Curriculum

Choosing to study Art in Key Stage 4 and 5 will allow students to continue to develop their understanding and skill in a range of artistic techniques.  The curriculum is rich in the study of a diverse range of artists, genre and mediums.

Art KS3 Curriculum Overview 24-25
Art KS4 Curriculum Overview 24-25
Art KS5 Curriculum Overview 24-25
Art Year 9 Curriculum Overview 24-25

In Year 9 students develop an understanding of the key business concepts and functions.  This prepares them for both GCSE and Vocational routes of study in Key Stage 4 and 5.  We endeavour to teach students about wider business issues, such as how businesses operate, a range of financial methods that businesses use, ethical and environmental issues and corporate social responsibility, the economy etc. Whilst teaching the curriculum, we want student to have a deeper and wider understanding, using current news events and real business examples for students to be able to apply their knowledge to the outside world.

Throughout their time at Southam College, students will benefit from Character and Culture lessons.  The purpose of the Character and Culture curriculum is to ensure students feel valued for their conduct, encouraged to be ambitious as well as resilient, and equipped with the knowledge, skills and self-belief required to lead a successful and happy life.

Character & Culture Curriculum Overview 24-25

In Year 7 and 8 we endeavour to introduce students to a range of Digital and computing programming skills, such as HTML, python, spreadsheets and databases. Students will learn how computers work and components that make a computer. Students will be exposed to a range of subject specific terminology, and will learn how to use this accurately and appropriately in their writing.  In Year 9, students have the option to follow a Computing or an IT curriculum which leads to both GCSE and Vocational study in Key Stage 4 and 5.  This is underpinned by developing students' computational thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.

KS3 Computing Curriculum Overview Year 7 and 8 2024 -2025

Drama in Y7 begins with building confidence in working with each other and learning through mistake making. Students also begin to develop knowledge of drama terminology for performance and design.  Throughout KS3, students will develop an understanding of character building and naturalistic and non-naturalistic forms.  Students will expand their knowledge of a range of performance history and styles through exposure to a variety of scripts and devising styles.

In English we endeavour to introduce students to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, such as novels, plays, poetry and articles. Students will learn how to analyse texts on a deeper level, paying particular attention to the language writers use to create meaning. Students will be exposed to a range of subject specific terminology, and will learn how to use this accurately and appropriately in their writing. Students will develop their reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills, to encourage high levels of literacy across all disciplines.

Throughout Y7 and Y8 students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of a range of places around the world.  They will also develop and understanding of a range of physical and human geography processes, how they interact and be able to apply this understanding to places around the world.  Students will learn to use a range of geographical skills. As students move through Key Stage 4 and 5 they will build on this foundational knowledge in more depth, exploring a range of geographical issues that impact today's world.

In Y9, students will study how people grow and develop over the course of their life, from infancy to old age.  Students will be able to apply their knowledge as they move through Y10 and Y11 to develop and understanding how life events impact an individual’s development and how society might respond.  The Key Stage 5 qualifications allow students to explore a range of factors relating to the Health and Social Care sector, preparing them for a wide range of related careers and opportunities to access a variety of Higher Education pathways.

The History KS3 programme of study is largely chronological giving students the opportunity to develop an overview of events from the Norman Conquest to the 20^th century.  Our curriculum has been designed with an emphasis on chronological understanding, with ‘big questions’ at the core of each unit.  Students build on the analytical and evaluative skills in Key Stage 4, exploring a range of challenging topics and developing further their historical interpretations.  At Key Stage 5, the History curriculum covers a wide range of topics and further challenges students to apply their historical understanding and skills to develop independent responses. 

History KS3 Curriculum Overview 24-25
History KS4 Curriculum Overview 24-25
History KS5 Curriculum Overview 24-25
History Year 9 Curriculum Overview 24-25

In year 7 students will build on their mathematical skills from KS2 and extend their understanding further. Students will learn key skills in the 4 main areas: number, algebra, data and shape and then be encouraged to apply these to help solve problems.

In Year 8 we will build on students' knowledge from Year 7 to help aid their learning prior to KS4. The focus is to build their problem solving skills across all aspects of the unit.  As students move into Year 9, they continue to build on these skills.  There are 2 tiers of entry for GCSE Maths: Higher and Foundation.  Students follow a specific scheme of learning in Year 10 and 11 to prepare them for the appropriate tier of entry.

The Media Studies curriculum enables students to understand key media concepts and theories.  Students throughout year 9 to 13 will encounter a wide range of media topics and will have the opportunity to create their own media products.  This is a fascinating course that builds an understanding of how we interact with society as both consumers and producers.

