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Curriculum Statement

Curriculum Statement

Values

Holte School is dedicated to creating a community that is characterised by strong and positive relationships. We aim to provide an outstanding education, with a curriculum that is broad, balanced, inspiring and inclusive for all pupils; giving them an incisive advantage throughout their lives, both in the workplace and in the wider community.

Our core values of ‘Collaboration, Aspiration, Respect, Equality and Responsibility’ enable pupils to be ‘dedicated to learning as the foundation for life’. These values are reflected in all elements of our curriculum and embedded in the rationale for curriculum choices offered at all Key Stages.

Pupils are prepared for adult life by:

  • being enabled to play an active role in their school and community;
  • having the foundations for culturally rich and diverse lives;
  • modelling, developing and sustaining a range of enriching relationships;
  • being empowered to think about issues and understand a range of varied opinions.

 

Well-being

At Holte School, pupils learn in a safe, supportive environment where they develop the confidence, self-esteem and teamwork skills to be effective learners and become active, purposeful and responsible citizens of the future. Pupils are equipped for their futures in a rapidly changing world, recognising the importance of communication for dialogue and understanding. We value, celebrate and build on pupils’ religious and cultural heritage and encourage mutual respect for those with different faiths and beliefs.

All pupils are given the opportunity to learn the benefits of physically and emotionally healthy lifestyles, by participating in high quality Personal, Social and Health Education, including sex and relationships education, through a discrete PSHE programme. These discrete sessions are supported and complemented by a wealth of enrichment activities and the school’s comprehensive system of pastoral support. PSHE is one way in which we support the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of pupils and promote fundamental British values.

We follow the school’s Safeguarding Policy in full at all times (please see ‘Safeguarding Policy’).

 

Knowledge and Skills

The curriculum promotes learning through enquiry-led approaches that develop the skills, knowledge and understanding required to succeed in both academic requirements and life in a modern, globalised world.

At Holte School, we consider literacy and mathematics to be life skills. Literacy is a proficiency that is developed not just in English, but across the whole curriculum. It involves learners having the confidence to read, write, speak and listen competently and clearly. As pupils progress through school and engage with subject areas more deeply, concepts become more challenging. Pupils learn writing and reading strategies within each subject area; through Disciplinary literacy they learn to use evidence and reasoning pertinent to each subject area to comprehend, represent, and further develop knowledge.

Similarly, mathematical skills are also developed across the whole curriculum. This involves learners having the confidence and competence to use numbers and measures effectively. It requires an understanding of the number system, recalling mathematical techniques, and an ability to solve problems in a variety of contexts. A practical understanding of graphs, charts, tables and diagrams is an important aspect of numeracy. The embedding of these skills further supports pupils with their critical thinking across all subjects.

 

Assessment

Assessment is a key component of curriculum, teaching and learning as well as playing a vital role in embedding metacognition and pupil independence. Various assessment methods are used at Holte School to identify an individual pupil’s strengths and areas for development; to assist in identifying the need for intervention; and to help track progress over time. In addition, assessment helps provide information for parents, pupils and teachers on the standards that a pupil has met. Assessment is part of an over-arching strategy which systematically collects data to decode and record pupil progress. All departments have an assessment scheme tailored to the requirements of their subject, which reflects and supports whole school assessment expectations.

 

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

At Key Stage 3, all pupils follow the National Curriculum by studying English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Geography, History, ICT, Languages (French and Spanish), Performing Arts (Music and Drama), Physical Education, Religious Education and Technology. The Key Stage 3 curriculum develops a strong foundation for these subject areas, strengthening skills and building knowledge required for further study, whilst striving to develop a passion and enthusiasm for learning.

 

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Our Pathways process is based on the interests, abilities and aptitude of pupils and they are supported at an individual level to help them choose the subjects that are right for them. We offer a range of GCSE and Vocational qualifications. All pupils study English, mathematics and science and the majority of pupils pursue the Ebacc suite of subjects. In addition, all pupils take part in timetabled physical education and a programme of religious education.

 

Key Stage 5 Curriculum

Pupils are offered a varied diet of academic A Levels and Vocational qualifications that cater for Level 3 needs, challenging and spurring pupils to compete for places at a range of different Universities or on Apprenticeships. Courses are available in a wide range of subjects and guidance is given in helping pupils to choose the subjects that are right for them and their future plans.

More information about the subject content delivered at all Key Stages and a full list of Key Stage 4 and 5 courses, can be found in the Curriculum section of the school’s website.

 

Careers Education

Pupils access impartial careers information and advice that inspires and motivates them to fulfil their potential. Careers information is available through subjects and across school, tailored to the age of the pupils. In addition, the PSHE and Citizenship programmes- and access to the wealth of resources on Unifrog- offer a valuable insight into the wide-ranging options available to pupils after school, allowing them to develop personalised career goals.

Holte School has a statutory duty to adhere to the Careers Strategy and the Statutory Guidance updated in January 2023 and is working towards achieving the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.

More information on careers can be found on the website under the ‘Careers’ tab

 

Diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging in the Curriculum

Diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging (DEIB) in our curriculum allows our pupils to explore complex issues and debates in a secure and supportive environment, receive information that is factually correct and develop their critical thinking skills. Where appropriate, and relevant our schemes of work will explore the nine protected characteristics, as named in the Equality Act 2010.  Pupils are given the opportunity to develop their understanding through a range of resources and discussion, leading to self-development and community cohesion.

Our DEIB statement and further information can be found on the website under DEIB and Inclusion

 

Sustainability across the Curriculum

‘Sustainable development’ means that as a society we have to live within the means of our natural resources, respect our environment, act on climate change, and work collectively towards an improved quality of life for our communities. At Holte School we consider sustainability to be important on four fronts;

  1. Caring for people, places and the environment.
  2. Educating pupils to understand the impact they can have on the world around us.
  3. Working with the community to ensure a better future for all.
  4. Broadening pupils’ knowledge and skills for their future needs.

Sustainability is addressed both through the curriculum and via a wide range of non-curriculum tasks. Many subjects have elements of sustainability within their schemes of work and alongside that pupils take part in assemblies, SMSC activities, Charity events, Unicef CRC and Peace-education opportunities. This approach to sustainability has led to us being awarded Birmingham Sustainable School Status, the Eco-Schools Silver Award, the Costa Green Awareness Award and the RHS Level 2 Gardening Award.

 

Curriculum Enrichment

The curriculum is enhanced and enriched in a variety of ways, offering support and challenge via a range of subject-linked opportunities and extra-curricular activities. Many educational visits take place throughout the year and visitors bring expert knowledge through projects, workshops and performances. There are a number of clubs and groups that pupils can choose to engage with in order to gain additional experiences and opportunities in wider curriculum areas.

More information can be found on the website under the ‘Curriculum Enrichment’ tab and within the various subject specific website pages.

 

For further details on any curriculum issues, please contact the Deputy Headteacher- Curriculum.