Parents Centre
Year 9 (Key Stage 3)
Students entering Year 9 are placed in parallel Tutor Groups and follow a 76 period two week timetable.
|
No. of periods per cycle |
|
|
Design and Technology |
6 |
|
Art |
4 |
|
English |
10 |
|
Geography |
4 |
|
History |
4 |
|
ICT |
4 |
|
Mathematics |
10 |
|
Modern Languages |
6 |
|
Music |
4 |
|
Physical Education |
6 |
|
Religious Education |
4 |
|
Science |
12 |
Most of these subjects are taught in mixed ability groups, but some, for example Mathematics, are taught in sets. In Year 9 all students study French and have a ‘taster’ of both German and Spanish.
Years 10 & 11 (Key Stage 4)
There are two components to the KS4 curriculum:
COREAll students study a core of:
| English | Core Science |
| Mathematics | ICT |
| Religious Education |
Mathematics and Core Science are taught as separate lessons with formal assessment leading to GCSEs in these subjects. All students follow a course leading to GCSE English Language. Students who have exhibited a flair for English Language in Y10 will also have the opportunity to follow a course in GCSE English Literature to run alongside their English Language course in Y11.
ICT is also taught as a separate lesson with formal assessment leading to a BTEC Diploma in ICT. Physical Education and Religious Education are also delivered in the core but as non-examined courses. Students who wish to obtain a formal qualification in these subjects can opt to choose the GCSE/BTEC courses in these subjects as part of their entitlement choices.
During their 2-year Key Stage 4 course all students have curriculum time for:
| Citizenship | Careers Education |
| Sex Education | Work-related learning |
| Five days enterprise experience |
Entitlements
Students have the opportunity to select from a range of subjects. We believe this gives opportunity for a broad and balanced educational experience for all our students. There are a range of subjects to choose from. We offer vocational subjects as well as what may be called more ‘traditional’ academic and practical subjects. Many students prefer and enjoy the vocational subjects – they see them as being more relevant to the world of work and their career aspiration. Others like the assessment route of vocational courses, as there is much more emphasis on coursework and a lot less emphasis on examinations in determining the final grade. Both the traditional and vocational courses we offer at Astley Community High School provide good progression routes into the Sixth Form and then onto Higher Education.
All the examined Key Stage 4 courses we offer are either GCSEs or have a GCSE equivalent value. The PATHWAY your child follows will influence the number of GCSEs (or equivalents) your child could obtain.
In addition to the core curriculum, students choose three further subjects from a range of options:
Unless stated all courses are GCSE's.
Sixth Form – Years 12 and 13
University funding 2009 -10, information for students and parents.
Our Sixth form is large and successful and we are proud of the depth of success that our students enjoy. We are also joined by a number of students from other schools. We provide a range of courses for those wishing to undertake further study after GCSE. The Sixth Form Prospectus is available from the school. The precise number of courses on offer varies slightly from year to year according to demand by students. However, the range normally includes:
- BTEC First Diplomas These are specialised one-year courses and are equivalent to 4 GCSEs grade “C” or above. We currently offer these courses in:
Public Services
Business
Construction
Health and Social Care
ICT
Sport
Travel and Tourism
- BTEC National Award and BTEC National Certificates These are two year A-level equivalent courses and we offer them in:
Travel and Tourism
Public Services
Business
IT
Sport
- Applied GCE's - these are two year vocational A-levels. We currently offer courses in:
Health & Social Care (Single/ Double Award)
- AS and A2 Courses
Extra Curricular and Enrichment Opportunities
In addition to the opportunities available via the courses being studied in school, we offer a wide range of enrichment activities to help students to broaden their experience and fulfil their potential. In recent years these have included:
- New York (Sixth Form study visit, 2009)
- Ghana (Members of Sixth Form take part in Ghanda Project, a small charitable organisation , July 2009)
- Disney Land Paris (Business students to research for recruitment and marketing assignments, Travel and Tourism students to research on the travel industry in Paris and Disneyland, February 2010)
- Alton Towers, (Business, tour including talk on customer services, 2009)
- Beamish Yearly Visit, (History Department)
- RNLI Tynemouth (ICT, Research into the use of IT including GPS, radar and sonar, July 2009)
- Proctor and Gamble, Seaton Delaval (Business trip, presentation on Human Resources, 2009)
- Centre for Life, Newcastle (Biology, Sixth Formers took part in PCR Genetic (DNA) finger prints, Feb 2010)
- Hindu Temple, Newcastle (RE, year nine students learn about the Hindu Religion, November 2009)
