Curriculum Intent

The Key Stage 3 curriculum at Hall Cross provides the foundation on which future academic success can be built. The initial phase of the KS3 curriculum is to provide an effective transition from KS2. With an intake in excess of 300, most children find themselves in a year group that, in many cases, totals more than the entirety of their primary school. There is also the additional challenge surrounding the fact that the Hall Cross intake is drawn from 35+ primary schools each year. There is a clear understanding across the key stage, and across the academy as a whole, of the fact that students who feel safe and supported in their learning environment are more engaged and likely to fully achieve their potential. The safeguarding of our students is paramount with robust lines of communication through departments, pastoral systems, and line management structures to ensure all students feel safe and supported at Hall Cross.

There is a robust and well-implemented transition phase in the summer term to ensure students are well prepared for the changes they will experience in the secondary setting. The challenges presented to the academy, and the students inducted into year 7 are managed not only through the excellent curriculum offer throughout KS3 but also a very supportive and effective pastoral structure. The year 7 year manager is introduced to all new students in the summer term of year 6 and meetings are held within each primary school to gather key pastoral information prior to students arriving at Hall Cross. The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) is also present in these discussions to gather key data in this regard. As a result, the academy is well placed to manage, from a pastoral and academic support perspective, what could otherwise be a more daunting transition into secondary school life for many students.

The curriculum intent is encapsulated in the following overarching aims:

Provide students with an immersive, engaging experience and develop inquisitive minds

Providing a broad and balanced curriculum offer at KS3 is paramount at Hall Cross. We have a proud history of investment in sport and the arts and value the impact that our suite of practical subjects have upon our learners. The KS3 timetable follows a 25 period week, and is structured as follows:

By offering this broad suite of subjects across the entirety of a full three year KS3 programme, we are able to, through high quality planning and delivery, immerse students in an excellent, content rich experience. This in turn allows students to develop a genuine, thorough engagement with different aspects of the curriculum in preparation for GCSE options in year 9 – ensuring students are next stage ready.

Each departments’ curriculum model is sequenced to deliver a programme of study that builds on prior learning, sets challenging objectives for new learning and effectively reviews the progress made from each student’s starting point. Hall Cross prides itself on our approach to independent learning – independence being one of the key skills of the Hall Cross Learner. Departments are encouraged to make the most of opportunities for student led learning with appropriate scaffolding and challenge based upon students’ abilities.

The provision of PSHCE is valued across KS3. There is a dedicated team of staff with responsibility for the delivery of PSHCE through the ‘Life’ curriculum. The provision is overseen by a member of SLT and covers all statutory requirements for the 2020/21 curriculum.

Provide a curriculum that is accessible to all

Ensuring that all students have the opportunity to achieve their full potential is of paramount importance. This is achieved through a variety of approaches across KS3. Firstly, a thorough knowledge of students’ starting points brought about by an excellent understanding of the curriculum delivered at KS2 and the translation of scaled scores. This ensures the curriculum at KS3 is able to fully build on students’ abilities from the day they transition into Hall Cross, and avoids unnecessary repetition of content that has previously been covered.

Secondly, differentiation that allows all students to meet their potential. Effective differentiation is a key part of the planning of each department’s curriculum and an expectation in the delivery of all lessons ensuring students are enjoying excellence in all curriculum areas. Challenge is an aspect of the learning of all students, not just that of the most able – this is achieved through effective scaffolding, modelling and clear criteria for success across the key stage. Through the design of a curriculum that is challenging for all, we are able to invest in key life skills such as resilience, independence and creativity in a situation applicable to education and problem solving, rather than as an abstract skill which would lessen its impact and reduce its relevance. These key skills are incorporated into the DNA of the school through our Hall Cross Learner key characteristics.

Finally, a full understanding of individuals needs allows for planning that more effectively engages students from more vulnerable groups such as Pupil Premium (PP) and those students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). The Special Educational Needs department works closely with subjects across the key stage to ensure students with specific needs can be supported effectively in lessons and that the deployment of learning support staff can have maximum impact. Consistency in deployment allows learning support staff to liaise with subject teachers so they know the sequence of learning and can therefore be more effective in their support. Pupil Premium funding is utilised to ensure students within this cohort have the best chance possible of achieving their potential on their journey through Hall Cross.

Provide opportunities for students to explore experiences beyond the classroom

The provision for students outside of the classroom, one aspect of the ‘Hidden Curriculum’, is paramount to the planning of our KS3 model. A plethora of opportunities exist for students to immerse themselves in enriching experiences across the course of their ‘working week’. There are extra-curricular opportunities provided by each of the departments with a presence at KS3.

The benefits of enabling students to participate in an extensive programme of extra-curricular opportunities are numerous. The variety of opportunities available allow students to develop their self-esteem, create broader perspectives for their learning, develop key life skills such as teamwork and communication skills, provide active engagement for otherwise potentially wasted free time and provide important social opportunities to interact with people who may be outside of their usual circle of friends. There is a comprehensive map of the activities provided at Hall Cross and this is shared with students who are encouraged to make the most of the opportunities on offer.

Additional to this, extensive enrichment opportunities are offered through educational trips and visits to support the curriculum across KS3 – outlining our commitment to developing the cultural capital of all of our students. Established links with other education providers such as the college and a variety of universities, along with local employers, allows our students to engage in practical applications of their learning and see the relevance of their work in the wider world – thus providing a different perspective to the work being undertaken in class. To complement this, there is an extensive programme of provision from outside agencies delivered in school from guest speakers to workshops and presentations, all delivered to support and enhance the excellent delivery of each subject within the classroom.

Develop a preparedness for Key Stage 4

Across KS3, students receive an experience that effectively ensures they are next stage ready. The important foundation knowledge and skills required to be successful at GCSE and beyond are the bedrock of our provision. Students leave KS3 following a comprehensive options process designed to ensure students move into subjects that best suit their skills, strengths and interests, established through one to one meetings with members of SLT. Prior attainment across the key stage is incorporated into the options process. This allows students the opportunity to select the appropriate pathways for their KS4 education ensuring challenge, whilst making sure all options are accessible to their ability.

Our Pledge

The KS3 journey is one of the most important that young people undertake during their time in education. It is a journey that we recognise the significance of and invest fully in. We pride ourselves on our refusal to ‘cannibalise’ the vital provision at KS3 in exchange for an extended KS4 as this would be to the detriment of our learners and their experience of a broad and balanced curriculum with a rich knowledge base. Our investment in our KS3 provision has been a key factor in the upward trajectory of GCSE results in recent years. Our school context demands that we invest heavily within our KS3 provision if our students are to make the necessary progress across their time at Hall Cross. The governors, school leaders and teams of teachers responsible for the delivery at KS3 continually review and evaluate provision to ensure the student experience is of the highest standard to deliver our aims for this most vital of key stages.