Our Curriculum
A curriculum with intent
The Tavistock College curriculum provides a rigorous, knowledge-rich, transformational education, encapsulated through our care, challenge and excel values, which prepares our students to succeed at university, thrive in employment and lead fulfilling lives. At our College, we believe that every young person should live a life of choice and opportunity; our curriculum is the embodiment of that ethos.
Rigorous, broad and balanced
At Key Stage Three, students are exposed to a wide range of disciplines. As well as studying the core subjects of English, maths and science, from the outset, they are expected to become skilled geographers, historians and linguists. Our commitment to the arts means that every student has the opportunity to study music, drama, the visual arts and design technology. Food and Nutrition, as well as Computing, are taught as discrete subjects from Year 7.
Focused on futures
The options process is carefully designed to support students throughout Year 9 with selecting a suite of qualifications that will provide them with solid foundations that will provide as many opportunities to lead successful futures.
In Key Stage Four, students continue with a broad range of core subjects, taking GCSE examinations in English Language and Literature, Maths, Science and then three options. One of these options is a ‘directed choice’ with two other free choices. All students continue studying Social Studies (which encapsulates our PSHE curriculum) as well as Physical Education.
The subjects we offer are under constant review to ensure that we are providing our students with everything they need to succeed after they leave school.
Ambitious and bespoke
In our thriving Sixth Form, students have the opportunity to specialise, with a wide variety of subjects. Enrolment considers students' prior attainment as well as their intentions to ensure that the courses they pursue are suited to achieving their goals. At all stages, the Tavistock College curriculum is co-constructed with students at the forefront of decisions, and we are always looking at new courses and opportunities for students to master new disciplines.
Pedagogy at the heart
When designing our curriculum, we start with the vision of well-rounded individuals, great writers, academics and entrepreneurs and then work backwards, mapping out students’ progression over seven years. At every stage, subject content is broken down into the key knowledge and skills that students need to achieve. Our teaching and learning framework establishes the core principles of great teaching and our underlying principles ensure the cohesiveness of our curriculum: every lesson reflects the high expectations we have of our students. Unique to each subject, our pedagogical frameworks are research based and conceived to embrace interrelatedness of knowledge, understanding and skills. The science of learning is embedded into teaching practice so that we can focus on long-term retention rather than short term performance.
How does our Curriculum support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?
At Tavistock College we are committed to offering an inclusive curriculum to ensure the best possible progress for all young people whatever their needs or abilities. All children have different strengths and deserve a curriculum which celebrates their talents, develops any gaps and allows them to become confident and self-assured citizens. At Tavistock College we work in collaboration with families and external agencies to ensure all students are given full opportunity to reach their potential and achieve success.
Our Curriculum for students with SEND:
- is ambitious for all
- is designed to be broad, inclusive, knowledge-rich and purposeful
- inspires, challenges and nurtures
- promotes resilience and courage
- is efficiently resourced to support progress
- strives to eliminate gaps in prior learning, skills and cultural capital
- creates enrichment opportunities
- provides aspirational pathways accessible to all interests and abilities
- empowers all to reach their challenging targets and their academic potential
- enables all to make a successful, safe, confident and independent transition into adulthood
- is regularly reviewed in response to changing needs
Each department has designed their individual SEND learner experience document to outline the journey for learners within their subject. These can be found on the individual subject pages.