Curriculum
The vision for The Cowplain School Curriculum is:
Our curriculum serves the needs of our students and the community at The Cowplain School. It enables our young people to think hard, develop character and understand diversity, supporting their desire to be inquisitive, curious and self-assured learners. It inspires them to acquire knowledge and understand the diverse world that they will influence for the better and in which they will flourish, encouraging them to go home and engage others in their learning. The curriculum teaches them the importance of the area in which they live, where the sea has played a defining role in our history. It recognises the challenge of learning lost due to the pandemic and the duty to ‘level up’ the inequalities that many of our children and their families experience. Ultimately, it challenges our students to work hard, enjoy learning, and develop their character to succeed in the next stage of their lives.
Curriculum Intent
To support the curriculum vision, students study a broad and balanced curriculum built on vertical and horizontal strands of learning. The vertical strands cover the national curriculum requirements based on knowledge, understanding and skills supported by the horizontal strands of cross-curricular and extra-curricular links. Each subject’s curriculum includes precise learning endpoints to ensure ambition for all. To support the development of skills for future learning and employment, the curriculum in every subject also includes vertical strands based on careers. Our curriculum recognises the need to develop literacy, reading and oracy throughout students’ time at The Cowplain School. A visual representation of the vertical and horizontal strand can be found here.
The Cowplain School Curriculum is specifically designed to support the three horizontal strands in every subject area, in every year group (see table below).
The Cowplain School Curriculum |
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Thinking Hard |
Developing Character |
Understanding Diversity |
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Mastery of learning |
Curiosity |
Acquiring cultural capital |
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Development of literacy |
Gratitude |
Being a world citizen |
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Being creative |
Grit |
Respecting human rights |
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Acquiring knowledge |
Kindness |
Understanding democracy |
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Creating independence |
Mindfulness |
Awareness of where you live (Local Context) |
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Not fearing failure |
Optimism |
No limits to your destination |
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Changing the world |
Self-Assurance |
Understanding environmental diversity |
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Creating ambition |
Self-Control |
Understanding mental and physical diversity |
Our curriculum for Y7-Y10 consists of 50 x one-hour lessons over two weeks, for Y11 it consists of 50 x one-hour lessons over two weeks as well as 6 additional lessons, Monday to Wednesday each week, of 40 minutes. In addition, students have 25 minutes ‘Reflection Time’ each day and 20 minutes 'Reading Time' each day. Reflection Time supports the delivery of the Cowplain School Curriculum and focuses on the three curriculum strands of: “Thinking hard, Developing Character and Understanding Diversity”. During Reading Time, tutors read carefully selected novels to their tutees, explaining complex vocabulary as they go. Reading is a key part of almost every subject and an essential part of everyday life. This is why we have chosen to invest time in supporting our students to become good readers.
Teachers at The Cowplain School enable the delivery of the curriculum by using precise and direct instruction, with regular learning checks as per Rosenshine’s principles. There is a specific focus on developing knowledge to be committed to long term memory which is supported by how the curriculum is sequenced. Assessment as one form of retrieval is an integral part of the curriculum.
Curriculum Time Allocation (lessons per fortnight)
Curriculum Overviews can be accessed by clicking on each subject in the table below.
In the table above, all subjects in bold are available as an option. Students select 3 subjects to specialise in Year 9 while continuing with both History and Geography. During Year 9 students make their final decision to study either Geography, History or both through to GCSE with their other subjects.
Extended Day for Year 11
In Year 11 the school day continues until 3.40pm to include an additional period 6 lesson for all students. This happens Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each week.
In period 6 students receive an additional lesson in each of their subjects across the fortnight. These additional hours are not included in the timings above.
Core curriculum subjects for KS4 and exam boards
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English Language |
AQA |
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English Literature |
AQA |
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Mathematics |
OCR |
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Science (Single subjects) |
Pearson Edexcel |
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Science (Trilogy) |
Pearson Edexcel |
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Geography |
Eduqas |
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History |
Eduqas |
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Ethics and Philosophy |
Eduqas |
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Modern Foreign Languages |
Pearson Edexcel |
Current option subjects for KS4 and exam boards
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Art and Design |
AQA |
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Business |
OCR |
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Computer Science |
OCR |
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Dance |
AQA |
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Drama |
AQA |
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Engineering Technology |
NCFE |
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Food Preparation and Nutrition |
NCFE |
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Hair and Beauty Therapy |
VTCT |
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Health and Fitness |
NCFE |
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Media |
Eduqas |
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Music |
OCR |
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Photography |
AQA |
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Physical Education |
OCR |
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Psychology |
OCR |
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Sport Studies |
NCFE |
Examination Entry
It is the school’s policy to enter all students for public examinations in the courses they have been following. In exceptional circumstances, such as a prolonged absence due to medical reasons, the school may withdraw a student’s entry for one or more examinations, following discussion with the student and parent.