Somervale School offers a broad and balanced curriculum throughout Key Stage 3 (years 7 to 9) and Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11).

Extended learning is an essential part of learning and progression. At Somervale, students complete Extended Learning Projects throughout the year. These planned assignments allow students to develop a wide range of skills whilst developing their independent learning, recall and organisation skills.

Students will be assigned projects following the ELP calendar in several subjects, which includes start and completion dates for each assignment. Each participating subject set ELPs three times throughout the year. These will be assigned to students using google classroom and are also available on the links below.
 
Year 7 ELP schedule 2023-24
Year 8 ELP schedule 2023-24
Year 9 ELP schedule 2023-24

Mathematics, English and Science set weekly tasks to prepare students for learning. Other subjects may also set preparation for learning tasks when appropriate to support learning in lessons. 

All students are guided to follow pathways that will help them access the next steps in their education. All Students take a language or a humanities subject; most take both at GCSE.

All Students in Key Stage 3 have an opportunity to take part in creative enrichment activities outside the rest of the curriculum, as we believe these experiences enhance students’ experience and skills.

In year 7, all students study Spanish. Some students are also given the opportunity to study French alongside Spanish which they continue to study throughout KS3.

In year 9, students are supported in choosing their options. More details of this process can be found on the options section of the website.

At Somervale School we recognise that the personal development of students, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. 

We therefore aim to provide an education that provides students with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive, caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of the cultures. 
 
The school will ensure that students’ SMSC development will take place across all curriculum areas, within activities that encourage students to recognise the spiritual dimension of their learning, reflect on the significance of what they are learning, and to recognise any challenges that there may be to their own attitude and lifestyle. 
 
This reflection will principally take place through PSHE, as well as tutor time and assemblies.

The spiritual development of students is shown by their:

• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values
• sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
• use of imagination and creativity in their learning
• willingness to reflect on their experiences

For example, year 7 students study about Rome and Christianity in History.

The moral development of students is shown by their:

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England
• understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
• interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues

For example, year 10 students study ‘The use and abuse of drugs’ in Science

The social development of students is shown by their:

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with students from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
• willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
• acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; the students develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

For example, Sixth Form students hold a Christmas dinner for elderly members of the community each year.

The cultural development of students is shown by their:

• understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
• understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• knowledge of Britain's democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
• willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities
• interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity, and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities

For example, year 9 students study about Buddhism, inspirational people, suffering and evil in Philosophy and Beliefs.

Reporting

• Students receive 2 progress reports and 1 full school report each year
• Parents also have the opportunity to attend a parents evening
• Subject teachers and pastoral staff are available throughout the year if issues or concerns arise

Assessments at KS3 & KS4

• Students are regularly assessed in both Key Stages.
• At Key Stage 3, this involved formal assessments as well as informal assessments through classwork, homework and regular low-stakes knowledge tests. The formal assessments lead to a Flightpath grade to help track progress and inform parents.
• At Key Stage 4, assessments follow the exam curriculum. More details about each subject can be found in the options section of the website.
• Students are also given ‘Target’ grades. At KS4, students are given aspirational targets which indicate what they should be aiming to achieve in each subject by the end of Year 11.
• At KS3, students’ targets are translated into Flightpaths which show whether students are Developing, Meeting or Exceeding age related expectations.
• More importantly, after each assessment, students are given a ‘challenge’ that they need to complete in order to make progress – such as using paragraphs to order an argument. They will use ‘purple pens’ to indicate where they have responded to the challenge.

Working with primary schools to develop better assessments

• We are presently working with local primary schools to ensure that the National Curriculum Levels we use are applied consistently between Y6 at Primary school, and Y7 at Secondary school. Also, we are reviewing the use of levels in order to develop more effective assessment methods to help students better understand how to make progress.