Curriculum

At Malbank we will develop the whole child giving all of our students' choices and opportunities in life so that they can leave us to become the best that they can be as they make a positive contribution to others and to society.

In designing our Curriculum, we have considered Balance, Rigour, Coherence, Vertical integration, Appropriateness, Focus and Relevance. This is in order to encourage personal development, promote cultural awareness, prepare students for the world of work and to build good citizens.

Curriculum Description

2020- 2021 Provision

Current curriculum provision is based upon a timetable of 50, 1 hour teaching periods over a 2 week cycle.

All pupils have access to the PSHCE curriculum via fortnightly timetabled pastoral tutorials.

Key Stage 3

We are in the process of reviewing and implementing our Year 7 to 9 KS3 learning programme, based on the National Curriculum, so that it builds on our key principles, ensuring that we are appropriately challenging and supporting all pupils as they join us. All Curriculum areas have clear intent and use the ‘Head, Heart and Hand' model to map their curriculum. Where;

Head - Knowledge, Application of Knowledge and openness to ‘big' ideas.

Heart - Self-awareness, Awareness of others and LORIC skills (see personal development)

Hand - Creativity, Teamwork and Skills.

Within the KS3 curriculum we deliver an ‘Opening Minds' curriculum, where students learn the skills that they need to learn and achieve in all areas of the curriculum. To meet the needs of all children we have incorporated a transition programme for vulnerable learners into Year 7; this is called ‘nurture'. This adopts a Primary approach where students have access to daily literacy and numeracy lessons so that these skills are developed.

In Year 9, we continue to encourage a broad and balanced curriculum with all students studying all subjects as we feel that it is very important to prepare our students for life and not just the public exams at the end of year 11.

As part of the options selection process, all year 9 students receive an individual 1-2-1 appointment with a senior member of staff to discuss their future aspirations and subject selections. As part of this process, all students have the opportunity to request an appointment with our Independent Careers Guidance Councillor to explore any opportunities to study courses not offered by Malbank. The Independent Careers Guidance Councillor has a high profile presence at the Year 9 Options Information Evening, allowing students and parents free access to that independent support and guidance.

Key Stage 4

Key stage 4 provides a broad and balanced curriculum that allows all pupils an increasingly personalised choice of study pathways. In Year 10, pupils can follow a traditional pathway of predominately level 2 qualifications from 4 option pools, including GCSE and vocational qualifications. All students have the opportunity to achieve the EBacc qualification.

Post 16

Post 16, pupils have access to a wide range of level 3 qualifications within 4 option pools. The majority of students study 3 level 3 qualifications in year 12. In addition, all Y12 pupils have access to level 3 qualifications in the form of the EPQ, as well as level 2 qualifications in English Language and Mathematics and a wide variety of enrichment activities during Option K.

Option K

Option K is an exciting and innovative initiative to offer an increasingly personalised 14-19 curriculum to all pupils in years 10 to 13. One lesson per fortnight is devoted to Option K on a Wednesday afternoon. Pupils choose from a variety of courses that they study for 1 year only, with pupils from Years 10-13 study alongside each other within the same teaching groups. From its inception in 2008, Option K has been pupil centred in its approach. Pupil voice was consulted about the development and implementation of all current courses.

Courses range from non-accredited enrichment activities to more formal courses. Courses available within Option K have included:

  • Computer programming
  • AS Decision Maths modules
  • Expressive Arts 
  • Performance Dance
  • Creative writing
  • Fashion & the arts
  • Politics
  • Sports Leadership
  • Recreational Sport
  • Psychology
  • Rock School
  • Work Experience
  • Photography
  • Philosophy
  • Supervised study