The Curriculum

Teaching and Learning is the core business of any school, our successful results reflect our strong teaching.

We are determined to maximise the number of students who leave the school to go on to greater successes, whether through university, college, work or training. To do this, we keep up to date with the latest and most exciting teaching methods.

St. John Fisher has introduced new aspects to its curriculum in all key stages that are designed to better meet the needs of learners and develop important skills, as well as a broad basis of knowledge. These skills include: literacy, numeracy, ICT, problem-solving, work related learning, team work and cross-curricular work, all within a spiritual framework enhancing our Catholic mission of a life modelled on Christ. Through these changes we will improve both attainment and achievement in all key stages and give students the skills and knowledge for further and higher education as well as training and employment.

The rationale

We provide a two year Key Stage 3 for Years 7 and 8. This creates pace and challenge of learning allowing earlier access to GCSE and BTEC courses in Years 9, 10 and 11. The school is based on two sites with the Maidstone Road site, concentrating on Foundation to Learning (KS3) and the Ordnance Street site specialising on Key Stage 4 and post-16 education.

Key Stage 3: Years 7 and 8 - a Foundation for learning

A broad-based curriculum is on offer. All core subjects are taught in discreet lessons with specialist teachers. We utilise an integrated humanities curriculum (history, geography and RE), which is project-based and allows cross-curricular learning, problem solving, literacy and team working skills to develop better. Students have a discreet RE lesson taught by a specialist to ensure that all our students have the opportunity to explore the sacraments specifically and Christian teaching and practices generally.

Key Stage 4: Years 9, 10 and 11 – Learning in the 21st century

A broad-based curriculum is on offer. Core subjects, including RE, are taught by specialists. The science curriculum currently includes BTEC science, which is a more applied option and will benefit a large number of our students better than GCSE.

We provide a range of pathways at Key Stage 4 to ensure we meet the needs of all our students.

Applied learning: "Learning by Doing"

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum has a wide range of more applied options for students. The traditional academic options are still be available appropriately. BTEC options include Media, Health and Social Care, Performing Arts, Sport, as well as OCR nationals in ICT and Business.

Available GCSE Qualifcations

Subject	Awarding Body
Art and Design	EDEXCEL
Design Graphics	AQA
Design Product	AQA
English	AQA
French	AQA
Geography	EDEXCEL
History	EDEXCEL
Mathematics	EDEXCEL
Music	EDEXCEL
Religious Studies	EDEXCEL
Science	AQA
Sociology	AQA
Statistics	EDEXCEL

Other KS4 Qualifications

Subject	Awarding Body	GCSE Equivalent
Performing Arts Level 2 Diploma	EDEXCEL	4 GCSE's
Business Level 2 Diploma	EDEXCEL	4 GCSE's
Sport Studies Level 2 Extended Certificate	EDEXCEL	2 GCSE's
Health and Social Level 2 Diploma	EDEXCEL	4 GCSE's
ICT National Level 2 National Certificate	OCR	4 GCSE's
Public Services Level 2 Diploma	EDEXCEL	4 GCSE's
Travel and Tourism Level 2 Diploma	EDEXCEL	4 GCSE's

Key Stage 5: Years 12 and 13: Two pathways, one vision

At St. John Fisher we are committed to improving regularly our curriculum offer post-16 to reflect the needs of students and skills and knowledge needed in the 21st Century. Therefore, extended our applied options to give more diverse pathways for our students so they will achieve better and be able to move seamlessly to the next phase of their learning, training or employment.

In addition to our range of successful A Level courses, we will have extended our range of Advanced BTEC courses, including Public Services and Sport. Many BTEC courses will be offered at Level 2 (GCSE Level) and Level 3 (post-16) to ensure that students access the right courses at the appropriate level.

We aim to provide an excellent post-16 provision within the context of a Catholic school which serves the needs of young people and develops them personally and morally as well as academically.

The vision of excellence for all is embedded throughout the post-16 curriculum, whatever the pathway.

Celebrating Success For All

Students of all ability achieve well in our school. There are many ways in which we celebrate our students’ achievements. Students gain Merits and Letters of Commendation. Three times a year we recognise students’ progress in Celebration Assemblies.