Bishop Hedley High School

1. Bishop Hedley High School Developing an Integrated Curriculum Sarah Hopkins & Harry Williams Duw a Digon – God is Enough

2. Quick Recap. We were investigating the potential behind developing an Integrated Curriculum in Year 7. This would entail certain subjects (mainly Humanities & Science) being taught through a thematic approach. The emphasis would be on the development of the skills required to develop and make progress rather than on the content – obviously this is vital, but only as a vehicle. We undertook research, benchmarking, and auditing of skills that Subject Leaders felt were vital to develop. We presented our research to this group, subject leaders and governors. Duw a Digon – God is Enough

3. We felt that we had many initiatives being undertaken in school, in line with National Developments, and that so many of these could be encompassed within the Integrated Curriculum. We discovered that there were so many benefits of the IC, that FAR outweighted the short comings, that would ease the transition from KS 2 – 3 and develop life long, skilled learners. Duw a Digon – God is Enough

4. Where we were… • Skills Audit undertaken in April 2008 by all departments, and some assessments re-written to ‘fit’ skills framework. • Recent audit revealed that pupils are developing subject specific skills, but are these skills are not transferable. • Pupils lack confidence in their learning ability Duw a Digon – God is Enough

5. What we’ve done…. • Spoken to department heads • Visited 2 schools where the Integrated Curriculum has been established – spoken to IC team, observed lessons and spoke to pupils • Undertaken research • Presented to SMT • Visited John Cabot Academy • Spoken to staff at another High School Duw a Digon – God is Enough

6. What we’ve done..cont. • Present to Governors • Present to Subject Leaders • Raised awareness of IC and how exciting and innovative learning can be! Duw a Digon – God is Enough

7. John CabotAcademy • Opportunity to visit a centre that had made its mistakes, but was still successful • Undertaken a variety of different models, but in its 5th Year was secure in the way it delivered the IC • Rationale same as ours, but delivery method VERY different from our anticipated delivery ( emphasis on skills in first term) 10 projects undertaken by students • LOTS of ICT – pupil profile used as evidence of work where staff mark, pupils comment and parents have input Duw a Digon – God is Enough

8. They found that the benefits of IC were enormous, increased attendance, reduced fixed term exclusions (from 32 days in 2003 to 0 in 2007), movitated students and independent learners. • GCSE results A*-C : 2006 – 75%, • 2009 – 94% (2nd year through IC) • The skills (Competencies) are revisited in tutorial to keep them alive, Whole School INSET, open door policy with lessons, IC displays EVERYWHERE, Heavy Emphasis on Student Voice Duw a Digon – God is Enough

9. Impact of the Project • Raised awareness of curriculum initiatives • Awareness of how change can inspire and motivate staff and pupils • Improved liaison with partner schools • Other staff in school aware of distributed leadership model and taking on new initiatives such as Pupil voice – next ‘intake’ Duw a Digon – God is Enough

10. Where next? • This term….. Secure the interest of teachers who may be involved Raise interest of subject leaders of the merits or lack of danger Investigate timetable constraints and real viability of the project Duw a Digon – God is Enough

11. Feb Half Term • Begin to prepare materials and lesson plans for next academic year Duw a Digon – God is Enough

12. Easter Term • Identify a class and initiate the involvement of parents Duw a Digon – God is Enough

13. Duw a Digon – God is Enough