Subject by subject guide
SUBJECT-BY SUBJECT GUIDE
The following gives a subject-by-subject guide overview of the curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities for Castle School students.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - PSHE
personal development 2024 5.pdf
MATHEMATICS
Welcome to The Castle School Mathematics Faculty
The mathematics faculty is a thriving faculty under strong leadership with a shared ethos of continued
professional development, collaborative working and the sharing of best practice. Staff operate both as
individuals and collectively as a team, with a singular vision of support and progression for all learners and
reduction of the attainment gap. Our team comprises 14 members including 1 dedicated higher level teaching
assistant (HLTA). Our team is a balanced mix of experienced teachers and recently qualified teachers. This a
large dynamic Faculty led by Vicki Down.
Attainment across all Key Stages is above average. Mathematics is a popular subject at The Castle School
and our uptake of students following the subject into the Sixth Form remains consistently high. Most of the
faculty teach throughout Years 7 to 13.
Mathematics is taught in sets from Year 7. In Key Stage 3 the National Curriculum is delivered using the White Rose Maths scheme of work and resources. This is supplemented with a variety of other material.
We begin the GCSE in Year 9 and follow the Edexcel Specification using the three year scheme of work.
In the Sixth form, A level Maths follows the OCR Specification. We are able to run three classes in each year group, including a separate Further Maths class. We also deliver Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) to one class in Year 12 and run a resit GCSE class for Post 16 students, with excellent conversion rates.
In Year 8 and Year 10 the top two sets enter the UKMT Individual Maths Challenge, this is also offered to Year 12 students, and students always qualify for the next rounds. We take part in the UKMT Team events and offer extra-curricular opportunities and trips throughout the academic year, including the AQA Level 2 Further Maths course for students in the top sets in year 11, and the Maths Inspiration event for students in Year 12.
Our Faculty Intent:
“To foster a love and appreciation of maths and its contextual relevance to everyday life; allowing all students
to achieve success at all levels; to building on and applying core techniques that underpin mathematical studies
in subsequent key stages; and, emphasising links to the wider curriculum and workplace.”
ENGLISH
Welcome to The Castle School English Faculty
Our Faculty Intent:
“Opening a window to the world through texts and literacy.”
The English faculty are a highly experienced and talented team of teachers who are passionate about the importance and relevance of our subject in our modern world. Our collective goal is to nurture a love of literature, to support young people in becoming critical thinkers and to guide them to be better equipped in navigating their life journeys through their experience of texts.
Our unapologetic focus on reading is supported in school through reading together in lessons, the fortnightly library lessons for key stage 3 classes, the tutor reading programme and an incredibly well resourced and friendly-staffed school library. For further information on this and for advice on how to support your child’s reading, please see the KS3 Reading Lessons document.
In response to the significant changes in the educational landscape over the last decade, our philosophy for dealing with the increased difficulty in English and 100% exams is to ensure that there is a sufficient level of challenge throughout key stage 3. We have addressed this by redesigning our key stage 3 curriculum entirely to incorporate set texts which are as difficult as (or more difficult than) the set texts at key stage 4. This is to ensure that our students are being exposed to the syntax, vocabulary and style of the classic literature that is a compulsory component of both the Language and Literature exams. However, the student will not be expected to read the whole novel in its unabridged form at key stage 3 and the level of challenge will be scaffolded up through years 7 to 9 and differentiated appropriately.
We have also introduced Knowledge Organisers and regular quizzing to encourage knowledge recall of key subject terminology. Furthermore, we have tried to make it easier for you to support your child in their home learning for English by creating home learning booklets and getting students used to using online resources such as Google classrooms, Show My Homework and Seneca from key stage 3 onwards.
Finally, our assessment model at Castle ensures that students have the opportunity to experience timed assessments - so as to take some of the stress and anxiety out of the GCSE exams in Year 11. We have devised a carefully thought through assessment timetable that ensures that all Castle students in English are able to learn how they can improve and that they are encouraged to reflect on their own performance as well as acting on personalised feedback provided by re-writing their work in class. The best readers often make the best writers and vice-versa. Therefore, we would really welcome and appreciate your support in encouraging your son or daughter to read and write for pleasure at home in order to support everything that they will be doing at The Castle School.
