Aims of the Policy - The purpose of the curriculum is to help pupils to:
• develop lively, imaginative and enquiring minds;
• acquire knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and a world of rapid and continuous technological change;
• have sound numeracy and literacy skills;
• develop personal and moral values, respect for shared values and for other cultures, religions and ways of life;
• develop an understanding of the world in which they live;
• appreciate human achievements and aspirations;
• take their place in society as informed, confident and responsible citizens
Main Principles
• The curriculum should have the following characteristics: breadth, balance, relevance, differentiation; continuity and coherence;
• The curriculum should promote knowledge and understanding; mastery of intellectual, physical and interpersonal skills and personal qualities, values and attitudes;
• Equality of access for all pupils to academic experiences;
• The school should provide appropriate tasks and teaching techniques to support high expectations and appropriate challenge;
• Parents should be provided with curriculum information relevant to their child
• The curriculum should be subject to planned evaluation and review
Outcomes - The curriculum should:
• deliver the current and future statutory requirements;
• be broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated;
• enable pupils to fulfil their potential;
• meet the needs of the full range of abilities within the school;
• ensure continuity and progression within the school and between phases of education;
• foster teaching styles which will offer and encourage a variety of relevant learning opportunities;
• encourage a respect for the school and its environment so that learning is a positive and pleasurable experience for all;
• help pupils develop lively, enquiring minds, an ability to question and argue rationally and an ability to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills;
• help pupils acquire understanding, knowledge and key skills relevant to school, adult life and employment in a fast-changing world;
• help pupils to use language and number effectively;
• help pupils develop personal moral values, respect for religious values and tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life;
• help pupils understand the world in which they live;
• help pupils to appreciate human achievements and aspirations;
The School therefore will endeavour to provide an environment in which young people of all abilities are able to develop the skills and attitudes which will facilitate lifelong learning and sustained personal development.
As a Christian School, Tower College wishes to assist young people in their journey of faith. We share with all our pupils the Christian vision of life through a structured programme of Religious Education. The aim is to help pupils know and understand this tradition in a clear and more comprehensive way. The Religious Education syllabus supports and helps strengthen the general ethos of the school, and the partnership between family and school.
Each area of the curriculum is allotted sufficient time to make its specific contribution, but not so much that it limits essential areas. The amount of time allocated to each subject is discussed by Subject Leaders annually.
As far as possible provision is made within the school for all pupils with special needs. Additional support is provided for where necessary. The provision of two foreign languages and the three separate GCSE science subjects, along with the progressive introduction of setting, stretches the brightest children and enables them to take up to 10 GCSEs in Year 11.
Signed for and on behalf of the Governors,
R J Oxley(Miss)
Principal and Company Secretary
January 2010
