Creative and Technical Studies
Creative and Technical Studies Curriculum Intent
Creative and Technical Studies is a faculty that offers a broad curriculum with a wide range of specialist teachers to Ridgewood pupils. The future holds many creative and diverse career prospects, and we believe that our subjects give pupils the key skills and knowledge for these opportunities. Our subjects support other areas by promoting important skills and deepening an understanding of topics that interlink. We are passionate about encouraging a love for learning and strive to make lessons engaging, relevant and challenging.
Assessment is meaningful, clear and efficient in our curriculum. Tasks become more complex with the development of skills and understanding. Retrieval practise is an essential part of our curriculum to deepen learning and to make sure knowledge is in the long-term memory. We have reviewed and developed our KS3 rubrics to ensure they are fully embedded into our curriculum and strive for pupils to be able to self-regulate their learning.
Key terminology is an integral part of lessons and pupils are encouraged to speak like experts whether they are discussing work with peers or answering questions in class. Extended writing is taught explicitly and used to apply knowledge and an understanding of topics covered. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum builds the pupils’ interest in our subjects, confidence and curiosity in learning. Key Stage 4 continues this learning and development, resulting in learners who are confident and ready to achieve their potential.
In CaTS, we have high expectations and pride ourselves on the systems that we have in place. Our structure and procedures often lead the way in the school, and we offer support to other faculties with their own improvement. We work as a team, share ideas and support each other whenever we can in our well-resourced faculty. Staff are encouraged to identify their own areas for development and are guided, given opportunities for collaboration and have the full backing of the faculty lead.
Our drive to improve and move forward means the children’s best interest is at the heart of everything that we do in our role. We offer many extra-curricular opportunities to help students to grow into confident and well-rounded individuals. Our fundamental principles are that our consistently high standards mean that pupils feel secure, enjoy lessons and experience an education that provides them with an excellent foundation for their futures.
