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Cwricwlwm i Gymru
Knowledge of how practitioners, learners, parents, carers and the wider community have been involved in curriculum development
Shaping the Vision
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle's vision was formulated over the course of a year in consultation with the various stakeholders namely the pupils, parents, school staff and governors. Through meetings with the School Council, questionnaires for parents, discussions with the governors and an In-Service Training day, the final draft was created. The vision was launched in September 2022 under the leadership of the new Headteacher and is shared consistently with all stakeholders through school services, presentations during registration periods, any communication with parents and on our social media and website.
The vision underpins all areas of school life, which is:
Create an unique inclusive secondary School that ensures personal success for all our pupils and staff in a supportive and safe environment.
“Nowhere like Nantlle”- Succeeding together!
In addition, through various meetings and questionnaires, all stakeholders including the pupils, governors, staff, and parents were asked to consider a number of questions in order to ensure that we are in agreement on what each pupil should know and be able to do, and what skills and values they should develop during their time at school.
1. What do the pupils need on their journey through the school?
Experiences
They should:
- receive the highest quality education in a safe and pleasant environment, from staff who take pride in them and treat everyone fairly.
- develop as individuals by engaging in unforgettable and varied activities inside and outside the classroom.
- have opportunities to visit new areas and people and take part in life-enriching experiences.
Support
They should:
- work with people they can trust, whether it's teachers, staff, parents or the community as a whole.
- be part of a school that provides strong leadership, sound and consistent discipline, with current and modern resources that inspire the pupils.
- be part of a school where everyone has a level playing field and every chance to succeed, where pupils' achievements and talents are praised and celebrated.
Skills
They should:
- have opportunities to develop the essential skills they need for their future.
- be able to develop as ambitious, independent learners in an atmosphere that encourages a creative and unique environment.
Mindset
They should:
- have the opportunity to develop as enterprising individuals, who welcome challenges, who can demonstrate resilience, and aim high with a vision for a positive future.
2. How can the Areas of Learning and Experience assist them on their journey?
Ensuring opportunities for pupils to develop not only their Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Competence skills, but also practical skills across subjects. The school's priority will be to provide pupils with broad experiences inside and outside the classroom and to develop close links with parents and the community. The Areas of Learning and Experience will support, encourage, reward and discipline pupils across their educational journey.
3. What experiences and opportunities should be offered to the pupils?
- Quality lessons and good teaching, giving pupils opportunities to develop independently.
- Clubs to develop pupils' self-confidence, mental health and wellbeing e.g. Breakfast Club, Reading Club, Science, x, Environmental, Gardening, Art, Music Opportunities to take part in team activities – Musical, Eisteddfod, PE teams, Walks
- Inspiring workshops and speakers.
- Parents to participate in activities with pupils.
- Volunteering opportunities and help the local association.
- Work Experience and mock interviews.
- Extracurricular visits and trips and experiences that broaden pupils' horizons.
- Help on how to buy/rent houses, arrange mortgages, live independently, manage money.
- Knowledge of politics and elections.
- First Aid.
4. What is important to the pupils and the community?
A positive image of the School, and thereby, the pupils, the community and the local area. This will be reached by ensuring a neat and clean school, where pupils take pride in their personal image by wearing appropriate school uniforms. Pupils will see value in their education, be aware that their voices are being heard, and that the School's teachers treat them kindly and fairly.
There will be a close and positive relationship between the School and the community and pupils will play a leading role in this. The school will be central to the community, where pupils, staff, parents, governors and the local community come together to share the area's successes.
5. Partners who would be able to work with the School?
- Local Businesses
- Societies
- Educational Institutions
- The Community
How does the curriculum meet the required elements of the Curriculum for Wales, starting with the four purposes?
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle's curriculum is suitable for all pupils and enables them to realise the Four Purposes. It considers and responds to the unique opportunities and challenges that present themselves to individuals and groups of pupils in our school.
Our school curriculum is broad and balanced and includes learning opportunities within and across all learning and experience areas. It covers the concepts in the statements of what is important and provides appropriate progress in accordance with the principles of progress. It is also in line with the mandatory requirements of teaching Welsh, English, Religion, Values and Ethics (CGM) and the compulsory elements of Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE). Cross-curricular skills in Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Competence and the cross-curricular themes of Diversity, Careers and Experiences Related to the World of Work, Local, National and International Contexts and Human Rights Education are embedded throughout the Curriculum.
Knowledge of how the school deals with learner progress and its assessment arrangements.
At Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, progress and assessment are key to ensuring we achieve our school's vision. Underpinning our school curriculum are the mandated Progression Principles which describe what pupils need to do to ensure progress, and the abilities and behaviours that our staff will seek to support, regardless of the pupil's stage of development. Our assessment arrangements are informed by these Progression Principles. We use a range of evidence-based assessment strategies to enable individual pupils to progress at an appropriate pace. We ensure that our processes identify pupils in need of further support or challenge and provide us with rich qualitative information to inform next steps in learning for individuals and groups of pupils. Our assessment arrangements ensure active engagement between pupils and teachers and is based on ongoing reflection on a pupil's placement, what their next steps are and what is needed to support them to achieve these.
How the curriculum will be kept under review, including the process for collecting feedback and continuously revising the curriculum.
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle’s Curriculum will be continually reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of our pupils. Throughout the year there will be a range of self-evaluation activities to inform our understanding of the effectiveness of our curriculum and the required review. We will work within our school, across the catchment area and in partnership with governors, the regional consortia, the alliance, the local authority and beyond to further develop a common understanding of progress and to ensure a high quality 3-16years old learning continuum for all.