General Key Stage Information
Key Stage 2 - Primary/Secondary
Transfer Years 6-7
Key Stage 3 - Years 7-9
Key Stage 4 - Years 10-11
Key Stage 5 - Years 12-13
SEN
Primary/Secondary transfer - Year 6 to Year 7
This school works in association with primary schools attended by students
transferring to King Edward VI. It is important that
we establish continuity so far as curricular arrangements are concerned and our
discussions extend to the needs of individual children.
In their primary schools children will have covered Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National
Curriculum Key Stage 2 culminating in teacher assessments regarding children's
capabilities and supplemented by national and externally-marked National Curriculum tests.
We give due regard to all the information that is made available to us.
Students in Teaching Groups
Although students are in mixed ability form tutor groups, there is some grouping by
ability in teaching groups.
In Year 7, students are taught in their form tutor groups for most
subjects. The ability settings in this year applies to Mathematics,
Science and French. This is arranged on a subject by subject basis and is
brought in and reviewed during the year.
In years 8 and 9, setting continues for Mathematics, Science and
languages. In most other subjects students are placed into a broad upper
or lower band based on proven performance in those combined areas during
the previous year.
Years 7 to 9
From entering the school in Year 7 until the end of Year 9, students are involved in Key
Stage 3 of the National Curriculum. Everybody studies the three core subjects of English,
Mathematics and Science (including elements of Biology, Chemistry and Physics). In
addition, all take French, History, Geography, Religious Education, Design Technology,
Art, Music and Physical Education. Information Technology is also taught in a carefully
constructed cross-curricular programme during Key Stage 3. We believe that it is important
to allow experiences beyond this legal requirement and so our students also study Drama as a
distinct lesson, follow a pastoral curriculum programme and take German as a second
foreign language from the beginning of Year 8.
During the final term of Year 9 students sit National Curriculum Tests in English,
Mathematics, and Science. Assessments in other subjects are also completed then.
Results are published to parents, together with information about the overall
performance of the year group and national figures so that relative comparisons can be
made.
Years 10 and 11
Years 10 and 11 correspond to Key Stage 4 of the National Curriculum. Selection of
subjects, in areas where selection is possible, is based on wide consultation during Year
9.
All students study:
Within the choices being made it is compulsory for Design and Technology to be selected
either as a full or as a short course. We offer a range of possible specialisms within
Design and Technology including Food, Graphics, Resistant Materials and Textiles so that
all students can select an aspect of the subject which is of particular interest to them.
So it is therefore possible to take a maximum of 9'/2 GCSE subjects, although some
areas are taught and assessed as vocational units of the GNVQ or as RSA qualifications. We
believe that this provides a good range of choice and of assessment style whilst still
meeting and exceeding national requirements.
In addition to the examination subjects, all students will follow courses in Personal and
Social Education (including Careers Guidance), Physical Education, Information Technology,
Health Education and Religious and Moral Education.
Although it is not always possible for the school to accomplish every combination of
choices which are requested, in practice the vast majority of wishes are met.
The Sixth Form
The Sixth Form is well-established with almost 300 students in Years 12 and 13.
Most students have been in the school since year 7 although some do join
us from other schools at age 16.
Advanced levels are currently studied in the following subjects: English, French,
German, Economics, Business Studies, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Theatre Arts,
Sociology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Further
Mathematics, Art, Design Technology, Music and General Studies. Three A Levels,
plus General Studies, is the most common course pattern in the Sixth Form. The minimum
requirement to enrol on the A level programme is five GCSE grades at C or above.
GNVQ (Advanced) courses are offered in Business, Art and Design and Health and Social
Care. These can be studied as a full programme in themselves or can be combined with one A
level. The minimum requirement to enrol for the Advanced GNVQ programme is four GCSE
grades at C or above.
A GNVQ (intermediate) course is available as a one-year period of study for students
who have not managed to achieve four GCSEs at grade C or above. This course is operated in
conjunction with Tamworth College of Further Education where students spend two days each
week. Two days are spent at school and the fifth day is spent involved in work experience.
There is a very strong sense of community amongst Sixth Formers which focuses upon a
number of activities, sporting and otherwise, that take place in the course of a year.
The Ashmole Society is the centre of much of the social activity of the Sixth Form
but, in addition, many students organise House events for younger students in the main
school.
Each year between 90 and 100 students leave Year 13 to continue their education at
university.
Special Educational Needs - SEN
The school's special needs provision operates in accordance with the Governors' policy
which, in turn, is based upon the 1993 Education Act. The school's Special Needs
Coordinator will advise in response to individual requests.
The LEA may decide to issue "statements" recognising specific learning
difficulties following a period of assessment. Such a statement can result in additional
learning support being provided. In addition, some learning support is offered to other
students; this may be provided by teachers, classroom assistants, parent volunteers or Sixth
Formers as part of their voluntary service in the school.
The main purpose of all learning support is to help students to cope with their studies
as effectively as possible.
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Updated 30/07/07
