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The Curriculum

The curriculum is not just a list of subjects taught in a school.  The curriculum describes everything that goes on in the school and helps pupils to learn about the world around them and how to take their part as citizens.  

At Oxclose School we value all pupils equally whatever their stage of development and believe that they are entitled to experience the maximum sense of success and the minimum sense of failure.  Parents will receive three reports each year and have the opportunity to attend a review meeting in November as well as a full subject report evening later in the year.  

Tests and examinations are held towards the end of each academic year and pupils' results are communicated to parents. Year 7 and Year 10 pupils also take baseline assessment tests from Durham University.   

Homework is set for all pupils, in line with the whole school Homework Policy, with the amount varying according to the subject and age of the students, increasing as they become older and approach public examinations.  Planners are provided in which to record homework, targets and general information.  It is a help if parents can check and sign the planner each week and there is a space for parents to comment if they wish.  Form tutors work closely with our pupils to ensure that homework tasks and deadlines are met.  Homework requirements vary from subject to subject and each teaching department has a written policy.  A Homework Club is held every evening, except Friday, in the school library to support pupils and those requiring additional homework facilities.  The Library Study Centre is also open each lunchtime to support students with Homework tasks.  Many subject areas offer extra sessions after school to help students further their studies.  

Oxclose School complies with the legal requirements of the National Curriculum ensuring that all pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum with specific areas of specialism.  We take care to maximise choice because we believe that our pupils are most successful when given a degree of responsibility for their own learning.

The school curriculum is constantly changing to meet the needs of pupils and reflect the demands of the outside world.  Few people could, for example, have predicted the impact Information Communication Technology (ICT) would have had today.  Similarly, vocational qualifications (such as GNVQ) were unheard of in schools just a few years ago.  The current curriculum will change to meet new demands and maximise the chances of exam success for individual students.   

KEY STAGE 3 (11-14 year olds) The following subjects are studied:

English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Information Technology, French or German, Geography, History, Religious Education, Physical Education, Music, Drama, Personal and Social Education (in weekly tutorials).  

KEY STAGE 4 (14-16 year olds) The following subjects are compulsory:

English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, Technology, French or German, Information Technology, Religious Education, Physical Education, PSE (within Tutorial Programme).  The choice of a Humanities Subject (History, Geography or Travel and Tourism) is encouraged.   

Pupils are then expected to complete their timetable with the choice of one vocational GCSE.  This is chosen from, Health and Social care, Science, Art or Information Technology.  We hope to be able to offer Performing Arts in the near future.  Each of these is worth four higher GCSE passes.  Also on offer are GCSE Music, Expressive Arts and Art.  A full list of subjects can be found in the examination section.  

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Oxclose Community School is non-denominational.  Religious Education is a common element in the curriculum of every student.  In Years Ten and Eleven the subject is developed as an examination course.  Oxclose is both physically and spiritually close to the Oxclose Ecumenical Centre.  Regular services are held in the church, with special events at Christmas and Easter.  School pupils take an active part in these occasions, as do Church Members.  Ministers from the church are regular visitors into school, taking an active part in the curriculum.  Parents have the right to withdraw pupils from R.E. lesson.  

SEX EDUCATION

Sex Education is considered throughout the school with seriousness and sensitivity, building on the work already begun in the primary school setting.  This has implications for physical, mental, emotional and cultural development, which cannot be contained within a single specific subject.  Consideration of the quality and value of relationships is stressed, and the ability to exercise personal responsibility encouraged.  

CAREERS EDUCATION

The pastoral system is structured throughout the school to provide individual guidance and monitoring of progress including self-assessment, and to encourage decision-making skills.  Heads of Year meet members of their year-groups on a regular basis.  We have links with local and regional employers and there is close liaison with Sunderland Connexions Service, as well as with the local tertiary colleges.   

All students leave Oxclose with a Portfolio Record of Achievement, which celebrates their achievements.  Oxclose was the first school in the North of England to be awarded the status of “Investor in Careers”.  This honour was given in recognition of the high quality careers work at the school that ensures our pupils are aware of the world of work and well informed in making their post 16 choices. This year Year 9 students will spend a day at The City of Sunderland College working alongside Oxclose students who have progressed to further education.

All Year 10 students undertake a two-week work experience in the Summer Term.  Individuals are encouraged to arrange their own Placements, (subject to CAREER SERVICE approval).  This fortnight gives a valuable insight into the world of work. Year 10 also take part in Mock Interviews with our Business Partners to prepare them for when they leave school.  These are held in the School Library.                         

Year 11 students are involved in career talks, individual career interviews and will visit Sunderland University for an afternoon taking part in a variety of workshops.   

