The curriculum at SET Beccles School is set by the Trust Board. It is a broad and balanced, knowledge-based and vocabulary rich model which leads to students taking GCSEs at Key Stage 4. Our curriculum is structured by traditional subjects and sequenced appropriately to ensure systematic and thorough teaching for all. Rich cultural pursuits and a diverse enrichment programme are the other essential elements of the SET curriculum. The combination of GCSE subjects students are expected to take is designed to challenge and to enable each and every student to achieve:
- the broadest range of skills that will provide a foundation for the rest of their learning and working lives;
- a high level of literacy and numeracy that will underpin the rest of their learning;
- a rounded education which will prepare them for life.
Our combination of subjects means that our students can achieve highly within the framework of current national measures (% English and maths (Grade 5+) / EBacc) and in the up-and-coming national measures (Attainment 8 / Progress 8) at aged 16.
Click here to download the Curriculum Policy of the Trust.
Our Curriculum Model
The curriculum is delivered by a one week cycle of 30 lessons in five year groups (Years 7 to 11) that are arranged into two Key Stages (Key Stage 3 being Years 7 – 9 and Key Stage 4 being Years 10 and 11).
The weightings given to each subject in can be found in the chart below:
Number of periods per week
| Subjects | Y7 | Y8 | Y9 | Y10 | Y11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (and drama at KS3) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Mathematics (and statistics) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Sciences | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| MFL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| History | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Geography | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Beliefs and Values | 1 | 1 | 1 | With PSHE | With PSHE |
| Art and Photography | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Music | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Drama | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Design Technology | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| PE | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Public Service | 4 | ||||
| Child Development | 4 | ||||
| VCert | 4 | 4 | |||
| Enrichment Periods | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Our Curriculum
More information on the Trust’s KS4 curriculum is available from the link below. It is important to note that all Trust schools follow the same specifications for GCSE:
- KS4 Specification from September 2019
- KS4 Specification from September 2018
- KS4 Specification from September 2017
- KS4 Specifications from September 2016
- KS4 Specifications from September 2015
- GCSE Booklet (2014 – 2016) – Beccles School
- Exam Fees Information for Parents
Copies of the JCQ rules and regulations can be accessed via the links below:
- Coursework – view
- NEA – view
- On Screen Tests – veiw
- Privacy Notice – view
- Social Media – view
- Written Exams – view
NEW GCSE Grading System
Information on the new GCSE grading system is listed below:
PE and Sport Provision
We provide a range of PE activities for students in lesson and plenty of extra-curricular options as well. We believe taking part in physical activities promotes a healthy lifestyle and aids achievement.
We understand that sometimes, for medical or reasons of injury, students may not be able to take part or may need medication to allow them to safely participate in PE activities, e.g. an inhaler.
In these circumstances please ensure our staff have been notified of any medical condition which may affect participation in PE and sports and that they have been informed of the correct use of inhalers. A signed note must be provided if students cannot take part in a practical PE. They will either be given written work to complete or invited to take part in the lesson in a different way.
PSHE
PSHE education at the Seckford Education is a planned, developmental programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHE education develops the qualities and attributes students need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.
PSHE education can help the Trust to reduce or remove many of the barriers to learning experienced by pupils, significantly improving their capacity to learn and achieve. The PSHE education programme makes a significant contribution to students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development, their behaviour and safety and the Trust’s statutory responsibility to promote students’ well-being. In addition the learning provided through a comprehensive PSHE education provision is an essential to safeguarding students, as Ofsted has set out.
PSHE education equips students with the knowledge, understanding, skills and strategies required to live healthy, safe, productive, capable, responsible and balanced lives. It encourages them to be enterprising and supports them in making effective transitions, positive learning and career choices and in achieving economic well-being. A critical component of PSHE education is providing opportunities for children and young people to reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes and explore the complex and sometimes conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now and in the future.
Further Information
Further information on specific aspects of our curriculum can be downloaded from the School Policies section of our website. If you have any other questions or queries, please use the contact information on our Contact Us page to direct a query to the School.