Curriculum Overview

Netherthorpe School Music Development Plan

All students funded through the 16 to 19 funding methodology must be enrolled on a study programme, which typically combines qualifications and other activities, and is tailored to each student’s prior attainment and career goals. All students are allocated to one as part of all offers in the Sixth Form. All study programmes include English and maths ,where required, work experience and non-qualification activities that complement the other elements of the programme and support the student to progress to further or higher education (HE) or to employment.

Study programmes are flexible programmes built around the needs of individual students.

Students who do not achieve a grade 4 in English Language and grade 4 in Maths, will be entered onto our resit programme. This has been introduced nationally as part of study programmes, to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of students who did not attain a standard pass in these subjects during their secondary education.

Since 2014, the  Maths and English Condition of Funding requires all students who did not achieve a Grade 4 or higher in English or maths at GCSE to continue studying an appropriate qualification, such as GCSE.

Our main entry routes under take three level 3 qualifications ( A – Level, OCR Technical or BTEC at level 3) however, some students undertake 4 qualifications at this level.

Study programme principles

All 16 to 19 study programmes are designed to provide students with a structured and challenging learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their career plans. Study programmes should be individually tailored, but will typically combine the elements below:

1. Substantial qualifications that stretch students and prepare them for education at the next level or for employment. Our A level and Level 3 programmes provide this platform and students have the opportunity to both select according to their ambitions, work with us on our application process and induction day to ensure they are taking courses that are right for them. Our independent careers adviser is available to all students through booking at the main office.
2. English and Maths, where students have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4. This is supported with Maths having 4 hours a week of dedicated study and English for 3 hours per week.
3. Work experience to give students the opportunity to develop their career choices and to apply their skills in real working conditions. Work experience is typically one week in Year 12 however, as we look to personalise for students where this may not be practical (i.e. Medical students or students seeking opportunity at a vets) we do adapt to the opportunities available. Additionally our Triple Health and Social Care programme is designed to provide one day a week work experience alongside the course for course enhancement.
4. Other non-qualification activity to develop students’ character, broader skills, attitudes and confidence, and support progression. Students have access to:
   • Sports Leaders Programme
   • Prefects System of student leadership and student voice
   • House Prefects and Captains
   • Duke of Edinburgh
   • Aspire award
   • Unifrog including MOOCs and Future Learn programmes

This is not an exhaustive list.

We expect full-time study programmes for 16- and 17-year-olds to be, on average, 640 hours. This allows sufficient time to deliver the principles above.

Nationally, as part of the additional hours introduced in 2022 to 2023, all institutions were expected to deliver on average 40 more hours on band 5 programmes than in academic year 2020 to 2021. These increases should be maintained for academic year 2024 to 2025 and we honour this principle.

At Netherthorpe Sixth Form we continue to:

• use additional hours flexibly, broadly in line with study programme guidance, to best meet the needs of students
• prioritise maths in the use of additional hours where there is an identified student need, for example where a student without a Level 2 qualification must continue to study maths
• use additional hours to support areas such as mental health, wellbeing or study skills where these are a barrier for students effectively accessing teaching and learning

Example

A level/Level 3 Qualification 1       180 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

A level/Level 3 Qualification 2       180 GLH

A level/Level 3 Qualification 3       180 GLH

Form time PD                                   60 GLH

Work Experience                             40 GLH

Preparing for Post 18                      10 GLH

Total GLH                                          650 GLH

As part of the Sixth Form’s Excel Award students are actively encouraged to undertake a series of activities from a prescribed list e.g.: Volunteering, Supporting in School, Additional Work Experience, D of E, community work, Summer Schools, MOOCs, Trips, Mock interviews, Open Days and Careers advice, learning skills etc. This supports students personalised development and is recognised in Sixth form as a vital productive use of their time for Post 18 and careers benefits.

Students with special educational needs and/or disabilities

At Netherthorpe Sixth Form we share the knowledge that with the right preparation and support, the majority of young people with SEND are capable of sustained, paid employment. All professionals working with them share that presumption. As such, the study programme principles apply equally to students with SEND.

Our SEND team and SENCO will work closely with us to support students and explore way to best support our young people in their future direction of travel. Whether there is an EHCP involved or not, our staff will look to support students through quality first teaching and then supported by our SEND umbrella of support on a need basis.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community Sixth Form with the determination to offer the best possible education for all.

Qualifications

At Netherthorpe Sixth Form we offer two types of qualification defined by Department For Education funding as A levels and Applied General Qualifications, this will include AAQ (Applied Academic Qualifications) from September 2025.

A level students are expected to follow a minimum of 3 A levels, or the equivalent, which count as substantial qualifications. A level study programmes should also include extension/development or non-qualification activity such as, tutorials, work experience, personal or study skills, and support students to progress to employment or HE.

Applied General qualifications – level 3 qualifications that allow students to develop transferable knowledge and skills. They are for post-16 students who want to continue their education through applied learning and fulfil entry requirements for a range of HE courses, either by meeting the entry requirements in their own right or being accepted alongside and adding value to other qualifications at level 3 such as A levels.

Our delivery model is through face to face lessons in all qualifications.

Personal Development

There is a comprehensive Personal Development programme at Post 16. As part of the Sixth Form’s Personal development programme we focus some of the students time on supporting students to understand what healthy, respectful relationships look like and develop their knowledge, confidence and attitudes around relationships and sex. We look to support students to access the information and support they need to have positive relationships and sexual experiences and prevent future unwanted outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections (STI) diagnoses or unplanned pregnancies.

We do support students through a range of services and a reminder to all that students can call the national sexual health helpline for free on 0300 123 7123 from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. Calls are treated with sensitivity and in the strictest confidence. We also offer access to a range of services, including a school nurse and the ‘C Card’.

We are aware that the Culture Secretary has disbanded the NCS (March 2025) however, we will continue to monitor the Youth Strategy for new developments. For the period of time up to March 2025 the following applies:

As part of PD we promote: The National Citizen Service (NCS) This offers a range of experiences to young people that support them to grow their strengths and realise their potential through:

• boosting their confidence
• getting involved in social action
• making new friends from different backgrounds
• learning skills to become world and work ready

NCS is a universal offer where young people ages 16-17 can get involved in a variety of ways – through a trip away from home, programmes in their community, or online experiences.

Across the range of experiences, young people work in teams to build skills for work and life, taking on exciting challenges, meeting people from different backgrounds and contributing to their local area.

Participation age

​Young people are required to continue in education or training until at least their 18th birthday. Young people can choose to participate through full-time education, a job or volunteering combined with part-time study, or by undertaking an apprenticeship or supported internship. As students at Netherthorpe Sixth Form, students agree to full time education inline with this statement and our policies and procedures.

Y9 Options Booklet 202526

Y9 Options Booklet 202526