I have two schools to recommend to you that are comprehensive and have excellent curriculum design for pathways through KS4 which enable progression what ever the ability of the student and are close to you geographically. •Lees Brook Community College in Derby http://curriculumdesign.ssatrust.org.uk/8dR356im/1247-20112009-0937-Web%20Applied%20learning%20in%20practice.pdf •Leasowes Community College in Dudley http://curriculumdesign.ssatrust.org.uk/Examples/index.php/West_Midlands#Leasowes Please find some info about their curriculum on the links above. I can arrange to put you in contact with either of these schools and we plan to run a visit to both of them in the summer term.

Posted by: Katherine Attard on 13/11/2009 @ 15:30

As no two schools are the same it would be best to talk through the issues to determine the best way you could move forward. We do offer bespoke consultancy to help with issues like these so that we can work with the school to develop a curriculum that covers all the necessary areas with limited/no detrimental effect on any learner. We are also running a curriculum design residential in Rugby on 24th and 25th Feb 2010 where delegate issues will be raised and potential solutions discussed with experienced Curriculum Design Lead Practitioners. If you would like to find out more about these options please contact the Trust at curriculumdesign@ssatrust.org.uk . Geoff Wilson Programme Manager Curriculum Design

Posted by: Geoff Wilson on 24/09/2009 @ 11:32

The best schools in our network to look at for a stage not age curriculum are Serlby Park and Outwood Grange. We will be hosting curriculum exchanges at their schools in the autumn term, dates will be on http://curriculumdesign.ssatrust.org.uk/Events/event.php?id=7 by the end of the month. For research purposes please see the SSAT booklet 'System Redesign 3' which can be purchased from our e-shop or is available free to delegates at our summer term events https://www.schoolsnetwork.org.uk/ssat/Pages/BrowseProducts.aspx?mcid=&scid=&productid=1378&sortby=&find=system&cat=Products.

Posted by: Katherine Attard on 11/06/2009 @ 18:03

The content will be broadly the same across events, they will all look at evaluating where school's are with their curriculum development. The difference with the special school events is that the presenters will use examples from their own (special) settings and that the fellow delegates will be from special schools, this may include collegaues from SEBD schools. Our special school event in Newcastle does have a lead practitioner presenting who is also from an SEBD school.

Posted by: Katherine Attard on 14/05/2009 @ 20:18

Through schooling leads to many natural advantages in Year 7 curriculum development; 1) Staff can be used in both years 6 and 7 so the knowledge base is much sounder regarding planning. 2) Primary practice can be used by the real specialists without undue staffing dislocation. 3) Audits of coverage are much easier to organise-applied curriculum approach linking concepts, themes- a natural continuum. 4) Pupils are able to cross the age divide so transition is much less obvious-less chronological class setting-mixed age? 5) Assessments can be common and hence progress much more easily monitored -similarity in approaches is developed-certainly missing at present. 6) Resources are shared across transition groups-larger project style curriculum results. 7) PLTS becomes much easier to manage - actually has a basis in primary in a through school and this can be used to support subject specific assessment. Just a brief synopsis, please contact Steve Geraghty from Serlby Park School in Yorkshire and the Humber for more information.

Posted by: Katherine Attard on 07/05/2009 @ 12:27

Hello David, The schools that come to mind are St. Johns in Marlborough (http://www.stjohns.wilts.sch.uk/), your contact here is Kathy Pollard who is also works for the Trust as a Lead Practitioner. The school has a cross curricular competency curriculum model which involved staff and students heavily in its design. John Cabot Academy in Bristol (http://www.cabot.ac.uk/) uses a their own version based on RSA Opening Minds to deliver an innovative curriculum model in Year 7 based on cross curricular skills. Go to the website and click the “Year 7 CCC” link. Campion School in Northants (http://www.campion.northants.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Home&pid=1) also uses a “Learning to Learn Model in year 7 drawing on cross curricular themes. My current school operates a model which uses “Flexi Days” where the curriculum is collapsed foe 8 day s a year to explore cross curricular themes. This is based on a model used by Leasowes Community College (http://www.leasowes.dudley.gov.uk/index.shtml), which was the original innovator of cross curricular days. I hope this helps but if I can be of any further help please don’t hesitate to call me or email directly and I could talk at more length and send you any relevant documents and presentations. Regards Steve

Posted by: on 30/04/2009 @ 11:32

We offer free bespoke events for local schools and can provide an agenda that meets your tailored needs. We can provide a Lead Practitioner to present on most areas of curriculum design. We do ask that the event has at least ten schools attending so that we make best use of our resources. Please contact curriculumdesign@ssatrust.org.uk or 0207 802 9106 for more details.

Posted by: Katherine Attard on 27/04/2009 @ 13:25

The cross-curriculum dimensions are not a statutory part of the national curriculum, wowever schools will find them useful in designing and planning their whole curriculum. They can provide a focus for work within and between subjects, in personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS) and across the curriculum as a whole, including the routines, events and ethos of the school. Please see the QCA website for more guidance http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/key-stages-3-and-4/cross-curriculum-dimensions/index.aspx

Posted by: Katherine Attard on 18/03/2009 @ 13:24