Carmel Curriculum Intent

“A mission in education as a work of love.” Christ at the Centre
Mgr Marcus StockWe fully support and uphold the curriculum vision outlined in Christ at the centre.
This requires that social conditions allow all people to reach their full human potential and realise their human dignity. This means that Carmel College therefore: “Provides a broad and balanced education which will help children and young people grow to their full human potential, and pay regard to the formation of the whole person, so that all may attain their eternal destiny and at the same time promote the common good of society.

Children and young persons are therefore to be cared for in such a way that their physical, moral and intellectual talents may develop in a harmonious manner, so that they may attain a greater sense of responsibility and a right use of freedom, and be formed to take an active part in social life”. To achieve this aim we explicitly develop in our young people the personal virtues of confidence and resilience, academic virtues of self- regulation and ambition and social virtues of compassion and justice across all aspects of our curriculum. “If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Isaac Newton

Curriculum Design and Implementation

The curriculum at Carmel is the sum of all the students' experience. This encompasses all of the activities which take place in College, including the formal programme of educational provision, the informal programme of extra- curricular activities and those aspects of organisation and interpersonal relationships, which contribute to the development of the College ethos.

This model demonstrates the interconnectedness of the moral, emotional and affective aspects of learning at Carmel. Centred by our faith and mission, we aim to prepare pupils for fulfilling futures, with a great foundation of knowledge, learning habits, virtues and community actions. In doing so, pupils will have the personal resources to “live life to the full”.

 

Academic Curriculum

Our broad and balanced curriculum is led by curriculum leaders who ensure -

• the best subject knowledge content is selected, paced and sequenced to match the development of our learners

• learning experiences are designed to motivate, challenge and engage learners, making the curriculum meaningful for all

• there is legitimate progression for our learners from one week, month, year and key stage to the next

Structure of Curriculum

We have designed a three year Key Stage 3 in which all pupils have the opportunity to gain a broad knowledge in both the academic and culturally enriching subjects. This provides a strong foundation of substantive and disciplinary knowledge that are both distinctive to Key Stage 3 and also necessary for successful progression to Key Stage 4.

Please find our KS3  Curriculum Routes Map

At Key Stage 4, we continue to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to experience success by noticing and nurturing their talents. Students are guided to make the best choices by subject teachers, form tutors, our careers advisor, unifrog and parental support.

As outlined in our curriculum model above, we believe that all students should have equal access to the curriculum. The structure of our Key Stage 4 options provides the opportunity for most students to achieve the English Baccalaureate (EBacc): a GCSE grade 5 or higher in one English, mathematics, two sciences, one humanities subject (geography or history) and a modern foreign language. It is also important that students have some freedom to choose subjects they have an aptitude for and enjoy.

Our Key Stage 5 programme of study is wide-ranging and includes traditional A’ Levels alongside vocational courses. We are able to offer over 30 courses at post -16. Sixth form students are supported through their option choices to ensure they follow an appropriate, personal programme of study to maximise their potential for success at the end of the two years. Students typically study three level 3 courses and combine this with the Extended Project, however there is the option to achieve four. Our students progress to the top universities as well as directly into apprenticeships or employment.

Additional information regarding our curriculum can be found in the prospectus.

Range of subjects across each key stage

KS3 Subjects	KS4 Subjects	KS5 Subjects
KS3 Subjects	KS4 Subjects	KS5 Subjects
RE	RE	AS/A LEVEL COURSES
English	English	Art
Maths	Maths	Biology
Science	Science	Business
Art	Modern Foreign Languages	Chemistry
Computing	Geography	Computer Science
Geography	History	Design and Technology/Product Design
History	Computing	English Language
Modern Foreign Languages	Art and Design	English Literature
Music	Business	Geography
Physical Education	Children’s Play, Learning & Development	History
CAD	Computer Science	Law
Electronics	Creative Digital Media	Mathematics
Food	Health & Social Care	Mathematics (Further)
Resistant Materials	I.C.T	Media Studies
Textiles	Music	Modern Foreign Languages - Spanish & French
PHSE	Performing Arts	Music
Extra Literacy	Physical Education	Religious Studies
	Princes Trust	Photography
	Sports Leadership	Physical Education
	Resistant Materials	Physics
	Craft	Psychology
	Food Preparation and Nutrition	Sociology
	Textiles	Textiles
	PSHE	BTEC & LEVEL 3 COURSES
		Children’s Play, Learning and Development
		Health and Social Care
		Applied Human Biology
		Mathematical Studies
		Performing Arts
		Public Services
		Sports Leadership
		CAMBRIDGE TECHNICALS LEVEL 3 COURSES
		Information Technology (IT)
		EPQ
		Core Enrichment
		Sport and Physical Activity

Personal & Social Curriculum

Students at Carmel have one, fifty minute lesson each week of PSHE.

Our aim is that this lesson intrinsically links the pieces of Personal, Social and Health Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development into a clear programme of study. Our overarching intent for PSHE education is to provide students with accurate and relevant knowledge. Opportunities to turn that knowledge into personal understanding. The skills and strategies they need in order to live healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible and balanced lives.

Our PSHE topics include health, RSE, on-line safety, careers, finance and risk. These topics are introduced to students through Big Questions using the Jigsaw programme, with Carmel’s virtues interleaved throughout. Jigsaw is a spiral, progressive and effective scheme of work, designed as a whole-college approach, with year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time.

Students cover six themes throughout the year, which are then revisited in the subsequent years in an age appropriate context. This progressive nature aims to prepare students for life, helping them really know and value who they truly are and understand how they relate to other people in this ever changing world.

The Jigsaw Programme is underpinned by a mindfulness philosophy which helps to support our young people’s mental health and learning.

Click here for enrichment curriculum

Overview of Key stage 4 Curriculum

Subject	Time Allocation
Subject	Time Allocation
Maths	4
English	4
RE	2.5
French	2
Science	5.5
These subjects are offered as an option with the number of groups depending on demand. Separate Science, History, Geography French, Spanish, Food, Resistant Materials, Electronics, Textiles, Music, Art, PE Child Development, Creative Media, Business Computing, IT, CoPE, Performing Arts*	All option blocks have two hours a week Subjects are divided into four option blocks

The PSHEE curriculum is divided into themes which are covered in roughly six-week blocks.

The themes are: Resilience (includes Mindfulness and Character education), Social Enterprise (includes Global Learning),  Risk (includes drugs, alcohol, e-safety), RSE (Relationship and Sex Education), Financial Capability and CEIAG (Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance).

Overview of Key stage 5 Curriculum

Subject	Time Allocation
Subject	Time Allocation
These subjects are offered at AS/A2 Art, Art textiles, Art Photography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, English Literature, History, Geography, PE, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, French, Spanish, Business, Computing, Product Design, Electronics, Media, Philosophy & Ethics, Sociology, Psychology, BTEC Early Years, BTEC Health & Social Care, BTEC Public Services, Music, Performing Arts, Core Maths, EPQ	Each of the five option blocks have five hours of curriculum time

Throughout KS5 PSHEE we try to prepare our students to manage their lives now as well as prepare them for their future. Topics include : public speaking, time management, tax, democracy, alcohol and drug awareness, mental health, career pathways, CV writing, SRE, stress management, presentation skills and safe driving.

In addition students complete a core enrichment programme to complement their post-16 curriculum. This consists of modules which include the following themes: Freedom; Crime and Punishment; Philosophy and the Arts; Science and Religion; Spirituality; Media; Politics, Economics and Ethics.

KS3 Curriculum Routes

College Prospectus

VI Form Prospectus

Options Brochure