Our Intent, Implementation & Impact

Intent: Our purpose and ambition

It is the intent of the Social Science faculty to ensure that its students acquire the essential educational capital, cultural capital and social capital to which they are entitled. We seek to facilitate the personal development of our students as well as provide them with the qualifications necessary for their chosen career paths.

We endeavour to pass on to our students the powerful knowledge that the social sciences provide, allowing our students to interpret and navigate the world in which they live; with the ultimate ambition that they will achieve academically and go on to improve our society. It is our intent that the knowledge taught is grounded in the key concepts, big ideas and fundamental operations of each domain within the faculty.

We believe that demanding and challenging work is an entitlement to all students, rather than something that is an ‘addition’ or an ‘enrichment’. Challenge must not be rationed for a small group of ‘more able’ students. It is our intent to push and challenge all students academically as a matter of course. Access to difficult material will be secured within lessons through talk, scaffolding, modelling, feedback and independent practice. It is our intent that teaching and learning will be routed in the science of learning and evidence informed.

Implementation: Design, Pedagogy and Assessment

Sequencing

Each department has put thought and consideration into the order that topics (and lessons within each topic) are taught. Knowledge is delivered and accumulated in a logical, cumulative progression. 

Building Blocks

Key strands and recurring themes are identified within each of the faculty’s domains. The big ideas are made explicit to students and built on what Willingham calls ‘the unifying ideas of each discipline’.

TEEP

All lessons are delivered using the TEEP cycle and the underpinning elements of good instruction. The latest research and principles that form part of the science of learning are bolted on to this model.

Retrieval Practice

Students are given the opportunity to revisit content. Interleaving is used. Dual coding and other strategies are incorporated. Low stakes quizzes and knowledge organisers also assist students.

Differentiation & Challenge

All students are challenged. Differentiation does not take the form of ‘bespoke’ worksheets. Difficult concepts are broken down, scaffolded and modelled according to Rosenshine’s principles. 

Assessment & Feedback

Assessment is clearly focused and varies depending on purpose. Assessments are planned to ensure high validity and reliability. They feedback into teaching where appropriate. Feedback is focused.

Literacy & Numeracy

There is a clear focus on learning new concepts. Disciplinary literacy techniques are used to explicitly develop students tier one and tier two vocabulary. Opportunities to develop numeracy are taken.

Cultural Capital and SMSC

Opportunities are planned for within all schemes of work for students to advance their cultural and social capital and develop as individuals on a spiritual and moral level. This is explicit to students. 

Linking Curriculum to Careers

At least twice a term, students are given the opportunity to analyse a career linked to individual topics within the scheme. Time is given for students to reflect on their potential career options/pathways.   

IMPACT: Attainment, Progress, Knowledge, Skills and Destination

The impact of our curriculum will be assessed each year using the different types of data available to us. This data will include exams results analysis, examiners reports, emerging research, QA, student voice and staff voice. We also seek to collaborate with colleagues from different centres and keep up to date with the latest studies and contemporary events linked to our subjects. The acquisition of knowledge should be modelled for students by staff.