Subjects

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Commerce

The Commerce Faculty consists of a dedicated team of professionals who are able to get the best from pupils across all ability ranges. Our team continuously strives to provide innovative ways of delivering ICT to get our pupils fully engaged and cater for the necessary skill requirements of the working environment. We always aim high when it comes to pupil achievement and endeavour to move pupils from the 'comfort' to 'challenging' zone through promoting self-belief in what they do.

Commerce provides a challenging and stimulating Key Stage 3 ICT curriculum that develops a wide range of transferable skills that enable successful progression into Year 9 and Key Stage 4. We also offer an option in Business Studies.

During Key Stage 3, Year 7 and 8 pupils are graded against National Curriculum Levels for work topics covered. Feedback is given on the level reached and personal targets are set for further improvement. This feedback is electronically recorded to enable pupils to refer to it in the future.

During Years 9, 10 and 11 , pupils are continuously assessed and feedback is given using specified assessment criteria for practical tasks set. Pupils are always given plenty of opportunity to act on feedback given and to improve the quality of work produced.

Commerce offers an ICT club after school (Tuesdays and Thursdays) to provide the necessary support for pupils who are finding certain coursework areas difficult and who may need one-to-one assistance or require additional time outside of lessons to complete or improve work set.

Course Outlines For Core Teaching Groups

Key Stage 3 ICT: Units of Work and Skills Developed Year 7

• Safe to Surf? – Presentation and Internet Safety
• Disco Fever - Desktop Publishing, Spreadsheet and Report Writing
• Junior Apprentice - Multi Media, Spreadsheet, Desktop Publishing, Letter Writing and Mail Merge
• Who did it? - Database, Multi Media, Presentation, Email and Analysing Business Documentation

Year 8

• Safe and Sound - Website Design and Internet Safety
• Let’s Animate – Multi Media
• Newquay Zoo – Desktop Publishing, Spreadsheet and Flow Charts
• We Are the Best – Multi Media, Desktop Publishing, Website Design and Presentation
• Special Offer – Spreadsheet, Database, Letter Writing and Mail Merge

Years 9, 10 and 11

Pupils will complete the following coursework topics as part of the OCR National qualification:

• ICT Skills for Business
• Desktop Publishing
• Creating Graphics for the World Wide Web
• Webpage Creation
• Technological Innovation and E-commerce

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English

We are a unique, creative faculty, committed to providing personalised learning that allows your child to achieve.

English is a core subject, which is taught throughout the school by a dedicated team of specialists including drama and special needs. The department supports the teaching of literacy across the curriculum, and schemes of work are produced by the faculty and modified to meet the needs of specific classes. Resources are updated yearly to meet the demands of the National Curriculum.

The faculty works together, sharing ideas, evaluating and reviewing constantly. We have an "Open Door" policy for both parents and pupils. We also encourage pupils to join book clubs, attend reading sessions in the library and to visit the theatre. In addition, the department also offers exciting learning experiences for gifted and talented students.

The faculty is committed to enabling all pupils to communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively in speech and writing and to foster in all pupils an enjoyment and appreciation of literature and language.

We aim to foster excitement, energy and self belief through teaching the English curriculum.

Key Stage 3

Years 7 to 9

In Year 7, pupils are taught in mixed-ability groups. In Years 8 & 9 pupils are taught in ability-grouped classes throughout the rest of Key Stage 3. All pupils follow a Programme of Study based on the National Strategy. This is divided into half termly topics which include Shakespeare, the novel, poetry, modern drama, media and non-fiction.

We are committed to raising the achievement of our pupils, and we have found great success in running the Accelerated Reading Programme. All pupils in Years 7 and 8 are tested for their reading ages using the programme. The aim is to provide pupils with the opportunity to read independently for at least 20 minutes each day. We expect our pupils to read at home as part of their homework in addition to spending time in lessons reading.

Target levels are set and regular quizzes enable our pupils to monitor the progress they make. As a result, some pupils can raise their Reading Ages by a whole year in a few months! We are extremely proud of the progress our pupils make.

