For GCSE students Ashbourne aims to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum, so providing opportunities for students to develop:
Linguistic skills
Mathematical skills
An understanding of science and technology
An understanding of the social, historical and geographical context of their education
An opportunity and appreciation for creative expression
In particular we emphasize:
Critical thinking and its relation to clear expression
Grammar and style
Presentation of work
Elementary research skills
The importance of memory (revision)
Numeracy in every day life
In a broader sense we encourage students to develop confidence in themselves and a respect for others. We emphasize tolerance and are keen to promote understanding of our own and other cultures.
We expect students to understand and accept moral responsibility, contribute to the life of the school and community and have a grounding in understanding public institutions.
In years 9 and 10, the curriculum is by and large compulsory with appropriate periods for Maths, English and English Literature, 3 separate Sciences, ICT, History, Geography, Art, a modern Language, PSHE, Sport, Drama and Art and Design.
The school sets mostly on the basis of age but will stream according to ability, timetable permitting.
If the timetable allows, students will be given the option of as many modern languages as possible, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of our students; otherwise they will have to study French either at beginners level or otherwise.
All work is geared towards the requirements of the GCSE exams. In general yr 9 students will aim to reach Foundation level, yr 10 Intermediate level, and yr 11 Higher level.
We emphasize the development of the following skills: research, presentation, organization, time management, critical thinking and clear written expression.
In year 11, some significant choice is available, although not as much as for A level. The restricted choice arises because of the design of the timetable, which keeps each student at this level in class between the hours of 9:00 and 16:00 each day (lunchtimes excluded).
The principal electives are: Business Studies (a self-contained one year course) and various specialisms in Art and Design, including Photography, Graphics and Fashion. Nevertheless, in the past we have been able to arrange classes in Classical Civilization and Advanced Level Maths for students in year 11.
A Level
Although we offer an impressively broad range of subjects at A level, we have no specific policy with regard to choice of subjects. In fact, provided a student is registered for 3 or more A/AS levels, we will offer most subjects even on a one-to-one basis.
PSHE
Through our Personal Tutors and the Head of Middle School, each student has a compulsory allocation of 2 periods per week to encompass this topic.
2. Teacher’s Academic Responsibilities
2.1 DCSF Guidelines
You must make your best efforts to ensure that:
your students learn and make progress;
are prepared for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life;
acquire knowledge, make progress, develop understanding and skills.
You stimulate your students with effective teaching methods and suitable activities.
You manage your time effectively.
You understand the needs of your students, their prior attainment and aptitude.
You utilize and develop existing resources.
You assess homework and tests.
You instil and manage proper behaviour.
You have a framework for evaluating student performance.
2.2 Teaching Style
An ideal teacher will not be one who does not love his subject. The parameters set out above for prep and notetaking are the essential skeleton for all teaching at Ashbourne. Provided you organize your teaching within these bounds we encourage you to be as varied and creative as possible with your classroom delivery.
Thus you should consider using:
power point
videos
worksheets
artefacts
museums, galleries and libraries
practical demonstrations.
The college also encourages its staff to engage in Training and will support any reasonable request for training. Few take advantage of this opportunity but it is extremely valuable.
2.3 Beginning your course
You should review the syllabus for the appropriate exam board to ensure that there are not changes. All students should have a copy of this. This is particularly important for Coursework.
2.4 Scheme of Work and Timing
You should prepare and distribute a Scheme of Work along the lines of the one found in the appendix.
You should plan to finish most our your course by the end of the Spring term.
2.5 Coursework
Your scheme of work should indicate definite dates for the completion of stages of any coursework required.
Art and Design notwithstanding, you should aim to complete all coursework by the beginning of March.
The college does not tolerate plagiarism.
Ashbourne has few rules but insists that all students complete their coursework.
2.6 Lesson Plan
Each lesson should be outlined with a Lesson Plan. This is an obligation from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). An example is found in the appendix.
2.7 Notes/Textbooks/Handouts
Ashbourne requires all tutors to provide their students with self-contained notes, which should be sufficient to obtain the highest grades without support from any textbook.
These notes should be taken down in an active fashion, ie from what you have written on the board.
Distributing photocopied handouts followed by exercises in underlining are strictly against college policy. If this is your style, use Worksheets or Structured Reading Assignments (see appendix).
Handouts of comprehensive notes are absolutely welcome but should only be used to support the material the students have completed in class.
Similarly, English Literature notwithstanding, underlining passages in textbooks should not replace handwritten notes. Students need to be taught notemaking skills for which the textbook is ideal, perhaps accompanied by a Structured Reading Assignment.
You should check your students’ notes once each half term (be prepared for a shock).
2.8 Revision and Minitests
At A level Ashbourne offers its students at least 50% more classroom contact time than found in most other schools and colleges, whether state or independent. You should use at least one period with a Minitest (see appendix) to test revision.
This is an essential skill which you should carefully monitored, recorded and reported in the half-termly reports to parents and guardians.
2.9 Prep
This is the most important academic activity at the college. We insist on 100% submission so you must maintain a homework ringbinder and report all students who fail to submit prep to the Academic Director of Studies.
Suggested Allocation of Prep
GCSE – 2 hr maximum per subject per week
AS – 6 hours minimum per week
A2 – 6/8 hours minimum per week.
No student should ever do less than one half of the above allocations; ie the best should do all of it and the less able a core amounting to 50% of the above.
For quantitative subjects at A level, we would recommend 2 preps per week based on past exam paper questions as appropriate where you allow twice the amount of exam time allocated to the question (ie a question for which the exam affords 15 minutes should be allocated 30 minutes for homework).
For essay based subjects, we would recommend a minimum of one essay per week together with another essay, essay plans or Structured Reading Assignment.
2.10 Marking
Please award marks which relate directly to the appropriate level i.e., GCSE, AS or A2, and wherever possible provide model answers or copies of relevant mark schemes so that the student understands the marking criteria being applied. Use percentages please.
2.11 Mock Exams
It is an essential duty that you set a mock exam in the penultimate week of each half term.
If any students miss the mock, sufficient copies of the test should be given to the Director of Studies who will ensure its completion. Ashbourne has few rules but insists that all students sit a mock in each of their subjects each half term.
2.12 Past Paper Questions
Each topic should be completed by distributing an updated compendium of past exam paper questions related to the topic.
2.13 Communication
The Director of Studies
It is an essential duty for you to report all concerns about student performance, attendance and behaviour to the Director of Studies. (See below for issues of Child Protection.)
If a student fails to meet a deadline for prep, mock exam or coursework, a copy must be given to the Director of Studies who will supervise its completion. You should apply this policy for shoddy work as well.
Record Keeping
Registers and Grade Sheets
You are required to maintain these records of your students’ performance and attendance. (see appendix).
Homework Ringbinders
To facilitate the Director of Studies organizing the completion of outstanding work we ask you to keep a record of all work you have set and the grades students have achieved (your register) as well as copies of the work you have assigned (the homework ringbinder).
