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This case study shows a curriculum that has links with industry and offers a range of qualification type and level at key stage 4, including vocational options.

The school

Woodlands Community School, Southampton, is an 11-16 mixed comprehensive school with 609 students on roll. Fifty-seven per cent of students have special educational needs without statements.

The school hopes to achieve specialist science and engineering status from 2004.

Rationale for the key stage 4 curriculum

The school has developed a curriculum which:

• provides a breadth and balance
• provides opportunities for success for each student
• makes use of links with FE and local employers

The key stage 4 curriculum

The school offers vocational and academic subjects across four option blocks, entry level qualifications at a partner college and an AS option. It is possible to map a mixed academic and vocational programme or a vocational pathway through the option blocks, and students are guided as to their choices.

Students can choose double science or applied science as part of their core programme with presentations and guidance in year 9 focusing on the different learning styles involved. AS critical thinking is offered as an option in key stage 4 and delivered in one afternoon a week at Itchen College with a further weekly lesson in school. In 2002 10 students opted for this course.

GCSE subjects have three 50-minute lessons per week (10 per cent) with double awards having six 50-minute lessons per week (20 per cent).

The key stage 4 curriculum structure

The school operates a weekly timetable of thirty 50 minute lessons.

Woodlands Community School - Key stage 4: 2003-2005

View key stage 4 curriculum diagram

Vocational programmes

The school is one of a group of ten schools developing links with three post-16 providers in the area (Southampton City College, Tauntons College and Itchen College). The schools have requested that college-based provision, supporting 14-16-year-olds, be provided on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. The schools are then able to timetable their relevant options at these times and avoid timetabling core subjects. All schools in the group use the same time slots for college provision.

The school offers, in partnership with the FE colleges, the Certificate in Skills for Working Life (LCCIEB) in 14 occupational areas. Students choose one in year 10 and one in year 11. In year 11 students following this option also work towards the ASDAN Foundation for Work award. This college-based provision is available to all students as an option and is set against technology subjects on the timetable. The school also offers the ASDAN Youth Award (Bronze/Silver and Silver) in the option groups.

The school is involved in initiatives related to the Increased Flexibility Programme in its provision of GCSEs in vocational subjects.

Use of GCSEs in vocational subjects

In 2002 the school provided GCSEs in vocational subjects as follows:

	Subject		Numbers		Curriculum Time
	Applied ICT		45		20 per cent
	Health and social care		16		20 per cent

GCSEs in vocational subjects are offered as options to all students at key stage 4. Group sizes of 15-20 are adhered to as being a 'minibus-size' group in order to facilitate visits out of school.

The school has well developed industry links with Southampton General Hospital, Social Services, the Armed Forces and Southampton Institute (HE). Students are involved in visits to these organisations and reciprocal visits are made by industry practitioners. Health and social care students are involved in the planning and organisation of visits to the school by local primary school children.

Additional activities for students studying GCSEs in vocational subjects are organised in collaboration with Increased Flexibility Programme partners as follows:

Research Days are organised by a consortium of FE colleges and schools. Students from the range of GCSEs in vocational subjects attend college for a whole day, using college facilities to focus on independent research and study skills. Using IFP funds, these days are designed to support and enhance the GCSE courses.

Into Industry Conferences are also organised as part of the IFP initiative. These are subject-specific and take place either at one of the college campuses or are hosted by an industry partner. These conferences are organised like professional conferences, complete with conference packs, delegate badges, and with refreshments and lunch incorporated into the day. Students attend for the whole day with preparatory work and follow-up activities organised in their respective schools.

The IFP consortium provides funds for the school's organisation costs and conference catering costs; industry partners sponsor the events by providing a venue and speakers.

Into Industry Conference days for students planned for 2002-2003 include:

Applied ICT and applied business: Southampton Institute (together with IBM, the Armed Forces, and private companies), to include presentations about the role of ICT in industry.

Health and social care: Southampton General Hospital, focussing on careers in the healthcare industry.

Leisure and tourism: Beaulieu Motor Museum (host), in conjunction with West Quay Shopping Centre and De Vere Hotels.

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Page updated: Tuesday, August 10, 2004
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