Be More Curriculum
Raising aspirations is extremely important to us and we aim to develop the understanding that learning (and the experiences that take place within and around this learning) are the route to enhanced opportunities. The mission of our College is such that all are encouraged to develop the virtues and skills which will lead to choice filled lives.
We aim to deliver a high-quality education that will ensure that all children gain the social capital that enables them to have:
- unlimited ideas and dreams
- a vision of what they want to achieve in life and how to achieve it
- a strong sense of duty, responsibility and service
- care and compassion towards each other and an understanding of themselves
- choice filled lives and a zest for life
Through curricular and extra-curricular provision, our pupils are educated to be prepared for fullness of life. We call this ‘The Be More Experience’. In aspiring to “be more” pupils must reflect upon their own character and develop positive attributes known as Moral Virtues.
We apply our skills and resources to this philosophy, offering life skills of lasting value to our pupils. We expect all our pupils to have a 7 year “Be More” experience with us and undertake a series of ongoing challenges throughout that celebrate their personal development journey.
We have designed a Be More Experience taught over 4 stages during their time with us. These are:
- Foundation Be More Experience: Year 7 and 8
- Intermediate Be More Experience: Year 9
- Master Be More Experience: Year 10 & 11
- Graduate Be More Experience: Year 12 & 13
We want to be the best College in the country. We want our pupils to have the best education and the best opportunities. By achieving this we will instil into pupils a desire to be the best they possibly can and so make a difference. The gaining of qualifications, skills and experiences is not just about what pupils get out of it but how it helps them to help others and live out our Christian Virtues in their daily life.
We firmly believe that our pupils deserve the opportunity to develop and realise their talents, aspirations and true potential and through this are inspired to achieve and follow their chosen career and life path.
We expect all our pupils to have a 7-year journey in our College and to undertake a series of ongoing challenges, at different stages, that are designed to demonstrate key life skills of:
Leadership – pupils are taught to understand the definition of leadership and are given opportunities to apply this to their own lives. As part of our ethical leadership programme, pupils learn how the power of leadership can change lives and are given appropriate challenges to demonstrate this.
Organisation – pupils are taught how to become organised and are given opportunities to demonstrate this when identifying the steps towards successful completion of an activity or project.
Resilience – pupils are taught to recognise that hard work, persistence and effort yield results.
Initiative – pupils are taught how to think independently and are given opportunities to gain new experiences that enable them to use their imagination and common sense.
Communication – pupils are taught how to communicate effectively, and to realise the importance of this.
Ambition Days are run throughout the calendar for all year groups. These are designed to support our students in experiences that further develop their Cultural Capital : social and intellectual capital. They are designed as a “drop down day” where a range of activities are but in place to build the students’ Experience of University, Politics and Growth Mind Set.
The Foundation Experience begins with a focus on transition and welcoming pupils into the College. Pupils are introduced to an array of opportunities available to them. Over two years, Learning Programmes have been designed to allow pupils to become confident individuals and to encourage them to enhance their character to enable them to have qualities they need to flourish in our society.
Pupils are introduced to a sequenced programme of spiritual moral, social and cultural development and age appropriate relationship, health and sex education. A unique approach to Careers Information and Education Advice and Guidance (CIEAG) begins with pupils being introduced to the concept of a choice filled life through our Ambition Days. All pupils will participate within the themed Experience Weeks. All of this is tracked and celebrated within our FFET Awards programme.
The Foundation Experience includes:
• Oracy Day
• PSHE Programme
• Young Enterprise Day
• Residential Experience
• Yr7 Welcome Service
• Extra-curricular programme
• Enrichment activities
• Experience Week
• Ambition days x 3
• Faith opportunities
• Careers Programme
• Politics / Citizenship
In addition to pupils having the opportunity to develop an appreciation for these areas, they are also able to improve and demonstrate the key skills of LORIC through these activities.