- Housesteads (History, Year 10 pupils studied Roman engineering and hygiene systems. Geography, Year 10 pupils researched the management of a tourist site, March 2010)
- Police Headquarters, Ponteland (ITC, Sixth Form visit to research IT networks, March 2010)
- Galleries and Historical Landmarks London (Art and History, research trip, July 2008)
- Pupil bands (Member of Sixth Form, 2009)
- Laing Gallery and the Hatton, Newcastle (Art, Year 11 students prepare for their final exam, February 2010)
- Westside Story, The Sage, Newcastle (Drama Production, Year 9 and 10 pupils take part in West Side Story, February 2010)
- Alchemist Project, drama production (Alchemist Project in connection with the Creative Partnership,2009)
- National Media Museum, Bradford (Photography, Year 12 visit to National Media Museum in Bradford, 2009)
- Visit by Theatre group (French, to Assist Students with their vocabulary, November 2009)
- Language Workshops, (Modern Foreign languages, Routes into Language Workshop, October 2009)
- Summer School Programme, Local Universities (Sixth Form, Summer School Programme, at Local University to encourage talented students to consider careers in technology-based industries, Summer 2009)
- Fastrack Programme (Mathematics, Year 9 pupils sat their first GCSE Mathematics module through the Fastrack Mathematic Programme, November 2009 )
- Careers Events (NE Skills Roadshow, January 2010)
- Lecture (Mathematic, Lower Sixth Form students attended Maths Inspiration lecture at Theatre Hall, March 2010)
- Milkhope Activity Centre, Cheviot Hills (Form Classes, Year 9 students spend a week at Milkhope Activity Centre, July 2009)
- Youth Activities (Youth Services Fun day, Autumn 2009)
- Full range of sports teams,
- Newbiggin Sailing Club (Sailing lessons, Year nine pupils , 2009)
- Howtown, Lake District (Year 9 pupils, ‘I CAN’ course designed to challenge the pupils and allow them to achieve their full potential, 2009)
- Team building out door activities, Lake District (Nurture Group, March 2010)
- Whole school charity events (2009)
- Involvement in Youth Cabinet (February 2010)
- Enterprise Day (Team building exercise, March 2010)
- School Allotment
- Sixth Form Opportunities (ICT Support Staff positions, March 2010)
Sixth Form
Click the below link for information on our aims to support Sixth Form students. Sixth Form Vision
"Astley community High School have worked hard to engage parents in their children’s education providing excellent advice and resources"
Gordon Brown, MP, Prime Minister.
"As the world of education and employment is ever changing it is vital that students are fully informed in order to make the correct choices regarding their learning.
The Sixth Form at Astley Community High School builds upon the pathways that students have followed in Year 11 and provides a wide range of courses at BTEC, AS and A2 Level.
All courses are delivered by highly qualified staff, alongside a pastoral team to oversee students’ well-being whilst in the Sixth form.
We also expect students to participate in a range of community and school based activities in order to broaden their role within the school and their wider skills.
By combining academic excellence with a strong community commitment Astley Sixth Form Students will enter the world of Higher Education or employment equipped for success.
Please take the time to consider your options carefully and discuss your thoughts with staff."
Peter Thomas, Director of Post-16 Studies
At the end of year 11, for the first time, you have real choice about what you are going to do with your life… continue study in school or college, employments training or apprenticeship?
The final decision about what you will do, and where you will do it, is extremely important and will take most of you a considerable period of time before things are finalised.
The increasing majority of our Year 11 students return as Year 12 students because they believe Astley offers them the best opportunity to maximise their potential academically, to develop socially as a young adult… and to enjoy themselves.
Throughout your time in the Sixth Form there will be a host of opportunities that are open for our students to engage in. Astley
Community High School staff, co-ordinated by Mr Thomas as Director of Post 16, will guide all students throughout their time in
the Sixth Form in order to maximise their potential… I hope you will be one of them!
Ian G Knight, Head Teacher
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Our Sixth form is large and successful and we are proud that our staying on rate is in excess of 62%. We are also joined by a number of students from other schools. We provide a range of courses for those wishing to undertake further study after GCSE. The Sixth Form Prospectus is available from the school. The precise number of courses on offer varies slightly from year to year according to demand by students.
For further information about courses in Years 12 and 13, please contact the Director of Sixth Form. (Tel. No. 0191 2371505.)