Curriculum
Bicester Community College offers a flexible curriculum which addresses the abilities and talents of each individual student. There is a wide range of courses at KS4 and in the Sixth Form and a great variety of extra-curricular activities are offered. The Ofsted report (2007) judged the curriculum to be ‘outstanding.’
The National Curriculum Regulations
The 2008-2009 curriculum at Bicester Community College covers far more than the requirements of the National Curriculum. These requirements are set out for reference: The National Curriculum consists of 10 subjects which all students study at school. The subjects are:
| English | Design Technology | Music |
| Mathematics | History | Art |
| Science | Geography | Physical Education |
A Modern Foreign Language (French or German) for 11 - 14 year olds. Spanish also may be taken by 14 – 16 year olds. In addition, all students study Religious Studies.
Governors have a duty with the Head and the Local Authority to ensure that the National Curriculum is delivered.
Further information is available in the Curriculum Handbooks and Homework Booklets, published annually for families.
National Curriculum Assessment Results
National and Bicester Community College results for Year 9 students are published annually in this Prospectus; owing to publication dates, the National figures may be those of the previous year.
Governing Body's Statement of Curriculum Aims (Summary)
All Local Authorities have to publish a curriculum statement, which Governors then take into account for the purposes of their own school policy and provision. Thus any school curriculum policy reflects national, Local Authority and school dimensions.
The Governors of Bicester Community College endorse the following which includes the curriculum statement of the Oxfordshire Local Authority:
- The curriculum embraces academic, vocational, moral, social and personal concerns. The curriculum should presume that all students may at any time have special educational needs requiring particular provision.
- Education should prepare students for their future life in a technological society. It will therefore enable young people to develop their skills in numeracy, literacy and information technology. It will encourage an understanding of mathematics, science and technology, and their applications, and will offer them opportunities to pursue academic and vocational courses and experiences in preparation for the world of work.
- Education should enable students to appreciate not only their heritage, but also the richness in diversity and the strength of shared human values. Many of these values are part of the broad curriculum: respect for human life and the rights of others; equality of opportunity; justice; enterprise; a generous concern for those in need.
- Education nurtures individuality. It must do this in the context of a rich cultural heritage and should take into account the changing demands of a multi-cultural and multi-racial world, which is both vulnerable and increasingly inter-dependent.
- Learning takes place not only in the classroom, but also, for example, in games, assemblies, theatrical and musical performances, residential courses, day visits, community and work experience.
- Within the curriculum for the whole school it is expected that students normally have a continuous and progressive experience in, and develop an understanding of, these areas of learning: Expressive and Aesthetic, Linguistic and Literary, Mathematical, Physical and Recreational, Scientific Social and Environmental, Spiritual and Moral, Technological.
Bicester Community College operates a two-week timetable of 25 periods per week. Each period is 1 hour long.
Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) is taught by tutors in Years 7-9 and includes the cross-curricular themes of Health, Citizenship, Careers, Study Skills, Environmental Education. PSHE is taught through enrichment programmes on special days in Years 10-11.
Students with learning difficulties are given support in class and in special groups. Students with exceptional abilities are encouraged individually, given extension tasks to suit their talents, and offered opportunities to develop their potential.
Years 7, 8 and 9 (Key Stage 3)
The table below shows the number of periods allocated to each subject in each year.
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|
| Art | 3 |
3 |
3 |
| Dance | 1 |
1 |
1 |
| Design and Technology | 5 |
5 |
5 |
| English & Drama | 6 |
6 |
6 |
| Geography | 3 |
3 |
3 |
| History | 3 |
3 |
3 |
| Information & Communications Technology | 2 |
2 |
3 |
| Mathematics | 6 |
6 |
6 |
| Modern Foreign Language (French) | 2* |
4* |
4* (see below) |
| Modern Foreign Language (German) | 2* |
4* |
4* |
| Music | 3 |
3 |
2 |
| Personal Social and Health Education (including Learning to Learning in Year 7) | 2 |
1 |
1 |
| Physical Education | 4 |
5 |
4 |
| Religious Studies | 3 |
3 |
3 |
| Science | 5 |
5 |
6 |
Latin is taught within English time in Year 8 as a seven week module.
