Curriculum

The curriculum at Cowes Enterprise College extends from years 7 to 13 and includes both the formal timetabled curriculum and all the informal learning and development that occurs outside the timetable:

• The formal timetabled curriculum includes a broad range of subjects. In year 7 and 8, to link to our local context, the theme of maritime and marine is woven through various subject areas as part of this timetabled curriculum
• The informal curriculum includes the Cowes charter and other enrichment opportunities

Core Aims

In all OAT schools, the purpose of the curriculum is based on our purpose as a Trust:

• Teach – the curriculum sets out the knowledge and skills pupils are entitled to
• Develop – the curriculum sets out how pupils will develop socially and emotionally
• Change – the curriculum should be designed so that any pupil can excel, so that no one is disadvantaged

Our aims for the curriculum also support the OAT values, which are:

• Anyone can excel
• Share what is best
• Be inclusive
• Enjoy the challenge

The curriculum at Cowes Enterprise College is stretching, broad and inclusive. The curriculum is designed so that any pupil can excel, so that no one is disadvantaged. For the very small number of pupils who receive a bespoke and adapted curriculum, the curriculum still meets the expectations of the overall curriculum and seeks to develop excellence and engagement.

All pupils should develop in music and the arts, in technical and technological skills, in sport and physical activity and socially and emotionally, to the extent of their potential.

Opportunities to do so are available to every pupil and where pupils do not pursue these in the formal curriculum they are actively encouraged to do so in the informal curriculum.

Careers Curriculum

Cowes Charter

Our Cowes Charter delivers a universal offer for all pupils in years 7 to 13 which encourages exceptional personal development and which includes high quality careers and wellbeing support for every year group. Enrichment at Cowes is not a bolt-on but the informal element of our wider curriculum.

Key Stage 3

Pupils at Cowes Enterprise College follow the full intent of the National Curriculum:

• Pupils are able to opt for their preferred language choice, from French or Spanish, to start in year 7

In addition to the subjects set out in the national curriculum, pupils at Cowes also study drama.

Maritime Futures

During key stage 3, we embrace our rich local heritage and place demanding academic concepts and techniques into ‘real life’ settings using our close ties with the maritime industry. Pupils develop interconnected, rigorous knowledge across a range of subject areas and have the opportunity to, for instance, see the coastal features in real life through maritime field trips in geography, work on their sailing dinghy prototypes in design technology and visit the Mary Rose in history. The theme of maritime and marine is not a discreet subject, but is woven through various subject areas as part of the broader curriculum. Up to 10% of lessons in years 7 and 8 are currently linked to this theme.

Everyone Matters

We have a pioneering approach to our PSHE (personal, social and health education). Our Everyone Matters (E1M) curriculum launched in September 2019, taking in strands of thinking from across the safeguarding and more traditional PSHCE curricula. The curriculum also includes citizenship, character education, relationships and sex education, and careers and enterprise.

Key Stage 4

In key stage 4, all pupils study English language, English literature, mathematics, and science (combined or triple).

All pupils have the right to study the EBacc in key stage 4, regardless of prior attainment. To enable them to study the EBacc pupils:

• Opt to continue with either history or geography in key stage 4
• Continue the study of their chosen language, French or Spanish

All pupils also study: PE, Everyone matters (including PSHE, citizenship, and sex and relationships education). Religious education is currently delivered through a combination of weekly lessons and tutor time.

In addition pupils are able to opt to study further subjects including:

Key Stage 5

At key stage 5, we offer a wide range of A level courses. Our curriculum ensures pupils are able to hone skills such as oracy, teamwork, communication and project management. Pupils can opt to study from subjects including:

Sixth Form Charter

The Sixth Form Charter is a requirement for pupils in the Sixth Form and involves a variety of creative, sports and community service activities. Activities pupils can opt from include student leadership, fund raising, reading buddies, Young Enterprise, the arts, debating and volunteering.

Curriculum Model

Each week is made up of 25 lessons of 1 hour. The number of lessons allocated to each subject is: