Key Stage 3 Regional Pilot
St Catherine’s College, Armagh
The following information is a transcript of an interview conducted with the pilot school at the end of the first year of the pilot
The majority of the planning in this school was independently completed by the coordinator appointed for the Key Stage 3 Regional Pilot. The main source of information used for planning was the 'Pathways Document''. As there was discrete provision on the timetable already for Learning for Life & Work the coordinator decided the infusion path was not necessary.
In September 2005, each head of department was approached for his/her current schemes of work for Year 8. The coordinator analysed these for possible links and connections. Analysis indicated a 'Thematic Approach' would be most appropriate to implement the Revised Curriculum for Key Stage 3.
Initially sixteen themes were produced and this was reduced to nine themes for the Year 8 programme of work. The coordinator individually planned out a Year 8 curriculum plan, this included the nine themes split across the three terms and a checklist for each department to complete.
The coordinator approached each Head of Department to complete the curriculum plan for their subject area and indicate what themes they would use. In each term a single theme or a combination of the themes could be used. The only compulsory element to this thematic approach was all subject areas would start and end with the same theme in the school year.
Using web mapping, the heads of departments mapped out what elements of work they would cover in each theme as well as identifying key question(s) for each. At this stage of planning the coordinator invited another member of staff to join the team. Together they gathered the information from each head of department and mapped out for each theme the connections and linkages for all subjects.
Two other members were invited to join the team to design sample schemes and resources for their subjects. Each member individually attempted to write sample schemes of work for their specialist subject in line with the criteria for the revised curriculum.
A meeting was held with Heads of Department (HOD) at which a common template for schemes of work was disseminated for each department to use. This template "breaks down every line of the big picture in conjunction with each theme chosen". Alongside this each HOD received sample schemes of work as an aid.
The method of completion for their schemes of work was at the discretion of the department. These will be reviewed by the Key Stage 3 team to ensure consistency across all subject areas. It is important to note the interviewee stated that the emphasis was on teachers taking "ownership of their own schemes" and suggestions were welcomed from the staff.
This incoming year, the main focus for staff training will be the introduction of assessment. This will include sample models and teachers being asked to devise a package for Assessment for Learning to be used within the classroom.