Key Stage 5

Intent statements by subject:

BUSINESS STUDIES

The Curriculum Intent and Purpose of BTEC at KS5, in Business is to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of a wide range of opportunities within the field, whilst preparing students for the world of work. It is a vocational qualification which takes an engaging, practical, and inspiring approach to learning and assessment.  

The course introduces students to the four main functions of business. These are either referenced within each unit or one of them is focused on as the main aspect of a unit - an example being Developing a Marketing Campaign. The aim of this is that it exposes students to all elements of business which will aid them when they continue to study Business at university or enter the workplace.

The curriculum challenges students to work independently (through assessment-based tasks) and collaboratively, through group work and empowers every student to develop a curiosity and a desire for knowledge. There are some exam-based units that enable students to be better prepared for their future pathways whether that is higher education, an apprenticeship, or the career of their choice.

The curriculum is designed and delivered to encourage students to develop, and use written, oral and analytical skills that will benefit them in adult life. Some of the units will focus on enhancing their theoretical knowledge, however some of the units will provide them with practical skills to ease their transition from the secondary education system by teaching them to use research methods and organise an event.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Develop their understanding of the ethical points surrounding Child Development within the British Values and school values.
To have a passion for understanding the impact that development has on children and their outcomes.
To have the skills to work in partnership with others through practical and real-life scenarios.
Develop their skills to become independent, analytical and critical learners.
To become a well-rounded, caring and confident individual

ENGLISH

By the end of Year 13, students will:

Explore a wide range of poetry from different eras.
Explore and understand a range of aspects about World War 1 and its morality.
Read and explore a Shakespearean text, considering ideas about destructive love.
Complete an independent study of two texts of their choice.

The study of English Literature teaches us what it means to be human. The complexities of human behaviour and relationships are an integral part of who we are and how we interact. By the end of Year 13, our students will leave The Mandeville School emotionally literate and equipped with a powerful understanding of their place in the world and how their voice matters in the community. English Literature teaches students to listen to each other and recognise different perspectives as well as offer a contextual understanding to know how the world was, how it is and how it could be.

English literature teaches perseverance through robust independent research and feeling the confidence to explore unique and original interpretations of texts. Through language, students will confidently be able to article themselves in the world of work. Through their independent coursework study, students will choose a line of enquiry of their choosing alongside texts they feel passionately about.

The study of English is the foundation for all careers and places students in an excellent position to bring the skills gained into all aspects of their adult lives.

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

Develop their understanding of the ethical points surrounding Health & Social Care within the British Values and school values.
Develop their skills to become independent, analytical and critical learners.
To become a well-rounded, caring and confident individuals
To foster their curiosity and thirst for knowledge through problem solving with real-life scenarios, working in partnership with others.
Challenge stereotypes of care and develop skills of empathy, compassion, tolerance and empowerment of others.

APPLIED LAW

It is our intent for students to have knowledge of the key areas of English Law: dispute solving in civil law; investigating aspects of criminal law and the legal system and applying the law. Students will develop the academic skills of application, analysis, evaluation and research. Students will practice employability skills including: cognitive and problem solving skills; intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills. Students will have the skills to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the legal sector.

The course will be taught using a wide range of case studies and legal texts and students will discover the rich history of our legal system which underpins British Values. The course will inspire students to use the law to prevent injustice, inequality and discrimination and make a positive contribution within society.

MATHEMATICS

In Key stage five we have 3 'big ideas’ which we study. These are...

Pure – this goes more in depth with Algebra and notations.
Statistics – this goes even more in depth with the processing and analysing of data.
Mechanics – this deals with real life situations and how forces affect a body and its motion.

By the end of year 13, our students will enter the working world as logical and analytical thinkers. Through problem solving, students will have developed their resilience by thinking both creatively and strategically to solve complex problems. Students will be able to formulate well-reasoned arguments as they have experience in writing structured solutions, proofs and justifications. An A-level in mathematics will equip our students with vital skills needed for the ever-changing modern world which we live in today.

SCIENCES – BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, FORENSIC SCIENCE, PSYCHOLOGY

Build a firm foundation of domain specific knowledge through the vehicle of science, critical to both subject understanding and the wider applications in the world around them.
Achieve a high degree of success such that they have the widest range of opportunities to pursue a wide range of careers and goals, introducing them to future employers and apprenticeships that make use and build on their skills
Develop strong interpersonal skills in collaboration, communication skills and group ethos that enable students to flourish at high demand, high impact work places in their communities
Amplify a life long curiosity for how the world works as well as the ability to question the validity and integrity of the information students encounter through the world around them.