Key Stage 4

Years 10 to 11

At Key Stage 4 pupils successfully complete their study towards achieving their GCSE in either English or English and English Literature. They are taught in ability-grouped classes, which allow us to provide personalised attention for each pupil. We have an exciting year ahead of us as we are now teaching the new GCSE in English and English Literature, which began in September 2010. As a result, we have a variety of different personalised provision in place for our students.

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Humanities

The Faculty is the classic blend of youthful enthusiasm and mature passion for learning which challenges pupils about the world in which we live.

Have you ever wondered why hurricanes form in the Caribbean? How many people would be left homeless if the sea level rose by only 1m? What happens when we die? Why do religions say different things about God? How would the UK be different if William Duke of Normandy had not conquered England? Why the world keeps going to war? How the US election works? All of these questions and many more can be asked, researched and discussed in Humanities at Poltair in Years 7 and 8.

Encompassing Geography, History and Religious Education Humanities at Poltair offers a broad, diverse and exciting curriculum. Pupils are actively encouraged to ask questions about the world around them; to link current affairs with the past and to consider the implications of decisions made today on all our futures.

All students study Humanities at KS3. Moving on to GCSE all students study Religious Education which is a study of Religion and Society and have the option to extend their learning in Geography (including Natural Hazards and Managing the Shrinking World) and/ or History (including the causes of the First World War and the Rise of Nazi Germany). An exciting development for the Faculty this year has been the introduction of BTec Travel and Tourism which investigates all aspects of the travel industry.

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Mathematics

The aim of the mathematics department is to provide students with a challenging and enjoyable mathematics curriculum that employs a variety of teaching and learning strategies in a supportive, stimulating and motivating environment. The department has developed comprehensive and detailed schemes of work that incorporate rich tasks and problem- solving tasks into lessons. We are well supported with five maths specialist teachers, and four maths specialist teaching assistants. The Higher Level Teaching Assistants are used in a supporting role within the Mathematics classroom and to carry out small group teaching to help students improve confidence and understanding. Successful learning is a partnership between parents, teachers and students. The members of the Department are well qualified, friendly and supportive of students. All students are encouraged to know their level in each topic and to know what they need to do to improve. Parents are encouraged to take an active interest in their children's progress and are encouraged to contact us at any time.

Maths at Key Stage 3

The students follow differentiated schemes of work that link to the Key Stage 3 Mathematics Framework. The Schemes are organised into Units, each of which incorporates and develops a variety of mathematical topics and skills. The emphasis is to develop pupils' process and problem-solving skills and to encourage them to become active participants in the learning process. The scheme introduces lots of practical and hands-on ways of working and lots of real-life applications of maths. At the start of each term, pupils receive their own individual levelled target. Targets are reviewed each half term following assessments and each pupil then considers where they are in relation to the target and what areas they need to improve and how they are to do this. Assessment comprises APP (Assessing Pupil Performance) throughout each Unit and through formal written tests half-termly. The aim of the Department is for every student to achieve a progression of 2 levels across the Key Stage. Throughout the Key Stage targeted small group teaching with the HLTAs and one-to-one tuition is used to help students to progress satisfactorily and to improve confidence.

Key Stage 4

The course continues from KS3 and aims to continue to develop interest in mathematics. Pupils will improve their ability to communicate using mathematical language and symbols, and to improve problem solving skills. Naturally our aim is to help pupils achieve the highest possible examination results. Over the 2 years of KS4 pupils work on the following strands:

• Problem solving
• Handling data
• Space, shape and measure
• Number and algebra
• Functional skills

There are 2 tiers of GCSE entry: Foundation and Higher. It is departmental policy to enter pupils for the tier most appropriate to their abilities and skills. Foundation level aims for grades G to C and the Higher level grades D to A*. All students will be expected to sit the GCSE exam at the end of Year 10. This allows them the opportunity to proceed to an additional mathematics course during Year 11.All pupils are encouraged to attend revision classes (currently on Tuesday nights) where they can closely address topics they find difficult or need to practise. Intensive revision sessions are also run during Easter and May half term.

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Modern Foreign Languages

As a department we endeavour to offer equal opportunities to all of our pupils by:

• Providing appropriate and enjoyable learning opportunities for all pupils regardless of age or ability, eliminating discrimination on grounds of race, gender or disability.
• Ensuring that pupils have a right to equality of access to what is best in educational provision.
• Promoting mutual respect and good relationships between persons of different racial groups.
• Opposing racism, condemning all racist remarks and behaviour.
• Developing the skills for inter-group and cross-curricular relationships.

