Intent – Powerful Knowledge and The Best In Everyone
Our aim is to provide an excellent education for all our students; an education which brings out the best in all of them and prepares them for success in life. Our curriculum is designed to provide children with the core knowledge they need for success in education and later life, to maximise their cognitive development, to develop the whole person and the talents of the individual and to allow all children to become active and economically self-sufficient citizens. The education we provide is designed to endow our students with “powerful knowledge:”
- We want our students to be able to predict, explain and to envisage alternatives.
- We will enable our students to grasp knowledge about where they live, surpassing the knowledge that students acquire through everyday life.
- We will teach concepts that are systematically related to each other so that students are able to generalise and think beyond particular contexts.
- We will ensure students acquire specialised knowledge developed by distinguished groups with a clear focus and field of enquiry. Students will be taught by qualified subject specialists who’s aim is to pass on knowledge and understanding from the leading experts such as mathematicians, scientists, novelists and musicians.
By drawing on the best that’s been thought, said and done in each subject, we hope that our curriculum enables children to appreciate and participate in the full richness of the human experience.
At its heart, the CET Curriculum as a core academic curriculum, founded on these key delivery principles:
- Entitlement – We believe that all children have right to learn what is in the CET Curriculum; schools have a duty to ensure that all children are taught the whole of it.
- Mastery – We want all students to achieve a full understanding of the knowledge specified in the Curriculum for each year, and teaching should not move on until this is achieved.
- Stability – We won’t constantly amend the Curriculum: while we should make occasional adjustments in the light of feedback and experience, we will aim for stability over many years, so that teachers can develop expertise, and we constantly build assessments and teaching materials to support the Curriculum.
- Concepts not context – The Curriculum is intended as a concise specification of knowledge and content to be taught and learned; it is for schools and teachers to decide how to teach and bring it to life.
Our Curriculum Design
The Key Stage 3 national curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive educational framework for students aged 11 to 14. Its primary aims are to foster a broad and balanced understanding of various subjects, including English, mathematics, science, humanities, languages, arts, and physical education. The curriculum aims to equip students with essential knowledge and skills necessary for further academic study and practical application in everyday life. It encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, promoting a holistic approach to learning that prepares students for the challenges of Key Stage 4 and beyond. Additionally, the curriculum seeks to instill a love for learning and curiosity about the world, nurturing well-rounded individuals capable of engaging with society and contributing positively to their communities.
Our character curriculum is meticulously designed to empower students with a comprehensive education that extends far beyond traditional subject boundaries. By offering a diverse array of subjects, we aim to challenge thinking, ignite curiosity, and foster a deep-seated ambition in our students. Rooted in our local context, our curriculum not only imparts essential skills and knowledge but also nurtures character traits vital for future success. Structured around three core strands encompassing technical skills, ambitious STEM subjects, and the creative arts, our curriculum ensures a holistic learning experience. In each discipline, we embed key elements of character development, ranging from public speaking and debate to research skills and community service. Through the aspirational selection of subjects, we not only stimulate critical thought but also cultivate cultural capital, enriching the lives of our students. All students have the opportunity to study our popular Design technology, art and music courses throughout Year 8 and 9 within our options menu.
Ultimately, our character-focused curriculum is dedicated to enabling and inspiring all students to become respectful, responsible, and resilient citizens poised for success in the future.
