Curriculum

We offer a broad, balanced, relevant, differentiated and inclusive curriculum for all students.  Our curriculum aims to:

  • Inspire and motivate students to excel
  • Enable students to think deeply, retain and recall knowledge over time
  • Build students’ character, resilience and confidence
  • Develop students’ oracy and language so that they become “word rich”
  • Enable students to make connections with their learning over time and in different contexts

 

At Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 the curriculum conforms to the National Curriculum programmes of study and all other statutory requirements. There are clear and diverse pathways through from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4.

 

Our curriculum has been developed to meet the requirements of current national guidelines and our commitment to the provision of a wide range of subjects, including breadth in our modern languages and vocational choices. Students are grouped in a variety of ways according to the needs of the subject.

We cover the following subjects at Key Stage 3:

English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, History, Geography, Information Technology, Art, Drama, Food Technology, Music, Physical Education, Character Education and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education.

As students enter Key Stage 4, we aim to provide a personalised curriculum for them as appropriate, working with external agencies to ensure appropriate course provision.  We engage students and parents in decisions regarding their guided choices. All students are entitled to examination entry in their chosen subjects, provided that they have met the basic requirements of attendance and coursework or controlled assessment completion.

The curriculum offered at Key Stage 4 ensures that there are clear progression routes to prepare students for post 16 / higher education and / or the world of work.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs, and those for whom English is an additional language, is provided in class and by specialist staff. Students are provided with opportunities to extend their skills and talents, which includes the provision of additional classes and extension opportunities for more able and talented students, as well as intervention and support provision as required.

Formal assessments of learning are conducted according to our Assessment, Recording and Reporting schedule and targets are shared with students and their parents regularly.  Assessments of students’ learning are also made more informally and frequently.

 

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

At Birkenhead Park School we operate a flexible KS4 model to enable students to develop deeper understanding of their chosen GCSE subjects. 

Students therefore make option choices in Year 8.  A comprehensive package of advice and guidance is in place to ensure students make choices that are suitable for their future progression. 

The foundation year in Year 9 helps students build the key skills and knowledge in their selected subjects so they are ready to embark on their GCSEs midway through the year. There is an opportunity, in negotiation with the Deputy Headteacher for students to switch their choices in the first term of Year 9.

We operate four pathways for students at GCSE.

Pathway 1 and 2 ensures that students are guided to Triple Science and EBacc suite (History, Geography and Modern Foreign Language) of GCSEs.  Within this framework there remains an element of open choice.

Pathway 3 and 4 - Students have the opportunity to study for an EBacc suite (History, Geography and Modern Foreign Language) of GCSEs should they choose to do so.  However, there will be a more open choices for these students.

Students will be guided towards relevant pathways according to prior attainment, current rates of progression, career aspirations and projected future attainment.

All students will study core GCSE subjects in English, Maths and Science.

All students will also study BTEC Physical Education.

Religious Education is taught to students through our 30 minute form times under Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education. We focus on Britain as a multi-cultural society when we specifically focus on British Values. Religious Education is also woven through the curriculum and highlighted to students through subject areas when it is being taught.

We cover the following subjects at Key Stage 4:

English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, History, Geography, Information Technology, Art, Drama, Food Technology, Music, Physical Education, Media Studies and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education.

 

Information For Parents

All students at The Birkenhead Park School follow four learning programmes in all subjects throughout the academic year.

Knowledge organisers are included in all student exercises books for parents and students to access when they take their books home.  This details the key information for each learning programme and signposts key assessment information as well as potential homework.  By following the knowledge organisers parents can support the work being done in the school through further enrichment activities or independent study.

 

Reports

At the end of each learning programme parents will receive a report with will give information about their child’s progress in the subjects they are studying and an indication of the end of year or end of qualification target.  Both engagement and attainment are assessed so that parents can see the fullest picture of their child’s progress during the year.

 

Extra-Curricular Activities

The extra-curricular life of The Birkenhead Park School is rich and varied.  We offer students a wide range of activities in addition to the normal timetable.  Please see the enrichment page to view the various clubs, visits and activities that students can participate in.

Find An Extra-Curricular Club Here

 

Homework

Homework is an important part of students’ life at The Birkenhead Park School and all students are expected to complete it regularly.  Please contact your child’s Year Leader if you have any questions.

 

To find out more about the curriculum our school is following please contact Mr Peter Mee, Deputy Headteacher, 0151 652 1574