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Curriculum and its organisation

The curriculum is not just a list of subjects taught in the school. Any definition of the curriculum must cover all of the activities of the school. These are designed to encourage a sense of belonging and fulfilment to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, academic and physical development of students and to prepare all students for adult life and society.

The Governing Body has adopted the Local Authority’s statement in respect of the secular curriculum of the school, a copy of which is available from the Headteacher.

Farringdon is a six-form entry school. Each tutor group reflects the full spectrum of academic ability.

In academic subjects, students may be allocated to one of four broad bands or Pathways of ability according to their assessed potential and achievement. Teaching groups within Pathways are flexible and a student’s placement may be adjusted at any time in any subject. Students may be moved between Pathways at the end of each term. All follow the same curriculum and syllabus in all subjects studied, adjusted to their own pace of learning and development.

In Years 7 - 9 all study the following range of subjects:
Mathematics, English, Science, History, Geography, Religious Education, French or German, Design Technology, Food/Textile Technology, Information Technology, Art & Design, The Performing Arts and Physical Education.

In Years 9, 10 and 11 all students undertake a course of study in R.E. which includes Citizenship and Humanities and leads to a GCSE qualification.

In Years 10 and 11, all students study a core curriculum which includes Mathematics, English, Science, Information Technology, Citizenship/R.E. and Physical Education or Expressive Arts.

Following parental consultation, each student adds a further 1 – 3 subjects from:
History, Geography, R.E., Resistant Materials Technology, Graphic Technology, Construction Technology, Food Technology, Textile Technology, Art & Design, Music, Drama, German, French, Media Studies, PE, ASDAN, Business, BTEC Health and Social Care, OCR ICT, a range of Science and Applied Science courses, BTEC Performing Arts, BTEC Sports Studies, BTEC Media, BTEC Dance.

Engineering, Catering, Logistics, Motor Vehicles and Construction BTEC courses are also available for a small number of Farringdon students at the Sunderland Futures, Pallion Centre.

It is possible for some of these subjects to be taken outside of normal school hours in our ‘Fast Track’ Programme.

Upper School courses are fully described in the Course Handbook, published annually for Year 9 students.

All National Curriculum requirements, including Economic and Industrial Understanding, Health Education, Environmental Education, Vocational Education and Guidance, Enterprise Education and Citizenship are met within the five years of students’ studies.

Religious Education is part of the curriculum from Years 7 to 11 within the framework of the local authority’s Agreed Syllabus, ratified by the City Council, local teachers and representatives of all major local faiths and denominations. Although based on Christianity, it ensures that students gain awareness and understanding of other major religions. All students take a G.C.S.E. course in RE in Years 10 and 11.

Year group assemblies take place daily. Parents wishing to withdraw their child from worship or from Religious Education may do so by application to the Headteacher.

Sex Education (which includes education about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases) is taught as part of the curriculum for Health Education as approved by the Governors of the school. It is delivered through Personal, Social and Health Education as well as the syllabuses of such subjects as Science, Religious Studies and Physical Education. Such teaching is supplemented by the work of outside agencies invited to the school for specific purposes. Parents who wish to know more about this aspect of their young person’s education should contact the school. Parents have the right to withdraw children from sex education lessons, other than those taught within the National Curriculum.

Careers Education and Guidance is part of the continuing programme of Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education carried out in part by tutors with the guidance of Year Managers and the P.S.H.C.E. Co-ordinator. The programme is concerned with self-assessment and the investigation of the world of work. During Year 10, students are given the opportunity of two weeks of Work Experience. In addition, a Connexions Officer and the school’s liaison officer from the City of Sunderland College interview them. There is an annual Careers Convention, regular input from the school’s industrial partners and an efficient Careers Information Base in school.