Curriculum Vision
Curriculum Overview:
Our students will experience a curriculum which is driven by the schools focus virtues and underpinned by catholic beliefs. We are first and foremost a catholic school and our curriculum is driven by the school virtues and underpinned by the foundations of the catholic faith. At SJF, our school virtues permeate everything we do. We incorporate our focus virtues into the curriculum, and we provide explicit opportunities to teach these alongside the academic curriculum. Our curriculum will remain with our students for life and create well-rounded and virtuous young people.
Our students will develop confidence and fluency in reading to unlock the curriculum and develop a lifelong love of reading. It is essential that we build confidence and fluency in the fundamental skill of literacy. Our curriculum will provide opportunities for reading within each subject area and opportunities to build vocabulary by looking at technical and non-technical words and expressions.
Our students will study a curriculum that meets the demands of the National Curriculum to broaden and deepen their knowledge and build cultural capital. The St. John Fisher curriculum is underpinned by the national curriculum and is ambitious as it looks to extend beyond, by providing students with extended learning opportunities. It builds cultural capital to address disadvantage and is unashamedly ambitious for the progress of every student. The curriculum will provide students with new knowledge and new experiences along with enrichment opportunities that complement the taught curriculum and broaden their horizons.
Our students will experience a knowledge-rich curriculum that builds towards clearly defined curriculum-related expectations. The component knowledge within each course is made explicit to the learner and the specifics of what each student will learn matter. Students will become empowered through knowledge and through expert lesson implementation.
Our students will have opportunities to apply new knowledge so that they become independent and confident learners. Our curriculum and the structure of our lessons allow students the opportunity to practise and apply new learning so that their confidence levels rise and their ability to remember new information is increased. Extended practise within lesson time will increase our student's ability to transfer their learning to new and more complex problems.
Curriculum 2023-24
For the academic 2023-24 SJF will continue to provide a curriculum that is broad and balanced and follows the national curriculum. The curriculum will ensure all students have access to a wide range of subjects, which will prepare them for key stage 4.
Please see the curriculum model below. We operate five 60-minute lessons per day, which are timetabled over a two-week period.
Curriculum 24 (To commence September 2024)
The curriculum at SJF is truly broad and truly balanced. It is ambitious because it is designed to give all students the knowledge they need to succeed in life. It provides students with a curriculum that places breadth at the heart of key stage 3, which is taught over 3 years and follows the national curriculum. All students will study the core subjects of English, mathematics, science and religious education at key stage 4, but they are able to personalise part of the curriculum to meet their own needs and interests. For those students who have performed well in their GCSE studies and who wish to enter post-16 education we provide a comprehensive range of engaging subjects to prepare students for higher education, employment or training.
We are first and foremost a catholic school and we devote 10% of our curriculum time to the study of religious education. Students will receive a curriculum that explores the catholic faith and the teachings and messages of the gospel. We believe that this is vital, to guide young people through their spiritual journey and also to prepare them to engage in a diverse society which is multifaith and secular.
English, along with reading is prioritised within the whole school curriculum. We prioritise this, in terms of time, above other subjects as we believe it is the gateway to the rest of the curriculum and is fundamental to their educational success. Mathematics, science, humanities and Spanish are also taught throughout key stage 3 and form part of a rigorous and academic curriculum. Students will also learn computer science, music, performing arts, art, food science, technology and PSHE, so that they are able to explore their interests in these subjects and develop as rounded citizens.
Our PSHCE curriculum is vital to developing young people as individuals who are prepared for life's opportunities and challenges.
We recognise that physical education complements the academic curriculum and promotes a greater sense of wellbeing, improved mood and a higher cognitive function in our students. At KS3 we give an extra hour of physical education, above the recommended time, within the curriculum, as well as providing a full and comprehensive extra-curricular sports program.
Please see our curriculum model. We operate three 100-minute lessons per day which are timetabled over a two-week period. This is a break from a traditional school timetable and brings enormous benefits to our students such as the opportunity to explore topics to a greater depth, extended practice time and less lost learning.
