Curriculum
President Kennedy School offers a broad and balanced curriculum to all students. We are a fully inclusive mainstream school and we strive to ensure that all students achieve their potential personally, socially, emotionally and academically in all areas of the curriculum (regardless of their gender, ethnicity, social background, religion, sexual identity, physical ability or educational needs). We are committed to exciting, engaging and relevant learning in all areas, and organise option subjects to ensure that student choice is maximised.
We have a strong focus on traditional academic subjects as we believe this offers our students the best life choices in today’s competitive world. We also fully comply with our duties in the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 in making our curriculum accessible for those students who have disabilities or special educational needs. Further information about this can be found on the Special Educational Needs page.
Key Stage 3 (Year 7 to Year 9)
The core curriculum for all Key Stage 3 students includes English, Mathematics, Science, IT, MFL, Physical Education, History, Geography and RE. The Creative Arts (Drama, Dance, Music, Art and Design Technology) are taught within a rotation curricular, giving students the opportunity to learn, grasp and understand key concepts and provide a breadth of creative arts experience. All students complete a STEM project in Years 7-9, with extra-curricular activities available to all year groups. The STEM element of the curriculum allows students the opportunities to explore a combination of disciplines in addition to the main curriculum.
The subject curriculum is also enhanced by the extended tutor curriculum which supports the personal development of all students. Citizenship, SMSC, Careers Education, fundamental British Values and RSHE is weaved into subjects’ curricula and through the tutor programme, ensuring we avoid a tokenistic or abstract approach to personal development. Additional literacy and numeracy intervention are timetabled for all students who are not yet reaching age related expectation in English and Maths. A Modern Foreign Language is taught to almost all students, with those significantly below the national expectations in English and/or maths given extra intervention in these areas. Almost all of the subjects we offer at KS3 have a direct pathway to a qualification at KS4 and at KS5. We run a three-year KS3 to ensure coverage of at least the national curriculum (or equivalent) and that this builds upon prior learning at KS2. This also means that all students study English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, MFL, RE and PE until at least the end of Year 9.
Further information relating to the Key Stage 3 curriculum can be obtained from College Directors Mrs Alexander-Weller (Year 7), Miss Roberts (Year 8) or Mrs Sheridan (Year 9).
Key Stage 4 (Year 10 to Year 11)
The core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science, History or Geography and (statutory) Physical Education, combined Science or Biology, Physics and Chemistry (studied separately). In addition, following an extensive support & guidance programme for parents, students choose from a broad range of options (academic and vocational) which have equal value in the curriculum but also focus on life chances and allow for success and progression to further study, either at P16 Select (see below) or alternative study.
All students choose three option subjects. Further opportunities to study Triple Science as an additional option are available. Main option choices are chosen in Year 9, and include: RE, Spanish, Psychology, Art and Design, Photography, BTEC Sport, BTEC Business, BTEC ICT, BTEC Health & Social Care, BTEC Music, Triple Science, Sociology, Textiles, Resistant Materials, Media Studies.
All students in Years 10 & 11 have access to a rich tutor curriculum which prepares them for the next stage, careers advice and RSHE.
Further information relating to the Key Stage 4 curriculum can be obtained from College Directors Mr Drakeford (Year 10) or Mr Moroney (Year 11).
Key Stage 5 (Year 12 to Year 13)
Post-16 Select: The curriculum, delivered in conjunction with Barr’s Hill School and Stoke Park School, offers an exciting and flexible range of courses including A-level and vocational options, which have equal value in the curriculum. Students also benefit from extensive CEIAG support and the tutor curriculum also covers key life skills, such a financial literacy. All students in Year 12 have the opportunity to complete work experience opportunities. This is designed to support their studies and to enhance employability. Where appropriate, students are guided towards vocational pathways available through collaboration with colleges, our Federation partners or other providers.
Post 16 Select pathways include:
LEVEL 3 ACADEMIC ADVANCED ROUTE
The majority of students will study 3 A-Levels. A fourth option may be considered for individual students:
Psychology, Maths, Spanish, Geography, Physics, Sociology, Chemistry, English Language & Literature, English Literature, Biology, Art & Photography, Further Maths, Philosophy & Ethics and History.
LEVEL 3 PROFESSIONAL ADVANCED ROUTE
Each route is the equivalent to 3 A-Levels:
BTEC Business Diploma, BTEC ICT Subsidiary Diploma, BTEC Health Studies Diploma, BTEC Sport Diploma,
Further information relating to our Post 16 curriculum can be obtained by telephoning Mrs Mitchard, College Director of Post 16 at the school.
