The school uses a linear curriculum model where core subjects like English, maths, and science are studied over three years which allows for reinforcement of basics and opportunities for extension. Options subjects are studied intensively in blocks which provides benefits like in-depth study, flexibility to meet student demand, and space for trips and visits. Both the core and options models aim to improve student attainment through their structured approaches to teaching and assessment.

1. A Great School at the Heart of Our Community
The Curriculum at Canons

2. A Great School at the Heart of Our Community
Advantages of the KS4
curriculum
• Linear exams - students do not take 11 or 13 GCSEs at the same
time in Year 11
• Ability to focus on Core in Year 11
• Competition between Core and Options reduced – students focus
on both at different times
• In-depth options study – no fall-off after the summer break
• Ability to offer a range of Enrichment opportunities to all students
• Annual change allows close mapping of Progress 8 choices and
flexibility to change as there are no set pathways
• Flexibility – subjects run according to student demand
• Discrete days for wave 3 intervention – reduced competition
• Reduced behaviour incidents in Year 9

3. A Great School at the Heart of Our Community
Benefits for Core
• Additional time over three years allows for a spiral
curriculum and reinforcement of basics
• Opportunities for extension and bridging courses in
Year 11
• Improved attainment

4. A Great School at the Heart of Our Community
Benefits for Options
• Allows a wider range of options and protects smaller
subjects
• Increases the wider curriculum with Enrichment
options
• Intensive periods of time allow for trips and visits
within timetabled subject time
• Structured learning to ensure appropriate pedagogy
with a three hour and a two hour session
• The three period session allows for thorough
assessment each week and accurate real-time data of
student progress
• Ability to instigate timely intervention

5. Put all the school subjects on a scale of their
importance to you.
• Complete this task individually without discussion
• Then compare answers with your group and debate
 Art
 Business & Finance
 D&T (Design & Technology)
 Drama
 English
 Geography
 Health and Social Care
 History
 ICT (Information & Communication Technology)
 Languages – which one(s)?
 Maths
 Media
 Music
 PE (Physical Education)
 Photography
 PSHRE (Personal, Social, Health & Religious Education)
 RE (Religious Education)
 Science
 Any others?

6. Core & Option Days
Lesson Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1
Core Option A Core Option B Core
2
Break (20 mins)
3 PSHRE Option A Core Option B Core
Lunch (50 mins)
4
Core Option B Core Option A Core
5
Core = English, Maths, Science & PE
PSHRE = Personal, Social, Health & Religious Education
Student timetable is 25 hours per week – how would you allocate those hours?
And what if the school timings could change altogether?
What’s an ideal class size?
What’s the ideal length of a lesson?

7. My current timetable -
Mondays:
• Period 1-2: English (double)
• Break time
• Period 3: PSHRE
• Lunch time
• Period 4: Maths
• Period 5: Science
Tuesdays:
• Period 1-2 and 3: Health and social
care(triple)
• Break time after period 2
• Lunch time after period 3
• Periods 4-5: Languages Enrichment
Wednesdays:
• Period 1: Science
• Period 2: PE
• Break time
• Period 3-4: Maths
• Lunch time after period 3
• Period 5: English
Thursdays:
• Period 1-2 and 3: Languages
Enrichment (triple)
• Break time after period 2
• Lunch time after period 3
• Period 4-5: Health and Social Care
(double)
Fridays:
• Period 1: PE
• Period 2: Maths
• Break time
• Period 3: English
• Lunch time
• Period 4-5: Science(double)

8. My Ideal Timetable -
• Mondays: School starts at 10:45 only Enrichment break
time at 11:50 lunch 1:10 school finishes at 4:00
• Tuesdays: No school
• Wednesdays: School starts at 10:45 break times
starts at 11:50 lunch time starts at 1:10 and school
finishes at 4:00 Art and PE
• Thursdays: School starts at 10:45 and break time starts
at 1:10 and school finishes at 4:00cooking and english
• Fridays: School starts at 10:45 and break time starts at
11:50 and lunch time starts at 1:10 and school finishes
at 4:00 DT and Maths