Secondary Curriculum

The Department for Education (DfE) requires schools to “actively promote the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

At Cromwell we place a great deal of importance on these values which are reinforced in the following ways across the curriculum and in the everyday life of the College. Our ethos is one which values pupils as individuals and encourages them to play a full role in the life of the

College as set out in our Curriculum Policy. Both staff and pupils are very proud of their achievements and of their school. 

Pupils in all year groups complete registration sessions with their Form Tutor called Young British Citizen, exploring and discussing themes such as Living together in the UK, Democracy at work in the UK, Law and Justice and Power and influence. These sessions are the last week of each half term called ‘The world around us’ week.

Democracy

Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Student Voice initiative. We have Year Councils and a School Council run by Post 16 students and a Head of Year. The Councils meet half termly and pupils have the opportunity to discuss school issues that are important to them. Pupils are elected to the Councils following a democratic process including campaigning and a ballot. The Post 16 committee is active in organising events in College and also charity fundraising for those less fortunate than themselves. In Post 16 a debating group has been established.

Student Voice features as part of our monitoring of teaching and learning. Pupils’ opinions about the quality of their lessons, feedback from teachers and homework are regularly sought and shared with staff.

The concept of democracy features in History lessons and often in the morning registration slot during the weekly quiz looking at news stories from the week. This slot which furthers their understanding and knowledge of public institutions and services in the UK and provides the opportunity to debate the opposing views on a topic showing respect for others’ ideas.

In addition, pupils at Cromwell are involved in working with the Chatteris Town Planning steering Committee and we have some representatives on the Fenland Youth District Council.

Post 16 students have the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament and spends time in various workshops, considering proportional representation and first past the post. All Post 16 pupils completed the online prevent training.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws and expectations of behaviour whether they be those that govern the classroom, the College or the country, are consistently reinforced at all times throughout the school day. Pupils know that there will be consequences for poor behaviour and disregard of the expectations, and likewise that there will be rewards for good behaviour. Our Go4school system enables us to monitor this and we pride ourselves on the way our pupils uphold these values. In addition, if a pupil has been sent to the Pupil Support Unit (PSU), the reintegration procedures between staff and pupils provide the opportunity to discuss what went wrong and how to put it right and prevent it from happening in the future. Pupils are actively encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour. This is further supported by our restorative justice programme run by the Inclusion Team.

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws and the responsibilities that this involves, as well as the consequences when laws are broken. There is coverage of aspects of young people and the law in our PSCHE programme, which also includes visits from the police and the fire service to reinforce some of the messages. Pupils are also informed about drugs and the law, as well as the law and young people at work.  We have a positive and pro-active relationship with the local police force.

Sessions run by the police inform Post 16 students about safe driving and the rules which surround this. This includes a session on county lines.  Furthermore some of the routines in place for Post 16 students have been developed with their input and they are all aware of the need to respect these ‘rules’ for their own safety and the safety of others.

Individual Liberty

Within College, pupils are actively encouraged to make good choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make choices safely. Across all of the age ranges, pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, through our PSCHE programme (which includes E-Safety) and through the morning registration activities with their Form Tutors. Our themed assembly programme reinforces this value.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect between all members of our school community is a key value for Cromwell. Our Teaching and Learning Policy reinforces everyone’s right to learn and everyone’s right to teach. The Year 7 Anti-Bullying event is a prime example of pupils learning to respect others.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies, PSCHE and Religious Education (a core subject in Key Stages 3 and 4) provide the main focus for discussion of these issues. In addition other cultures are valued across the curriculum in subjects such as English, Drama, Music, Food Technology and Geography. Pupils are encouraged to celebrate and respect the differences.

Other aspects of Social Moral Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)

Pupils know what they can do to actively contribute to the lives of those living in the local community and to society in general. We are proud of what our pupils do to raise money for those less fortunate than themselves. Examples include activities for Comic Relief, Children in Need and supporting the local food bank at Christmas, in association with our Business Class partners advisors at Stainless Metalcraft.

Our Remembrance Service is extremely well respected by the local community. In the week prior to 11 November, each Year group has a special assembly to raise awareness of the fact that we have our liberty because of the acts of those that came before us. Post 16 students have helped to raise money for Help for Heroes as part of this event and also participate in the ceremony.

Our extensive range of enrichment opportunities and trips and visits means that pupils and Post 16 students can participate in, and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities.

Pupils volunteer their services in school, supporting events, working with Tutor groups and doing additional duties. Some Post 16 students act as mentors to the lower years, and listen to them reading.  Pupils have the opportunity to  take part in the National Citizenship Service (NCS) in both Year 11 and Year 12 and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme means that our young people volunteer in the wider community.

