Helenswood School Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Overview – YR 7
Subject |
Number of Lessons |
English |
8 |
Maths |
6 |
Science |
6 |
Art |
4 |
DT |
4 |
Dance |
2 |
Drama |
2 |
French |
4 |
Geography |
4 |
History |
4 |
ICT |
2 |
Music |
2 |
PE |
4 |
RE |
2 |
Homework
Homework is considered to be important at Helenswood in that it consolidates, extends and complements work carried out in lessons and encourages independent study. In year 7, students should spend 20-30 minutes on each subject.
Assessment and Reporting
All subjects assess students on a regular basis. The assessment could be in the form of a test, a ‘levelled’ piece of homework or a particular task in class. The frequency of testing depends, to some extent, on how often your daughter has a particular subject.
Parents and Carers will receive, via their daughter, two Traffic Light reports during terms 2 and 4 and one, more detailed, Full Report during term 6. Year 7 Parent/Teacher consultation evenings are on Thursday 11th March 2010.
Who to Contact with Concerns
Contact can be made with a member of staff via a note in the relevant section of the planner, by letter, a phone call or an appointment can be made by phoning reception.
If the concern is particular to a lesson, the subject teacher should be contacted. Other concerns should be directed to your daughter’s Form Tutor who will consult other members of staff as necessary.
If you are not sure who to talk to, the office staff will direct your message to the relevant person.
Curriculum Overview – YR 8
Subject |
Number of Lessons |
English |
6 |
Maths |
7 |
Science |
7 |
Art |
2 |
Drama |
2 |
DT |
4 |
French |
4 |
Geography |
4 |
History |
4 |
ICT |
2 |
Music |
2 |
PE |
4 |
RE |
2 |
Spanish |
4 |
Homework
Homework is considered to be important at Helenswood in that it consolidates, extends and complements work carried out in lessons and encourages independent study. In year 8, students should spend 30 minutes on each subject.
Assessment and Reporting
All subjects assess students on a regular basis. The assessment could be in the form of a test, a ‘levelled’ piece of homework or a particular task in class. The frequency of testing depends, to some extent, on how often your daughter has a particular subject.
Parents and Carers will receive, via their daughter, two Traffic Light reports during terms 2 and 4 and one, more detailed, Full Report during term 6. The Year 8 Parent/Teacher consultation evening is on Thursday 29th April 2010.
Who to Contact with Concerns
Contact can be made with a member of staff via a note in the relevant section of the planner, by letter, a phone call or an appointment can be made by phoning reception.
If the concern is particular to a lesson, the subject teacher should be contacted. Other concerns should be directed to your daughter’s Form Tutor who will consult other members of staff as necessary.
If you are not sure who to talk to, the office staff will direct your message to the relevant person.
Curriculum Overview – YR 9
Subject |
Number of Lessons |
English |
7 |
Maths |
8 |
Science |
8 |
Art |
2 |
Drama |
2 |
DT |
4 |
French |
3 |
Geography |
3 |
History |
3 |
ICT |
2 |
Music |
2 |
PE |
4 |
RE |
2 |
Spanish |
4 |
Homework
Homework is considered to be important at Helenswood in that it consolidates, extends and complements work carried out in lessons and encourages independent study. In year 9, students should spend 30-40 minutes on each subject.
Assessment and Reporting
All subjects assess students on a regular basis. The assessment could be in the form of a test, a ‘levelled’ piece of homework or a particular task in class. The frequency of testing depends, to some extent, on how often your daughter has a particular subject.
Parents and Carers will receive, via their daughter, two Traffic Light reports during terms 2 and 4 and one, more detailed, Full Report during term 6. The Year 9 Parent/Teacher consultation evening is on Wednesday 4th November 2009.
Who to Contact with Concerns
Contact can be made with a member of staff via a note in the relevant section of the planner, by letter, a phone call or an appointment can be made by phoning reception.
If the concern is particular to a lesson, the subject teacher should be contacted. Other concerns should be directed to your daughter’s Form Tutor who will consult other members of staff as necessary.
If you are not sure who to talk to, the office staff will direct your message to the relevant person.
