Ysgol Llanhari provides a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum across the key stages.
As a 3-19 school, we aim to build upon our pupils’ skills and knowledge from the nursery class through to the end of Year 13 in a continuum of learning. We take advantage of every opportunity to ensure a smooth transition and therefore increase the potential for higher attainment between the learning stages at Ysgol Llanhari. Staff knowledge, expertise and skills are shared across the primary and secondary sectors. Appropriate homework is set to prepare for lessons and to reinforce and extend pupils’ learning. Religious Education is taught to every pupil, and Sex and Relationships Education is introduced from Year 6 through specific sessions and cross curricular work.
Reception – Year 2 (age 3-7, the Foundation Phase)
The Foundation Phase is the statutory curriculum for all 3-7 years old children in Wales. It places great emphasis on children learning by ‘doing’ and on providing more opportunities to gain first hand experiences through play which is fun and memorable. It also recognises the positive effect using the outdoor environment as a learning resource can have on young children’s wellbeing and development.
At Ysgol Llanhari, children are given opportunities to explore the world around them and to understand how things work. They are challenged with open-ended questions and are given the opportunity to investigate and share their ideas in order to solve problems. We encourage teaching methodology that nurture positive attitudes towards learning and that enables our children to develop self-respect and the self-confidence to experiment, investigate, learn new things and form new relationships.
The Foundation Phase framework sets out the curriculum and outcomes for 3-7 year olds under six Areas of Learning in Welsh Medium Schools: Personal and Social Development, Well-being and Cultural Diversity, Language, Literacy and Communication Skills, Mathematical Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development and Creative Development. We have started to incorporate the principles of the new Curriculum for Wales into our planning and teachers plan according to the four purposes. We will continue to adapt and create on our journey towards 2022.
Year 3 – 6 (age 7 -11 , KS2)
The Foundation Phase curriculum is reinforced in Years 3-6 and as noted above we plan according to the four purposes. The core subjects of the National Curriculum, namely Welsh, English, Mathematics and Science along with the non-core subjects of the National Curriculum, Technology, Information Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art, Religious Education and Physical Education are taught. The non-core subjects are taught in the context of themes or projects in order to engage the pupils’ and enable them to transfer their literacy, numeracy and digital skills across the curriculum.
Years 7-9 (age 11-14 KS3)
In order to ensure a smooth transition and a continuum of learning between Years 6 and 7, a proportion of thematic lessons are taught based on developing pupils’ skills in year 7. We are currently developing our years 5-8 curriculum in accordance with the principles set out in Successful Futures. In years 7 &8 The core subjects of the National Curriculum, namely English, Welsh, Mathematics, and Science are taught together with the non-core subjects – History, Geography, Music, Art, Music, Modern Language, Technology, Information Technology and Physical Education We will adapt this by 2022 when the Curriculum for Wales takes precedence. In yr9, in order for pupils to have a taste and early start to GCSE, we offer all optional KS4 subject lessons. This currently includes Health and Social Care, Sociology and Business in addition to year7&8 subjects. Religious Education, and the Skills Challenge Certificate, are taught to promote other aspects of education which contribute to the personal and social development of the individual. Information Technology is developed through specific lessons on the pupils’ timetable and across the curriculum. Careers and the world of work is introduced cross-curricularly and through PSE sessions to promote understanding of the world of work, industry, the economy and employer relations.
Year 10 and 11 (age 14 – 16 , KS4 )
The core subjects of Welsh, English, Mathematics and Science are taught along with Physical Education, Religious Education, Personal and Social Education (PSE) which includes Sex and Relationships Education and Work Related Education and the Welsh Baccalaureate to every pupil. In addition, we offer an Agored Cymru PSE course at level 2 to some pupils. All pupils will be able to choose from a range of Level 2 option subjects (GCSE/BTEC). Specific information is provided to pupils and parents annually regarding the option choices.
Years 12 and 13 (age 16 – 18, KS5)
Pupils will be able to choose from a range of subjects to study to Level 3 (As/ A Level and BTEC). Personal and Social Education which includes Religious Education, Sex Education and Work Related Education is also taught. We strongly recommend that the pupils choose to study the Welsh Baccalaureate in the sixth form. Ysgol Llanhari works collaboratively with local Welsh medium secondary schools (RCT and Bridgend LEA) in a consortium in order to provide some courses. This ensures progression within the school for pupils whilst ensuring a broad range of subjects. This partnership provides pupils with an extra opportunity to develop their social skills and confidence in preparation for the world of work or university within the security of remaining within Ysgol Llanhari as their base school.