Successes are celebrated in assemblies and shared on the fortnightly pupil bulletins. The honours boards in reception also celebrate the achievements of some of our alumni.

Cromwell has been awarded the Gold Young Carers in Schools Award in recognition of the support and care given to young carers.

The College was recently awarded the Lord Lieutenant’s Award in recognition of the ongoing work it has done in support of the Chatteris Branch of the Royal British Legion. We are very proud of this achievement.

Pupils join Key Stage 3 at the start of Year 7, which runs through to the end of Year 9. 

All pupils will face many new challenges as they move through Cromwell, but it might be useful to think about what Cromwell is aiming to do for you  

Cromwell is aiming to: 

• Prepare pupils for the adult world 
• Teach pupils skills and knowledge that they need for lifelong learning 
• Give pupils a wide range of subject knowledge and skills 
• Help pupils become more independent 
• Show pupils how to think and learn for themselves 
• Give pupils the confidence to join in, ask questions and help others 
• Lay the foundations for success in external examinations and other assessments 

The Curriculum 

For the first three years at Cromwell, our pupils will follow a range of courses which are designed to give them a broad and balanced curriculum.  2014 saw the implementation of a reformed Key Stage 3 curriculum with more rigour and range of topics to be covered. The curriculum is organised in the following subject areas: 

• Art & Design 
• Computing 
• Design & Technology 
• Drama 
• English 
• Geography 
• History 
• Mathematics 
• Modern Foreign Languages - French (7/8/9) & German (9) 
• Music 
• PSCHE 
• Physical Education 
• Philosophy & Ethics 
• Science 

In Key Stage 3, pupils have thirty lessons per week, allocated as below. 

All of these subjects are equally important to pupils as they begin their steps towards gaining qualifications and becoming an adult. 

As well as completing assessments throughout each year, our pupils will sit internal exams towards the end of each academic year.  All of these combined will enable them, their parents and their teachers to see how they are progressing towards their target grade. 

As part of our policy to maximise the success for all and to personalise the curriculum, some pupils may experience some variations in their curriculum.  It is also college policy to set independent study (homework) when it is appropriate to the course. 

Pupils will also be able to develop important transferable key skills which equip them with the necessary skills for the 21st Century. 

These skills include: 

• Creative thinking 
• Team working 
• Reflective learning 
• Effective participation  
• Becoming self-managers and independent enquirers 

Pupils will follow a programme of activities with their form tutor. These are designed to encourage pupils to think about and discuss how they feel about issues and how they handle different situations. “Have I got news for you” sessions will encourage them to be aware of what is happening in the news locally, nationally and globally.  The weekly quiz will also help to develop their knowledge. Pupils will also work with their tutor and the rest of their form group to plan and deliver an assembly to the rest of the year group. 

All of the work our pupils do at Cromwell both in and out of lessons will help them to become: 

• Confident individuals 
• Effective learners 
• Responsible citizens 

The start of Year 10 marks the transition for your child from KS3 into KS4.

This next two years are the combination of 11 years of formal education. We at Cromwell aim to support your child to achieve their full potential, and move into further education as well qualified and a well-rounded individuals.   

There are many key events throughout the two years: 

• Work experience 
• Prefect Applications 
• Mentor training 
• Mock examinations 
• Terminal GCSE Examinations 
• Completion of personal statements 
• Sixth form and College applications 
• Year 11 Prom 

The Curriculum 

At Key Stage 4, all pupils take English Language, English Literature, Maths and Science. They also have non-examined lessons in PE to develop healthy bodies and minds.  

The remainder of their timetable is made up of four GCSE option choices. Two choices must be from French, German, Ancient History, History, Geography or Computer Science. The other two choices can be any subject we offer that the pupils wish to study. More information can be found HERE. 

Each pupil in Year 9 has an interview with a Senior Leader as part of their options process, in which they will be invited to discuss their choices and the way that they will support the pupil's plans for the future. The options process usually takes several months and we fully invite parents and carers to be a part of this important decision in their child's life. 

In order to be successful in their examinations the following areas should be a key focus for pupils, parents and teachers. 

• Attendance 
• Focus in lessons 
• Correct equipment 
• Homework 
• Revision (after school sessions and at home)  
• Maintaining a positive approach 
• Positive mind-set 
• Communication with teachers and parents 

Key points of contact in school: 

• Parents evening 
• Reports 
• Go4schools 
• Subject teachers (for individual subject enquiries) 
• Form tutors (for general queries relating to attendance and behaviour for learning)