Curriculum
The Curriculum at Frewen
The general principle at Frewen College is that every pupil should be entitled to a curriculum that is balanced, broad and caters for individual needs. In order to meet these needs the school provides a positive, caring environment, which enables pupils to gain confidence and repair self esteem.
The full National Curriculum is taught, differentiated to meet individual needs.
We expect all pupils to take at least 5 GCSE exams and many will enter 8. An alternative course is also available at KS4 in English and Maths (Entry Level Certificate, or ELC) for those we do not feel can gain a 'pass' grade at GCSE. Pupils take ESB speech exams in Years 9 and 11.
At both KS3 and 4, great emphasis is placed on literacy and numeracy skills. Each pupil receives an intensive ½ hour literacy session at the start of the school day, involving all members of classroom staff. The small groups follow a programme tailored to meet individual needs.
The success of this scheme prompted us to include a similar facility for numeracy. In September 2007 this was implemented and on two mornings a week pupils have a numeracy session which lasts for 25 minutes. Here the groups rotate every half term and so will cover at least 6 main topics a year. Again, all members of staff take part.
In 2006 two modular GCSE courses started, in Maths and Science. This removed the emphasis from an end of year exam and enables pupils to re-sit a module if required. The feedback has been positive, and a similar approach has now been adopted for ICT, with great success.
Personal, Social & Health Education (“PSHE”) and Citizenship are taught as discrete subjects. They are delivered as an integrated part of the curriculum, supplemented with inputs from outside agencies, tutor time, assemblies and whole or half day events. A number of topics are covered within departmental schemes of work.
At KS3, pupils study 13 subjects, experiencing all aspects of the curriculum. This provides pupils with a clear idea about appropriate choices at the end of Year 9. At KS4 the number of subjects is reduced to 10, including 3 options in Years 10 and 11. Options available are revised on an annual basis and in September 2007, P.E. and Geography were added to the list. The selection of options is discussed and decided upon on an individual basis with each pupil and their parents. An options booklet is provided, outlining details of each course. We also have the flexibility to enable pupils to pursue external NVQ courses where appropriate, and currently have two pupils on day release courses, in Equestrianism and Agriculture.
Because some of our pupils have difficulty decoding traditional timetable grids, we have developed our own pictorial timetables to help them. If you click on the icon below you can see the current Year 7 timetable by way of illustration.