The PSHE Programme is designed so that pupils receive PSHE session once a week and is personalised to each year group. Pupils in Year 7 follow a sequenced delivery of knowledge covering the following areas: Relationships – families and friendships, Online media, Mental Health and Well-Being, Internet Safety and Harms, Healthy Lifestyles and Health prevention and the Changing Adolescent Body. In Year 8, this knowledge is built on further and pupils cover: Families and Stable Relationships, Marriage, Bullying, Online Media and Harmful contact, Mental Well-Being, Internet Safety, Drugs and Alcohol, Healthy Sleeping Routines and First Aid. There is a strong emphasis on oracy and utilising oracy skills to develop spoken language and communication within PSHE lessons. Therefore, the topics are planned to encourage discussion and debate activities, where pupils learn how to articulate their own opinions and to feel confident to do so.
Young Enterprise Day enables all pupils in Years 7 and 8 to participate in a Dragons’ Den experience. During the day, pupils learn about essential aspects that are involved with designing and marketing a product. The Young Enterprise Challenge enables pupils to work together on their products and finishes with a pitch to a judging panel. The winning group then progresses to a regional competition.
The Residential Experience allows all pupils in Year 7 to participate in alternative outdoor education, which is key to raising achievement and broadening pupils’ horizons. The Bushcraft residential is instrumental in developing self-esteem, communication skills, teamwork and enables many pupils, for the first time, to experience independence. Immersed in the wilderness, sleeping in large bell tents and cooking over open fires, will allow all pupils to have the opportunity to challenge themselves in an alternative environment. It is a key stepping stone to settling into life at our College, helping pupils to demonstrate and develop the key skills of LORIC through its vast selection of outdoor activities such as a fire workshop, wilderness cookery, shelter building and wilderness first aid.
The Extra-Curricular Programme is designed to encourage pupils in all year groups to take part in new challenges but to also identify their talents and potential, pursuing this through specific activities. All pupils are expected to contribute and participate in the extra-curricular programme. At the College, the range of extra-curricular activities is extensive and offers all pupils the chance to immerse themselves in areas that they want to explore, enhance performance or get involved in for fun. A key focus within all activities is to build self-confidence, develop character and demonstrate how to improve and apply the key skills of LORIC. Extra-curricular activities are available in all subjects and take place at lunch time and after school, enabling all to grow, develop and excel beyond the classroom, this includes opportunities to become involved with our Moral Virtue Ambassadors and our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
Enrichment opportunities aim to immerse our pupils in local and international culture; pupils will visit places of local interest and heritage and our international links continue to grow rapidly. Pupils will have the opportunity to be involved in exchanges and visits with future opportunities to local, national and global destinations and build upon their experience of cultural capital.
Politics / Citizenship is delivered within AR time by form staff. Year 7 follow a sequenced curriculum where they know their role as a citizen, how local democracy works and how they can affect change with in their communities. The curriculum develops in year 8 and covers how the political system works within the UK and how laws can be changed as well as the influence of the media.
Careers Pupils will have careers lessons delivered within each learning programme. Pupils will know what University is.
The Experience Week takes place at the end of the summer term, in order to enhance ‘The Experience’ even further. During ‘Experience Week’ all pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 are given additional opportunities to take part in workshops, trips and visits to develop and demonstrate their understanding of what it means ‘to be more’.
A key element of the ‘Experience Week’ is allocated time for reflection, allowing pupils to not only participate in exciting and inspiring activities, but to also consider what they have learnt and how it has impacted upon them. The normal timetables are collapsed and pupils take part in activities that enable them to develop their own character and understanding of virtues.
The Intermediate Experience focuses on a key milestone stage of the journey for all Year 9 pupils and so builds upon the Foundation Experience. The Intermediate Experience is a time where pupils decide upon the subjects they wish to continue to pursue, to complete their GCSE and Level 2 qualifications.
