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SKIDZ is a motor vehicle education and training project based in High Wycombe.

Wye Valley School


		11-16 schools

		6th form schools

		Colleges

About the case study

This case study shows a key stage 4 curriculum that has a vocational option for all students and a pathway providing options in occupational areas delivered off-site.

The school

The Wye Valley School is an 11-18 mixed secondary modern school situated in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, with 800 students on roll. Seventeen per cent of students have special educational needs without having statements.

Rationale for the key stage 4 curriculum

to provide a broad curriculum that meets the needs of all students
to provide all students with a vocational learning experience
to encourage all students to develop as independent learners
to enable all students to maximise their potential
to improve motivation and attainment of students

The key stage 4 curriculum

All student programmes include a vocational course leading to GCSE, GNVQ or NVQ in addition to GCSE core and option subjects. Students' key skills are developed through the vocational courses and achievement tracked by the school's vocational coordinator. There are two possible routes and students are guided as to their choices. Route 2 constitutes an extended work-related programme and disapplication is used as necessary.

Single science is provided as a core subject with double award science available as an option. All students follow GCSE short courses in physical education and religious education as part of the core curriculum.

The key stage 4 curriculum structure

The school operates a fortnightly timetable of 50 one-hour lessons

View key stage 4 curriculum diagram

The entitlement areas

The school's 2003 curriculum at key stage 4 already fulfils the entitlement requirements that become mandatory in 2004. Art and design is available as part of the compulsory vocational option. When the curriculum divides into two pathways, route 1 (see curriculum diagram) offers three choices, covering the design and technology, humanities and modern foreign language entitlement areas, as well as further options in the arts, and another opportunity to choose art and design.

Vocational programmes

The vocational options from which all students must choose are:

GCSE applied art and design
GCSE engineering
GCSE health and social care
Intermediate/Foundation GNVQ in business
Intermediate/Foundation GNVQ in ICT

In addition students identified by the school as being able to benefit from an occupationally related course at college are invited to opt for practical courses off site.

These practical courses take place on one afternoon per week and are timetabled against GCSE humanities options, so that students do not miss core lessons or experience disruption to other courses. Currently between 15 and 20 students take advantage of this option. The school has found that a half day session in an occupationally related area has a positive impact on the overall motivation of the students involved.

More students would like to be involved but this would impact on the school’s ability to maintain suitable group sizes and subjects in the humanities block.

SKIDZ courses (see key stage 4 curriculum diagram) are provided off-site by a private training provider and are courses which are based around motor vehicles (car or motorcycle) including short 'basic checks' and practical foundation courses in vehicle maintenance, servicing and repairs, and health and safety in the workshop.

Use of GCSEs in vocational subjects

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



Subject	Numbers	Curriculum Time

Applied art and design	14	16 per cent

Engineering	20	16 per cent

Health and social care	25	16 per cent

A two-day induction programme covering each vocational subject is organised for the whole year group at the end of year 9, following the options procedure. The programme includes inputs from the school's vocational coordinator, specialist staff from each vocational area, ICT and library staff.

The school uses guest speakers from industry as part of the curriculum in vocational subjects and all students studying GCSEs in vocational subjects are involved in out of school visits to sites relevant to their subject.

Health and social care students have work placements linked to their course in addition to the two weeks work experience common to all students in year 11. These placements are coordinated by the course tutor working with the local Education Business Link Organisation and take place in the second term of year 11. Students are placed for one or two afternoons a week for a period of up to three weeks. Students and teachers are informed in advance of individual student's work placements, so that arrangements for lessons can be made to ensure that students cover all necessary work in other subjects.

Engineering students have visited the Millennium Dome and Jubilee line, and the school has links with local engineering companies in the High Wycombe area. The school has liaised with Amersham and Wycombe college to access college facilities.

Also see

> Collaboration
> Curriculum planning
> Entitlement areas
> Pace and progression
> Using GCSEs in vocational subjects within the key stage 4 curriculum