Subject Intent
English
At RAP, the Key Stage 3 English curriculum intends to develop students into curious readers capable of accessing a broad variety of texts and genres from the literary canon. When it comes to writing, students will engage in creative expression, confidently employing a range of sentence structures and complex vocabulary. Furthermore, our goal is to empower students to become proficient speakers, capable of presenting ideas in a formal context, actively listening to feedback, and asking questions to clarify information—all while using standard English. Through a skills-based curriculum, we aim for pupils to practice speaking and listening with consideration for a specific audience, effectively communicate and formulate their own opinions, and engage in active listening and appropriate responses. Students will continue to develop into confident individuals who excel in these language skills.
Mathematics
At RAP, the Key Stage 3 Maths curriculum intends to embed key mathematical skills so that students can become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, reason mathematically, and problem solve by applying their skills and knowledge. We intend to expand students’ range of mathematical competencies so that they have a greater understanding of Maths in real life. This will in turn give them the skills to develop their confidence to make decisions about their money, time, and freedom as they prepare for adulthood.
Science
At RAP, the Key Stage 3 Science curriculum aims to cultivate curiosity and foster an inquisitive mindset about the universe among our students. At this stage, there is a fundamental shift from the science lessons experienced in primary school. Our goal is to encourage students to actively participate in a variety of practical work, gradually bridging connections between practical work and theoretical concepts. The lessons are structured around developing scientific inquiry skills, including classifying, comparing and contrasting, predicting, making models, gathering data, measuring, and observing. We intend to build upon and deepen students’ scientific knowledge, emphasising their understanding of ideas and concepts developed in the earlier Key Stages, particularly in the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Art
At RAP, the Key Stage 3 Art curriculum intends to develop students’ critical and analytical abilities whilst giving them the opportunity to express themselves freely. The curriculum intends for students to build on prior learning and develop their confidence and knowledge of working with different materials and processes, to analyse their own work and the works of famous artists and designers, both contemporary and historical. This will help them to express their own creativity, ideas and investigations through the medium of art. Students will gain perseverance skills from self-analysis helping them to decide if they want to continue their journey into Key Stage 4 Art.
Food Technology
At RAP, the Key Stage 3 Food Technology curriculum intends to provide a comprehensive exploration of the food we consume. The curriculum aims to equip all students with the understanding and confidence to create their own dishes from scratch. Through hands-on experiences, students will explore different textures, flavours and cooking styles. The curriculum aims for students to understand the importance of food and its role in improving overall health and wellbeing.
Geography
At RAP, The Key Stage 3 Geography curriculum intends to inform students about the enormity of our world. The curriculum encourages students to use maps and atlases so that pupils can develop an understanding of different countries, continents, seas and oceans. Through studying the natural and human environments, as well as physical and human processes, the curriculum aims to provide students with a sense of awe and wonder about the world they live in, building a sense of curiosity and asking questions so that they are keen to continue learning about the world in Key Stage 3.
History
At RAP, the Key Stage 3 History curriculum intends to foster a deep understanding of historical events, cultures and individuals, cultivating critical thinking skills among students. By exploring diverse perspectives and analysing primary sources, the History curriculum strives to develop a sense of historical empathy. It intends to instil a passion for inquiry, encouraging students to question, investigate and draw connections between past and present. The aim is to empower learners with the knowledge and skills necessary for informed citizenship, promoting an appreciation for the complexities and nuances of history.
PE
At RAP, the PE curriculum intends to adhere to the philosophy of ‘Sport for All’. The school aims to deliver an exciting and enjoyable experience for all students acquiring the skills and knowledge in line with the National Curriculum. The broad and balanced curriculum aims to re-cap, re-call and build on prior knowledge using a range of physical activities. Through a carefully structured programme, we aim for students to build their physical, social and mental skills, enabling them to fully participate in a range of roles in PE. All students at RAP have the opportunity to participate in an extensive Extra Curricular/Enrichment programme, which develops students’ confidence in applying their skills in competitive situations.
PSHE/RSE
At RAP, the Key Stage 3 PSHE curriculum intends to empower students with the knowledge, skills and attribute development to equip them to enjoy healthy relationships and navigate the wider world as happy, healthy and fulfilled teenagers. The curriculum focuses on the use of distanced and experiential learning opportunities to engage pupils and meet age, stage and SEMH needs, whilst developing students’ moral compass. Students are supported to navigate challenges by responding to spontaneous issues both in our school community and the wider world. As part of the PHSE curriculum, students are taught RSE to foster an understanding and respect of different faiths and diversity within the community. The curriculum intends to ensure our students practice skills to access reliable information and support services linked to each topic area. Parents have the statutory right to withdraw their child from the sex education element of the RSE curriculum.