Over one year, Learning Programmes have been designed to allow pupils to continue to become confident individuals and to encourage them to enhance their character to enable them to have qualities they need to flourish in our society. Pupils continue to follow a sequenced programme of spiritual moral, social and cultural development and age appropriate relationship, health and sex education. A unique approach to Careers Information and Education Advice and Guidance (CIEAG) continues with pupils exposed further to the concept of a choice filled life through our Ambition Days. All pupils will participate within the themed Experience Weeks. Pupils are introduced the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. All of this is tracked and celebrated within our FFET Awards programme.
The Intermediate Experience includes:
• Oracy Day
• Ambition Days x 3
• PSHE Programme
• Extra-curricular Programme
• Enrichment Activities
• Experience Week
• Year 9 Information Evening
• Industry Day
• Higher Horizons Programme
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
• Careers Programme
• Faith Opportunities
• Politics / Citizenship
The PSHE Programme is designed so that pupils receive PSHE session once a week and is personalised to each year group. Pupils in Year 9 follow a sequenced delivery of knowledge covering the following areas and building on the prior knowledge taught in Year 7 and 8: Families – being safe and reporting concerns, Respectful Relationships and criminal behaviours, Online and Media Safety, Being Safe: The Law, Consent, Exploitation and Harassment, Intimate Relationships, Mental Well-Being, Drugs and Alcohol and Health Prevention.
Year 9 Information Evening is a time for pupils to make informed choices about their academic journey. Pupils are able to find out further details about qualifications and subject requirements through talking to staff, pupil representatives and of course parents/carers. Throughout the evening, pupils will have further opportunities to reflect upon their progress, EBacc opportunities and their subject interests to select final options.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is introduced to all Year 9 pupils. Pupils follow areas that introduce aspects such as camp craft, survival, navigation and map reading. All Year 9 pupils are also encouraged to embark upon and begin their Bronze Award. A detailed information evening ensures that all pupils and parents understand the key aspects of the Award and the commitment necessary to succeed. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a big part of College life and instrumental in enabling pupils to recognise the importance of and demonstrate key skills of LORIC.
Careers: Industry Day enables all Year 9 pupils to think about future career options. This is an opportunity for pupils to find out key information about specific career routes and to talk to personnel from a range of employment agencies. The aim of the day is to give pupils further goals and aspirations to strive towards. The Higher Horizons Programme introduces Year 9 pupils to Higher Education. The programme is designed to raise aspirations of pupils and to offer an insight to Higher Education options, working with schools to support pupils in fulfilling their education potential. The programme includes in school workshops, alongside visits to local Higher Education providers. Year 9 pupils have access to this throughout the year, during curricular and extra-curricular activities, and this continues until they complete their College journey at the end of Year 13.
Politics / Citizenship is delivered within AR time by form staff. Pupils will understand what Migration is and the reasons for it. They will learn how to manage money and how digital democracy may increase political participation.
The Experience Week takes place at the end of the summer term, in order to enhance ‘The Experience’ even further. During ‘Experience Week’ all pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 are given additional opportunities to take part in workshops, trips and visits to develop and demonstrate their understanding of what it means ‘to be more’.
A key element of the ‘Experience Week’ is allocated time for reflection, allowing pupils to not only participate in exciting and inspiring activities, but to also consider what they have learnt and how it has impacted upon them. The normal timetables are collapsed and pupils take part in activities that enable them to develop their own character and understanding of virtues.
The Master Experience has a strong focus on leadership and careers, alongside the preparation for examinations. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 have a more specific focus on the development of exam and revision techniques. Each pupil has a bespoke programme of study, which enables them to work towards achieving their full potential.
Over two years, Learning Programmes have been designed to allow pupils to continue to become confident individuals and to encourage them to enhance their character to enable them to have qualities they need to flourish in our society. Pupils continue to follow a sequenced programme of spiritual moral, social and cultural development and age appropriate relationship, health and sex education. A unique approach to Careers information and Education advice and guidance (CIEAG) continues with pupils exposed further to the concept of a choice filled life through our Ambition Days. All pupils will participate within the themed Experience Weeks. Pupils are introduced the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. All of this is tracked and celebrated within our FFET Awards programme.
