- Home
- Curriculum
- Curriculum Overview
Ralph Allen School Curriculum Statement of Intent
The curriculum policy at Ralph Allen is the Palladian Trust’s curriculum policy - we want to share a brief statement to explain how our Trust’s curriculum policy underpins our own curriculum intent:
Our intention, when designing our curriculum, is to ensure our students get what they need to achieve their individual personal best: both academically and personally. Our curriculum is designed to help all students get the necessary skills and knowledge to be their best, and help them find their passion. Finding passion helps to give students the courage to keep trying to improve and learn to achieve personal best. Finding passion feeds our natural curiosity.
We promote teamwork and respect through our curriculum.
Respect fosters trust, and trust between staff and students underpin our student-led approach.
In designing subject curriculum, we aim to use these principles:
Diverse – so all feel welcome and included, and to build cultural capital
Research informed – using the best of educational research
Vocab-rich – prioritising use of high-level subject specific language
Coherent - Well sequenced to be accessible, so that it increases the chances of all learners to achieve.
We are committed to supporting as many students at Ralph Allen to follow a broad curriculum as possible. Our policy is for all students to follow 4 optional GCSEs, although where appropriate – for instance due to an EHCP or a verified medical reason – we will make an adjustment to this practice if it is in the best interest of the student and with parental consent.
Teaching & Learning Information Statement
Remote Learning
During exceptional circumstances, leading to an extended school closure, lessons may be delivered remotely using Microsoft Teams or Classcharts.
Curriculum
The content our school follows for every subject in each academic year is shown in the Curriculum road maps below.
Curriculum Road Maps for all subjects
Ralph Allen School is committed to raising the standards of attainment for all students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities through a broad, balanced and accessible curriculum. All staff are responsible for the progress of students with SEN/D and plan their lessons accordingly, with effective differentiation to overcome any potential barriers to learning. Special Educational needs and Disability Policy.
If you have any questions about the Curriculum, please contact Mr S Witts, Interim Headteacher s.witts@palladianacademytrust.com or our Administration team, RAS-administration.officer@palladianacademytrust.com
Feedback at Ralph Allen School
Below are some examples of what we believe are great ways of giving feedback without unnecessarily increasing teacher workload.
Key Stage 3
All students follow a core subject entitlement of:
- English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish), Design and Technology (including Food and Nutrition, Graphics, Resistant Materials and Textiles), History, Geography, Philosophy and Ethics (which includes Religious Education), Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, Personal Social & Health Education (PSHE) and Computer Science. Please note that we no longer offer German as a subject to study in Key Stage 3 or 4.
- Dance is taught as part of the PE curriculum.
- Sex and relationships education is taught as part of PSHE and Science
- There are elements of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) education throughout the curriculum and in the Assembly programme.
- In Year 7, students take part in the fortnightly Wednesday Window programme of curriculum enrichment.
- Students in these years also have opportunities to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
- All students at Ks3 start the day with a 20 minute reading programme
- In addition all students take part in the Tutorial programme, which includes the opportunity for peer mentoring and learning as well as a variety of other topics which fit in with the Assembly themes for each week of the school year.
Key Stage 4
At KS4, students follow a core curriculum of:
- English, Mathematics, Double Science, PSHCE (including Careers Education) and PE.
- Students also choose to follow four subjects from the following examination courses: Art, Computer Science, i-Media, Drama, Product Design, Food and Nutrition, French, Spanish, Geography, Health & Social Care, History, Music, Physical Education, Sport and Leisure Studies.
- Please see the Key Stage 4 curriculum booklet (link at the bottom of the page) for further details
- In Year 10 all students will undertake a week of work experience during term 6.
- All students in year 11 will have a 20 minute extra core subject session that we call P0 every morning
Key Stage 5
Most of our students study three A Level subjects, although some students with very strong grades in their GCSE subjects may study four A Level courses if this is appropriate for them. Resit classes in English and Maths GCSE will be studied at the same time as other A Levels, for those students who do not achieve a level 4 at GCSE in either subject.
Our students also take part in a weekly foundation PSHE programme in addition to Sixth Form assembly, which covers a wide range of topics including values and morality. Students are able to complete the Extended Project and get involved in a wide range of sixth form extra-curricular activities.
Sixth Formers have comprehensive careers/higher education advice/experience provided by a programme delivered by the Sixth Form Team.
Full detail of the curriculum we offer at Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form) is detailed in the Sixth Form prospectus.
