Curriculum, Homework And Assessment

Curriculum

Our curriculum is rigorously academic and knowledge-rich because we believe that this is the best way for students to gain the qualifications, skills, and confidence they need to achieve more than they ever believed possible. Our curriculum is broad and balanced.

Knowledge organisers for all Key Stage 3 year groups can be viewed below:

 

You can find out more about the curriculum for each subject by contacting our school office who will be able to put you in touch with the relevant subject leaders.

Homework

Homework is an integrated part of our curriculum.  It encourages students to consolidate their learning, promotes a love of learning outside of the classroom, and develops independent learning habits.  At key stage 3, the majority of homework takes the form of:

  • Revision and self-quizzing of core knowledge.
  • Independent reading for pleasure – we recommend at least 20 minutes.
  • In addition, in maths students will complete deliberate practice of problems.

Students are able to complete much of their homework during timetabled independent study periods that are part of our extended day. The library is open before school, after school, and during breaks during the day.

Click here to view a short video which explains how our self-quizzing process works.

Assessment

Regular assessment is an effective tool for accelerating students’ progress by checking what pupils have learned, identifying any misconceptions, informing teachers’ future planning to address learning gaps, and identifying students in need of additional support.

At The Swan we regularly use two main types of assessment:

  • Formative – frequent, low stakes evaluations that are used throughout a unit of work to help students and teachers to identify and plan to address learning gaps/misconceptions. This may take a range of forms including, knowledge quizzes, in-class questioning, feedback from classwork.
  • Summative – formal assessments used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period. These are cumulative, graded assessments and typically take the form of a written exercise. At The Swan, these take place three times per year.

Progress Check Afternoons and Data and Planning Days are scheduled each term to allow teachers the time to analyse assessment data and plan ‘re-teaching’ to address any gaps or misconceptions. Reports are then issued at the end of every cycle. 

Click here to view a video of Mr Maulkerson discussing how to interpret a report.

Year 7/8 Curriculum

SubjectHours per fortnight
English8
Maths8
Science
8
French
4
History
3
Geography
3
RE
3
Music3
PE
4
Art
3
DT3
Electives4
SS4

Year 9 Curriculum

SubjectHours per fortnight
English8
Maths8
Science (x3)
9
French
4
History
3
Geography
3
RE
3
Music3
PE
4
Art3
DT3
Electives4
SS3

KS4 Options

Students select GCSE options in Year 9, to start studying in Year 10 at The Swan School. We are committed to a broad and balanced offer, that includes focus on the core academic qualifications in English, Mathematics and Science, all students achieving the prestigious EBacc qualification by studying a Humanity and a Language, and two open choices to pursue wider interests. More details on this process are found in our Options Booklet, which is linked below.