Oxclose School enjoys an excellent reputation in terms of the numbers of its students that go on to Further Education.   The natural partner college is :  

The City of Sunderland College Statistics from the Sunderland Careers Office on the destinations of some of our 2001 leavers are as follows:

• To College                                         77                                                                     

• Employed                                          26         

• Left Area                                             2            

• Modern Apprentice                               6           

• National Traineeship                             4            

• Not Known                                         23                          

• Unemployed Count                             17       

PASTORAL ORGANISATION

For registration and tutorial purposes forms remain together from Years Seven to Eleven.  The Form Tutor is an important member of the pastoral team led by the Head of Year and Assistant Head of Year.  Daily contact with the Form Tutor backed up by systematic progress reviews by subject teachers ensures careful monitoring of pupil achievements.  Great importance is attached to the awareness of individual needs and social development.  Parents are welcome to arrange appointments at anytime with the above personnel; there are, of course, formal Parents' Evenings on an annual basis too.  

Oxclose School involves its students in school routine through the election of Form Representatives and School Council.  Students enjoy taking responsibility and working in partnership with staff to share planning in the pursuit of excellence.   

An example of this partnership is the school's Anti Bullying Policy, which was devised involving students, parents, governors, members of the local community and staff.  Year 11 students are selected to mentor Year 7 pupils who have newly made the transition from primary to secondary school.  

Students either stay on the premises for lunch or go home having received written permission from parents.  Those who stay at school either bring packed lunches or pay daily for a choice of hot and cold lunches, prepared in the kitchens on the premises. Students are strongly encouraged to stay on site in order to participate in the vast range of lunchtime activities. The safest place for our students to be at lunchtime is on the school premises.

We ask all parents to provide us with an emergency contact number so that they can be notified if their child becomes ill during the day.  

We set high standards for all our students.  It is essential that they arrive at school on time, prepared to learn.  As well as being in the right frame of mind to work we expect students to be correctly dressed and equipped for school.  Every student will be issued with his or her own planner and it is important that this is checked and signed regularly.   Although most pupils attend their local school, bus passes or other special transport arrangements may be available for families living more than three miles from the school by the shortest suitable walking distance.  Details are available from the Education Department Offices, PO Box 101, Civic Centre, Sunderland. Tel: 5531000.

We would respectfully request that holidays are NOT arranged during term time.  Absence from school for this purpose can be authorised by the Headteacher but we are anxious that pupils’ learning does not suffer as a consequence 

LEARNING SUPPORT AND PUPILS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES  

All students have access to all curriculum areas.  Trained Learning Support teachers led by the Learning Support Coordinator work closely with departments, operating a flexible network of support geared to responding to the individual pupil’s special needs.  Included in this organisation are opportunities for one-to-one counselling and tutorial sessions.    Liaison with parents is built into our support structures.  Learning Support at Oxclose School describes an integrated range of provisions available to enable and support student access to the curriculum.  It incorporates the work of the Special Needs Coordinator; The Heads of Year and their pastoral teams, access to and use of the Library Study Centre and other support rooms, the information and guidance given to subject departments relating to students’ needs and the work of departments to cater for them.  

All students have equal access to these provisions, though the varying levels of need necessitate different levels of use.   

Provision for disabled students has been enhanced further still by the construction of a new facility including a Hydrotherapy Pool and Physiotherapy Unit. This provision will be developed for the use of the wider community. 

Oxclose Community School is an inclusive school in the true sense of the word.

UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT

OXCLOSE COMMUNITY SCHOOL operates a strict uniform policy, for all year groups, which is as follows:

Black or red sweatshirt with school logo, a white, black or red polo shirt with the school logo, together with black trousers or skirt and black sensible shoes (not trainers).

Sweatshirts and polo shirts with embroidered OXCLOSE SCHOOL LOGO are on sale from the school. Please place a priority order to ensure supply.

All students should carry a bag for their equipment.  

The Governors Policy states that certain jewellery is not appropriate to wear in school and whilst we WILL accept one pair of earrings and a watch; we do ask pupils not to wear long necklaces, numerous rings and earrings, chokers etc.  Accidents can and do happen in busy schools and some jewellery really does pose a safety threat to the wearer and others.  As parents, you will no doubt be aware of the current trend in body piercing and we would ask for your support in ensuring that pupils do NOT come to school wearing, for example, nose, lip, tongue and eyebrow jewellery.   

PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - we do not specify particular colours or types of PE kit for students.  What is required is a change of clothing appropriate to the activity being undertaken.  Training shoes for inside use must be mud free.  

We also expect our students to come to school equipped with the following:  

Essential:      

• PEN

• PENCIL

• SHARPENER

• ERASER

Useful;

• CALCULATOR

• ROUGH NOTEBOOK

• COLOURING PENCILS/FIBRE TIPS

• PAIR OF COMPASSES

• PROTRACTOR/ANGLE MEASURER

• RULER  

Basic equipment can be purchased from the school library.  