The Master Experience includes:
• Oracy Conference
• Ambition days in Year 10 x2. Year 11 x 1
• PSHE Programme
• Extra-curricular Activities
• Enrichment Programme
• Experience Weeks
• Industry Day
• Higher Horizons Programme
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
• Mock Interview Careers’ Day and Careers Interviews
• 6th Form Information Evening
• Elevate Study Skills
• Leadership Opportunities
• Careers Interviews
• Faith Opportunities
• Politics / Citizenship
The PSHE Programme is designed so that pupils receive PSHE session once a week and is personalised to each year group. Pupils in Year 10 and 11 follow a sequenced delivery of knowledge covering the following areas and building on the prior knowledge taught in Year 9: Families – being safe and reporting concerns, Respectful Relationships and criminal behaviours, Online and Media Safety, Being Safe: The Law, Consent, Exploitation and Harassment, Intimate Relationships, Mental Well-Being, Drugs and Alcohol and Health Prevention.
6th Form Information Evening allows pupils within Year 11, to begin to specialise within option routes. The evening is a chance for pupils and parents/carers to discuss A-Level and Level 3 qualifications with staff, to find out about the requirements and suitability thinking ahead to university, apprenticeships and employment. An essential process, which enables pupils to embark upon the final part of their College journey. Although pupils are given a range of opportunities to develop their leadership skills as soon as they start our College; Year 10 and 11 pupils have real opportunities to enhance their leadership skills further through a variety of awards and events.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: On completion of the Bronze Award, pupils then have the opportunity to progress to Silver Award in Years 10 and 11.
Careers continues to be a vital strand for all pupils within Years 10 and 11. Pupils have at least 2 careers’ interviews, where they have the opportunity to look into and discuss a variety of career options. They are able to get specific, targeted and informative advice regarding various career routes and ideas and the specific requirements needed to get there. The Higher Horizons Programme also allows pupils a range of opportunities to attend careers’ events, university visits and summer school workshops.
The Mock Interview Careers Day complements the focus on careers and goals. Pupils in Year 11 experience a mock interview session in preparation for the next stage of their journey. They receive essential feedback following their interview which is a key stepping stone in the preparations for Higher Education and employment.
Politics / Citizenship is delivered within AR time by form staff. In year 10 pupils explore how they can make a difference in society, the strengths and weaknesses of the legal system, how the economy works and how the UK plays a meaningful role within international communities. In Year 11 they look at the nature of the British Constitution, Diversity within UK society, where power resides within the UK and explore the topic of the right to protest.
The PSHE Programme is designed so that pupils receive PSHE session once a week and is personalised to each year group. Pupils in Year 10 and 11 follow a sequenced delivery of knowledge covering the following areas and building on the prior knowledge taught in Year 9: Online Media: explicit material, Informed Consent, Drugs and Alcohol, Addiction and Dependency, Reproductive Health, Mental Well-Being, Seeking Support, Gambling and Debt and Honour Based Violence.
The Experience Week takes place at the end of the summer term, in order to enhance ‘The Experience’ even further. During ‘Experience Week’ all pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 are given additional opportunities to take part in workshops, trips and visits to develop and demonstrate their understanding of what it means ‘to be more’. A key element of the ‘Experience Week’ is allocated time for reflection, allowing pupils to not only participate in exciting and inspiring activities, but to also consider what they have learnt and how it has impacted upon them. The normal timetables are collapsed and pupils take part in activities that enable them to develop their own character and understanding of virtues.
We want to encourage as many of our pupils as possible to consider taking up further studies after sixth form. The experience of university and employment is life changing and opens up doors to all kinds of exciting possibilities, enabling a choice filled life. Working in partnership, we will equip pupils with the experience, skills and qualifications necessary to achieve their goals. As they grow, we will give them lots of opportunities to research where they want to be in life, the qualifications they need to get there and how they are going to achieve it. A unique approach to Careers Information and Education Advice and Guidance (CIEAG) continues with pupils exposed further to the concept of a choice filled life through our Ambition Day.
