Curriculum 2023-2024

The curriculum of Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form comprises a broad and innovative range of learning experiences planned for each student.  A personalised curriculum offer, in conjunction with excellent teaching that impacts positively on learning and progress will enable all our students to respond positively to the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing world.

• To encourage the best possible progress and the highest academic achievement for all, by setting suitable learning challenges and fully recognising the diverse learning needs of each of our students.
• To provide rich and varied contexts for students to acquire, develop and apply a broad range of knowledge, understanding and skills, to encourage a love of learning and a desire for lifelong learning.
• To enable all students to develop their creativity and talents to the full.
• To ensure the curriculum is appropriate to the employment landscape, preparing students for the challenges of a fast-changing world, and their futures as successful citizens for the 21st century
• To promote students' self-esteem and emotional wellbeing through our curriculum, offering opportunities for students to develop their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their own and different beliefs and cultures. 

Equality 

Our curriculum is underpinned by a commitment to our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and Special Educational Needs Regulations 2014. We strive to ensure that all students are able to succeed no matter what their entry point is. The most vulnerable often already face the greatest barriers, we seek to remove or mitigate these to create success for all. This means that we have a sharp focus on reading, writing, speaking and numeracy. Some will require specialist teaching to help develop the basics that were not formed appropriately in Key Stage 1 and 2. For others this will be the development of subject specific language and knowledge through specialist teachers. All teachers know their classes and cater for the individuals in them, with our SEND students supported through learning passports and high quality teaching.

Mercury Pathway Level 2 (Three Year Pathway)

Sixth Form students may engage on a curriculum for three years taking two option subjects with English and/or Maths if they have not secured a grade 4 or above in these subjects.

Entry Requirements

• 3 or less grades secured at GCSE (or equivalent) at a grade 4

Students who are successful in securing a pass at level 2 in their option subjects may then choose one of those subjects to progress to take it at level 3 on the Gemini Pathway

Gemini Pathway Level 3 (Year 1 of 2 Year Pathway)

Sixth Form students may engage on a curriculum for two years taking one option subject with English and/or Maths if they have not secured a grade 4 or above in these subjects.

Entry Requirements

• 4 or more grades secured at GCSE (or equivalent) at a grade 4
• Has completed the Mercury Pathway and has secured level 2 passes in their options

 

Gemini Construction Pathway (Year 1 of 2 Year Pathway)

Sixth Form students may engage on a curriculum for two years taking City and Guilds Construction with English and/or Maths if they have not secured a grade 4 or above in these subjects.

Entry Requirements

• No formal Entry requirements but must have the passion and commitment to pursue a career in the Construction Industry

Year 1

 

Apollo Pathway Level 3 (Year 2 of 2 Year Pathway)

Sixth Form students continue with their level 3 option course.

Entry Requirements

• Students will have completed year 1 of 2 of the level 3 pathway.
• If a student has completed the same course in another school – applicants may be considered but will be on a case-by-case basis to ensure that required units have been successfully completed

 

Apollo Construction Pathway (Year 2 of 2 Year Pathway)

Sixth Form students may engage on a curriculum for two years taking City and Guilds Construction with English and/or Maths if they have not secured a grade 4 or above in these subjects.

Entry Requirements

• Students will have completed year 1 of 2 of the Construction pathway.
• If a student has completed the same course in another school – applicants may be considered but will be on a case-by-case basis to ensure that required units have been successfully completed

Year 2

Skills for Work and Life

All Students will also receive sessions focused around these key skills for employability during scheduled tutorial sessions or on drop down days

• Careers
• Applications for work/further/Higher Education
• Interview Technique
• Work Experience
• Financial Planning
• Self Confidence
• Literacy and Numeracy

PSHEE/RSE

All students will receive sessions focused around personal development. These sessions will provide learning opportunities and experiences that help young people grow and develop as individuals and as members of families and of social and economic communities. These sessions will also cover aspects of the RSE (Relationship and Sexual Education) curriculum which aims to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds, not just intimate relationships.

Enrichment

All students have one afternoon a week of Enrichment. Enrichment covers sport and wider academic study, which will range from attending lectures (including lectures from visiting speakers) to independent study and seeking additional help from teachers in support sessions. Students studying extended diploma pathways will complete in-depth research, resulting to produce detailed coursework assignments. This will help them to prepare for university education.

RESIT GCSE

Students who have not yet achieved English and/or Maths at grade 4 in GCSE will be timetabled resit lessons. These will not be optional.