The Extended Curriculum

There are many activities which students can get involved with which are over and above the National Curriculum. Some of these activites are hilighted below.

AS Level Critical Thinking

AS Critical Thinking at John Spence

AS Critical Thinking is offered to our more able students in Year 11 and is taught immediately after school on Monday evenings by a member of staff from Tyne Metropolitan College.

AS Critical Thinking is offered because we want :

What is Critical Thinking ?

Critical Thinking is a form of reflective reasoning that analyses and evaluates information and arguments by applying a range of intellectual skills in order to reach clear, logical and coherent judgements within a given context. Teaching it helps students consciously to develop those skills and to use the language and concepts of the subject. Students must understand the language of reasoning and use different patterns of reasoning, as well as different standards for evaluating arguments.

AS Critical Thinking encourages students to:

 

Rationale for teaching Critical Thinking

With the increased focus on thinking skills and different learning styles at Key Stages 3 and 4 this is a way of providing progression and a qualification in this skill area. It is also a way of engaging and stretching more able students in Year 11 as well as enhancing their ability to deal with analysis and evaluation in ‘A’ Level subjects before beginning their ‘A’ Level studies.

Young Enterprise

Following the ‘Davies Review’ in 2002 schools have received funding since September 2005 to provide a minimum of thirty hours of enterprise learning for all 14 -16 year olds. This is taught throughout Key Stage 4 in our ‘Fit for Life’ lessons. With enterprise you think about creating a business. But Enterprise education is changing : enterprising qualities such as a can-do attitude, creativity and the ability to make ideas happen are increasingly recognised as the key to long-term prosperity. This is why the Government is encouraging young people to play their part in creating a more enterprising culture in the UK

At John Spence we are working with ‘Young Enterprise North East’ to deliver the Company Programme to a group of gifted and talented Year 10 students after school on Wednesday evenings. This is year long programme and the rationale behind this is to give these  young people the opportunity to actually make ideas happen, encouraging them to further develop those enterprising qualities not only that the government are looking in to but that will be very useful in their future lives.

The Company Programme gives a practical insight into the highs and lows of business as the students set up and run their own business over the course of an academic year. The ability to work in a team, the first-hand experience of key business functions and a willingness to take responsibility and initiative are just some of the enterprising skills that this programme is designed to develop.

Company Programme students are supported during their year by a business volunteer, working in partnership with a link teacher. At John Spence our students have been supported by Jessica from ‘Eversheds’ who has been working with Simon Topping, our G&T Co-ordinator.

This year John Spence students came up with the idea of creating language books for very young children. Having elected a board of directors each with a specific responsibility and raised share capital to fund their project they set about producing the product. This certainly did develop self-confidence among the students as well as improve communication, interpersonal and team working skills.

The group have already taken their product to a regional trade fair in the Metro Centre in February, and although the youngest team there, they acquitted themselves very well. They are now gearing themselves up for another Regional Competition in April.

‘Moving On’

Although this happens during the school day, a small number of our Year 10 and 11 students have an alternative/ extended curriculum whereby they experience a number of alternative activities which sets out to improve their employment prospects. The activities are designed to use the context of work to develop knowledge, skills and  understanding that will be useful in work. The activities on offer include Beauty Therapy, Catering, Photography, Motor Project, Retail, Word Processing and Joinery. Each activity lasts for 12 weeks and is either accredited via AQA units or ASDAN accreditation.

‘Flexible Curriculum’

For a minority of students who are at risk of not being able to complete their education we have been able to access the two year  ‘Flexible Curriculum in Construction Skills’,  whereby the students spend four days of the week out of school and one day in school to complete their English, Maths and Science GCSEs. In their time out of work they study for the BTEC First Diploma  in Construction Skills (4 GCSE equivalent)  by spending some of the time at ‘The Barn’ learning joinery skills and the rest of the time at NTTS learning bricklaying, painting and decorating etc.

Of our two students who were thought suitable for  the course, one will come out with a merit ( 4 GCSE equivalent  at ‘B’ grade) and the other with a pass (4 GCSE equivalent at ‘C’ grade). Both achieved their English GCSE A* - G in November.

‘Partners in Work’

For several years we have been working with the EBP on the ‘Partners in Work’ project. Initially this was in conjunction with Grange Interiors, the kitchen fitting company, but more recently with Rok. The idea behind the scheme is that these companies will offer 5 students a modern apprenticeship at the end of two years if they have met all the criteria.

For some of our students, going to college is not a route they will choose after leaving. The modern apprenticeship route is a more likely alternative. With this project students who are interested can apply, be interviewed, and if successful join the two year course. Students will be expected to take part in a variety of activities both within school time and out of school time.

At John Spence 5 students were successful in acquiring modern apprenticeships with Grange Interiors.      

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