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A large part of the curriculum is compulsory for all students but there is also an element of choice which means that students can shape their own learning programme in KS4 according to their interests, their future education and career aspirations. The procedure for selecting option subjects is explained in these pages. Please spend some time reading this information to help your son make the best choices.

The “option procedure” begins in the Spring Term and during the Summer Term the school works very hard to make pupil choices possible. At Southborough we are keen to make the decision making process as easy as possible and to ensure that the right decisions are made.

We are committed to ensuring that all students at Southborough students have a broad and balanced curriculum. Most GCSE subjects are now examined at the end of Year 11 following the removal of the modular exam system. However, some subjects such as GCSE Art and DT, as well as most BTEC courses still contain a certain amount of external assessment and coursework components, and are no longer wholly coursework based, whilst most subjects also carry a number of marks for answers containing the correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. This means that syllabuses and assessment specifications will be different to those experienced by former Key Stage 4 cohorts.

Relevant questions you should ask yourself are:

  • Which subjects do I enjoy?
  • Which subjects am I good at?
  • In which subjects have I made most progress since Year 7?
  • Which subjects have I been advised to take?
  • Which subjects do I need to consider for a career and my Sixth Form studies?

To help to assist our students in making their choices, our subject leads for optional subjects have put together videos giving an overview of course content and discussing where these subjects might lead. View them here.

Any questions can be directed to teachers, Ms King or Mr Haque.

Thank you

The Engineering Faculty consists of Design & Technology, ICT and Business.

Intent

To create:

Learners who develop their curiosity, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, so that they can progress successfully through the different curriculum options in the subsequent Key stages of learning and onto further education / careers within the STEM related subjects.

Individuals with these attitudes and transferable skills that will equip our learners for

- their future everyday life;

- the changing digital world;

- exciting and fulfilling STEM related jobs, careers and life opportunities;

- the increasingly complex business world in which we live in and facilitate an environment where they are informed and confident consumers, employees and entrepreneurs. 

To develop an Engineering curriculum to make a difference for all pupils which:

- Gives opportunities to create a culture of high aspirations;

- Meets the needs of all individuals;

- Raises standards of achievement;

- Allows all to achieve success regardless of starting point.


Implementation

Design and Technology

Clear lines of progression over 7 years ensuring good progress;Offer a broad range of subject knowledge engaging in an iterative process at Key Stage 3 through these stages - Design; Make; Evaluate; Technical knowledgeA range of optional pathways are made available at Key Stage 4 so that students can specialise in areas most relevant to them and their career aspirations –City & Guilds technical award in constructing and maintaining the built environment;Level 1/2 BTEC Tech Award in Engineering (YR10, YR11 & YR12); GCSE Design TechnologyLevel 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate in Engineering (Year 12)

Information Technology

A New Key Stage 3 SOW (2020/21)which progresses skill sets in a variety of software packages, aimed at giving students skills for life as well as focusing on skills needed to complete different GCSE courses.KS 4 Courses includeBTEC Tech Award in Digital Information Technology(Edexcel)GCSE Computer Science (AQA- hopefully to start running again from sept 2021 dependant on numbers)KS 5 New Course Cambridge Technical Level 3 for 2021, to follow on from the modules taught in the BTEC in YEARs 10-11, although could be taken by any student with an interest/passion for IT.

Business Studies

The Business department at Southborough High School aims to develop young people in Business and entrepreneurship. To do this we have chosen to run up-to-date courses and extra-curricular activities that learners can choose from Year 10 with clear lines of progression till the end of Year 13.These include:​GCSE BusinessLevel 2 BTEC Tech Awards in Enterprise (YR10, YR11 & YR12)Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate in Business (YR13)A Level EconomicsYoung Enterprise EPQs (YR12)

- Relates to all Faculty departments

- Encourage cross-curricular links with core English, Mathematics and Science skills and embedding them in each of the projects;Ensure all students’ progress is in line with national expectations;The learning environment supports the core values of the School, Aspiration (aiming high), Commitment (working hard), Excellence (achieving our best) to give students the full learning experience;Extra-curricular time offers homework clubs, computer coding and revision master classes.

Impact

Relates to all Faculty departments

The varied KS4 & 5 pathways allow our students to leave Southborough and go on to a range of purposeful destinations as employees, apprentices and University students. We make the difference.The key stage 3 curriculum is broad and balanced offering students the opportunity to experience 6 major projects meeting all national curriculum requirements.Students will have the opportunity to select one of three optional subjects at KS4.In the sixth form students make their choices to specialise in A-level and BTEC courses. These courses are all taught by specialist A-level and BTEC teachers and fulfil UCAS entry point requirements for university courses that students may choose post sixth form.Learners in KS4 have a clear progression to KS5 Business courses and an opportunity to engage in extra-curricular activities. KS5 courses equip learners with the knowledge, understanding and transferable skills that prepare them for: Higher Education (Business Finance, Business Management and Business Enterprise courses etc.), apprenticeships (in Marketing, Accounting, Human Resources etc.), full-time work (Retail, Sales, Operations etc.) and entrepreneurial aspirations.

