of different types of customer
• impact of excellent and poor customer service

Term 3

• The Travel and Tourism Customer Experience
• Retakes if necessary for the UK Travel and Tourism Sector

Critical Thinking and Thinking Hard

• Encourage independent note-taking, selecting information which is needed for their notes.
• Students have to plan their controlled assessment tasks e.g. time management, layout, information required.
• Using maps to plan routes
• Using a range of information to evaluate the positives and negatives of the travel and tourism industryModelling and Explanation
• Modelling note-taking to help students understand how to take notes.
• Model exam answers to show effective work.
• Modelling how to approach a controlled assessment.Structured Practice of Key Mastery Skills
• Teach unit 1 in Year 10, which allows time for two mocks in Year 10 and another in Year 11. Revisiting revision for Unit 1 several times.
• Giving students similar activities in lessons and for homework, in preparation for controlled assessment.
  Feedback / Feedforward
• Employ a range of verbal / written feedback strategies on exam questions with targeted areas for development.
• Allow students opportunities to respond to feedback, whether immediately through feedback response time.
• Using formative verbal feedback in lessons.

Challenge for Every Student

• Students are encouraged to challenge themselves through independent note-taking.
• Controlled assessments tasks are set to allow all students to aim high.

Independence and Self-regulated learners

• Pair and group work helps students understand expectations of the controlled assessment.
• Give students opportunities for learning independently through group work and presentations, setting work in timed conditions.
• Students are encouraged to ask appropriate questions and look for key information to allow them to complete tasks.
• Give students opportunities to experience the travel and tourism industry in real life.

There is a mock exam in December of Yr10 after studying the exam element of the course. There is a further mock exams in June of Year 10 and November of Year 11. A mark and a level are given for the exam papers and then as a class the students are given verbal feedback and an opportunity to discuss the answers. The data is used to enter onto SIMs for analysis and helps identify students that require additional support. The external BTEC exam is in January of Yr 11. The results are released in March and if students have not achieved the level required, they have an opportunity to re-sit in May/June.

Three units of controlled assessment are completed in KS4. There are eight assignments in total. Each assignment is awarded a level/grade and these are then totalled together to give an overall level/grade. Throughout the course, the completed assignment data is used to forecast student grades and highlight students who require intervention/support.

2019 Data

No. of Students 28

9-7 7.14%

9-4 100.00%

Levels Progress 3.54

Progress 8 0.33

School Average R3  0.37

2018-19 Trend:

2018 86%

2019 100%