Curriculum
Curriculum at Ty Gwyn Education for Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
Curriculum for Wales
This curriculum is based around the six areas of learning experience:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Languages, literacy and communication*
- Maths and Numeracy
- Expressive Arts
- Humanities
- Science and Technology
*Ty Gwyn does not offer teaching in Modern Foreign Languages
Ty Gwyn will continue to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, with a further level of focus on the Health and Wellbeing AoLE. This includes additional planned whole school physical activities on a weekly basis and a continued strengthening of our trauma informed work on emotional and social development and support for better mental health. The development of literacy, numeracy and digital skills are a priority for learners at Ty Gwyn, across all areas of learning to ensure barriers to learning are reduced.
Ty Gwyn has ensured the planned curriculum facilitates the delivery of the 4 purposes of the new curriculum and ensure children and young people become:
- Ambitious, capable learners
- Enterprising and creative contributors
- Ethical and informed citizens
- Healthy, confident individuals
The curriculum also features cross cutting themes:
- Relationships and Sexuality
- Careers and the World of Work
- Diversity
- Human Rights
- Religion, values and ethics
The new curriculum is progressive across the year and as a small, specialist provision, our highly differentiated teaching means teachers are always aware of where learners are achieving and where more support or challenge is needed. All learners access interventions where required in literacy or numeracy.
Each AoLE has progression steps within and a range of monitoring and assessment activities are undertaken and recorded during the year so there is clarity for all about where learners are and their next steps. Assessment activities include baseline testing as learners join us, formative marking (this includes the next steps for the learner), on going verbal feedback and dialogue with learners about next steps and summative marking/moderation at key points during the year against the progression steps.
The content, knowledge and skills within the AoLEs are reviewed throughout the year by teaching staff, supported by CSC Improvement Partners and specialists to ensure appropriate progression and coverage is within. Ty Gwyn undertakes half termly self evaluation activities, observing teaching, reviewing books and speaking to learners using both senior staff and peer to peer work to ensure engagement is positive and pace and progression (relative to the needs of our learners) is evident. This evaluative information is regularly shared with the Management Committee of Ty Gwyn Education Centre.
Key Stage 3 (Y7, 8, 9)
Autumn Term 1
Topic Overview: Paws, Claws and Continents
In this topic, students will explore the fascinating world of animals from different continents, focusing on the unique adaptations and characteristics that help them survive in their diverse habitats. Through investigating various mammals, reptiles, and birds, students will learn about the differences in paws, claws, and other features that animals use to hunt, protect themselves, and move around.
Key themes include:
- Animal Adaptations: Understanding how paws, claws, and other physical traits vary between species based on their environment and lifestyle.
- Continental Diversity: Discovering how animals differ across continents such as Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
- Habitats and Ecosystems: Examining the relationship between animals and their habitats, including forests, deserts, grasslands, and rainforests.
- Conservation: Discussing the importance of protecting animals and their habitats in a changing world.
Students will develop their observational and research skills through activities such as identifying animal features, comparing species, and creating presentations on animals from different continents.
By the end of the topic, learners will appreciate the diversity of life on Earth and understand how animals’ physical traits are linked to their survival and environment.
Learning Journey Intentions (Engage, Develop, Innovate, Express)
Engage | Students to complete the initial knowledge gathering task. Students to be immersed in a virtual tour using Google Earth, YouTube virtual safaris, or live cams (e.g. African watering holes or polar bear cams) Students to work with a blank world map and images of animal paws/claw and then try to match the animal to the continent they think it belongs to. |
Develop | Support students to see how climate and geography shape animal life and how human activities (deforestation, urbanisation, climate change) affect animal habitats on different continents. Students to complete research projects to learn about a range of world habitats and then choose an animal from a specific continent (e.g., African lion, Australian koala, South American jaguar). Students to research the animal’s adaptations, focusing on its paws, claws, and habitat and then create a fact sheet or poster highlighting how these features help the animal survive and thrive.
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Innovate | Students invent a new animal that could live on a continent of their choice. They decide what kind of paws or claws it needs based on the environment (desert, forest, mountains). Using drawings or digital tools, they design the animal and explain the adaptations they chose and why. Students create a short presentation, poem, or story from the perspective of their chosen or invented animal. Students to describe their life, how they use their paws or claws, and what challenges they face in their environment. |
Express | Students to complete a case study relating to The Galapagos Island and then campaign to save one species from extinction. Students to create a collaborative exhibition of all the design work, decorated poems and music recordings and any expressive art work, invite other classes to share successes from the term. |
Key Stage 4 (Y10 and 11)
Current Y11 learners study:
GCSE English Language
GCSE Maths
GCSE Numeracy
GCSE Art and Design
GCSE Applied Science single award
Agored Cymru level 2 Wales Europe and the World
WJEC level 2 Construction and the Built Environment
A range of vocational qualifications from our alternative providers.
*we also offer Entry Level qualifications and other GCSEs where appropriate and available.
Current Y10 learners are studying the same GCSE subjects but there are new specifications for some:
GCSE English Language and Literature single award
Maths and Numeracy double award
Art and Design (new specification)
GCSE Applied Science single award
WJEC level 2 Hospitality and Catering
Agored Cymru level 2 PSE
A range of vocational qualifications from our alternative providers.