SCIENCE
In today’s rapidly changing technological world, everyone needs to have an understanding and knowledge of science so that they can make informed judgments about its relevance in their everyday lives.
All students in Year 7-11 study topics in Biology, Chemistry and Physics to develop an understanding of scientific concepts and also relate them to their effects on our lives and the world around us.
The aims of the science curriculum are;
- to develop scientific knowledge and understanding in the disciplines of science.
- to develop practical and investigative skills.
- to provide opportunities to develop the ability to consider scientific issues and to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future
Key Stage 3
In Years 7 & 8 all students are taught in tutor groups. Topics are taught on a rota basis and the topics covered are listed below.
|
Year |
Biology |
Chemistry |
Physics |
|
|
7 |
Introduction to Science Working Scientifically |
Cells Reproduction |
Elements Acids |
Forces Space |
|
8 |
Body Systems Health |
Reactions Separating techniques |
Sound Light Electricity |
During Year 9, students are taught in mixed ability classes. Topics are taught on a rota basis and the topics covered are listed below.
|
Year |
Biology |
Chemistry |
Physics |
|
9 |
Ecosystem processes Adaptation and inheritance |
The Earth Metals and acids The Periodic Table |
Motion and pressure Energy |
Key Stage 4
The majority of students study AQA Combined Science - Trilogy, which leads to a 2-grade Combined Science GCSE qualification. This is sometimes called 'Double Science'. This course involves studying topics in Biology, Chemistry & Physics.
Some students will study an accelerated route leading to three GCSEs – AQA Biology, AQA Chemistry and AQA Physics. This is often known as ‘Triple Science’. These students begin following the course in the latter part of Year 9. The classes following this course will move at a faster pace, requiring students to work more independently and put in additional time when necessary, as they cover a greater amount of content than Combined Science students, in the same amount of lesson time.
A small number of students follow OCR GCSE Combined Science. A small number of students follow Entry Level Science with the option to progress to OCR GCSE Combined Science.
Post-16
In the Sixth Form, students can choose from courses in Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Medical Science.
The courses we offer include;
- EDUQAS A Level Biology
- AQA A Level Chemistry
- AQA A Level Physics
- WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma In Medical Science
MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Modern Foreign languages have always formed part of the compulsory Core Curriculum at Castle, and most students study at least one language to GCSE. We believe that language development is an important skill for all.
In Year 7, all students study either French or German, in a roughly equal split. Parents/carers are able to specify a preference when accepting a place at the school ; up to 10% of parents typically do so. Students will then continue with the study of this language through to GCSE.
In the Sixth Form, students can choose to study French or German A-levels.
Students also have opportunities to travel abroad and develop their language skills :
Pupils studying German can choose to participate in our exchange programme with pupils from our twin town, Bockenem in Germany. This runs in year 9. Pupils studying French can participate in a residential visit to northern France in year 10.
Our A-Level German students have the opportunity to undertake a week of work experience in Germany in year 13, again in and around our twin town Bockenem.
We are very proud of our German exchange which has a long tradition and has now been running for over 30 years.
We also offer support for students with other first languages who wish to take qualifications in the language: in recent years these have included Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
All students study Religious Studies until at least the end of Year 11, taught by a specialist team of teachers. The Castle School is a non-denominational school, so we do not see Religious Studies as a vehicle to instruct students to believe in any particular religion. However, we believe it is an essential part of every student’s core curriculum, as it seeks to help prepare students for life in modern Britain.
Our courses seek to help students develop an understanding of the major religions, their beliefs, customs and history. Yet Religious Studies also invites them to consider some of the major ethical and moral dilemmas that they will face as citizens, debate them and consider why others may hold differing views to their own. So, Religious Studies is also a key part of the school’s Lifeskills programme, and plays a vital role in the development of students’ spiritual, moral and cultural development.
During Years 9-10, all students work towards a Short Course GCSE, which is sat at the end of Year 10. We also offer a GCSE RS Full Course in Years 10 and 11 that students can opt to study alongside the Short Course as part of the options process in Year 9.
