Carmel Curriculum Intent

This requires that social conditions allow all people to reach their full human potential and realise their human dignity. This means that Carmel College therefore: “Provides a broad and balanced education which will help children and young people grow to their full human potential, and pay regard to the formation of the whole person, so that all may attain their eternal destiny and at the same time promote the common good of society.

Children and young persons are therefore to be cared for in such a way that their physical, moral and intellectual talents may develop in a harmonious manner, so that they may attain a greater sense of responsibility and a right use of freedom, and be formed to take an active part in social life”. To achieve this aim, we explicitly develop in our young people the personal virtues of confidence and resilience, academic virtues of self- regulation and ambition and social virtues of compassion and justice across all aspects of our curriculum.

 

 

Curriculum Design and Implementation

 

The curriculum at Carmel is the sum of all the students' experience. This encompasses all of the activities which take place in College, including the formal programme of educational provision, the informal programme of extra- curricular activities and those aspects of organisation and interpersonal relationships, which contribute to the development of the College ethos.

This model demonstrates the interconnectedness of the moral, emotional and affective aspects of learning at Carmel. Centred by our faith and mission, we aim to prepare pupils for fulfilling futures, with a great foundation of knowledge, learning habits, virtues and community actions. In doing so, pupils will have the personal resources to “Live life to the full”.

 

Academic Curriculum

Our broad and balanced curriculum is led by curriculum leaders who ensure -

• the best subject knowledge content is selected, paced and sequenced to match the development of our learners
• learning experiences are designed to motivate, challenge and engage learners, making the curriculum meaningful for all
• there is legitimate progression for our learners from one week, month, year and key stage to the next

Structure of Curriculum

We have designed a three year Key Stage 3 in which all pupils have the opportunity to gain a broad knowledge in both the academic and culturally enriching subjects. This provides a strong foundation of substantive and disciplinary knowledge that are both distinctive to Key Stage 3 and also necessary for successful progression to Key Stage 4.

KS3 Curriculum Routes Map

At Key Stage 4, we continue to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to experience success by noticing and nurturing their talents. Students are guided to make the best choices by subject teachers, form tutors, our careers advisor, unifrog and parental support.

As outlined in our curriculum model above, we believe that all students should have equal access to the curriculum. The structure of our Key Stage 4 options provides the opportunity for most students to achieve the English Baccalaureate (EBacc): a GCSE grade 5 or higher in one English, mathematics, two sciences, one humanities subject (geography or history) and a modern foreign language. It is also important that students have some freedom to choose subjects they have an aptitude for and enjoy.

Our Key Stage 5 programme of study is wide-ranging and includes traditional A’ Levels alongside vocational courses. We are able to offer over 30 courses at post -16. Sixth form students are supported through their option choices to ensure they follow an appropriate, personal programme of study to maximise their potential for success at the end of the two years. Students typically study three level 3 courses and combine this with the Extended Project, however there is the option to achieve four. Our students progress to the top universities as well as directly into apprenticeships or employment.

Additional information regarding our curriculum can be found in the prospectus.

Range of subjects across each Key Stage:

KS3 Subjects	KS4 Subjects	KS5 Subjects
		A Level
RE	RE	Fine Art
English	English	Biology
Maths	Maths	Business
Science	Science  (Trilogy /Separates)	Chemistry
Art	Modern Foreign Languages	Computer Science
Computing	Geography	Product Design
Geography	History	English Language
History		English Literature
Modern Foreign Languages	Art & Design	Geography
Music	Business	History
Physical Education	Child Development	Law
Technology	Computer Science	Mathematics
CAD	Creative iMedia	Mathematics (Further)
Food	Health & Social Care	Media
Resistant Materials	Digital Information Technology	Modern Foreign Languages French & Spanish
Textiles	Enterprise and Marketing	Photography
PSHE	Music	Physical Education
Extra Literacy	Performing Arts	Physics
	Physical Education	Psychology
	Photography	Religious Education
	Princes Trust	Sociology
	Sports Studies	Art Textiles
	Resistant Materials	BTEC & Level 3 Courses
	Creative Craft
	Hospitality & Catering	Applied Biology
	Art Textiles	Children’s Play Learning and Development
		Health & Social Care
		Information Technology
		Mathematical Studies
		Music
		Performing Arts
		Sport and Physical Activity
		Uniformed Public Services

 

Overview of Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Subject	Time Allocation
Maths	4
English	4
RE	2.5
MFL	2
Science	5
These subjects are offered as an option with the number of groups depending on demand. Separate Science, History, Geography French, Spanish, Hospitality and Catering, Resistant Materials, Textiles, Music, Art, PE Child Development, Digital iMedia, Business Computing, IT, Performing Arts, Enterprise and Marketing.

 

Overview of Key Stage 5 Curriculum

Subject

These subjects are offered at A2

Art, Art textiles, Art Photography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, English Literature, History, Geography, PE, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, French, Spanish, Business, Computing, Product Design, Media, Religious Studies, Sociology, Psychology, BTEC Early Years, BTEC Health & Social Care, BTEC Public Services, Music, Performing Arts, Core Maths (AS), EPQ (AS)

Time Allocation

Each of the five option blocks have five hours of curriculum time per week. 

Throughout KS5 PSHEE we try to prepare our students to manage their lives now as well as prepare them for their future. Topics include : public speaking, time management, tax, democracy, alcohol and drug awareness, mental health, career pathways, CV writing, SRE, stress management, presentation skills and safe driving.

In addition students complete a core enrichment programme to complement their post-16 curriculum. This consists of modules which include the following themes: Freedom; Crime and Punishment; Philosophy and the Arts; Science and Religion; Spirituality; Media; Politics, Economics and Ethics.

Personal & Social Curriculum

At Carmel College, our Personal & Social Curriculum is a dynamic and integral component of our educational ethos. Aligned with our commitment to holistic development, students engage in a fifty-minute PSHE lesson each week, designed not only to impart knowledge but to foster a deep personal connection with the learned concepts.

Our curriculum is thoughtfully curated to intertwine the critical aspects of Personal, Social, and Health Education with emotional literacy, social skills, and spiritual development. The essence of our PSHE program is to equip our students with accurate, relevant knowledge and the necessary skills and strategies for a life that is healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible, and balanced.

Diving into a wide array of pivotal topics such as health, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), online safety, career planning, finance, and risk management, our curriculum is carefully tailored to be age-appropriate and progressively builds upon concepts each year. This structured approach is crafted to prepare our students comprehensively for life's diverse challenges and opportunities, instilling in them a profound understanding and appreciation of their unique identities and their place in an ever-evolving world.

At the heart of our PSHE curriculum are the six life-centric themes, encapsulating the essence of Carmel College's vision for its students:

Confidence for Life: Developing resilience and a robust sense of self.

Aspirations for Life: Shaping future paths with informed choices.

Relationships for Life: Navigating diverse and evolving relationships.

My Body for Life: Empowering students about their physical and mental well-being.

Evolving for Life: Understanding personal development and healthy relationships.

Life to the Full: Embracing life transitions and nurturing well-being.

Each theme is revisited annually, ensuring that as our students grow, their learning deepens in complexity and relevance, mirroring their personal growth and the changes they experience. This evolving curriculum is pivotal in preparing our students not just academically but also in becoming well-rounded individuals who are capable, confident, and compassionate.

At Carmel College, we believe in the power of a well-rounded education. Our PSHE curriculum is a testament to this belief, guiding our students towards a future where they are not only academically accomplished but also socially, emotionally, and spiritually enriched.