Modern Languages are a vital component of a secondary school curriculum, offering to the pupil a comprehensive series of valuable experiences:

• By studying the culture of other nations, the student should become sensitive to the differences between cultures and thereby sensitive to his own culture.
• Languages offer communication through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Through the study of a foreign language pupils will become more aware of their own language.
• Communication in the foreign language gives pupils the opportunity to relate to others within their peer group and in wider areas, thereby facilitating the development of social relationships within their own culture and in relation to another culture.
• Through languages pupils develop an awareness and a tolerance of others, working in close proximity with peers, either as an individual or in a group.
• Pupils learning a foreign language are stretched intellectually as horizons are widened and new areas of knowledge and experience are opened up, giving personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement.

Key Stage 3

Year 7

All pupils entering the school start the study of French. Pupils have 2 lessons per fortnight. Topics include:

• Personal information
• School
• Leisure activities
• Home
• Holidays

Year 8

Pupils have 3 French lessons per fortnight. Topics include:

• Home and family
• Free time
• Going out
• Food
• Pocket money
• Holidays

Pupils currently make a decision in year 8, as to whether to continue with French at KS4.

Key Stage 4

Year 9

Pupils have five lessons a fortnight. Topics include:

• Lifestyle
• Free time and Leisure
• Home and environment

Years 10 & 11

Pupils have 3 lessons a fortnight. Topics include:

• Holidays
• School
• The world of work

Pupils are entered for Listening and Reading (tiered-Foundation or Higher)

Currently GCSE Spanish is offered as an option for Key Stage 4 pupils after school.

Assessing and Record Keeping

Through the department's system of the continuous assessment of students' progress and its careful recording, we build up a clear profile of each student's attainment, which we can use to measure against National Curriculum descriptions when required to do so, and which we can use to advise students on whether they should attempt the Foundation or Higher tier in Listening and Reading at GCSE.

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Performing And Expressive Arts

The Performing and Expressive Arts Faculty comprises Art, Dance, Drama and Music. The different disciplines of the Arts allow opportunities for development of a wide range of skills that every pupil possesses. Sometimes pupils can discover hidden talents through studying the Arts and most importantly, are able to express themselves in exciting and challenging ways.

Creativity and the exploration of communicating through different mediums is the main theme of all Arts lessons. In Year 7 and 8 lessons are designed to allow pupils to progress along their own creative journey, where they can develop numerous skills such as independent learning, teamwork, creative thinking, critical reflection and problem solving. All skills that are developed and explored within Arts lessons are transferable so pupils should find themselves using them in all other subject areas and in their lives outside of school too. We currently offer Art, Dance, Drama and Music as discrete GCSE subjects and this year have also introduced Performing Arts BTEC for Year 9. There is the possibility that in the future we will be able to offer other qualifications within the Arts too. Within Music there are also opportunities to achieve Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Medals.

Pupils gain a tremendous amount from studying the Arts. The qualities and abilities that are developed can help in later life when considering a profession, even if the profession chosen does not have an obvious link to the Arts. Employers and further education providers value creativity enormously and they are always interested to know about qualifications and experiences pupils may have with relation to the Arts.

The Arts team is full of dedicated and passionate professionals who are specialists in their field. We aim to offer a multitude of opportunities for all pupils that enable them to feel proud about what they have achieved and confident to use the talents that they have in their future lives. We understand that not everyone is born to be on stage or has an amazing talent with a paintbrush, however we strongly believe that the Arts is for everyone no matter what their particular strengths.

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Physical Education

PE develops pupils' competence and confidence to take part in a range of physical activities that become a central part of their lives, both in and out of school.

A high-quality PE curriculum enables all pupils to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity. They develop a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully. When they are performing, they think about what they are doing, analyse the situation and make decisions. They also reflect on their own and others' performances and find ways to improve them. As a result, they develop the confidence to take part in different physical activities and learn about the value of healthy, active lifestyles. Discovering what they like to do, what their aptitudes are at school, and how and where to get involved in physical activity helps them make informed choices about lifelong physical activity.