In Year 11, students follow a non-examined course that enables them to examine and form opinions on a range of ethical and moral issues from religious and secular perspectives.
In the Sixth Form, we offer an A-level course in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics. In addition, all students have a weekly Lifeskills lesson, the programme for which includes further opportunities to consider and debate a wide range of ethical, moral and religious questions.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education
All students study Physical Education until at least the end of Year 11.
In Years 7-9, all students have at least 2 hours of Physical Education a week, taught in half-year groups. A wide curriculum is followed during each year. Students are generally taught in single-sex classes, alongside students of similar physical abilities.
In Years 10/11, this Core PE curriculum continues for all students, but with more student choice involved. In Year 10, students take part in a core PE programme that continues to build on the skills developed across Years 7-9 and includes a number of inter-house competitions. In Year 11 students will have a 2 hour lesson once a fortnight where they are given an opportunity to leave the school site and take part in activities in the local community. Students can attend Thornbury Leisure Centre, Thornbury Tennis Club and Thornbury Golf Club as well as activities within school.
In Years 10/11, students study GCSE Sports Studies as one of their option choices; there are usually 2 or 3 classes a year following this course.
In the Sixth Form, we can offer A-level PE. We also run a timetabled recreational PE class as part of the Sixth Form Extension Curriculum on a Wednesday afternoon.
For students in all years there is a thriving programme of extra-curricular opportunities available each term. This includes inter-school teams in netball, hockey, rugby, football, athletics, cricket, cross-country, golf, tennis, plus regular clubs for fitness, trampolining, basketball and badminton.
There are also termly inter-house sports competitions (in football, netball, rugby, cross-country, hockey and athletics), allowing all students to take part in competitive team sport.
The PE department like to celebrate those students who perform at a high level of sport outside of school from local to international representation, many of them in sports not available in school. These individuals are recognised on our role of honour board. In July we hold our Sports Award evening, attended by over 400 people, at Thornbury Leisure Centre. The department also runs overseas tours in rugby, football and hockey, as well as an annual netball weekend camp.
PE Policy document PE Practical Lesson Timetable Fasting and Physical Education at The Castle School
HISTORY
All students study History until at least the end of Year 9. Students can choose to continue to study History at GCSE, and it is a very popular option – 45% currently choose it, with up to 7 classes a year.
We also offer A-level History in the Sixth Form, which has 2 or 3 classes a year.
We are very fortunate in having Thornbury Castle on our doorstep, and we make frequent visits there as a case-study of the Tudor period.
GEOGRAPHY
All students study Geography until at least the end of Year 9. Students can choose to continue to study Geography at GCSE, and it is a popular option – up to 6 classes a year. During the GCSE course, all students take part in at least one fieldwork expedition to develop practical skills.
We also offer Geography at A-level in the Sixth Form, running 2 or 3 classes a year. All students carry out practical fieldwork, in Devon or Pembrokeshire, as part of this course.
ART
All students study Art until at least the end of Year 9, and The Castle School has had a long specialism in Visual Arts. As well as the Art Dept’s teaching rooms, they also have the Octagon Art Gallery. This Gallery includes a teaching space and a public gallery, and plays host to exhibitions of work by both professional artists and many Castle students, and has hosted Artists in Residence who work with our students of all ages. The Dept includes 7 specialist teachers and 2 specialist technicians.
In Years 10 and 11, students can choose to take on GCSE courses in Art, Commercial Art and Design or Photography. There is no compulsion on students to take an Art course, but all 3 are popular choices. A small number of students may choose to do more than one of these at GCSE.
In Years 10/11, the Art Department also runs a Art Plus GCSE course. This forms part of an alternative provision for some students who may have a slightly reduced core curriculum, but allows nearly all of these students to obtain a GCSE in some form of Art & Design specialism.
In the Sixth Form, the Art Dept runs an even wider range of courses. Every year there are A-level courses running in Fine Art, 3-D Art, Graphic Art and Photography; each of these runs 1 or 2 classes in each year.
There is a tradition of a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities for students within Art, and their work holds a powerful place around the school, and within the wider community. We also display the students Art in a public exhibition celebrating students' artwork, from that year, in the summer term.