Curriculum Overview – YR 10 & 11
Click here for the Year 10 Curriculum Handbook
Subject |
Number of Lessons |
|
Core: English |
9 |
|
Maths |
7 |
|
Science |
11 |
|
RE |
6 |
|
PE |
3 |
|
Options: Art |
Graphics | 6 |
Bus St |
Health and Social |
|
Child Dev |
IT |
|
Crit Think |
Res Mat |
|
Dance |
Music |
|
Drama |
Skill Power* |
|
French |
Spanish |
|
Food |
Textiles |
|
Geog |
XP PE |
|
The Bridging the Gap group follow a personalised curriculum which involves Work Experience, English, Maths and PE. They choose one option and also follow an employability skills course
Homework
Homework is an integral part of the Helenswood Curriculum. We believe that when properly organised Homework can play a vital part in achieving high standards. It will give the students an opportunity to become independent learners as well as allowing parents to be actively involved in their children’s education
Homework is used to
- Consolidate areas of learning undertaken in the lesson
- Allow further research/extension work into relevant areas
- Continue vital course work
- Finish class work
- Revision, when appropriate
Homework should take between 30 – 45mins unless stated differently by subject teacher.
Click here for the Year 10 Homework Timetable
Click here for the Year 11 Homework Timetable
Assessment and Reporting
Assessment will occur every term in subject areas. The students also have an assessment period at the end of year 10 conducted under formal exam conditions. This is then followed up with a formal Mock assessment period in December of Year 11. Year 10 parent/teacher consultation evening is on Wednesday 24th February 2010 and Year 11 parent/carer consultation evenings are on Thursday 21st January 2010 and Wednesday 27th January 2010.
Reporting of Student Progress comes in a variety of formats.
- Grade reports are sent out every two terms( short terms)
- Full reports are annual
- Year 10 assessment period is followed by an information letter outline the results
- Mock exams are followed up with an information sheet to parents
- Parent consultation evenings are annual
- Surgeries are held fortnightly. This is an informal opportunity for parents/carers and form tutors to discuss any issues related to academic or pastoral care
- There is constant two way contact between subject staff and parents as and when appropriate.
Who to Contact with Concerns
First point ff call will be the tutor. He/she will deal with any general concerns and then decide where to go next.
Subject HOD will deal with any subject based issues including curriculum, work issues and discipline issues that are subject based.
Head of Year/DOS will be involved where the issues are many and may be diverse.
Parents can contact staff using the planners and to book surgery appointments
Curriculum Overview – YR 12
SUBJECT |
Number of lessons (50 m) per fortnight |
Number of lessons (60 m) per fortnight |
|
if at Helenswood |
if at WPSC |
Level 3 courses: |
|
|
Applied Business |
|
9 |
Applied Science |
11 |
|
Art |
11 |
9 |
Biology |
11 |
9 |
Business Studies |
11 |
|
Chemistry |
11 |
9 |
Children's Care BTEC National |
11 |
|
Dance |
11 |
|
Drama |
11 |
9 |
DT Product Design |
|
9 |
DT Systems & Control |
|
9 |
Economics |
|
9 |
English Language &Literature |
|
9 |
English Literature |
11 |
9 |
French |
11 |
|
Geography |
11 |
9 |
Graphics |
|
9 |
Health & Social Care BTEC National |
11 |
|
History |
11 |
9 |
Applied ICT |
11 |
9 |
Mathematics |
11 |
9 |
Media Studies |
|
9 |
Music |
11 |
|
PE |
|
9 |
Philosophy |
|
9 |
Physics |
11 |
|
Politics |
|
9 |
Psychology |
11 |
|
Religious Studies |
11 |
|
Sociology |
|
9 |
Spanish |
11 |
|
Sport BTEC National |
|
9 |
Textiles |
11 |
|
Level 2 courses: |
|
|
Art & Design |
|
18 |
Children’s Care |
26 |
|
ICT |
24 |
|
Sport |
|
15 |
GCSE English (re-sit) |
4 |
4 |
GCSE Mathematics (re-sit) |
4 |
4 |
Independent Study at 16+
Year 12
Each sixth form student has some individual learning and study time on their timetable, when they are not in formal lessons. Students are expected to use this time alongside independent work in the evenings and at weekends, to complete assignments and broaden their knowledge through research and reading.
In Year 12, students on Level 3 AS or BTEC National courses are encouraged to undertake wider reading for their studies and in preparation for their essays and assignments than has previously been the case at GCSE. In preparation for Higher Education or employment, students should move away from dependence on just teacher provided resources or text books, in order to develop independent learning skills. Students are encouraged to review their notes from classes regularly and often, to encourage recall. Assignments at advanced level typically take the form of revision, reading and research, note-taking, essays and presentations. It is recommended that students spend around 5 hours per week on each A Level or BTEC National subject.
Students following Level 2 courses should expect to spend at least 10 hours per week continuing reading and research and writing up of portfolios, or developing practical skills.
Assessment and Reporting
The methods and frequency of assessments vary across the different subjects and type of course.