Engineering Currriculum

Key Stage 4

BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Engineering

The course is made up of three components: two that are internally assessed and one that’s externally assessed. The three-block structure-  explore, develop and apply - has been developed to allow students to build on and embed their knowledge. This allows them to grow in confidence and then put into practice what they have learned.

The assessment structure is also designed so that students can build on what they learn, and develop their skills, as they move through the course.

BTECEngineering Structure

Key Stage 5:

BTEC Tech Award Engineering Level 1 / 2

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Engineering (Qualification Number: 603/0829/1), is for learners who want to acquire technical knowledge and technical skills through vocational contexts by studying mechanical, electrical/electronic and engineering design as part of their  learning programme. The qualification recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs. The qualification will broaden the learners experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them.

The Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance,  which cover the:
• development of key engineering practical and technical skills, such as research, observation, measurement, making, using computer-aided design (CAD) and disassembly
• knowledge of key engineering sectors (mechanical, electrical/electronic and engineering design) and the interrelation of each in industry
• knowledge of the stages involved in planning and implementing an engineering project
• knowledge and skills involved in the investigation of solutions to engineering problems in response to a given brief.

This Award complements the learning in other GCSE programmes by broadening the application of ‘design and make’ tasks, working with an engineering brief, testing and evaluation.

Constructing and Maintaining the Built Environment
City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Award

This qualification allows you to explore the Construction and Built Environment industry. If you enjoy practical, hands on tasks but also want to discover how buildings are constructed and what happens when they require repair, maintenance or refurbishment then this qualification is for you.

You will explore the structure of the construction and built environment industry in terms of how different people work together to deliver construction projects. You will develop an understanding of what makes a building and how the selection of different materials, affects the overall look and feel. You will have the opportunity to carry out a selection of realistic practical construction tasks related to the repair, maintenance and refurbishment of a building. The qualification has four units:
 · Working in the built environment
· Construction methods and materials
· Maintenance, repair and refurbishment of buildings
· Using tools to construct and maintain buildings

The qualification develops the following knowledge, understanding and skills: 

  • · how people in the construction industry work together to deliver projects
    · an understanding of how and why different materials are used in the construction of buildings
    · how to interpret sources of information used in construction projects
    · producing plans and recommending actions for remedial action for buildings that require repair, maintenance and refurbishment
    · the importance of working safely on construction projects
    · different skills and techniques used in construction projects Level 2 Technical Award in Constructing and Maintaining the Built Environment (6720-21) 7
    · how to evaluate skills and techniques.
  • The understanding developed is fundamental to an introduction to any aspect of Construction and Building Services, including:
  • Design and Planning
  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction project management
  • Building services engineering specific qualifications (eg Electrical Services, Plumbing)
  • Construction craft qualifications

Curriculum Maps

Design & Technology

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Construction

Year 10

Year 11

Engineering

Year 10

Year 11

 

STEM at Southborough

STEM has been a huge force in the UK and internationally and is a term which brings together the following four academic disciplines to provide an enrichment programme in an interdisciplinary and applied approach;

  • Science: Physics, Chemistry and Biology
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Maths

STEM subjects are major contributors to the prosperity of the UK and the government believes we need to further develop high levels of skills in these subject areas. 

During your time at Southborough you will be involved at some point in a STEM activity or project.

In Year 8 we offer a carousel of STEM subjects; taught in a project based setting with iterative design and critical thinking skills at the centre. We focus on hands on problem solving and last year offered the design and build of robots, programming microbits, Music technology, Food technology and Business skills and Design and build DT projects.

This Year we will be offering various projects around the theme of ‘Nutrition and Technology’ combining the specialisms of Sports Science, Computing, Food tech., Business and Design Technology.

 

Other STEM school projects:

 

STEM Club (for Year 7): focussing on Forensic Techniques, chemical experiments and Physical build projects (for example Water rockets)

CREST Award Science project (Year 9)

Skeleton Bob speed project with Tolworth Girls School (Year 7)

Various linked projects with St Marys University, Imperial London and Kingston University to name but a few.

STEM subjects at KS4

STEM subjects in the Sixth Form

STEM subjects are available to all in the school, including our mixed Sixth Form.  In addition to studying STEM subjects, the students understanding of STEM is enriched by a range of “super curriculum” activities and events, which are supported by our team of Year 12 and 13 STEM Ambassadors

They will play a valuable role in supporting the delivery of the STEM Club sessions and various projects that are run throughout the academic year, which they can include in their UCAS personal statements.

STEM ambassador students to be announced shortly.

School Calendar

Southborough High School
Hook Road
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 5AS
020 8391 4324
Registered Office: Hook Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5AS, Registered in England
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