Curriculum Handbook 2019/2020

West Lancashire Community High School

Curriculum Handbook

Parent’s Guide 2019/20

This curriculum booklet has been designed to help you, as parents and carers of students at West Lancashire Community High School, to have an insight into the curriculum and learning that is delivered and how you can help at home in supporting your child’s journey through school.

LOtC Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3 

Timetabled weekly sessions using school grounds; wildlife garden, sensory garden, horticulture and greenhouse area, small animals, outdoor gym, outdoor classroom and forest school area

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Educational visits linked to subject and topic work visiting; museums, galleries, theatres, local environments, zoos, farms and aquariums.

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Students are encouraged to take their learning outside the classroom to enable them to learn to transfer their skills, knowledge and understanding of the world around them

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 & Post 16 

Students are encouraged to take part in opportunities to help develop responsibility, life experiences and independence.

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Students have regular opportunities to participate and explore; religious and community buildings, work experience links, gym and swim sessions, college links, business and enterprise links, canal adoption, River Tawd development project and leisure links

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Post 16 will have the opportunity to take part in DofE

‘Every school must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based and which; promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at school and of society. The curriculum should prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life’ (www.gov.uk)

Ways I can help at home 

Encourage visiting new places

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Help your child to be prepared for learning outside

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Encourage your child to explore places at different times of the year

SMALL ANIMALS Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

ENGLISH Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

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Students learn about caring for domestic animals and reptiles

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Students learn about feeding habits, habitats and how to handle various animals

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Reading , writing and spelling is taught through the Read,Write Inc reading scheme

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Students learn about to clean habitats

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Students learn how to feed animals and reptiles

Learning takes place on a 3 year cycle focusing on different genres, historical periods, poetry, authors and plays.

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Teaching and learning encourages reading of a variety of books to challenge, interest and enjoyment and a part of World Book Day.

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Students are encouraged to practice skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening through the different topics taught

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4

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Students learn about small animals in more depth

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Students can follow the AQA unit award scheme programme in preparation for transition find further education/work opportunities

Students have the opportunity to follow accreditation pathways to suit their needs and potential

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Students are taught reading, writing, speaking and listening through the various accreditation routes and topics (Fiction, Non Fiction and Poetry)

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Pathways include; Step Up to English, AQA Unit Award Scheme and ASDAN Transition

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Students also have the opportunity to develop their understanding of animals

Challenge. Some pathways may involve an exam. Students participate in World Book Day

Ways I can help at home 

To visit zoos and farms to see animals in their closest natural environment

Ways I can help at home 

Listening to your child read

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Encourage them to talk about what they see around them

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Playing games to encourage speaking and listening

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Visit local libraries to choose books to share at home

MATHS Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

MFL Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

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Students are taught and given opportunities in developing their understanding of number, measurement and geometry

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Students study French as part of their MFL timetable

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Students are encouraged to read, write, speak and listen in French

Through the teaching of number students will learn about; place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and fractions

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Students experience watching French films and dining in a French Bistro

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Students experience the French culture through French Day when they will visit French markets, café, games and the French style of fashion

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The teaching of measurement will also include money and time

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The teaching of geometry will include properties of shape, positon and direction

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Students are taught problem solving once core skills are in place

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 

Students will study externally accredited courses through AQA Entry Level Certification or the ASDAN award scheme.

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Students will cover learning in the maths topics; number, money, calendar and time, shape and space, measures, handling data, counting, sorting and classifying information

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 

Students study AQA award scheme in French

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Students participate in the delivery of French day to help develop their speaking and listening skills

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Take part in French day

Ways I can help at home Ways I can help at home 

Encouraging your child to practice maths skills in the home environment

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Provide opportunities for your child to use number, money time and measure to see how the connection can be made school work and real life

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Encourage pupils to collect souvenirs from holidays and collect postcards

CAREERS Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

SCIENCE Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

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Students learn about the local community jobs and their roles

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Students are taught through themes to allow for engaging and challenging science.

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Students learn about themselves, their qualities and skills

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Activities are linked to everyday life experiences to encourage students to develop an

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Students take part in Enterprise Day

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4

understanding of the world around them. 

Activities and resources are differentiated to enable students to reach their potential

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Students participate in the annual ‘Science Day’

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4

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Students learn about colleges through weekly college links

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Students follow the AQA Entry Level Certificate or CREST Star Awards

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Students learn about business and enterprise through the working with Wigan Athletic Community Trust

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Students complete components in biology, physics and chemistry for AQA accreditation

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Students complete practical investigations and take part in discussions for CREST Star Award.

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Students take part in the annual ‘Science Day’

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Students participate in Enterprise Day

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Students will learn about employability through ASDAN short course accreditations

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Students have the opportunity to take part in two work experience placement

Ways I can help at home

Ways I can help at home 

Encourage you child to be prepared when they take part in work experience

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Take opportunities for experiencing different environments, weathers, animals etc.

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Encourage your child to be organised

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Encourage your child to be aware of their skills and qualities

Visit zoos, aquariums, museums, farms, parks, fairgrounds, woodlands, beaches and your own garden.

