NATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL FORUM

CREATIVE CURRICULUM DESIGN

‘Enjoyment & Achievement’

Mike Lavelle LCC, Nottingham 15 October 2007

Lincroft Middle School

9-13 Trust School with ASD Provision (750 pupils on roll)

Community, Growth & Excellence

The aims of this session



To share the context of leading a 9-13 middle school



To provide a focus on the curriculum 9-19



To consider the outcomes for pupils



To be realistic about other stakeholders



To remember the ‘big picture’ challenge

2007 - the landscape

         Every Child Matters New Frameworks OFSTED/ SEF CVA Building Schools for the Future Condensed Programme of Study Trust School Specialist Status Unitary Authority/ Re organisation

Good examples of leadership

“Which, if any, of the following professions do you think provide particularly good examples of leadership?” (MORI 2004)

Headteachers/ Teachers

Police Doctors Ministers of religion Sports coaches/managers Business directors Members of Parliament Trade union officials Local politicians Health service managers Civil servants Base: All respondents in England (2004: 1,756 )

7% 4% 4% 3% 17% 15% 13% 10% 35% 34%

Source: MORI

51%

What Does OFSTED Say?

CURRICULUM AND OTHER ACTIVITIES Outstanding

‘The excellent curriculum meets pupils' academic needs and provides a remarkable variety of opportunities in languages, sport, the arts and wider educational experiences. The curriculum for pupils in Years 5 and 6 is exceptionally varied and benefits from a wide range of specialist teaching and excellent resources.’

The Curriculum

Core Subjects



English, Mathematics, Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Foundation Subjects



French (and Spanish and German in Key Stage 3), Geography and History, Religious Education, Music, Design & Technology (Food, Fabric and Resistant Materials), Physical Education, Art & Design, Citizenship (Years 7 & 8). Dance and Drama.

Cross-Curricular

Overall Effectiveness

Outstanding



Ofsted judged Lincroft as “Outstanding”. Pupils made outstanding progress across the four years at the school; this is clearly evidenced by the Key Stage 3 results gained by Lincroft pupils.

Lesson ‘A’

 

Several members of staff offer additional lessons and support to targeted pupils at the beginning of the school day. Some subjects and activities are designated for gifted and talented pupils (e.g. additional Spanish), whilst others provide opportunity for pupils needing a boost with their basic skills (e.g. Year 6 Maths). Lesson ‘A’ takes place from 7.50am and requires a commitment from parents to ensure that their child attends for the full duration of the course. Breakfast is also available for Lesson ‘A’ students from 7.30am (60p per day)

SUBJECT

English Mathematics Science D&T/Art & Design 1 Performing Arts 2 Physical Education French & Modern Languages 3 History Geography Religious Education PSHCE/ Form Time/ Assembly 4 Library & Research Skills ICT 5 Options/ Electives 6 Totals ##

Year 5 & 6

3 2 2 2 1 10 11 6 3 3 4 2 3 0 50

Year 7 & 8

4 50 3 2 2 0 2 7 7 6 4 3 5 5 3

Provision

Our timetable and curriculum provision covers a two week time table. Opportunities for:

   Media Studies Drama Performing Arts     a second MFL (in both Y7 & Y8) additional support for core subjects G&T programmes (e.g. Humanities) Lesson A provision

The big picture challenge

1. The implications of the Children Act – the balance between the ‘new’ and the ‘old’ accountabilities. (Focusing outward to the community and other agencies) 2. System leadership – developing capacity within the School and leadership beyond the school (Focusing outward to other schools) 3. Sustainability and succession planning (Focusing inward – developing others) 4. Leading teaching and learning a middle school in the 21 complexity and accountability - developing ourselves) st century in Bedfordshire (Focusing inward – Relentlessness,

THANK YOU

Mike Lavelle

Headteacher