PE helps pupils develop personally and socially. They work as individuals, in groups and in teams, developing concepts of fairness and of personal and social responsibility. They take on different roles and responsibilities, including leadership, coaching and officiating. Through the range of experiences that PE offers, they learn how to be effective in competitive, creative and challenging situations.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 pupils follow the National Curriculum for Physical Education

Pupils will study six sporting activities throughout the year in a mixture of half term and termly units. These areas are chosen from the following: Rugby, Football, Basketball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Rounders, Softball, Dance, Athletics, Netball, Fitness suite, Climbing, Street surfing, Aerobics, Trampolining, Health Related Fitness, Volleyball, Hockey, Archery.

Within each of these areas of activity pupils will be assessed according to 3 assessment criteriai:

• Physical competence
• Healthy active lifestyles
• Evaluating and improving

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 all pupils take part in at least 2 hours high quality Physical Education in core PE lessons. Pupils can also opt to take additional learning in PE by choosing one of the following:

• Btec first in Sport (Certificate) equivalent to 1 GCSE
• Btec first in Sport (Extended Certificate) equivalent to 2 GCSEs
• Btec first in Sport (Diploma) equivalent to 4 GCSEs

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Science

In the Science Faculty at Poltair pupils are pushed and challenged to understand and grasp concepts, ideas, facts and theories. The contexts and applications of their scientific experiences can be both familiar and unfamiliar. Pupils are given opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding at every stage of their learning, whether that is in the form of assessment for learning tasks, homework, learning reviews or even module examinations in KS4.

Pupils are closely monitored and assessed and it is the sharing of information with the pupils that helps to promote a culture of 'Believe and Achieve'. In KS3, short unit tests and longer termly reviews allow pupils and staff to be aware of their progress against their targets.

In KS4 practice papers and the actual external module examinations throughout the key stage help keep staff and pupils fully focused on meeting and beating their targets.

In Key Stage 3 the Science curriculum covers a wide range of topics within the disciplines of Chemistry, Biology and Physics. Pupils are taught key scientific principles and then encouraged to apply their new found knowledge and understanding in new and exciting applications alongside the development of core scientific skills.

Key stage 3 Teaching Units:

Year 7 Units

• Particles
• Cells
• Forces
• Acids
• Energy
• Reproduction

Year 8 Units

• Elements & Chemical Reactions
• Electricity & Magnetism
• Life & Environment
• Heating & Cooling
• Keeping Healthy
• Space

Year 9 Units

• Differences & Classification
• Space
• Light
• Sound
• Life Support
• Moving Around
• Plants & Photosynthesis
• Principles of Chemistry

There are small unit assessments and assessment for learning (AfL) tasks after the completion of each unit, accompanied by termly reviews of learning as a pupil moves through Key stage 3. As all pupils cover the same units per term close monitoring of progress can take place with the potential for resetting to fully stimulate pupils to their full potential.

AQA GCSE Core Science

This is studied by all pupils in Year 10 with the exception of those pupils who study the Separate Sciences who cover this within their pathway over years 9 to 11.

We operate a "carousel" teaching approach, where six specialist teachers deliver six separate modules within GCSE core Science and then these are examined at the three points throughout the academic year (November, March and June).

The six modules examined in GCSE Core Science are:

• B1 Biology
• C1 Chemistry
• P1 Physics

AQA GCSE Additional Science

This is studied by all pupils in Year 11 with the exception of those pupils who study the Separate Sciences who cover this within their pathway over years 9 to 11.

We operate a carousel teaching approach where six teachers deliver the teaching for 3 modules within GCSE Additional Science and then these are examined at the two points throughout the academic year (January and June).

The three modules examined in GCSE Additional Science are:

• B2 Additional Biology
• C2 Additional Chemistry
• P2 Additional Physics

AQA GCSE Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

This is offered to our most gifted pupils at the beginning of year 9 and takes them through years 9, 10 and 11. This pathway provides these pupils with an opportunity to achieve three separate GCSEs in the three disciplines of Science.

The pupils cover the same modules that comprise Core and Additional GCSE Science (see below) but with the addition of three extra supporting modules:

• B3 Further Biology
• C3 Further Chemistry
• P3 Further Physics