All areas of our curriculum at Boldon School, is successfully adapted, designed and developed to be ambitious and meet the needs of all students. Each subject area develops their knowledge, skills and abilities to apply what they know and can do this with increasing fluency and independence.
Our teachers check pupils’ understanding systematically, identify misconceptions accurately and provide clear, direct feedback. They respond and adapt their teaching as necessary without unnecessarily elaborate or individualised approaches. This is to get the very best outcomes for our students whether they are SEND, disadvantaged or to challenge our higher ability students. This will ensure that students are ready for their next stage of education, employment or training to gain qualifications that allow them to go on to destinations that meet their interests and aspirations and the intention of their course of study.
How the textiles Curriculum supports our SEND students:
The Department for Education states, ‘Children and young people with SEND all have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children and young people of the same age. These children and young people may need extra or different help from that given to others.’
Boldon School is an inclusive school where every student is encouraged to develop a thirst for knowledge, to enjoy their curriculum and feel valued as a member of our school community. We are committed to the progress, inclusion and resilience of each student and support the learning journey that they require. Our curriculum is successfully adapted, designed or developed to be ambitious and meet the needs of pupils with SEND, developing their knowledge, skills and abilities to apply what they know and can do with increasing fluency and independence across all subject areas.
Students with SEND are supported in textiles by being encouraged to explore, enjoy, and develop their creative thinking, design and textile skills. We build upon the natural creative elements of the subject by offering students visual, tactile and sensory experiences through the use of varied materials and fabrics. Textiles allows them to think ‘outside of the box’ and create ideas which are not conformist or expected. Many SEND students relish this opportunity to be adventurous with their own work. Teachers are always on hand to assist with machinery, offering step by step guidance to ensure safe working practices.
How the textiles Curriculum supports our disadvantaged students:
The Secretary of State for Education set out the government’s national plan to support children and young people to reach their full potential, regardless of their backgrounds. With an overarching goal and aim of improving social mobility through education, and delivering better educational and career outcomes more evenly across England.
At Boldon School we have 50% of our students with high levels of deprivation, but strive to raise the attainment and aspirations of all students regardless of social background. We have a robust allocation system of pupil premium funding to obtain the most successful outcomes for our students and to narrow the gaps in attainment across all subject areas.
Disadvantaged students are supported in textiles by an excellent school supply of materials and fabrics. We believe that every child should have the same creative opportunities, and therefore maintain a large amount of supplies in the classroom. Students can also make use of the textiles machines and work area after school by attending extra curricular clubs and intervention sessions. Trips and visits to relevant venues can be funded by the faculty to ensure no student misses out on a learning opportunity.
How the textiles Curriculum supports our higher ability students:
HM Chief Inspector stated, If we are going to succeed as an economy and as a society, we have to make more of our most able young people. We need them to become the political, commercial and professional leaders of tomorrow.
At Boldon school we aim to nurture scholastic excellence through a challenging curriculum where the work given to students is demanding and matches the aims of the curriculum in being coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulatively sufficient knowledge. We recognise the need to stretch and challenge all students but especially our MAT and higher ability students to obtain maximum progress.
Textiles is an excellent subject choice for students of higher ability as it gives them the opportunity to truly stretch their imagination without limits. Teachers will encourage them to be original and bold in their designs, providing them with the support they need to actualise their creations. In addition to their physical pieces, students will develop their understanding of textiles as an industry by exploring the economic, environmental and ecological impact of the field. Teachers will encourage students to consider the extensive desirable career opportunities that textiles can lead to, such as designer, technologist and illustrator.