MUSIC
All students study Music in years 7-9. The curriculum within these years provides a wide repertoire of styles and experiences for students.
In Years 10/11, students can opt to study GCSE Music.
In the Sixth Form, we offer an A-level in Music.
In addition to these formal courses, there are a wide range of options for instrumental tuition with our team of peripatetic tutors, with most instrumental areas available. For detailed information on what’s available each term, please contact Mrs Becky Elderton - becky.elderton@cset.co.uk in our Music Dept. There is also a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities running each week for students – these include Concert Band, Woodwind Ensemble, String Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Chaos Choir and Year 7 Singers. The Castle School also has close links to the Thornbury Community Steel Band group which regularly perform locally and tour internationally, and there are weekly rehearsals for these also.
If you are interested in instrumental or singing lessons, please contact Becky Elderton, Head of Music : becky.elderton@cset.co.uk
Students' musical skills are publicly showcased via a busy annual programme of events, which include 2 major annual Music concerts as well as performances in local Eisteddfods and venues such as St George's Brandon Hill and The Bristol Beacon (formerly Colston Hall). The Dept has also enjoyed taking groups of musicians on European Tours to Germany, Belgium and Holland.
The Chamber Choir recently performed live on Luxembourg Radio from the Place d'Armes and The Concert Band recently reached the Nationals in the Music For Youth festival in Birmingham.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
All students study Design Technology until at least the end of Year 9. During Years 7/8, all students study modules which ensure they have experience of applying Design Technology principles within Food, Textiles, Resistant Materials, Electronics and Graphics. At the end of Year 8, students and parents/carers can indicate a preference for 2 specific areas to focus on in Year 9, and we try to meet these preferences as far as possible.
We offer three different courses in Year 10/11 -
a) Food Preparation and Nutrition (GCSE)
b) Engineering (Eduqas Award)
c) Design Technology (GCSE). Within the GCSE, Students can opt to specialise in any area of Production Design, Electronics or Fashion & Textiles for the practical component.
In the Sixth Form, there are opportunities for students to further develop their skills in any of the GCSE areas. The Design Technology faculty runs A-level courses in Textiles and in Product Design (the latter can lead on from Resistant Materials or Electronics). A-level Food can be provided and an A-level Graphics course is provided by our Art Dept.
There are a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities available within Design Technology. These include a growing number of STEM and Engineering opportunities, many in conjunction with some of our Premium Partners such as Hyundai and Renishaw. We are also working closely with a number of organisations to help promote routes for girls into engineering, as they are an under-represented group within one of Bristol’s major employment areas.
In this field, in the last 5 years we have achieved a lot of national recognition. This has included students reaching national finals in 'F1 for Schools', the department display at the national 'Big Bang' festivial at the NEC, and where a finalist at STEM School of the year.
COMPUTING AND ICT
As well as developing ICT skills in all areas of the curriculum, all students have formal lessons taught by the Computing and ICT faculty until at least the end of Year 9. This formal programme includes an annual programme of e-safety education, introduction to the principles of coding and computer science, and development of a range of ICT skills.
In Years 10/11, students can choose to study a GCSE in Computer Science. The course, taught by subject specialists, enables students to develop practical programming skills using Python and an understanding of a wide-range of theoretical concepts. The GCSE course prepares students for A Level study, the workplace or beyond.
In the Sixth Form, we also offer an A-level in Computer Science.
E-safety forms parts of the Lifeskills and assembly programme for all students up to Year 13. There are also extra-curricular opportunities for students of all ages, including a Coding Club, ICT clinics and wider experience visits to UWE.
DRAMA
The Drama Department forms part of the Arts faculty, and is taught as a stand-alone subject . In Years 7-9 , all students study Drama as part of their curriculum. There is a weekly Drama Club for students of this age.
In Year 10, students can opt to take Drama GCSE, with the option for A level in the Sixth Form. There is a regular programme of theatre visits to professional performances for all these students.
Drama Lessons in Years 7-9 take place in either the Drama Hall , Dance Studio or Main Hall at Park Road. GCSE and A-level lessons take place in the Drama Studio, which is currently at our Gloucester Road site.
