Art
Head of Department: Mr Jennings
Art and Design is thriving at Abbeyfield School. Students have the opportunity to develop a range of skills including drawing,...
Abbeyfield School and Sixth Form
Big enough to make a difference, yet small enough to know each child.
Abbeyfield School and Sixth Form
Big enough to make a difference, yet small enough to know each child.
Whole school curriculum intent:
At Abbeyfield School, our inclusive and personalised curriculum inspires pupils to be aspirant, providing them with an enriching learning journey. We prepare our pupils for the relevant demands of a rapidly changing world. Developing them as individuals throughout our engaging curriculum underpinned by our research led teaching strategies.
At Abbeyfield School, our curriculum is broad so that pupils can experience a range of opportunities across the curriculum; balanced as it prevents pupils from narrowing down their options too early; relevant to the demands of a rapidly-changing world; and personalised to ensure that the level and type of work are suited to the ability and learning style of each individual pupil.
We believe these curriculum principles will stand our pupils in good stead, at each transition point, for a bright and aspirant future where their talents and experience can result in excellent outcomes.
We encourage classroom teachers to take risks in their teaching and plan and deliver lessons that account for all pupils’ starting points whilst also meeting the requirements of the national curriculum and developing a joy of learning and passion for individual subjects.
At Abbeyfield School, pupils will:
Pupils experience a broad, deep and knowledge rich curriculum
Our school curriculum helps pupils to achieve high standards and make excellent progress. At KS3, the curriculum is broad and pupils learn essential knowledge built around our DSME curriculum to ensure they have a deep understanding across a range of subjects. There are many opportunities built into lessons to secure the need to recall and retrieve previous learning so that knowledge is fully embedded. At KS4, the courses are carefully planned to ensure that content is thoroughly revisited and this undoubtedly prepares pupils for external examinations at the end of the course. For those pupils who require alternative provision, we plan an individualised programme of study through our School within a School setting.
Be literate and numerate
The development of pupil language and oracy is at the forefront of our curriculum as we understand how vital it is for our pupils to build confidence in communication skills not only for their time in school but also to prepare them for working life. We ensure pupils have opportunities in all subjects to discuss, challenge and build on other points of view and to develop their formality of language to ensure they can have the confidence to speak to different audiences. Numeracy skills are embedded across the curriculum. Our school ensures that pupils are literate and numerate enabling them to flourish, thrive and access the next stage of their education, employment or training.
Have high expectations for their behaviour and achievement
Abbeyfield School is inclusive and ambitious for all; we have high expectations of all pupils. Our behaviour policy ensured that pupils learn that actions have consequences and they can accept and appreciate difference between people. Whilst students gain knowledge through KS3 and KS4, we also want them to become learners who are enquiring, enthusiastic, engaged and mannerly.
We are committed to improving the life chances and aspirations of pupils. Our character education is embedded within our tutor programme as well as our lessons. With a focus on the 3 R’s; Respect, Resilience and Responsibility, we ensure that pupils have access to a wider curriculum which provides numerous opportunities in sport, creativity, performing, world of work, volunteering and membership.
Develop their cultural, social, moral, mental and physical development
At Abbeyfield School, we pride ourselves on delivering a curriculum which incorporates SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural). To ensure that they are fully prepared for life in modern Britain, pupils are able to envision ‘The Bigger Picture’ and show that learning is linked to the real world and experiences. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a range of sporting, cultural and charitable activities. Links with local and national business enrich the curriculum offer and help to contextualise learning. We are proud to be a Thrive Hub School, ensuring that there is a greater focus on child mental health and wellbeing.
Secure foundations for progression.
It is our intention that our pupils have secure foundations for progression into further education and apprenticeships. Over the course of five years, pupils receive a rigorous and bespoke curriculum which exposes pupils to a range of voices and experiences.