Modern Language are an important part of our Core curriculum offer.  Throughout their students, students build their recognition of vocabulary and learn how to create sentences and short paragraphs in the target language.  In addition to the language element, students will also become more culturally aware, learning about the country.  The lessons will be delivered as much as possible in the Target Language and there is an expectation that students speak that language in the classroom whenever they can.  As the key stage progresses, students will become more confident in writing longer paragraphs using a greater variety of structures and vocabulary, connectives, different time frames and opinions.

Year 7 French Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 8 French Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 9 French Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 10 French Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 11 French Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 12 French Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf

Year 7 German Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 7 Spanish Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf

Year 8 German Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 8 Spanish Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf

Year 9 German Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 9 Spanish Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf

Year 10 German Curriculum Overview 2024-25pdf
Year 10 Spanish Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf

Year 11 German Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf
Year 11 Spanish Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf

Year 12 Spanish Curriculum Overview 2024-25.pdf

In KS3 we endeavour to give every student the opportunities, skills and knowledge to enable them to develop as confident and creative musicians. Relevant music theory and instrumental techniques will be taught in the context of making music to allow students to progress and develop their skills with increasing independence and diversity. Throughout all topics, an emphasis on perseverance, resilience and self-evaluation will help students to develop as successful learners.

MUSIC Y7 & Y8 Curriculum overview 2024-25
Music Y9 Curriculum overview 2024-25
Music Y10 Curriculum overview 2024-25
Music Y11 Curriculum overview 2024-25

Students can opt for our Sports Studies course in Year 9 which gives them the foundational knowledge required to progress along either GCSE or Btec routes through Key Stage 4 and 5.  As well as continuing to develop in their chosen sports, these qualifications also provide students with the knowledge and understanding required to understand the subject in its entirety and follow a wide range of paths at higher education or career level.

In Philosophy and Ethics, we endeavour to introduce students to a range of beliefs and practices from religious to non-religious worldviews across all Key Stages. At Key Stage 3, students will learn how to express beliefs and practices from a wide range of views, on a deeper level, paying particular attention to the evaluation and impact these beliefs and practices have on their own lives and the decisions we make. Students will be exposed to a range of subject specific terminology and will learn how to use this accurately and appropriately in their extended exam responses. Students will develop their writing, through expression, application and evaluation and listening skills, this is in order we encourage high levels of curiosity and philosophical thinking from all our students.  

Students continue to work towards and develop these key skills, acquiring in-depth knowledge of two major world religions during KS4, including Christianity and Islam. Moreover, students can apply key religious beliefs and practices to four ethical theories at GCSE, including, family, Life, War and Crime. Students continue to develop key analytical and evaluative skills, writing extended exam questions.  

At A Level, students have the option to continue to study Philosophy and Ethics. Students follow the OCR A Level Religious Studies specification, covering the key components of Philosophy, Ethics and Christian Thought. Further to support all of our students within the sixth form, the Philosophy and Ethics department hold an ‘Ethical day of thinking,’ encouraging students to reflect on the wider world in which they live and moreover prepares students for life in modern Britain by: equipping them to be responsible, respectful, active citizens who contribute positively to society; developing their understanding of fundamental Global Virtues; developing their understanding and appreciation of diversity; celebrating what we have in common and promoting respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law. 
 

KS3 Curriculum Overview, Sept 2024.pdf
KS4 Curriculum Overview, Sept 2024.pdf
Year 11 GCSE classes Curriculum Overview, Sept 2024.pdf

Students can opt to study Photography as an Art specialism from Year 9 where they build the foundational knowledge required for success at GCSE and A Level.  Project-based learning develops students' photography skills and allows for creative expression.

Politics KS5 Curriculum Overview 24-25

In Year 7 and Year 8, our aim is to build on the knowledge and understanding of Science gained during Key Stage 2 and provide a firm foundation for further study. Throughout the course, the scientific process is taught, with many opportunities to plan, investigate, record, conclude and evaluate practical investigations, together with the relevant maths skills, and key subject-specific vocabulary that will enable students to be scientifically literate.

Sociology KS5 Curriculum Overview 24-25

Criminology KS5 Curriculum Overview 24-25

Psychology Year 12 Curriculum Overview 24-25
Psychology Year 13 Curriculum overview 24-25

There are a wide range of courses available to students in Year 9, Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.  Students can specialise in an area of Technology that interests them and build on the skills and knowledge they have developed during Key Stage 3. 

Here is a short summary of what your child is learning this year and a key question to be able to start a conversation on what they have covered in which subject area.

Year 7 curriculum learning points

Year 8 curriculum learning points

Year 9 curriculum learning points

Registration curriculum 2024-25