Curriculum
RVC vision statement is “Helping you to move on, helping your readiness to learn” and this surmises our core values of ensuring a personalised curriculum that meets the needs of individuals at the college. Most if not all of the students are referred to RVC because mainstream education has not worked fully and issues have arisen for students that have placed barriers to their learning. RVC aims to remove those barriers and develop students academically and pastorally to ensure success in the future.
The focus of the curriculum is to ensure that the every student is given the skills to succeed in an ever changing world and we consider our out of lesson learning to be equally as important as time in front of a teacher.
Every student has a Key Worker (KW) who is responsible for ensuring good behaviour and good pastoral development outside of lessons. At break and lunch all members of the Pastoral Care Team are expected to be role models, demonstrate how to interact and engage in a variety of situations, discuss progress, discuss barriers and help remove those barriers.
To gain an all-round experience at school students also follow core subjects, option choices, work experience and local college courses as well as other programmes to meet individual needs of each student.
It is the balance of pastoral and academic development which has seen RVC students succeed at RVC, to succeed back in mainstream school and succeed post 16.
Although there are slightly different arrangements at each KS, the rationale and the vision is the same around guided learning hours, when they are in school we are guiding them to become better students and better citizens.
School day
KS1 and 2
Arrive 8:45 depart 2:00 – 5 ¼ hours learning per day All break and lunch periods fully staffed and aimed at building relationships, correcting behaviour and encouraging positive interaction between peers. There will also be targeted interventions for individuals at this time based on need.
A typical week would equate to a minimum of 25 hours per week
KS3
Arrive 8:45 depart 2:00 – 5 ¼ hours learning per day All break and lunch periods fully staffed and aimed at building relationships, correcting behaviour and encouraging positive interaction between peers. There will also be targeted interventions for individuals at this time based on need.
A typical week would equate to a minimum of 25 hours per week
KS4
This Key Stage is more flexible to meet needs. Each student will be entitled to at least the following: Arrive 8:45 depart 2:00 – 5 ¼ hours learning per day All break and lunch periods fully staffed and aimed at building relationships, correcting behaviour and encouraging positive interaction between peers. There will also be targeted interventions for individuals at this time based on need.
KS4 students will have 3 full days on site. 1 full day at a local college and one full day work experience. Work experience is generally for a 6 hour period as a minimum and helps prepare students for their future careers.
A typical week would equate;
15 ¾ learning hours on site
4 hours college provision
1 hour numeracy and literacy on college day
6 hours’ work experience Minimum 25 hours