* All students study French and German in the Autumn Term of Year 7. After October Half Term they then choose to study either French or German for the rest of KS3. All students will take their GCSE examination at the end of Year 9. Some students may opt to begin a GCSE Music course in Year 8 or 9, held in extra-curricular time. This will enable students who wish to develop further their language skills to choose one or two other languages for study at KS4.
Setting takes place in English, French, Geography, German, History, Maths, Religious Studies and Science. Other subjects are taught in form groups (mixed ability).
Each year the College identifies a fast track group (GATE group) which will complete their Key Stage 3 studies in two years, and will take GCSE in the core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science) early. This group will also take part in additional enrichment activities in Year 9 and will have the opportunity to begin AS Levels in Year 11. Identification of these students is made on the basis of their KS2 results, Primary School Teacher assessments and Cognitive Ability Tests (CATs) which the College administers on arrival. The membership of this group is decided by October Half Term in Year 7 and reviewed regularly.
Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4)
Compulsory Courses
| All students study the following subjects: | Per two week cycle: |
| English | 6 periods |
| Maths | 6 periods |
| Physical Education | 4 periods |
| Religious Studies | 2 periods |
| Double Science | 9 periods |
| Design Technology | 5 periods |
Choice of Courses
Students then choose from the following two pathways:
Pathway One |
Pathway Two |
Modern Languages Additional Courses |
Section A Section B Section C |
Fast Track
Some students will start a GCSE Humanities (Geography, History or RS) subject in Year 9 and complete this GCSE at the end of Year 10. Some may take a modern foreign language or music early. The top set in Mathematics will take GCSE at the end of Year 10.
The Sixth Form
Years 12 and 13 Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary Level Courses: 2008/2009
| Art | French | Music |
| Biology | Further Mathematics | Physical Education |
| Business Studies | Geography | Physics |
| Chemistry | General Studies | Product Design - Graphic Products |
| Critical Thinking | German | Product Design – Textiles |
| Dance | History | Psychology |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | Information and Communications Technology | Religious Studies |
| English Language and Literature | Law | Sociology |
| English Literature | Mathematics | Spanish |
| Electronics | Media Studies |
Vocational Courses: 2008/2009
| Travel and Tourism | Health and Social Care |
| Information Technology | Hairdressing |
Open University Courses
Our most able students are able to study Open University modules as part of the Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS). These are studied alongside A Level Courses.
NVQ Football
This course enables students to take a variety of qualifications in coaching, refereeing, life saving and first aid. It includes the Community Sports Leaders award. The first year course can be taken in conjunction with a GNVQ in Leisure and Tourism or with some A Level courses.
Non-timetabled time is allocated to private study – students have access to the Library and other study facilities. Further information is available in the Sixth Form Handbook. Students may also be involved in the Young Enterprise Award Scheme, the Community Sports Leaders Award, the Universities Award, Community Service, Work Experience and study towards the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).
Publications
The school produces a valuable range of publications for families:
| Newsletters | - |
sent to families and friends of the college, usually twice a term. Items for inclusion should be given to the College Secretary. |
| Student Planner | - |
issued yearly to all students |
| College Prospectus and leaflets | - |
given to prospective parents and to visitors to the College |
| Annual Report | - |
a review of a year-in-the-life of Bicester Community College, issued to parents, governors etc. |
| Welcome to Bicester Community College |
- |
prepared for our new families - providing practical information and guidance |
| Options Booklet | - |
issued to Year 9 in the Spring Term |
| Examinations Booklet | - |
booklet of guidance and study- skill hints available to all students taking public examinations |
| Bicester Sixth Form Students Handbook | - |
prepared for all Year 12/13 students |
| GCSE Course and Assessment Information | - |
booklet for Year 10 detailing course requirements |
| Curriculum Handbooks | - |
prepared for each of Years 7,8 and 9 |
| Assessment Booklet | - |
outlines our whole school approach to assessment |
| Homework Leaflet | - |
explains homework practice and policy |
| Library Leaflet | - |
explains library opening hours and facilities |
| Homework Booklets | - |
providing parents with details of homework tasks issued each term |