Key Stage Three Curriculum Year 7 -9
At Key Stage Three (KS3), students study the traditional academic subjects: Maths, English, Science, Languages and Humanities and alongside these we offer a healthy mixture of Arts and Technology subjects. PE, Drama, and Music are taught as distinct subjects and students follow a carousel of Technology lessons enabling them to study Food and Nutrition, Textiles and Product Design throughout the year. Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHEE) is taught every fortnight to all KS3 and 4 students and covers important topics that support our students in becoming good, responsible citizens as well as modules on ‘keeping yourself safe’ which incorporates topics such as internet safety. We also recognise that students flourish when given an individualised curriculum and that traditional routes of study do not always meet the needs of all pupils. We therefore offer an intervention class (BEAMs) classroom which offers students additional support during the transition between Primary and Secondary school setting.
Key Stage Four Curriculum Year 10 and 11
KS4 pupils all continue their study of the traditional academic subjects at GCSE: Maths, English and Science and one other traditional subject (e.g. History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages or Computer Science) and of course PE to ensure that good physical health is encouraged. Pupils also have two other free choices to make from a wide range of Arts, Design and Technology and contemporary subjects.
For some students, this programme of study is not appropriate for their educational needs so we create a personalised GCSE package that is more suitable for ensuring their success at Key Stage Four.
Sixth Form
The curriculum is built around subjects that complement one another. This includes a range of facilitating and specialist subjects alongside the Extended Project, Core Maths or Further Maths. We aim to give pupils a sense of control over their Sixth Form programme, enabling a broad education, offering wide choice and essential skills for a rapidly changing world. We deliver A Level and BTEC subjects that we have the ability to teach to a high standard in order to ensure that the pupil experience is full and rewarding. Pupil’s timetables are supplemented with recognised independent study for which pupils are guided through and provided work for as well as PSHE sessions during which pupils are guided and supported in the decision making and preparation for next steps be it University or Apprenticeships.
Curriculum Impact
At Abbeyfield School, our curriculum will:
The Curriculum beyond the Classroom
In addition to what happens in the classroom, other key elements of our curriculum delivery include:
Art and Design is thriving at Abbeyfield School. Students have the opportunity to develop a range of skills including drawing,...
Business Studies is an exciting subject which encourages students to look at the real world around them, considering the role and operation of businesses, as well as the impact of them on their society. Our team of highly experienced business teachers inspire pupils to think about their place and role in the business world, post education, and encourages them to engage with parents, friends and relatives about their roles in businesses.
At Abbeyfield we believe in the role of computing, and the creative problem solving that it embodies, in equipping students to understand and change the world around them. Digital literacy is essential today, and in a hands-on curriculum that includes computer science, programming and creative information technology, students have the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in this vital area.
Drama is a very popular subject here at Abbeyfield School which gives students lots of opportunities to build self-confidence and develop co-operative skills. We support them in their development of creativity and provide the students with an understanding of the craft of drama.
Product Design encourages students to design and manufacture creative and innovative products, using a range of materials such as paper and card, textiles, timber based materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals and electronic components. Students also develop a variety of manufacturing techniques, key problem solving skills and a good knowledge and understanding of materials technology, becoming responsible and creative designers.
Economics is a popular and successful A Level at Abbeyfield. Among other things, students study behaviour and ask the important questions about why markets exist and what drives firms to produce as well as why individuals choose to consume the goods and services they do.
The English faculty at Abbeyfield is passionate and ambitious, with highly skilled teachers delivering an education of the highest quality. Lessons are creative and vibrant, held together by carefully planned units of work. We strive to be the very best at what we do, and so work very hard to ensure that students make rapid and sustained progress across all Key Stages.
At Abbeyfield we are keen to ensure that we are able to support outgoing Year 11 students with continuing to carry out purposeful learning that will support them moving into their next steps at...
Textile products play an important role in meeting man’s basic needs. Pupils quickly learn that the technological advances of textiles in various industries are just as important as the textiles found in the clothing industry. For example, who would have thought that textiles are used in coffee filters, tea bags, building materials, roads before they are paved, tyres (75% of the strength from textiles), bullet proof vests, sports equipment and even candle wicks!