For Level 2 BTEC Firsts (Sport, ICT and Children’s Care) and the OCR National (Art & Design) there are no exams. Students will complete assignments set by course tutors, based on learning outcomes set by the accrediting body. They are given to students through the year and each has a deadline.
For Level 3 BTEC National qualifications, assessment is an on-going process, throughout the course and is by means of work-based case-study assignments, which build into a portfolio of evidence. As a qualification equivalent to A Level, the BTEC National Award has 6 units, to be completed over 2 years.
For A Level qualifications, on-course assessment takes the form of researched essays, timed essays in class, revision of notes or vocabulary, structured exam practice questions, short recall tests, individual coursework portfolios and practical assignments.
An A Level qualification consists of advanced subsidiary (AS) and A2 units.
The AS is a stand-alone qualification and is worth half a full A level qualification. It normally consists of two units that contribute 50 per cent of the full A level. The AS covers the less demanding material in an A level course.
The A2 is the second half of a full A level qualification. It normally consists of two units that together are worth 50 per cent of the full A level qualification. Most units are assessed by examination but some are assessed by internal assessment. The A2 covers the more demanding material. In the A2, students: study topics in more depth, extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject by studying new topics and combine knowledge, skills and understanding from across the A level course through synoptic assessment.
AS and A2 Modular exams are taken in January or June.
Parents and students receive regular reports of progress
Year 12:
September: Target Grades are set, based on GCSE outcomes
October: Induction Review
November: Student Review Evening
December: Progress Review & Report
February: Student Review Evening
March: Progress Review & Report
June-July: Progression (into Year 13) Review
July: Full Report
August: A Level, BTEC and GCSE results
Contact details:
Deputy Head in charge of The Federal Sixth
Yvonne Jenkins
Email: yjenkings@helenswood.e-sussex.sch.uk
Director of Standards 16+ (Helenswood)
Wendy Grayburn
Email: wgrayburn@helenswood.e-sussex.sch.uk
Director of Standards 16+ (William Parker)
Warren Davies
Email: warren.davies@williamparker.e-sussex.sch.uk
Personal Tutors on the Helenswood site - Year 12
Helen Stainfield (12HST)
James Cody (12JCO)
Kate Rogers (12KRO)
Linda Roller (12LRO)
Sara Kendall (12SKE)
Personal Tutors on the William Parker site - Year 12
Gary Morris (12MG)
Russ Cummings (12RC)
Sean O’Malley (12SO)
Sue Warren (12SW)
Senior Sixth Form Tutor- Helenswood
Rod Cooper has special responsibility for Helenswood university applications
Senior Sixth Form Tutor – William Parker
Carol Day
Other sources of support for students
Student Advisor
Hilary Armfield is available on both sites each day for support with a whole range of issues – study support, essay writing, University queries, finance issues, personal worries
Email: hilary_exc@yahoo.co.uk
Sixth Form Literacy Co-ordinator and support for Oxbridge and Russell Group university applicants
Gillian Hetherington
Email: gillian.hetherington@williamparker.e-sussex.sch.uk
Sixth Form Teaching Assistant (Helenswood)
Maggie Cawthraw
Email: mcawthraw@helenswood.e-sussex.sch.uk
Sixth Form Administrative Assistants – for all assistance regarding attendance /EMA/ admin.
Carole Jackson (Helenswood)
Email: cjackson@helenswood.e-sussex.sch.uk
Cherie Smith (William Parker)
Email: cherie.smith@williamparker.e-sussex.sch.uk
Connexions Careers Advisor (Helenswood)
Maz Saunders
Email: Marion.Saunders@vtplc.com
Connexions Careers Advisor (William Parker)
Jane Saunders
Email: Jane.Saunders@vtplc.com
Curriculum Overview – YR 13
SUBJECT |
Number of lessons |
Number of lessons |
|
(50 m) if taught at Helenswood |
(60 m) if taught at WPSC |
Applied Business |
|
10 |
Applied Science |
12 |
|
Art |
12 |
10 |
Biology |
12 |
10 |
Business Studies |
12 |
|
Chemistry |
12 |
10 |
Dance |
12 |
|
Drama |
12 |
10 |
DT Product Design |
|
10 |
DT Systems & Control |
|
10 |
Economics |
|
10 |
English Language &Literature |
|
10 |
English Literature |
12 |
10 |
French |
|
10 |
Geography |
12 |
10 |
Graphics |
|
10 |
Health & Social Care |
12 |
|
History |
12 |
10 |
Applied ICT |
12 |
10 |
Mathematics |
12 |
10 |
Media Studies |
|
10 |
PE |
|
10 |
Philosophy |
|
10 |
Physics |
|
10 |
Politics |
|
10 |
Psychology |
12 |
|
Religious Studies |
12 |
|
Sociology |
|
10 |
Spanish |
|
10 |
Sport BTEC |
|
10 |
Textiles |
12 |
|
Independent Study at 16+
Year 13
Each sixth form student has some individual learning and study time on their timetable, when they are not in formal lessons. Students are expected to use this time alongside independent work in the evenings and at weekends, to complete assignments and broaden their knowledge through research and wide reading. Assignments at advanced level typically take the form of revision, reading and research, note-taking, essays and presentations. It is recommended that students spend around 5 hours per week on each A Level or BTEC National subject.