In Sixth Form, pupils receive extensive and targeted guidance to enable them to complete the UCAS and employment application process.
The Graduate Experience includes:
• PSHE Programme
• Extra-curricular
• Enrichment
• Experience Weeks
• Industry Day
• Higher Horizons Programme
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
• Careers Interviews
• Mock Interview Careers’ Day
• Mentor and Leadership Opportunities
• Work Experience
• Careers Pathways Week
• Faith Opportunities
• Politics / Citizenship
The Sixth Form Graduate Experience is tailored to ensure pupils are ready for the next stage of their journey. In all aspects of The Experience Programmes, 6th Form pupils are encouraged to take these to the highest levels and to continue to develop and progress, building upon 5 years of prior opportunities and experiences.
Pupils in Years 12 and 13 have the opportunity to become mentors, prefects and leaders. Within these roles, pupils work with younger pupils to help them to settle in to our College, to assist them to learn in specific areas, to help them to develop in areas such as numeracy and literacy. Year 12 and 13 pupils are often called upon to be ambassadors and volunteers for activities and events.
Work Experience is completed in Year 12, where all pupils follow a 1-week placement in a working environment. This is a great opportunity for the pupils to understand the demands of roles within the world of work, allowing them a greater insight to specific career options that are of interest to them in the future. It also gives them the opportunity to put into practice the Moral Virtues they have learnt throughout their College life. The work experience placement enables pupils to understand and develop skills such as communication, team work and initiative that are essential within working environments.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: On completion of the Silver Award, pupils then have the opportunity to progress to Gold Award in Years 12 and 13. The success of the pupils within The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues, with more and more pupils finishing their Gold Award and being invited to Buckingham Palace to receive their Award.
The PSHE Programme is designed so that pupils receive PSHE session once a week and is personalised to each year group. Pupils in Year 12 follow a sequenced delivery of knowledge covering the following areas and building on the prior knowledge taught in KS4: Families – being safe and reporting concerns, Respectful Relationships and criminal behaviours, Online and Media Safety, Being Safe: The Law, Consent, Exploitation and Harassment, Intimate Relationships, Mental Well-Being, Drugs and Alcohol and Health Prevention.
Politics / Citizenship is delivered within AR time by form staff. It builds on the topics delivered in KS4 and explores them further at an age appropriate level. They also look closely at current affairs.
Careers Pathways Week takes place at the end of Year 12 and is an opportunity for pupils to complete their personal statements, to visit universities and to receive advice/guidance about career options. Pupils work with the 6th form team throughout the week to guide them through the activities necessary for them to complete their personal statements and to look at the UCAS application process. We believe this is of great benefit to the pupils in preparing them for Higher Education.
Life at our College extends well beyond the classroom, with the aim to develop the academic, professional, social and character skills needed to be successful in life, so that all pupils can make the most of their abilities and interests and fulfil their true potential.
We firmly believe that every child deserves the opportunity to develop and realise their true potential, and we want all pupils to leave our College having experienced ‘fullness of life’ – pupils who are inspired to achieve, attain and follow their chosen career and life path. As such, ‘The Experience’ is designed to create an environment that not only identifies a child’s dreams and aspirations, but encourages these ambitions through continuous achievement and the broadening of horizons.
The Experience Week takes place at the end of the summer term, in order to enhance ‘The Experience’ even further. During ‘Experience Week’ all pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 are given additional opportunities to take part in workshops, trips and visits to develop and demonstrate their understanding of what it means ‘to be more’.
A key element of the ‘Experience Week’ is allocated time for reflection, allowing pupils to not only participate in exciting and inspiring activities, but to also consider what they have learnt and how it has impacted upon them. The normal timetables are collapsed and pupils take part in activities that enable them to develop their own character and understanding of virtues.