Every child is equipped with an attractive School Planner to help pupils plan their class and homework activities week by week.  

OUT OF HOURS LEARNING Our Out of Hours learning programme is extensive and growing. A host of activities take place, some before school but most after school and in the evening.  They are open to all pupils and include the following:

• Dance

• Soccer

• Youth club

• Web Publishing (ICT)

• Basketball

• Gymnastics

• Athletics

• Choir

• Orchestra

• Brass Group

• Netball

• Homework club

• Horticulture club

• Extra classes in curriculum subjects

(This is a flavour rather than a complete list as our clubs grow with the times.) 

The school produces regular theatrical and musical presentations where large numbers of students take part.  

In addition there are many opportunities for students to become involved in community activities supervised by the Community Tutor.  Oxclose Community Association and the Oxclose Youth Project are two such activity groups; there are others.  For further information please contact Mrs. Shela Nugent (site Manager), during office hours.  

Field trips, home and abroad: Oxclose also organises a wide variety of field trips, foreign exchanges and trips within the British Isles and abroad:  

A group of Year 11 students enjoyed 2 days at Lancaster University learning about University life.   Hopefully this is an annual event for students interested in going on to University.  

During the week 2-6 July learning at Oxclose School was different to other weeks.  Learning was taken out of its traditional boxes of subjects, timetable slots, classrooms and the school building.  Instead each tutor group worked with two teachers to plan their own integrated curriculum on the theme of ‘Community’.  Not only were groups working towards an end product that they would present to an audience at the end of the week but they focused on the process of learning.  Each day ended with a session to reflect on the day and complete learning logs to allow students to identify and develop skills for effective learning.  We also worked on different learning styles and how being an effective learner is different for different people.  We hope to be able to transfer what we have learned, and the ways in which we have learned, back into our subjects.     

We also “block” subjects for learning during the year in order to give students an extended time for particular subjects and to learn in different ways.  

Fieldwork included visits with the Geography Department to the Newcastle Quayside and a residential at Derwent Hill; they also compared Durham Cathedral and The Baltic Art Gallery as tourist attractions. This year, Travel and Tourism students will visit Disney Land Paris to explore business management in one of Europe’s prime tourist attractions. (They might also have some fun!)  

The School Library is open every breaktime and lunchtime and a Homework Club operates Monday to Thursday 3.30pm until 4.30pm  

SPORTING AIMS AND PROVISION 

At Oxclose we aim to provide a broad and balanced physical education programme, common to all, in order to enable equal access to all activities for all students. At Key Stage 3 students are taught in mixed gender and mixed ability groups.  

At Key Stage 4 students use an option system to choose the two activities they wish to be assessed in and in order to participate in leisure activities they might continue to enjoy after leaving school.  

At Key Stage 3 the following activities are undertaken: - Netball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Badminton, Volleyball, Tennis, Cricket, Rounders, Athletics, Dance and Gymnastics.  

At Key Stage 4 new activities, Weight Training and Aerobics, are added to the curriculum options.  Y11 students have the opportunity to do Ten Pin Bowling as part of a leisure based programme. G.C.S.E. P.E. and Dance (in Expressive Arts) are popular, successful options.  

• At Key Stage 3 time allocated is 2 x 1 hour sessions

• At Key Stage 4 time allocated is 1 x 1 hour session

• G.C.S.E. P.E. and Dance time allocated is 2 x 1 hour sessions  

Extra-curricular activities both at lunchtime and after school include opportunities for students to enjoy Basketball, Football, Netball, Badminton, Dance, Athletics, Cricket, Gymnastics and Boccia. We run school teams in Football, Netball, Basketball, Athletics, Cross Country Running and Tennis and Cricket.  

Inside facilities include a sports hall, gymnasium, dance studio and use of a theatre and restaurant when necessary. Outside facilities include Netball, tennis courts; large grassed areas for football and athletics.  Our floodlit, all weather 5-a-side pitch is an excellent facility that is used within the curriculum and by extra curricular groups.    

As a community school our facilities are also used after school and at weekends; activities include Badminton, Yoga, Aerobics, Karate, Irish Dancing, Line Dancing, Basketball, Gymnastics and Dance.  

We are very pleased to have achieved the SPORTSMARK award this year, which is a charter mark of good practice in sporting activity in the school accredited and presented by Sport England.  

EXAMINATIONS Tests are held on a regular basis within routine classwork.  More formal tests are held on an annual basis, the results of which are reported to parents.   

Trial National Curriculum Key Stage 3 and GCSE examination are held in order to prepare pupils for the formal public examinations in Years Nine and Eleven.  

G.C.S.E. EXAMINATIONS - entry at G.C.S.E. is available in the following range of subjects: