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The Curriculum
The college curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad and balanced programme of study. When students first join the college they all follow a broadly similar curriculum. As they progress from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 the curriculum becomes more personalised as it changes to reflect the needs, interests and aspirations of each student.
In Key Stage 3 students follow courses in Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Art, a modern foreign language (French or Spanish), Geography, History, Information & Communication Technology, Music, Physical Education, Citizenship and Technology.
The curriculum in Key Stage 4 is much more personalised. All students follow a common core of Religious Education, English Language and Literature, Information & Communication Technology, Mathematics, Double Science, non-exam Physical Education and Citizenship. Beyond that the student follows an elective programme chosen from a range of options. These include a range of courses delivered in the college in traditional subjects such as Art, Business Studies, Child Development, Dance, Food Technology, French, Geography, Graphics, History, Music and Physical Education, Resistant Materials Spanish and Textiles. However students can also choose to follow a range of high quality vocational programmes offered by TCAT, New College and other training providers. Whether a course is studied here at BRJ or at another institution it will lead to a nationally recognised and valuable qualification.
Homework
Homework helps prepare students for lessons and reinforce what has been taught. It also develops very important self-management habits. All students are expected to complete homework in all their subjects on a regular basis. Each student is given a timetable that indicates when homework will be set and what day it is due in. Guidance is also given on how much time should be spent on homework each night. Every student has a College Planner’ in which to record homework and any other reminders. Parents are asked to check and sign their child’s planner regularly.
Parents' Consultation Evenings
Throughout the year we hold a range of parents' evenings. Annually, there is an opportunity for parents to meet all subject teachers to discuss individual students and their progress. In addition an evening for Year 7 parents is held in the autumn term to meet with form tutors and the head of year to discuss how the new students have settled into the college. In Year 9 a curriculum information evening is organised for parents during the spring term in order to find out about the Key Stage 4 Curriculum offered at the college and to explain the option system. A Sixth Form open evening is organised for Year 11 students and parents to discuss what courses will be available in the college sixth form. If you have a child currently attending another school in years 10 or 11 please ask for a Sixth Form prospectus.
Careers Advice and Work Experience
From Year 7 students are encouraged to think carefully about future courses and their chosen career. Students are guided in making realistic assessments of their strengths and weaknesses and we arrange individual interviews, talks and visits.
Our Connexions worker is on hand to provide counselling and advice and in Key Stage 4 all students undertake a work experience placement to help prepare them for the world beyond the college.
Sex and Relationships Education (SRE)
The church has long held the view that appropriate education in sex and relationships is an essential part of a young person’s formation. The college SRE programme is based on a well respected national programme and is delivered by the Science and Religious Education departments along with specific input from other specialist workers. The programme seeks to ensure that all students accept their own and others' sexuality positively in order to enjoy relationships based on mutual respect, dignity and responsibility. A full copy of the policy can be obtained by contacting the college.
Assessment and Communication
Children make best progress when they and their parents have a clear idea of how they are doing and what they need to do to improve. The college has developed effective ways of communicating this important information.
Reports
Each term students receive their Effort Attainment Report (EAR) to take home. This tells parents about the commitment being shown in each subject so that sustained high levels of effort can be rewarded and lack of it can be addressed. The termly report also indicates what attainment levels are being achieved in each subject so that academic progress can be monitored.
Annually, each student receives a full report to take home. This contains detailed comments from all the student's teachers on all areas of college life together with attendance and punctuality data.
School Inclusion Unit
Please click HERE for details of the school inclusion unit (Emmaus Centre)
Student Care
The college's pastoral arrangements are designed to ensure that all students can make the most of the learning opportunities available. Our concern for each individual in our community is reflected in our mission statement. All students are given individual tutors who take responsibility for the progress of those in their groups. Tutors are the first point of contact for students and parents. In turn, each team of tutors is the responsibility of a head of year.
Many students will need additional pastoral support at some point in their college career and in addition to its own counsellor the college can draw on specialist support from the educational welfare service, behaviour support workers and the school nurse when necessary.
As we have a statutory responsibility for the welfare of all our students we are obliged to make referrals to the Social Services in very specific cases.
Code of Conduct, Rewards and Sanctions
Our Code of Conduct has been reviewed in consultation with students and parents and promotes and reflects the high expectations we have of our students. It is rooted in the values of the Gospels in particular Love, Justice and Reconciliation and encourages all to be caring, courteous, co-operative and committed. All students are expected to keep to the Code at all times, including when travelling to and from college, on visits and trips and when engaged on work placements or any other off-site educational activity.
The college believes strongly in the power of praise; there are many ways that we reward students ranging from the quiet word in class to the presentation of trophies and certificates. We reward all areas of achievement from academic excellence to outstanding attendance. A structured reward system operates where “Credits” are given for meeting classroom expectations completing work that is of a very high standard, exceptional effort, perseverance and for service to the college or to the wider community.
Badges, letters of commendation and lots of praise are heaped upon those who accumulate lots of Credits or achieve 100% attendance. Every summer we hold Achievement Assemblies to honour those who have distinguished themselves by means of academic achievement or effort. The College has a very good reputation for behaviour but students are only human and on occasions some may fail to live up to our expectations. While there is an emphasis on reconciliation the college does operate a simple but effective sanction scheme that includes after-school detention. Adequate notice is always given if a child is to be kept after school.
In safeguarding the human dignity of students and staff we take very seriously any example of discrimination on grounds of race, gender, sexuality, disability or other status, disruption to teaching and learning, verbal or physical violence, or damage to books, equipment, the buildings or our campus. Such behaviour is not tolerated and is dealt with swiftly. We look to the support of parents when such situations arise.