THE PLUME SCHOOL CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT: Practicalities & Compromises

School Context Mixed comprehensive 1850 on roll Mixed comprehensive 1850 on roll Specialist performing arts college Specialist performing arts college Broadly average intake Broadly average intake Very comprehensive catchment area Very comprehensive catchment area 5+ A* - C at GCSE: 5+ A* - C at GCSE:  %  %(54% with En & Ma)

School philosophy Standard curriculum not suitable for all students Standard curriculum not suitable for all students Flexible approach to curriculum planning Flexible approach to curriculum planning Maximise individualised opportunities Maximise individualised opportunities Give students choice Give students choice Flexible Learning coordinator role Flexible Learning coordinator role

Alternative KS4 provision 16% vocational programmes through college links 16% vocational programmes through college links  Construction  Motor vehicle  Hair and beauty  Equine  Horticulture  Small animal care  Hospitality & catering  Public Services (from Sept 2011) Two days in school Two days in school College plus work placement College plus work placement

Current in School Provision English 2 hours English 2 hours Maths 2 hours Maths 2 hours Science 2 hours Science 2 hours PE 1 hour PE 1 hour PSHE 1 hour PSHE 1 hour Option 2 hours Option 2 hours “Special” group has extra day in school “Special” group has extra day in school

Proposed F.L. Curriculum Offer Sept 2011 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 EnglishEnglishEnglish MathsMathsMathsCollege ScienceScienceP.E.College or Work ICTOptionOptionPlacement Voc Opt PSHE

Curriculum details English GCSE + Functional Skills English GCSE + Functional Skills Maths GCSE + Functional Skills Maths GCSE + Functional Skills Core Science GCSE or BTEC Science Core Science GCSE or BTEC Science ICT Functional Skills ICT Functional Skills GCSE or other option GCSE or other option PSHE modules (FL Catalogue) PSHE modules (FL Catalogue) Voc option (FL Catalogue) Voc option (FL Catalogue) –Bike Engineering, Retail, Child Care, etc.

Year 11 Proposed Curriculum Back to 2 day in school model Back to 2 day in school model English2 hours English2 hours Maths2 hours Maths2 hours Science2 hours Science2 hours PE 1 hour PE 1 hour GCSE or other Option 2 hours GCSE or other Option 2 hours Voc option 1 hour Voc option 1 hour College2 or 1 day College2 or 1 day Work placement1 or 2 days Work placement1 or 2 days

IDENTIFYING THE STUDENTS Principles: Aimed at Level 1 learners Aimed at Level 1 learners Free choice Free choice Equal status with all other subjects Equal status with all other subjects Detailed communication with parents Detailed communication with parents

Partnership working Member of two consortia Member of two consortia 3 x Colleges 3 x Colleges Blackwater Vocational Partnership Blackwater Vocational Partnership Courses open to other schools Courses open to other schools Network of local employers Network of local employers

Staffing Needs the right staff Needs the right staff Work experience co-ordinator Work experience co-ordinator Dedicated Teaching Assistant Dedicated Teaching Assistant

Positive Impact Raises student self esteem Raises student self esteem Students have greater ownership of learning Students have greater ownership of learning Impact on the rest of the school Impact on the rest of the school Impact on SEN Impact on SEN Raise profile of education with families Raise profile of education with families NEET figures declining NEET figures declining Positive impact on exclusions Positive impact on exclusions Attendance Attendance Attainment Attainment

Progression Level 2 courses in the Sixth Form & Colleges Level 2 courses in the Sixth Form & Colleges Dedicated support for College applications and National Apprenticeship website Dedicated support for College applications and National Apprenticeship website Planning level 1 to 2 progression Planning level 1 to 2 progression

Our commitment Dedicated co-ordinator Dedicated co-ordinator Special team of staff (Teaching & support) Special team of staff (Teaching & support) Adequate resources Adequate resources  Financial  Physical  Human

What Ofsted said “I have inspected over 300 schools throughout the country and your curriculum is one of the best I have seen” Ofsted Inspector March 2011