Gerry McCormick Head T eacher Taylor High School Nicola Cunningham North Lanarkshire Senior Phase Curriculum Planning Depute Head T eacher Taylor High School ‘Reflecting Back, Moving Forward’ 16 May 2019
Background Senior Phase Working Group set up late 2014 • From the group a number of recommendations were implemented: • Authority wide adoption of a standard day pattern in all 23 secondary schools with common start and finish times • Authority wide common schematic approach in S5/S6 to facilitate school- school and school-partner links
Background • All NLC Secondary schools to operate 33 x 50 minute periods from August 2016 • Adoption of 3 double periods across all S5/6 columns (A-E) • All NLC secondary schools to participate in formal co-ordinated curriculum planning organised in 3 geographical areas
Where are we now? • Unprecedented level of organisation and co-operation among schools • Excellent joint working among Education and Families senior staff, secondary Head T eachers, colleagues from Further Education and a growing number of other partners • Very significant improvements in the organisation and delivery of the S5/S6 curriculum • Clear focus on delivering a better learning experience for young people
Area Curriculum Planning All NLC secondary schools participate in formal co-ordinated curriculum • planning. This is organised in 3 geographical areas North (6 schools) Central (8 schools) South (9 schools) Each area has a chair and vice chair (both area HTs) • NLC area curriculum planning is an “entitlement” model with core • provision for each area while allowing for additional content based on local need
Benefits to date Much wider range of both academic and vocational courses accessible to • all students ‘Stigma’ attached to inter-school or school-college travel almost • disappeared Much wider range of both academic and vocational courses accessible to • young people including the full range of Foundation Apprenticeships Much better inter-school liaison at a time of financial stringency •
Benefits… Very well organised area planning with excellent relationships among • senior colleagues Much stronger school-school and school-FE/other partner relationships • with regular meetings taking place for planning purposes Knowledge of overall curricular provision across all three planning areas • to ensure that the range and level of courses can be monitored by area chairs and relevant authority personnel
Key Issues Significant expansion of student travel has resulted in financial • pressures Ensuring that all 3 areas continue to meet the needs of all • students Maintain and enhance the number of courses available as • appropriate
Key Issues…. Ensure that all school staff have knowledge of all courses • available to young people Ensure that young people are equipped to access courses • outwith school and encourage students to undertake appropriate courses Ensuring that parents/carers are informed of/understand • curricular developments e.g. equivalence of Foundation Apprenticeships to Higher Grade qualifications
Next Steps Further implementation of Foundation Apprenticeships across the • authority Further development of relevant curricular provision at levels 4/5 to meet • the needs of employers and the market place Ongoing development of DYW agenda at school and authority level • Monitoring of effectiveness of implementation across areas/schools • Consideration of S4 curriculum and possible adoption of common • curriculum structures
Break Lunch Period 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10.35- 12.30- Period Times 08.55–09.45 09.45 -10.35 10.50–11.40 11.40–12.30 13.15-14.05 14.05 -14.55 14.55 -15.45 10.50 13.15 Monday A A B B X C C Tuesday D D E E X A A Wednesday B B C C E E Thursday D D A A X B B Friday C C D D E E
Timetabling 3x 7 period days (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday) • 2 x 6 period days (Wednesday & Friday) • 3 x double periods across the week for each of the 5 columns •
Timetabling….. Built in travelling time • RE/PSHE/PE on the 3 x X periods (different in each school) • All schools across NLC operate with the same schematic •
S5/6 Options Form Schools design own option form • Different options in each column as necessary • Area chair ensures that any subject in demand is delivered somewhere in • the area/authority Schools in each area share the cost of staff in some curricular areas e.g. • Psychology
Level Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Advanced Chemistry Biology Mathematics Higher Physics Food & Drink Technologies (S5) Accountancy (S6) Accountancy (S6) Business Skills (S6) S6 Accountancy Placement Foundation IT Hardware & Systems Support (S5) Civil Engineering (S5) Creative & Digital Media (S6) Financial Services (S5) S6 Business Skills Placement Apprenticeships Social Services Healthcare (S5 & S6) IT Software Development (S5) Engineering Technician (S5) Food & Drink Technologies (S6) S6 C & D Media Placement Scientific Technologies (S5) IT Software Development (S5) S6 F &D Technologies Placement Social Services CYP (S6) Social Services CYP (S5) S6 Social Services CYP Placement Social Services & Healthcare (S6) S6 SS & Healthcare Placement English Business Management Art & Design Art & Design Computing Higher Chemistry Chemistry English Computing Health & Food Technology Human Biology Geography History Graphic Communication History NPA in Legal Services Mathematics Modern Studies Mathematics Human Biology Personal Development (S6 Only) RMPS (S6 Only) Music Modern Studies Music Physics Physics Psychology Photography (S6 Only) Psychology Psychology Spanish Physical Education Sound Production Psychology Spanish English Business Management Art & Design Computing Cake Craft National 5 Biology SfW: Construction NPA in Cyber Security SfW: Construction Coaching of Sports Unit (S6 Only) Sports, Fitness & Wellbeing Units SfW: Early Education & Childcare SfW: Early Education & Childcare SfW: Hairdressing Computer Games Design Geography English Hospitality SfW: Football Performance Mathematics Laboratory Skills Graphic Communication History Mathematics Application Units Music Mathematics Music Travel & Tourism Physics Modern Studies Sports, Fitness & Wellbeing Units Practical Skills Wood Spanish Sound Production SfW: Engineering Skills Intro to Hospitality Industry English Hospitality Beauty & Creative Skills National 4 English Travel & Tourism Practical Skills Wood Make-up Artistry: An Introduction Computer Games Design Intro to Motor Vehicle Industry & Tech Mathematics Intro to Professional Cookery Make-up Artistry: An Introduction Sports, Fitness & Wellbeing Units Sports, Fitness & Wellbeing Units Choice & Level
Examples of vocational options available across option columns: Level 4 Engineering Automotive Professional Cookery Make up Artistry Hairdressing Level 5 Construction Early Education and Childcare Hairdressing
Examples of vocational options available across option columns: Skills for Work Health and Social Care Early Education and Child Care An increasing range of Foundation Apprenticeships
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