CURRICULUM Lower School Curriculum Students in the Lower School follow the National Curriculum and have the opportunity to extend their studies in certain areas. The curriculum is balanced, and access to the whole curriculum is for all. The Year system allows each student's academic progress to be monitored both by their tutor and the Year Curriculum Co-ordinator. During Years 7, 8 and 9, students study: English, Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology, a Modern Foreign Language, the Humanities (History, Geography and Religious Education), Physical and Arts Education (Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Physical Education and Swimming) and Information and Communication Technology. In Year 7 some students are withdrawn from lessons to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. From Year 8 an extended curriculum, including a second Language and Latin, is available for students who express an interest and show aptitude. All students also follow a course in Personal, Social and Health Education with Citizenship in the curriculum. The Tutor groups are reorganised for the Upper School.

Upper School Curriculum

In the Upper School our students study English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Science (Double or Triple) to GCSE level. We recommend students to follow a broad and balanced curriculum until the end of Year 11 so that no career paths are closed off and every student has the opportunity to gain the best possible examination results. Students are therefore advised to add to the subjects above one subject from each of the following curriculum areas: Humanities (History, Geography, Religious Education, Sociology), Design and Technology (Textiles, Graphics, Resistant Materials), Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish, Urdu) and Physical and Arts Education (Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Physical Education), Information and Communication Technology and Media Studies.

Students' choices are considered in the light of their motivation, past performance, attendance and aptitude. Group numbers and resources may also affect choices. It is school policy to enter students for public examinations when they are ready for them. Consequently some students may take public examinations in some subjects before the end of Year 11.

In addition to examination subjects, all students have classes in Physical Education, Religious Education, Information and Communication Technology. All students follow a course which includes Personal, Social and Health Education, Citizenship and other National Curriculum themes.

There is an effective Study Support Programme using the Students' Organiser, planners, study skills, mentoring and individual target-setting and review interviews. Students complete their Progress File and are offered Careers education and guidance, including work experience, career interviews and information about our Sixth Form and about Further and Higher Education. In Year 11 all students are interviewed by a member of the Senior Management Team about their future plans.

See Curriculum Plan

The school is committed to recognising and addressing the learning needs of students with Special Educational and Additional Needs, whether of a permanent or temporary nature, and provides for those needs in different ways. This includes in-class support, individual programmes and small group workshops, concerning reading, writing, spelling, communication and understanding. Students are also supported to help them improve attendance, organisation and social skills. Students with Special Educational and Additional Needs are fully integrated into the educational and social life of the school and are the shared responsibility of all staff.

Sex Education

Sex education is carried out principally within the Health Education units of the tutorial period and is dealt with across the Years according to the needs and maturity of students at different ages. It is taught within the context of family life. Parents have a right to withdraw their daughter from these classes. However, so far, no parent has felt the need to exercise this right.

Healthy School

Burntwood has applied for Healthy School Status which means that certain standards in the areas of PHSE + Citizenship, pupil safety and well-being, physical activity and healthy eating need to be met.

Burntwood School in conjunction with our school catering contractor provides as a minimum level of service a choice of a hot two-course meal or other healthy options to all students, and also to meet the needs of students requiring vegetarian meals and special diets dictated by ethinic, cultural and religious beliefs. We offer a service that will consistently provide a high culinary standard, using good quality ingredients and maintaining an excellent level of presentation in our specially designed refectory. The School ensures that menus meet Government nutrional standards for school lunches. The nutritional standards for school meals set by the Govenment are available on the www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk website. These include guidelines for packed lunches which should not contain any food considered to be unhealthy, such as fizzy drinks and chocolate bars.

Work Related Learning

Burntwood follows a structured programme of Work Related Learning through-­out the school from Years 7 to 13. Key skills such as decision making and self-evaluation are encouraged to ensure that the student is fully equipped to make appropriate choices regarding her future. Practical experience of the world of work is undertaken in Year 10, in a two week out-of-school placement. Specialist Careers Guidance is offered by a professional Careers Adviser. Each Year 11 student is given the opportunity of an in-school appointment with the Careers Adviser, and other Years may make individual appointments through the school Careers Coordinator. There is a well stocked Careers section in the school library, which offers a variety of sources such as university prospectuses, job directories, CD-Roms and Internet links to assist students. Work Related Learning is taught across the curriculum at Key Stage 4 through a variety of activities in all subjects. Key Stage 4 students also get the chance to participate in two whole day enterprise activities.

Homework

Homework is an essential part of life at Burntwood. A booklet Homework at Burntwood School, A Guide for Parents and Students sets out Burntwood's policy. Homework gives parents an opportunity to see what their daughters are doing in school, helps students acquire learning skills needed for self organisation, encourages independent learning and helps foster a sense of responsibility. Differentiated homework is set where appropriate so that the more able student can be stretched and the less able can be supported and encouraged. All students receive homework and, as a rough guide, the amount of time involved ranges from one hour per night in Year 7 to three hours per night in Year 11. Students are given a homework timetable and they are also given a homework diary to help them with organisation.

CLUSTERS	SUBJECTS
Design & Technology	Art
English & Media	Citizenship
Humanities	Dance
Business Studies & Information Communication Technology	Design & Technology
Languages	Drama
Learning Support	English
Mathematics	French
Physical & Arts Education	Geography
Science	History
	ICT (Information Communication Technology)
	Mathematics
	Media Studies
	Music
	Physical Education
	Religious Education
	Science
	Sociology
	Spanish
	Urdu
	EXTENDED CURRICULUM
	Junior Sports Leaders Award
	Latin