Curriculum

The aim of the school is to offer each student a broad, general education with an emphasis on technology and to develop individual skills and talents. This is to enable every student to have high aspirations and achieve the best of which he or she is capable. Students are provided with similar opportunities in all subject areas and all areas of experience. The curriculum needs and progress of individual students are reviewed regularly, taking into account examination and career requirements as well as individual differences.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The school provides as many varied experiences as possible for students. The range of activities and visits on offer is always being extended. Team sports are encouraged and matches arranged against other local schools for all age groups. Individual sporting talents are also encouraged. The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme runs at bronze, silver and gold levels and many students achieve awards in this scheme. In the 6th form students take part in the Young Enterprise scheme. There are residential visits abroad and many subjects arrange visits to places of interest, which have relevance to the curriculum.

Gifted and Talented Students

We work alongside other schools in the area with the aim of providing appropriate opportunities for our most gifted students. Once identified as having a particular gift or talent, students are encouraged and supported. The school will ensure that our most able students can both extend their knowledge and fulfil their potential. We believe that their achievements will encourage all of our students towards greater success.

Independent Learning

Independent Learning is an integral and crucial part of the learning process. The type and length of Independent Learning will vary accordingly to age and subject. It will raise standards of achievement allowing students the opportunity to work independently with full responsibility for organising themselves. It will consolidate or extend on work begun in lessons and will help prepare for future examinations. It is important that students complete the set subject tasks on a regular basis therefore developing the self discipline and skills required to be successful independent learners. Independent learning tasks will encourage skills that encourage student engagement e.g. Reading, Research, Recording, Writing, Observation and even practical type work. The tasks set will have clear start and completion dates. Having the responsibility of needing to meet deadlines promotes self-discipline, an attribute that will impact on school work and beyond.

Key Stage 3 - Years 7, 8 and 9

The transfer from primary to secondary education is a major step in children's lives. At Secondary school they have a greater range of subjects for regular study and are taught by specialist subject teachers. Project based learning forms part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum. It allows students the opportunity to study topics in cross curricular format and enabling students to study in larger blocks of time.

The national strategy for the Key Stage 3 aims to raise standards by strengthening teaching and learning across the curriculum for all 11-14 year olds. Literacy, numeracy and ICT are regarded as the important ‘tools’ necessary to access the curriculum. To ease transition from Key Stage 2, there is a special Induction Programme starting in their last term at Primary School. Links are made as early as possible – staff and students from Pent Valley visit primary schools for a range of purposes and primary school students come to Pent Valley to use our facilities and staff expertise. Subjects studied include:

• English
• Art
• Mathematics
• Drama
• Science
• Music
• French and Spanish
• Physical Education
• Project Based Learning
• Geography
• Religious Education/Citizenship
• History
• Technology (including Design Technology and Information Technology)

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11

In order to provide a broad and balanced education, all students will follow courses in line with the National Curriculum. This means they will all study Mathematics, English, the Sciences, Technology, Religious Education, Physical Education and Citizenship.

Students choose other subjects and courses at the end of Key Stage 3, according to their ability and interest. All the courses taken lead to external qualifications which may be GCSE, BTEC, Applied GCSE or other vocational qualifications.

A Key Stage 4 Courses Booklet is published during Year 9, outlining the curriculum on offer.

Work Related Learning and Enterprise/Careers

Creativity, Enterprise and Work Related learning all form a part of the school curriculum taking an increasingly prominent role as a student moves through the school. At Key Stage 4 students are given the opportunity to attend colleges in Ashford and Folkestone to gain vocational qualifications in areas such as: Construction, Hairdressing, Mechanics and Childcare. This is normally combined with a work placement where the student is able to gain practical experience. For those students not taking vocational qualifications, there is the chance to take part in community based projects where they will learn skills such as team building, communication skills and problem solving. All Year 10 students take part in the work experience programme where they will spend one or two weeks working with a local employer.

Post-16

Pent Valley Sixth Form provides the opportunity for students to study a range of subjects at GCSE, A/S, A level and BTEC Nationals. Courses lead to Further and Higher Education at 18 or 19 and into the world of work.

There are currently over 225 students studying a range of one and two-year courses - including a number who have joined Year 12 from other schools.

Our flexible, individualised approach enables students to combine academic, applied and BTEC subjects to focus on areas of strength. More details about the subjects on offer can be found on www.kentchoices4U.com.

All sixth form students are loaned a laptop computer for personal use. The sixth form has its own facilities above the Leisure Centre. This provides students with a focal point where they register, have lessons and can access the wireless internet network on their laptop computers. Students have private study periods to facilitate individual research for projects and assignments. They have access to the school IT rooms as well as the school learning resource centre and careers library. All sixth form students are given a careers interview and guidance on higher education. Connexions also provide career advice for 6th formers.

Key Skills qualifications and short courses such as First Aid and the Community Sports Leadership Award are also offered as part of a wider enrichment programme. All students take part in a community based service. The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Scheme is also in operation.