English
'The English language is nobody’s special property. It is the property of the imagination.’
In the English department we aim to shape a curriculum which will engage and stimulate as well as being enjoyable and challenging.
Our vision is what the English curriculum is built upon and that consists of expression and empathy, expectations and enlightenment, encouragement and enjoyment. The opportunity to explore other times, cultures, thoughts and ideas through the medium of literature. To spark debate and discussion and to enable the exploration of ideas.
We believe in delivering an accessible English curriculum that engages students by breaking down the learning and providing clear direction in structured steps. This enables students to experience success and equips them with the tools to communicate within the classroom, school and beyond.
Maths
At St John Fisher we aspire for all of our pupils to leave being mathematically confident and numerically literate with the skills to support their future ambitions.
In the Maths department we aim to nurture the development of a logical mindset combined with mathematical fluency. Thus, empowering our learners with the confidence to approach real life situations without hesitation. This is achieved through a well sequenced curriculum with built-in knowledge checks to allow staff and pupils to monitor and direct future learning appropriately.
Science
In the Science faculty we aim to provide a broad education in science, allowing students to appreciate the awe and wonder of the world around us. We want to expose students to the knowledge and techniques required to understand the world they live in, through the teaching of science. We will also aim to break down barriers and allow students to be exposed to paths that they can aspire to follow, enabling them to appreciate that science can be for them.
Religious Education
Religious Education is at the heart of the school’s aspirational curriculum that encompasses all that students learn, experience and become as a result of being part of our Catholic School; It is ambitious and carefully planned and sequenced.
It is knowledge based with a focus on crucial content that helps students to learn the specific topic they are studying and also builds a firm foundation that subsequent teaching builds on.
Much of the content draws on the constitutions of the second Vatican Council and is rooted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The aim is to enable students to become more religiously literate so that they have the knowledge, understanding and skills to reflect spiritually, think ethically and theologically, as well as recognise what religious commitment demands in everyday life.
Art, Design & Technology
At St John Fisher we aim to provide a high-quality Art, Design and Technology curriculum that will enable all our students to develop skills in resilience and creativity, thus enabling them to make an essential contribution to the culture and well-being of society.
To further equip students with a real-life appreciation of the Art, Design and Technology world they follow a sequenced learning journey which teaches them about the past, the present and looking forward to the future.
Our students will discover a wide range of artists, movements & designers that will allow them to explore the world around them through different cultures and design briefs.
It is essential that they learn how to apply the principles of analysing, developing, designing and nutritional content while understanding how to use these in everyday settings. The ADT department believes that students should be able to explore their imagination whilst equipping them with the skills and knowledge required, to develop their own visual language and make a personal response.
We aim to further develop their creativity whilst fostering curiosity in the visual world through practical, and in both 2 & 3 dimensional practices.
Geography
Geography is the study of space and place - recognising the great differences in cultures, economies, landscapes and environments across the world, and exploring the links between them. The subject of geography occupies a distinctive place in the world of learning for our students at all key stages, highlighting the complex relationship between people, places and the environment.
Geography at SJF is an immersive experience, exposing students to a wide range of fascinating topics from the fragility of the earth's landscape to the growing trends of urbanisation around the world. The geography department’s goal is to start you on a journey of discovery of the world around us, equipping our students with a wide range of transferrable skills alongside the academic qualifications you will gain.
Studying geography at SJF helps our students to be more socially and environmentally sensitive, better informed, and more responsible as citizens and students. From the classroom, students will go on a voyage of discovery through continents, countries and cities gaining a greater awareness of the captivating world around us.
History
History tells us who we are, where we came from and how we are connected. Without studying history, we cannot understand where we are now or where we are going in the future. Studying history will ignite a passion, curiosity and determination in students.
A passion to ensure that wrongs in the past are not repeated in the future. A curiosity about how people in the past thought differently or similarly to them even though their lives may be separated by hundreds of years. A determination to study hard and write with maturity and authority; accepting that a piece of writing or research may take time to develop and refine before it is completed.
