At Cardinal Allen we believe an outstanding education means that our pupils have the opportunity to ‘be all they can be’. Our curriculum aims to develop confident, independent and enquiring students who develop a life-long love of learning. As a Catholic school, we seek to educate the whole person, academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally through a curriculum based on Christian principles and centered on the needs and aspirations of our pupils, parents and wider community.
Religious Education
Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum and we are wholly committed to the spiritual development of all our pupils. All pupils study Religious Education from Year 7 onwards, and all study the subject to GCSE. Our full programme of learning is detailed below.
LIFE (PSCHEE)
At Cardinal Allen LIFE covers all aspects of Personal Development. LIFE stands for ‘Living in Fullness Everyday’ and is based on John 10 10: “I came that you may have life, life in all its fullness”. As a Catholic school, Pope Francis calls us to “nurture the desire for truth, goodness and beauty that lies in the heart of each individual, so that all may learn how to love life and be open to the fullness of life”.
LIFE Learning – We have a comprehensive five-year programme which fully covers all PSCHEE requirements. LIFE Learning is taught during an extended registration period on a Wednesday morning. Sessions last 45 minutes.
LIFE Enhancing Days – To complement the LIFE Learning programme, all year groups also have one drop-down day a year where they focus on a particular element of PSCHEE. These days involve experiences that cannot always be delivered in timetabled lessons and involve guest speakers coming into school to work with our pupils.
LIFE Enriching – These activities are all those which are above and beyond what is taught in day-to-day lessons. These include guest speakers, external visits and extracurricular activities. Cardinal Allen prides itself on the range of extracurricular activities our pupils enjoy.
A Broad and Balanced Curriculum
All pupils follow a similar curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9 which provides a broad and balanced education in creative, practical and academic subjects. Subjects include Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, History, Geography, a Modern Foreign Language, Design Technology, Art, Music, Drama and Physical Education.
At the end of year 9 students will be given the choice to study a range of subjects in years 10 and 11. More information about Year 9 Options is available in the document below.
All pupils continue their studies with a core curriculum of Religious Education, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science and Physical Education. Other subjects are chosen so as to recognise the value of a balanced curriculum whilst allowing for career aspirations and personal interests.
Curriculum Overview by Year Group
Subject Curricula
Further Information
If you have any queries about our Curriculum at Cardinal Allen, please contact Mr T Farrington on the main school number (01253 872659) or email him at t.farrington@cardinalallen.co.uk
