Garnock Academy - Curriculum Policy

Rationale
The school's Curriculum Policy is based on achieving breadth and balance across the various stages within the school. This should follow 5-14
guidance in S1 and early S2, an eight subject choice modal model in S3/4, and a five subject choice model in S5.
The Curriculum in Garnock Academy is designed to achieve one of the school's main aims:
The school seeks to provide good quality teaching in as wide a range of high quality courses as possible. This will allow pupils the opportunity of developing their intellectual abilities to the full and maximise their overall standard of attainment.
There will be ample opportunity for pupils, parents and staff to be consulted on the above. In particular pupil views will be heard through the pupil councils.

Method
To achieve this the school will base its curricular policy on the following documents:

The Secondary Curriculum (NAC, 2003)
The Curriculum for S1/S2 (NAC, 2002)
The Structure and Organisation of classes in S1/2 (NAC, 2002)
Flexibility in the Secondary Curriculum (NAC, 2003)
Supporting Secondary Departments (NAC, 2003)
Personal and Social Education. (NAC, 2003)
Education for Citizenship (NAC, 2002)
Education for Work and Enterprise (NAC, 2002)
Health Education and Promotion (NAC, 2003)

These documents can be viewed in the Curriculum file in the main office. ICT skills in S1/2 particularly, but at all stages of the school,
should permeate the curriculum. In a similar manner, Personal and Social Education, Citizenship and Enterprise should be reinforced throughout the formal curriculum wherever possible.
The school timetable should enable pupils to undertake courses of study which offer breadth and balance. Pupils should have the opportunity to progress through courses in senior school which they commenced in S2.
Pupils should be offered a good pace of learning by the "early start" in S2 and fast-tracking.