Curriculum
Ada Lovelace CofE High School places a high premium on academic success and takes an intelligent approach to achievement. English Baccalaureate subjects (English, Maths, Science, Languages, History, Geography and RE) are all taught formally as separate subject specialisms as these will facilitate the widest range of choices post-16. All students follow a full curriculum in Music, Computing, and Art & Design Technology, covering KS3 National Curriculum requirements in Year 7 and 8 in these subjects. Students also study Drama in Years 7 and 8. Year 9 is used as an enrichment year in these subjects, giving students maximum opportunity to enhance their skills before making their GCSE choices along with their other subjects at the end of Year 9.
All subjects use a consistent system of curriculum planning – taking a coherent approach from the purpose (intent) of the curriculum to the assessment of outcomes (impact). The Trust approach is to have common features in the delivery (implementation) of all subjects so that the learning habits of students are consistently developed across the curriculum. This includes the ability to retain and retrieve knowledge and use it in new and unfamiliar contexts. Literacy is also integrated into the delivery of all subjects as part of the whole school strategy.
Parents of current students can find out more about the school's curriculum on COPIA.
For more information please see each subject's curriculum intent statement and the Trust's assessment policy as well as the learning habits, literacy and whole school teaching and learning routines (by clicking on the relevant tab above).
Guides for prospective students and parents at different stages can be found below:
For the curriculum from Year 7, please read the guide below.
GCSEs and other qualifications available at Key Stage 4.
T-Levels at Key Stage 5
You can find out more about our approach to the curriculum and how students are assessed in the Twyford Trust's policies below.
Our SEN Policy and Report give details about how the curriculum is made accessible for those with SEND.
Independent Learning
Independent learning will be critical to the success of your child at GCSE and T-Level. It is our philosophy to develop the required skills within each subject as soon as students join the school. From day 1 of Year 7 there is a 15-minute lesson preparation task set in each lesson – that means 5 'lesson preps' are set per day.
Longer pieces of assessed homework in the form of essays, projects, assessments and presentations are also set fortnightly. The combination of lesson preparation tasks, to be completed each evening, and longer more developed pieces of work will ensure your child develops the independent learning habits required to succeed as they develop academically. Each core subject will outline a series of tasks to be completed independently of school. These will be called Level 4 Tasks and are designed to stretch students and encourage curiosity within each subject.
We have developed a Virtual Learning Environment called Copia, which allows students to access work electronically and support their independent learning at home. The same system also allows parents to look at their child's grades and attendance and conduct records.
Individual Knowledge of Your Child
Each child is known as an academic individual through careful diagnostic testing, which takes place as part of their induction to the school. Using this information, we set challenging targets that are effectively communicated and then evaluated at key points in the year. A well-constructed whole school evaluation system allows students to take control of their learning and make personal assessments of their progress.
Effective Communication with Parents
Communication is integral to the success of any school. Parents will receive Termly Grade Reports that provide information on effort and achievement in all subjects and at the end of the year a full report will be produced. Parents are expected to attend all Information Evenings and Parent Consultation Evenings, including an annual formal Parents Evening.
Each week parents should review and sign their child's planner which will contain key information relating to that week. Personal communication with your child's Tutor and Head of Year will be vital in supporting your child. To support this process there will be a Target Setting Meeting in September between student, parent and tutor.
The best information will always be gained via one-to-one contact with teachers so parents are warmly encouraged to be in contact with the school more regularly if there are any concerns.
Details of our Remote Learning offering can be found below.
Parents of current students can find out more about the school's curriculum on COPIA
