Teaching and Learning at Cardinal Pole

Cardinal Pole’s curriculum is delivered across three stages:

Key Stage 3 ( Years 7 – 9 )
Key Stage 4 ( Years 10 & 11 )
Key Stage 5 ( Years 12 & 13 )

Key Stage 3 ( Years 7 – 9 )
At Key Stage 3 ( Years 7 – 9 ) pupils are placed into three separate bands and taught most subjects within those bands.

All pupils study English, Maths, Science, Religious Education, Technology, Physical Education, Modern Languages, History, Geography and ICT. Music, Art and Drama are taught in a carousel. Personal Health, Social & Citizenship Education is provided over the course of a whole school day, six times a year.

Where necessary, extra literacy is provided to pupils. Pupils also follow a skills-based Learning to Learn programme to aid independent learning.

Key Stage 4 ( Years 10 & 11 )
At Key Stage 4 all pupils follow a core curriculum which consists of English, Maths, Science, Religious Education and Physical Education.

Personal Health, Social & Citizenship Education is provided over the course of a whole school day, six times a year.

In addition pupils choose one subject from each of the four option blocks. For 2009 - 10 these option blocks are arranged as follows:-

Years 10 & 11 – Option Blocks

Option A	Option B	Option C	Option D
Food	History	Triple Science	Triple Science
Product Design	Geography	ICT	History
Drama	Sociology	Drama	Geography
Art	French	Art	Sociology
Music	German	BTEC Business*	ICT
PE	Society Health and Development Diploma* Or Creative and Media Diploma*	Society Health and Development Diploma* Or Creative and Media Diploma*	BTEC Business*
			Society Health and Development Diploma* Or Creative and Media Diploma*

*All subjects are GCSE apart from BTEC Business, Health & Social Care Diploma and Creative and Media Diploma

BTEC Business runs across two of the four option blocks and Society Health and Development and the Creative and Media Diploma’s run across three of the four option blocks.

Some pupils do not study four option subjects as they are able to take the opportunity to study for vocational courses at college one day a week.

In year 10 pupils spend two weeks on Work Experience placements, as part of their statutory entitlement to Work Related Learning.

Key Stage 5 ( Sixth Form Years 12 & 13 )
There are a wide range of courses on offer in our Sixth Form and many of our students proceed on to prestigious University degree courses or into further vocational training.

There are two different routes to success in the Sixth Form.

The ‘Academic Route’ offers a range of AS and A level courses. Students are expected to take four AS courses in year 12, continuing into year 13 with at least three subjects at A2 level.
The ‘Vocational Route’ offers a range of BTEC courses and from September 2009 the Level Three Diploma in Society Health and Development will be added to the curriculum.

GCSE retakes in English Language and Mathematics are also on offer.

Sixth Form study is complemented by a varied enrichment programme and a committed pastoral care system.

Our Sixth Form has its own purpose-built building which provides a positive learning environment in which all students can achieve to their full potential.