Students are encouraged to go beyond the course specifications, to undertake wider reading for their studies and in preparation for their essays and assignments. Course tutors will advise on appropriate sources. In preparation for Higher Education or employment, students should move away from any dependence on just teacher-provided resources or text books, in order to develop independent learning skills. Students should review their notes from classes regularly and often, to encourage recall.
Assessment and Reporting
The methods and frequency of assessments vary across the different subjects and type of course.
On-course assessment takes the form of researched essays, timed essays in class, revision of notes or vocabulary, structured exam practice questions, short recall tests, individual coursework portfolios and practical assignments.
For BTEC National qualifications, assessment is an on-going process, throughout the course and is by means of work-based case-study assignments, which build into a portfolio of evidence. As a qualification equivalent to A Level, the BTEC National Award has 6 units, to be completed over 2 years.
An A Level qualification consists of advanced subsidiary (AS) and A2 units.
The AS is a stand-alone qualification and is worth half a full A level qualification. It normally consists of two units that contribute 50 per cent of the full A level. The AS covers the less demanding material in an A level course.
The A2 is the second half of a full A level qualification. It normally consists of two units that together are worth 50 per cent of the full A level qualification. Most units are assessed by examination but some are assessed by internal assessment. The A2 covers the more demanding material. In the A2, students: study topics in more depth, extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject by studying new topics and combine knowledge, skills and understanding from across the A level course through synoptic assessment.
Before September 2008, A levels normally comprised three AS units and three A2 units and this is the assessment pattern for Year 13 students during the academic year 2008-09.
AS and A2 Modular exams are taken in January or June.
Parents and students receive regular reports on progress
Year 13:
June-July of Year 12: Progression Review
September: Target Grades reviewed for A Level and BTEC National
October: Transition to Year 13 Review
November: Student Review Evening
December: Progress Review
March: Full Reports
August: A Level and BTEC National results
Contact details:
Deputy Head in charge of The Federal Sixth
Yvonne Jenkins
Email: yjenkins@helenswood.e-sussex.sch.uk
Director of Standards 16+ (Helenswood)
Wendy Grayburn
Email: wgrayburn@helenswood.e-sussex.sch.uk
Director of Standards 16+ (William Parker)
Warren Davies
Email: warren.davies@williamparker.e-sussex.sch.uk
Personal Tutors on the Helenswood site - Year 13
Tony Seymour (13ASE)
Carly Scott (13CSC)
Hannah Betts (13HBE)
Ian McCrae (13IMC)
Isobel Reilly (13IRE)
Personal Tutors on the William Parker Site – Year 13
Ade Olorunda (13AO)
Debbie Chambers (13DC)
Elena Gallego (13EG)
Heather Leech (13HL)
Sally Marchant (13SM)
Other sources of support for students
Sixth Form Literacy Co-ordinator
Gillian Hetherington also supports Oxbridge and Russell Group university applicants
Email: gillian.hetherington@williamparker.e-sussex.sch.uk
Student Advisor
Hilary Armfield is available on both sites each day for support with a whole range of issues – study support, essay writing, University queries, finance issues, personal worries
Email: hilary_exc@yahoo.co.uk
Sixth Form Teaching Assistant on the Helenswood site
Maggie Cawthraw
Email: mcawthraw@helenswood.e-sussex.sch.uk
Sixth Form Administrative Assistants – for all assistance regarding attendance /EMA/ admin.
Carole Jackson (Helenswood)
Email: cjackson@helenswood.e-sussex.sch.uk
Cherie Smith (William Parker)
Email: cherie.smith@williamparker.e-sussex.sch.uk
Connexions Careers Advisor (Helenswood)
Maz Saunders
Email: Marion.Saunders@vtplc.com
Connexions Careers Advisor (William Parker)
Jane Saunders
