The Formal Curriculum
An appropriate curriculum for the school will be determined, organised and implemented, to meet the needs, experience, interests, aptitudes and stage of development of the students whilst having regard for the resources available to the school. It will at least meet the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum alongside the values and virtues of the Roman Catholic Faith. At St Benedict’s we view the curriculum as covering every aspect of the school’s work and, as such, incorporates both academic and pastoral elements.
As students move through Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5, they will be able to exercise greater choice in terms of the subjects they study. The school’s philosophy for KS3 and KS4 students is one that encourages a large common core and stresses a broad balanced curriculum for all, within National Curriculum guidelines.
At the beginning of their school life, all students will follow the same core curriculum. However, students will be grouped according to ability in some subjects. Students will be encouraged: to share responsibility for their own learning; to develop study skills through self‐organisation and regular homework; to make use of Information Communication Technology; to take advantage of any additional academic, pastoral and personal support available to them; to participate in the extra-curricular activities available to them.