Good food and nutrition is vital for a healthy life and Abbeyfield students are given a very good start in the area. From Year 7 they learn essential skills such as hygiene, measuring and safe use of tools and equipment; and develop a broad range of cookery skills and knowledge. Eventually progressing to developing, implementing and evaluating their own recipe ideas. Students who wish to can also go on and gain a qualification in KS4.
At Abbeyfield we believe in the role of Geography in understanding and making sense of the world and the challenges it faces. Students will have the opportunity to study and develop the skills needed to make sense of these complex and dynamic situations, equipping them for successful further study and stimulating an interest in and a sense of wonder about people and places.
In history we aim to give students an informed understanding of key historic events and the skills needed to understand how the past has influenced the future. Spanning 15 centuries, we study events such as the Battle of Hastings, Black Death, Crusades, English Civil War, Industrial Revolution and World War One. Equipping students with a range of analytical skills for more in depth later study.
Learning Support is a caring, friendly and experienced department, which works across all subject areas offering assistance in class, working in small groups or with individual pupils where needed.
Our mission in the library is to enable all students to be confident, independent users of the Library. We aim to support their learning needs by providing access to appropriate books and resources in order to prepare them to succeed in their futures.
At Abbyeyfield, we feel strongly that delivering literacy and numeracy in all lessons is imperative to provide students with a well rounded education that sets them up well for life in the 21st Century.
Everyone needs mathematics. It is inherently creative, helping to solve some of history’s most intriguing problems, and is critical to science, technology, engineering and finance. Abbeyfield students are taught a tailored curriculum to allow them make the best possible progress and develop a sense of enjoyment, curiosity and appreciation for the elegance of mathematics.
At Abbeyfield we really value languages, recognising both the importance of students being able to speak an additional language and the opportunities it offers them later in life. You can expect fun, interactive lessons, where learning takes place easily as you develop grammar skills and fluency in a language.
Music is a successful subject at Abbeyfield. From Year 7, we blend together an in-depth exploration of music history, genre and theory with numerous practical activities (either solo or as part of an ensemble) which help students to consolidate and further their learning and be assessed.
Head of Department: Mr Jennings
Photography is a growing area of study at Abbeyfield. Channelling creative skills with analytical ability allows students to express themselves...
The study of philosophy instils expertise in critical analysis, thinking and problem-solving, empowering students to communicate ideas clearly, logically and compellingly, within a contextual framework of ethics. We are very proud of our excellent Philosophy results and the quality of debate and discussions that take place throughout.
We strongly believe that PSHE covers essential skills and knowledge that supports a broad and balanced curriculum.
The PE Department at Abbeyfield comprises a highly dedicated and experienced staff. Our focus is ensuring that our students have an enjoyable, challenging and high-quality experience of PE through a curriculum that is progressive and designed to allow students of all abilities to develop their physical abilities and understanding of performance.
At Abbeyfield we are very pleased to be able to offer Psychology. Throughout life, you will need to make challenging decisions and having an understanding of yourself and your own personality can really help during these times. Understanding Psychology can also give you a unique understanding of a person, job or role and can be used in many different careers.
Abbeyfield Science Department is an exciting and innovative place for pupils to engage in Science and be inspired to achieve. We have worked closely with our primary providers to make our KS3 curriculum aspiring, exciting and challenging and aim to guide our pupils to learn about Science though real life experiences like animal handling, dissections or visits like the one to the large hadron collider in Switzerland. Through all this and more we try to make the different aspects of science appealing to all.
Sociology is unique in its recognition not only that societies shape us, but also that we shape our societies. This latter process is present in all societies and all human groups, but its especially central to democracy in which citizens are explicitly expected to participate in shaping their society. Indeed, without an informed and active citizenry, democracy withers and dies. Therefore it is important to the society as a whole as well as to the self-interest of individual citizens, that we all are afforded a sound understanding based on valid, reliable and systematic evidence.