Curriculum

Infants | Junior | Upper School | GCSEs

INFANT DEPARTMENT (usually ages 4 - 6)

In the Reception class we aim to provide a varied and engaging learning environment. Pupils’ natural inquisitiveness is encouraged, as well as nurturing creativity and imagination. Pupils become interested in their own learning and their school experience inspires them to want to learn more.

In ‘Around the World’ we explore different countries and cultures from Wales to Kenya and Australia, learning Kiswahili and eating Kenyan pancakes. Our garden is one part of our ‘Growing’ topic, as pupils explore the world around them, discovering growth in nature and in ourselves. Pupils ‘put on their lab coats’ to investigate scientific principles through exploring nature and taking part in experiments.

They experience new tastes, smells, sounds and sensations through exploring the senses. The parables of Jesus in R.S. help us to look after each other and value our friendships. The Infant Department provides the opportunity for both class and small group work in Number work, Reading and Writing. These ‘formal’ sessions are short but frequent, bearing in mind the concentration span of this age group and the need for repetition and reinforcement.

In Reception class, Information & Communication Technology is taught by the class teacher. From Year 1 onwards, it is taught by a specialist teacher working with just two children at a time. This ensures the maximum possible amount of teacher attention.

THE JUNIOR DEPARTMENT (usually ages 7 - 8)

The Junior Department provides friendly, supportive and intensive tuition in Maths and English skills. It also provides an introduction to other subjects such as Science, History, Geography, and Music. There are also opportunities for drawing, art and craft work, modelling and games.

Information & Communication Technology is taught by a specialist teacher working with just two children at a time. This ensures the maximum possible amount of teacher attention.

Children begin to learn Spanish as a foreign language. This emphasises the importance of communication. They also learn Sign Supported English for the deaf.

The Christian ethos of the school is shown in the Junior Department through fun activities based around Bible stories, and in the way that children are encouraged to care for others.

UPPER SCHOOL (usually ages 9+)

All pupils in the Upper School have the benefit of being taught by specialist subject teachers. Whilst in most schools this begins with secondary education at age 11, at Handsworth Christian School specialist teachers from age 9 gives every child a head start. For the first couple of years in the Upper School, the standards expected of secondary age pupils are introduced gradually and there is a greater emphasis on providing pastoral care for children through form groups, as well as general support throughout the school day.

Curriculum:

The Christian ethos of the Upper School is supported through assemblies and in Religious Studies lessons, although discussions about Christianity do sometimes happen in other subjects as well.

More able pupils often take GCSE Mathematics at least one year early, and because we stream pupils by ability it is sometimes possible for the brightest pupils to sit all of their examinations and leave at the end of Year 10 rather than Year 11.

 

GCSE EXAMINATION SUBJECTS

Mathematics, English Literature, English Language, Science Double Award, History, Geography, RE, Spanish, Art, and ICT are offered to GCSE level. We regret that we are unable to offer a wider range of subjects due to the small size of the school. However, group sizes of between 8 and 16 usually ensure that pupils get the individual attention that they need at this crucial point in their education. In 2007, 75% of pupils achieved a minimum of 5 A* to C grades, which compares favourably with schools across Sheffield - in particular because we have a high percentage of Special Needs pupils.

Please be aware that this percentage changes dramatically from year to year because we often have very few pupils sitting examinations.

In order to help pupils who are on the borderline, extra classes are set up after school free of charge for pupils in their final year with us. The group size for these classes can be as low as 5 - an excellent way for your child to get the individual attention needed in that all-important GCSE year!