By studying history, our students develop knowledge and understanding of chronology, we can identify key features of historical periods, the role of significant individuals, events and turning points. History develops our understanding of continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference, historians do this by making connections, analysing trends, and investigating big historical questions. History enables our students to make connections between different aspects of the periods and themes studied; between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, social, political, religious and military history; and between short and long-term timescales.
We want our Historians to never stop questioning. To question why things happen. To question how they can truly know what happened. To even question other Historians! This ability to question and think critically encourages confidence to communicate ideas and challenge injustice.
ICT & Business
Computer science focuses on developing skills to enable students to adapt to the ever changing fast-paced world of digital technology. This begins by equipping students with the confidence to be active participants and not just passive consumers. Students are encouraged to view the world around them and question where and how the future of technology impacts on the world around them.
Students are encouraged to be discerning in their interactions with digital media and online content. We want students to develop written, reading and oracy skills by engaging with different media, cross curricular themes and challenge students to become more resilient learners.
The Business curriculum vision here at St John Fisher is to provide our young people with the knowledge and understanding necessary to live an aspirational and successful life in modern Britain, as an employee, employer, entrepreneur and productive member of society. Business Studies will challenge and motivate our students and encourage them to make informed future career choices in a dynamic economy.
Citizenship has the power to motivate and enable young people to become thoughtful, questioning, active citizens. Citizenship, enables students to gain a deeper working knowledge of democracy, government and law. Students will develop an awareness of different subject media and the ability to recognize bias. They will look for balance and alternative interpretations before making judgements and will create sustained and reasoned arguments. Good communication skills, team work and reliability are key features of the Citizenship in action which students are challenged to be productive and useful to their community.
Modern Foreign Languages
At St. John Fishers our vision for MFL is to stimulate our student’s curiosity and understanding of the wider world, learning Spanish in a fun and enjoyable way.
We aim to develop our student’s self-confidence, scaffolding their communication skills through practical and relatable situations, making them confident communicators.
We will expose our students to different cultures and ways of living, promoting important values such as tolerance and respect and equipping them with the necessary tools to be part of a diverse society.
By providing enriching and engaging learning opportunities, we strive for our students to be able to express their ideas and opinions in another language, understanding and responding effectively to others in both speech and writing.
P.E.
Active for sustained periods of time.
Build positive relationships and characters.
Competence to perform skilfully and know when to do it.
Develop understanding of healthy active lifestyles.
We recognise the importance of Physical Education and the role it has to play in promoting long-term, healthy lifestyles and making a positive impact on physical, mental and social health. Throughout Key Stages 3 and 4 in Physical Education we intend to provide a curriculum that is broad, balanced, challenging and fosters a love of PE and physical activity. To aid this, in every lesson students will be active a minimum of 30 minutes. The intent of our Physical Education curriculum is to provide all students with high quality PE provision, not only as a participant but in leadership roles such as a coach or official. Our curriculum vision is for every child to develop a variety of motor skills across several different activities to allow them to successfully participate in these activities, demonstrating a competence to move and the knowledge of when to perform these skills. Through our teaching of PE, we will instill St John Fishers CARE values of commitment, aspiration, respect and excellence, as well as other transferable life skills such as resilience and compassion for others, allowing for students to build positive relationships with others.
Performing Arts & Music
Dance at St John Fisher promotes self-expression and confidence in our students. The Dance department plays an important part in the creative and physical education that is essential to the development and well-being of students. We are committed to ensuring that every student will develop their technical skills through different genres of dance. Broadening students' knowledge of practitioners and choreographers, they will have a thorough understanding about the impact of different performing styles.
Whether studying scripted classics, or delving into more contemporary devised work, the performing arts department at St John Fisher strives to improve the confidence, creative expression and understanding of the world around us for our students. Students who step foot into performing arts should expect an inclusive and supportive atmosphere which in turn nurtures their ability to entertain and perform. Students will consistently deepen their knowledge and experience a broad curriculum which will prepare them for a range of careers in the performing arts and wider working world.