Ysgol Botwnnog

Cymraeg

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Home > The Curriculum > Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3

The FUTURE depends on what you do in the PRESENT

student using a hammer in the workshop

Our main aim here at Ysgol Botwnnog is to create a learning atmosphere where pupils feel happy, safe and enjoy learning.

Every individual is important in the School, and we ensure that all pupils receive a Curriculum that suits them as individuals in the School.  This aligns with the 4 purposes to ensure the best education and experiences for the learners here at Ysgol Botwnnog.  We provide a curriculum that develops the pupils in 6 areas of learning and experience.  The cross-curricular and holistic skills form the core of the New Curriculum with all of them woven into each other. 

THE 4 PURPOSES

The 4 purposes are vital to us here at Ysgol Botwnnog, they are core to the planning, adaptation and evaluation of the curriculum here at the School.  The 4 purposes are: 

  • Ambitious, Capable Learners
  • Ethical, Informed Citizens
  • Enterprising, Creative Contributors
  • Healthy, Confident Individuals

AREAS OF LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE 

The departments are now changing to Areas of Learning and Experience, these are the 6 areas with the subjects as they traditionally were, obviously these will be central to the Education of the pupils at Ysgol Botwnnog:

Expressive Arts

Art, Music, Dance, Drama and Film and Media

Health and Wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing, Physical Education and Food and Nutrition

Humanities

Geography, History, Religion, Values and Ethics and Business

Languages, Literacy and Communication

Welsh, English and International languages

Mathematics and Numeracy

Science and Technology

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Design and technology - Textiles, Product Design and Food & Nutrition

CROSS-CURRICULAR SKILLS 

The cross-curricular skills listed below are further applied and developed within the 6 Areas of Learning and Experience to ensure opportunities: 

  • to develop listening, speaking and writing skills (literacy) 
  • to use numbers and to solve problems related to real-life contexts (numeracy) 
  • to use a variety of digital technologies to help them communicate effectively and make sense of the world (digital competence) 

HOLISTIC SKILLS 

The holistic skills will be specifically addressed in the New Curriculum; they will ensure that our pupils receive the best possible Education in school and nurture and develop: 

  • Creativity and innovation 

  • Critical thinking and problem solving 

  • Personal effectiveness 

  • Planning and organizing 

 

PRINCIPLES OF PROGRESSION 

The principles of progression are central in the design of the New Curriculum here at Ysgol Botwnnog, they are slightly different for Maths and Numeracy, but are consistent across the other 5 Areas of Experience and Learning: 

  • Increasing breadth and depth of knowledge 

  • Deepening the understanding of the ideas and disciplines in the Areas 

  • Increasing refinement and sophistication in the use and application of skills 

  • Making connections and transferring learning to new contexts 

  • Increased effectiveness 

Principles of Progress of Mathematics and Numeracy : 

Proficiencies 

  • Conceptual understanding 

  • Communicating using symbols 

  • Fluency 

  • Logical reasoning 

  • Strategic competence 

12 PRINCIPLES OF learning and teaching 

Good learning and teaching is a priority here at Ysgol Botwnnog to give pupils the best experiences on and beyond the classroom floor.  The 12 pedagogical principles ensure that learning and teaching is up-to-date and balanced. Good learning and teaching means: 

•  Constant concentration  

•  Provides a challenge to all learners  

•  Use a mix of methods  

•  Use a mix of approaches including those that promote problem solving skills, creative skills and the ability to think critically 

•  Set tasks and select resources that build on and engage previous knowledge and experience  

•  create authentic contexts for learning  

•  follow the principles of Assessment for learning  

•  extend within and across Areas of Learning and Experience  

•  constantly strengthen cross-curricular links and opportunities provided for practice 

•  motivate children and young people to take increasing responsibility for their own learning  

•  promote social and emotional development and positive relationships  

•  promote collaboration 

RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION 

Promoting the wellbeing and safety of our learners is vital to us at Ysgol Botwnnog. It is essential that our learners are gradually empowered with the appropriate knowledge to ensure that they keep themselves and others safe. The themes that will be addressed over the course of their secondary education are: 

  • Rights and equality 

  • Relationships 

  • Sex, gender and sexuality 

  • Bodies and physical image 

  • Sexual health and well-being 

  • Violence, security and support 

RELIGION, VALUES AND ETHICS  

Religion, Values and Ethics are part of the field of Humanities Learning and Experience.  The lessons: 

  • reflect the fact that religious traditions in Wales are predominantly Christian but take into account the teachings and practices of the other major religions. 

  • reflect the fact that a number of non-religious philosophical convictions are also held. 

  • are presented in an objective and critical way, with the teachers using an unbiased approach that does not encourage children or require them to be religious or non-religious or to accept a particular point of view 

EDUCATION CAREERS AND EXPERIENCES RELATED TO THE WORLD OF WORK 

At Botwnnog we work with a range of external agencies to provide the best possible opportunities for all learners.  This education is essential to ensure our learners are ready for the world of work.  We will continue to work together with external agencies to provide learners with diverse opportunities and appropriate information.  The New Curriculum is an opportunity to refine the Curriculum to ensure it is suitable for our learners here at the School. 

LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXTS 

Ensuring the local, national and international contexts is vitally important for the success of the Curriculum nationally and locally here at Ysgol Botwnnog.  The Areas of Learning and Experience take this into account when designing their Curriculum for the learners. 

TRANSITION 

The effective Transition between Primary and Secondary is core to the success of our pupils (see our Transition Strategy 2023 – 2025 for more information).  Looking specifically at the New Curriculum it is essential that cluster pupils are involved in the transfer process to ensure it is as smooth as possible.