Copy of Teaching and Learning

The Curriculum at St John Fisher Catholic High School

The St John Fisher curriculum is built on our Catholic values of justice and equality and we learn together as a community in Christ. Our holistic curriculum is tailored to equip ALL of our pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to become well-rounded, highly educated British citizens, able to make significant contributions to 21st century life. St John Fisher Catholic High School provides a broad and balanced curriculum that allows our young people to thrive and flourish, and it inspires all to achieve well.

KS3 (Year 7 -9)

In 2014, the government slimmed down the KS3 National Curriculum to allow schools to be more creative with their curricula. Here at SJF, we use KS3 to upskill our pupils so they are ready for the challenges of GCSEs and beyond. We build on pupils’ prior knowledge and ensure that our teaching is challenging, so they can make strong progress. Details of the content of the taught curriculum can be found in the individual department pages.

KS4 (Year 10 & 11)

At KS4, all pupils take a range of subjects at GCSE. Some pupils also take GCSE equivalent courses which are tailored to their individual needs. We ensure that all pupils take a series of options that is appropriate for their transition to post 16 employment, education or training, and also maintains the broad and balanced curriculum we pride ourselves on. Details of the content and exam boards of the KS4 courses can be found on the individual department pages.

New GCSE courses are now being taught in all subjects. Please read DFE document to parents for information about the changes. The key features of these new GCSEs include the grading which is from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest) rather than A*- G, and the increase in more challenging content. Some AS level work has been introduced to some subject specifications. All subjects contain less controlled assessment and in many subjects this element has been removed completely

Curriculum Structure

* Computer Science and Technology are in a carousel in years 8 and 9

Teaching & Learning

Learning as a community in Christ.

As a learning community we live out our mission statement and strive for excellence in all aspects of teaching and learning.

At Saint John Fisher we are seeking to establish a consistent approach by all members of the school community that will ensure that students are taught in a stimulating, engaging and challenging environment; creating resilient and independent learners. We want our students to enjoy and thrive in a learning environment where they receive outstanding opportunities.

The best quality teaching and learning is what we strive for in our school. It is expected that staff plan imaginative and engaging lessons which are tailored and differentiated to meet the needs of different groups of learners in their classes. The school works hard to ensure that the most able are stretched and the least able fully supported so that all students can exceed their potential.

The opportunity for staff professional development, debate and sharing good practice is crucial to effective teaching and learning at Saint John Fisher. We encourage staff to take an active lead in researching and delivering INSET and learning programmes. The teaching and learning group informs, delivers and guides the teaching and learning agenda throughout the school.

We believe that good outcomes are directly related to positive relationships between students, parents and staff.

Extra Curriculum

The extra-curricular provision at St John Fisher Catholic High School is rich and strong and includes GCSE Dance, Graded Music Exam Preparation and a full range of enrichment activities.

This table shows a selection of the enrichment activities happening this term. Please check regularly as this list may change as more opportunities become available. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements about our next school production and how you can be involved. Take advantage of all the activities that are happening!

After School Club Timetable

Departments

ART

Art is an exciting and enriching subject, and in our Art & Design Department students are challenged by a wide range of creative experiences. In this successful and flourishing department, our members of staff are committed to offering a safe but stimulating environment which enhances learning and allows students the opportunity to express themselves in the study of historical and contemporary artists/designers. In broad terms, the main aims of the subject are to ensure that every child, regardless of race, gender or artistic ability, has the opportunity to develop and achieve within a strong, caring and supportive environment.

Computer Science

ICT at St John Fisher aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to access the ever changing world of technological innovation. The aim is to give them transferable skills that they can use in future education, the workplace and everyday life. There is an understanding that e-safety is essential and we integrate this across the curriculum to ensure students have the skills and information required to stay safe online.

Dance

Dance at St John Fisher is a thriving subject which has been implemented and developed over the past nine years. The overall aim to introduce Dance as a curriculum subject is to give pupils a sense of Choreography, Performance and Evaluation skills which enhance their team work and creative thinking skills across the school.

The introduction of Dance to the curriculum has been a great success in encouraging not only our budding Dance pupils who may be very talented at Dance through outside school Dance classes, but also those who may not have had an opportunity to try expressive movement as an art form. We have found that the integration of Dance has helped some of our SEN pupils significantly improve their attitude to the arts and their general social skills. The combination of energy, discipline and communication skills required allows pupils who possibly struggle to control their classroom energy or struggle to communicate with others verbally an outlet for their expression.

Drama

The vision of the Drama Department reflects the school’s status as a Specialist Performing Arts College. We always strive to nurture the confidence, abilities and talents of all our students. The Drama Department has a strong ‘Arts for All’ philosophy which permeates the school community through the curriculum, extra-curricular and enrichment activities. The strength and success of the department is based on excellent standards in discipline, a curriculum which is varied and engaging and ensuring that all students are challenged to make progress and achieve their true potential.

English

The philosophy of the English Department is to encourage our learners to enjoy the English language, to be enthusiastic about their lessons and, therefore, to progress in their learning. English and literacy is at the heart of all subjects, which is the reason the department encourages and builds on skills to aid literacy development in all the subject areas.

The English department strives to realise this vision by:
• making learning as creative and fun through varied activities focusing on the key areas of Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing.

• allowing students to be creative thinkers, independent enquirers, team workers or effective participators, depending on whether they are writing in role, playing the mantle of expert or creating performance poetry.

• creating a love of literature and a desire for improving literacy skills for all abilities.

