Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Design and Delivery at Flint high School

At Flint High School our vision is that every pupil is given the opportunity to flourish, no matter what their starting point or what their interests are.   Our aim is for every child to head into the world confident and ready to contribute to their community.

Our motto ‘Learning to Excel' challenges our pupils to take an active role in their education and to take responsibility for it.

Our curriculum has been designed to offer learners a broad and rich curriculum with a variety of engaging learning experiences. 

Year 7 and 8 (Key Stage 3)

We have designed our curriculum so that pupils:

• Become ambitious, capable learners, ready to learn throughout their lives
• Become enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work
• Become ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world
• Become healthy, confident individuals, ready to live fulfilling lives as valued members of society.

Our curriculum is modelled around the areas of learning and experience (AoLEs):

• Expressive Arts
• Health and Well-being
• Humanities
• Languages, Literacy and Communication
• Mathematics and Numeracy
• Science and Technology

Within the areas of learning and experience, the following are mandatory elements:

• English and Welsh
• Relationships and Sexuality Education Framework
• Religion, Values and Ethics Framework

Year 7, 8 and 9 Curriculum Model:

Learning progression and arrangements for assessment

We believe progression and assessment is fundamental to ensuring we achieve our school vision.

Our assessment arrangements are informed by principles of progression. We use a variety of evidence informed assessment strategies to enable each individual pupil to make progress at an appropriate pace. We ensure our processes identify pupils who require further support or challenge.  Our assessment arrangements ensure active engagement between pupils and teachers and is based on ongoing reflection on where a pupil is, what their next steps are and what is needed to support them.

Keeping the curriculum under review to inform revision

Our school curriculum will be kept under review to ensure that it is meeting the needs of our pupils and our school vision. Throughout the year there will be a variety of self-evaluation activities to inform our understanding of the effectiveness of our curriculum and the required revision. We will work within our school, across the cluster and in partnership with governors, the regional consortia, the local authority and to further develop a shared understanding of progression and to ensure a high-quality 3-16 continuum for all.

Year 10 and 11 Curriculum (Key Stage 4)

At Key Stage 4 pupils are guided into the best matched learning pathway, designed to give individual pupils the opportunity to excel.

All pupils continue to study the core subjects of English (Literature and Language), Mathematics/Numeracy and Science. They also study Religion and Ethics (PRE), Welsh Baccalaureate and Welsh.

They also have a choice of other subjects suited to their aptitudes, aspirations, and interests. These include Art and Design, Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama, Digital Technology, DT Product Design, French, Geography, Health and Social Care, History, Media Studies, Music and PE. The school also offers a range of vocational qualifications including Equality and Diversity, Work Related Education and Hair and Beauty.

Year 12 and 13 Curriculum (Key Stage 5)

In the Sixth Form we run a campus style model over two sites.  One of our sites is based at Flint High School the other is at St Richard Gwyn.  

Pupils can choose from a wide variety of Level 3 qualifications - A Level, AS Level, and BTEC National. Nearly all students study the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level.

The Sixth Form offer includes: Art, Biology, Business Studies, BTEC Sport, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminology, Drama, DT Product Design, English Language, English Literature Further Mathematics, Geography, Health and Social Care, History, Law, Mathematics, Media Studies, Medical Science, Music, Philosophy Religion and Ethics, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Sociology and Welsh.

Curriculum Access (Additional Learning)

Flint High School has a person-centred approach to identify needs early, put in place effective support and monitoring, and adapt interventions to ensure the very best for each pupil.

All pupils should be supported in their learning and interventions should be put in place to help pupils overcome educational difficulties. All pupils are encouraged to take an active part in school life, to experience the widest possible curriculum and out of hours opportunities and to feel safe and secure.

More able and talented pupils are supported by strategies such as accelerated programmes of study, additional opportunities to study subjects in more depth, a targeted curriculum structure, enhanced extra-curricular provision and additional opportunities to work with specialists.

Provisions that are unique to Flint High School include:

• Two Flexible Learning Centres on site that cater for pupils in Year 7 through to Year 11 who require a more bespoke curriculum arrangement and a secure base to operate from.
• An Enhanced Provision Centre on site for pupils who require additional and targeted daily support for their learning and social skills. 
• A comprehensive Learning Support base that provides for a wide range of ALN needs within the school.

Provision for sport

Our pupils have use of excellent sports facilities for both PE lessons and for extracurricular activities. On site there is a state-of-the-art 3G pitch, a recently refurbished sports hall, extensive playing fields, a basketball court and a tennis court.

Pupils also access the local leisure centre to widen the opportunities available to them.  Pupils have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities after school.

Provision for the development of the Welsh Language

Welsh is taught as part of the curriculum subject for all students in both KS3 and KS4. Y Cwricwlwm Cymreig gives students across the school a full awareness and understanding of the national and international context of Wales and its language. In addition, bilingualism is promoted through Welsh in assemblies; an annual Eisteddfod; use of Welsh in other subjects and around the school; bilingual signs and notices around the school; Welsh cultural immersion trips and other bilingual projects.

Expressive Arts

Music and drama have a purpose-built drama theatre, a practise room, a classroom.  and a new recording studio.  A wide variety of music and drama productions take place, including large scale musicals.

Extensive music tuition is available for all pupils. Provision for pupils includes a school orchestra, a choir and a School of Rock Band.