COMPUTING Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3 

Students will learn about using the internet safely through on line safety

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Students will learn about algorithms, creating and debugging simple programmes

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3 

Students learn about religious groups; Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism

Students will begin to develop skills in using multi media presentation software

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Students have the opportunity to visit local religious places and places of worship

Students will begin their learning in how to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content

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Creative opportunities are given including whole themed days on multi cultural aspects

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Cultural awareness is also taught across the curriculum throughout the school

Students will have the opportunity to use 3D model building software

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4

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Students will develop their learning at a more complex level

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Students continue to learn about different religions

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Students will experience sequencing, selection and repetition in programs

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Students will develop logical reasoning skills and will learn how to use websites and other internet services.

Students follow a course that is built around the student including investigations into religious beliefs, practices and moral beliefs and issues

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Students take part in whole themed days

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Students will be encouraged to practice using devices for collecting, analysing and presenting data and information, including how computer hardware and software work together

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Students will develop animations skills using a variety of hardware and software.

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Accreditation routes will be followed to recognise skill sets

Ways I can help at home

Ways I can help at home

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Encourage their use of fun educational software

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Spend time with your child as they complete work using apps and websites

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Encourage online safety

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School website—parents section

(www.thinkuknow.co.uk )

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Support your child through discussion

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Support opportunities to visit religious buildings and places of worship

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Website link http://www.topmarks.co.uk

PSHE Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

ART & DESIGN Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

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Students study health and well being, relationships and the wider world

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Students learn about cultural art and artists linked to the different themes and topics

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Students will experience building positive relationships and understanding of others through team building sessions

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Students experience and develop skills in pencil, colour, collage and 3D work

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Students participate in assemblies and British Values Day

Students are encouraged to experiment to help develop skills and techniques

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Student develop in awareness of their community and being a member of society

Students visit art galleries and take learning outside the classroom

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Students have the opportunity to be a student and eco council member and a prefect

When possible complete project work with local artists

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Students take part in the annual ‘Big Draw Event’

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 

Students continue to study health and well being, relationships and the wider world.

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Students learn about sexual health, respect and equality

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Students learn about employability, team work and leadership through enterprise project days

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Students have the opportunity to be a student and eco council member and a prefect

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Students take part in British Values Day and assemblies

Ways I can help at home

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 

Students work towards the AQA Unit Award Scheme or AQA GCSE, completing unit in the themed areas; natural form, printmaking, textiles, cartoons, Pop Art and abstract art.

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Students develop skills in researching artists and analysing their work

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Students visit art galleries and areas in the local environment to encourage still life drawing

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Students take part in the annual ‘Big Draw Event’

Ways I can help at home

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Encourage your child to take part in new activities

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To explore and allow creativity

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Encourage you child to talk to you

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To allow time and space to complete work at home

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To visit art galleries

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

MUSIC Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3

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Students are taught on a 3 year rolling programme

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Introduced to the world of music

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Student’s learning is focused on designing, making and applying technical knowledge using a range of materials

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Learn about cultures, music and instruments whilst developing skills and techniques

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Students develop skills in cooking as well as learning about nutrition and healthy eating

Students begin to experience performance, composing and listening skills

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Students can be a part of the school choir and performing arts group

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Students can take part in the WLCHS talent show

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 

Students have the opportunity to complete AQA units, ASDAN Life Skills or ASDAN Transition Challenge as part of their accreditation route

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Students build on the skills of design, making and evaluating

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Students further develop their cooking skills to help promote independence as well as further developing awareness of nutrition and healthy eating

Ways I can help at home

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 

Students develop their ability to rehearse and perform solos and ensembles

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Students will have access to a range of musical instruments

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Students will develop skills to perform, listen and evaluate music across a range of historical periods

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Students can be a part of the school choir and performing arts group

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Students can take part in the WLCHS talent show

Ways I can help at home

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Let you child explore how things are made

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Encourage your child to listen to music

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Spend time with them, making and exploring materials

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Encourage your chid to play an instrument to make meaningful sounds

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Allow them to help in the kitchen when making meals or baking

HUMANITIES Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3 

Students learn about History and Geography. They learn about migration to England, Viking, Battle of Hastings, Henry VIII, Spanish Armada and the Industrial Revolution, WW1, Holocaust an d the 1920s USA.

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Students learn through planned sessions and films that capture that time in History

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Students learn about Africa, Russia and the Middle East, including population, climate and trade

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Students will develop skills in map reading, reading a compass and field study

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3 

Students take part in weekly PE sessions delivered by Wigan Athletic Community Trust

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Students take part in School Games

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Students have the opportunity to go swimming

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Students focus on skill development and participation in a range of sports including individual and team sports

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Students take part in Sports Day

Teaching and learning at Key Stage 4

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Students will complete AQA unit awards as part of their accreditation route

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Students take part in weekly PE sessions delivered by Wigan Athletic Community Trust

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Students will study coasts, settlement, volcanoes & earthquakes and tourism

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Students take part in competitive sports as part of the School Games Partnership

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Students complete AQA units awards & ASDAN Short Course as part of their accreditation route

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Students have the opportunity to represent the school as part of a team and individual sporting competitions

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Students take part in Sports Day

Ways I can help at home

Ways I can help at home

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Visit museums and the local area

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Encourage your child to be active

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Watch history programmes on TV

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Encourage them to watch sport on TV

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Collect memorabilia from holidays

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Discuss famous sports people