Geography

The intent of the Geography department is to develop student’s awareness of the world around them and inspire pupils to make a difference. We want our students to appreciate their natural environment and to take some responsibility for our geographical futures. As a department we seek to equip our pupils with the necessary skills and tools to prepare them for life and to achieve well at KS4.

We aim to develop students’ skills learned at KS3 and widen their knowledge of geography at varying scale. By the end of KS3 we want pupils to be confident young people that have a detailed understanding of the world, how it has been formed, and current issues and developments. At KS3 students study a wide range of topics, such as; extreme weather, coastal erosion and world ecosystems. The KS3 curriculum is developed to allow progression and create detailed knowledge, a understanding and skills that prepares students adequately for GCSE.

At Key Stage 4 we follow the AQA exam board specification. At Key Stage 3 approximately 80% of content is directly linked to KS3. Approximately 20% is taught as we feel it is necessary for pupils to know about what is happening on our planet e.g. endangered species. We have also incorporated some fieldwork at KS3 to prepare them for field work in Year 10. We have decided our current schemes of work as a department.

History

History lessons aim to be entertaining, enjoyable and informative. Through a wide range of teaching and learning techniques, the department gives students an insight into how societies change and progress.

Through historical investigation, students learn a range of transferable skills: critical thinking, evaluation and the ability to construct a reasoned argument and clarity of expression.

Maths

Where there is life, there is pattern and where there is pattern, there is mathematics.

The philosophy of the Mathematics Department is to ensure our students are equipped with a uniquely powerful set of tools to help understand our world and its rapidly developing technology. These tools include numeracy, logical reasoning, problem solving and the ability to think in abstract ways.

Mathematics is important and relevant in everyday life and in many forms of employment; for example:

• science and technology
• medicine
• the economy
• the environment and its development

The department strives to realise this vision by aiming to provide our students with the necessary skills to enable them to feel competent with the mathematical situations they encounter in other subjects and in ordinary life.

MFL

The Modern Foreign Languages Department aims to inspire students and develop their ability, desire and confidence to communicate in French or Spanish and to foster positive attitudes towards the people and cultures of Francophone and Hispanic countries.

Music

Music is an art, which has an important role to play in the community, and more importantly gives children a chance to study a broad and balanced curriculum. It does not only enrich the school environment, but also provides a link with its community setting. Music is for all. Music in education should aim to educate every child regardless of their background, culture or musical ability and can help them to develop intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. The central goal of music education should be primarily to increase an aesthetic sensitivity to music. This aim can be achieved by using a wide variety of musical activities, which will assist in musical perception and reaction. The experience should essentially be a practical one, only using non-practical activities as a means to assist the music making or to enrich the experience, and not as ends in themselves. Music making with others can develop qualities such as sensitivity, co-operation and self-confidence and can often lead to greater social awareness in those who participate.

The Physical Education Department has a ‘Sport for All and Education for All’ philosophy, it is essential to strive for excellence. We ensure that as a PE department we promote a healthy active lifestyle and sporting opportunities for all, in curriculum and extra-curricular activities.

The PE department aim to provide a program of study that provides a positive learning experience for all students to achieve their full potential. Our aims are:

To deliver a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum that is enjoyable, safe and challenging.
To develop students’ physical and social skills, and personal confidence.
To develop positive attitudes in students demonstrating and understanding moral values; respect for others and sporting etiquette.
To offer a variety of extra-curricular activities for students to develop their talents and interests
To develop student’s knowledge of GCSE theory content.

The philosophy of the Religious Education department is one born out of the school mission statement:
“Learning Together as a Community in Christ”
Religious Education is at the heart of the Catholic school. While the school, in all aspects of its life, is involved in the formation of its pupils, Religious Education has a lead role in the academic and spiritual development of all pupils.
The Religious Education department in St John Fisher strives to:
– use Christ as a model for our personal behaviour, treating every individual with love, respect and fairness.
– establish a framework within which self-discipline can develop and self-esteem can be fostered
– ensure pupils are well-rounded citizens when they leave St. John Fisher with a knowledge of social justice, morals and an ability to understand the variety of people in the world today

Science

The science department’s vision is to engage young people in science and develop scientists of the future. To create a stimulating and exciting learning experience where the teaching is both challenging and supportive; to empower students to learn independently and achieve to the very best of their ability. We wish to offer the highest standards including quality accommodation, state of the art resources and a safe, comfortable learning environment.

Sociology

GCSE Sociology helps students to gain knowledge and understanding of key social structures, processes and issues through the study of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification.

Sociology is an exciting, illuminating and highly relevant field of study that analyses and explains important matters in our personal lives, our communities, and the world. Pupils are ignited and enthused by the subject because it’s relevant to them – they are living it!

Technology

The Design and Technology Department aims to provide a stimulating learning environment where students have the opportunity to work in a safe, creative manner to fulfil their potential. Students’ self-confidence is enhanced by engaging in problem-solving tasks. All students are encouraged to develop their practical skills to the highest standard across the department.

The Design and Technology department endeavours to provide:

An excellent experience within all areas of the department for all students. Ensuring harmonious elements are delivered across all subject areas RESEARCH, PLANNING and DESIGN, MAKE and EVALUATION.
Real life experiences in their learning where possible.
An environment where students feel safe and encouraged to do well.
Teaching and learning experiences of a positive nature where staff and pupils work together to achieve common goals.
An environment where students are actively encouraged to research independently and question the validity of everyday products.
The ability for students to have a voice and feel safe to express their opinions.
A culture of creative risk taking with their designs in order to excel