As well as GCSE and A-level performances, students from the Key Stage 3 clubs are given opportunities to perform and share their work in Drama Shows.
DANCE
All students study Dance as a separate subject in Years 7-9. This is taught by our Dance Department, a team of specialist teachers who form part of our Arts faculty.
In Years 10/11, students can opt to study Dance GCSE, which is an academic qualification allowing for the development of practical skills, as well as analysis of a professional anthology of work.
Post 16 students can opt to continue to study a Dance qualification, depending on numbers of students interested. The vast majority of Dance lessons at all ages take place in our specialist Dance Studio wherever possible, though we also use the Drama studio for some lower school lessons.
There is also a strong programme of extra-curricular clubs, run by our specialist teachers, but with older students also taking the lead choreographing for some younger groups. We put on an annual Dance Competition, open to all students, and at least 2 full-performance shows each year. We also regularly host masterclasses run by professional dance companies, and have supported a number of students who have moved on to professional training.
BUSINESS, CARE AND HEALTH (BCH)
Business, Care and Health (BCH) is the title of a faculty which offers a wide range of 14-19 courses in Years 10-13. Students can opt to take one or more of these courses from Year 10, having had taster sessions in Year 9 to find out more about the subjects. The range of courses available is wider for Sixth Form options, and some students choose a full-time academic or vocational curriculum from within this faculty. The subjects available are Health and Social Care, Children's Play, Learning & Development, Business, and Economics.
BUSINESS
In Years 10/11, students can opt for a GCSE Business course, we run 1 or 2 classes a year.
In the Sixth Form, we have two A-level courses running – A-level Business Studies and A-level Applied Business. Again, 1 or 2 classes of each run in each year.
ECONOMICS
Within the Sixth Form, we offer an A-level course in Economics with at least one class in every year.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
In Years 10/11, we offer a Level 2 BTEC course in Health & Social Care, which is a popular option – usually running 2 or 3 classes in each year. In Year 9, students can take part in taster lessons to find out more about this subject.
In the Sixth Form, Health and Social Care is offered as a level 3 Cambridge Technical qualification, with 2 possible routes – a 12 unit or a 6 unit award (equivalent to 2 or 1 A-levels). We usually run one class following each route. Students on these courses usually complete a long-term work placement in this career field as part of their study programme.
CHILDCARE, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT (CCLD)
Within the Sixth Form we offer a level 3 BTEC qualification in CCLD. This is run as a 6-unit qualification...equivalent to 1 A-level.. and can be combined with a 12-unit Health & Social care qualification to make a vocational study programme in this area. Students on this course also complete a compulsory long-term work placement in this career field as part of their course.
SOCIOLOGY
The Sociology Department is part of the Humanities Faculty. The subject is offered at both GCSE and A Level and follows the AQA Specification. We usually have two classes per year at GCSE and one at A Level.
Students do not need to have studied Sociology at GCSE to enrol in our A Level class.
PSYCHOLOGY
The Psychology Dept forms part of our Humanities faculty, and offers an A-level Psychology course in the Sixth Form. This is one of the most popular courses, usually running 3 or 4 classes a year.
MEDIA STUDIES
The Media Department forms part of our Expressive Arts faculty, and offers courses in Years 10-13.
In Years 10/11, we offer a Media Studies GCSE course. Students in Year 9 are offered a taster lesson to find out more about the GCSE subject. Students will have also been introduced to media based topics as part of their English KS3 course.
In the Sixth Form we offer A-level Media Studies. All GCSE and A-level courses are taught in our specialist rooms on the lower and Sixth Form sites, where we have access to the necessary technology for research, coursework and editing.
EXTENDED PROJECT (EPQ)
The Extended Project Qualification (AQA) is offered at Post-16, alongside a suite of A-levels and vocational qualifications. Each student on the course carries out an in-depth, independent research project designed to extend their learning beyond their programme of study alongside Taught Skills sessions to guide their research. The project can be in any field the student wishes, and allows students to delve deeper into areas of potential useful study. The EPQ is highly valured by universities, as a way of demonstrating higher level study and thinking skills. It is launched in term 4 and 5 for Year 12 students to continue into Year 13.