School curriculum
The curriculum is everything that is
on offer at school for children to learn. Activities outside the
classroom, including educational visits and field studies, are just
as much a part of the curriculum as the subjects that are taught in
the classroom.
The secondary curriculum builds upon the work pupils have done
in the primary school. Each pupil’s records transfer with them.
This means that the learning begun in the primary school is
developed further. The curriculum in secondary schools includes the
National Curriculum.
The National Curriculum
The National Curriculum for secondary
school covers:- Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) for pupils aged
12-14 and Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) for pupils aged 15-16. The
aim is to provide:
- Clear, precise objectives for schools
- Identifiable targets for pupils to work towards
- Clear, accurate information for parents about what their
children know, understand and can do
- Guidance for teachers
- Continuity and progression from one year to the next.
The organisation of the school curriculum is the responsibility
of the Headteacher.
Visit
theNational Curriculum website for a more detailed look at how the
Curriculum is broken down.
Religious Education
Religious Education is part of the curriculum. You have the
right to choose not to let your child take part. If you wish to
exercise this right, you should discuss it with the Headteacher of
your child’s school. You can also withdraw your child from
collective worship (group prayers) if you wish.
Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE)
SACREs have been in existence since 1944, and have been a legal
obligation since 1988. A body independent of the
CSA
, SACRE includes
representatives of:
- The Children's Services Authority
- Christian and other faith communities
- Teachers.
The role of a SACRE is to support the effective provision
of:
- Religious education in all maintained schools (other than
Voluntary Aided schools)
- Collective Worship in all maintained schools other than
Voluntary Aided, Voluntary Controlled and Foundation schools.
They work with the us to review the existing provision for
religious education and consider whether any changes need to be
made to the locally Agreed Syllabus or the support given to
schools. They also work with us to monitor the provision of daily
collective worship and consider any action that might be taken to
improve it.
SACRE also advises us on the provision of training for
teachers. In Rochdale they work with the REAL Trust in
providing In Service Training.
The REAL Trust
Sex education
Secondary schools must provide sex education. Each school will
have a policy for how it does this. You have a right to withdraw
your child from these lessons if you wish.