A new alternative to the GCSE syllabus has seen exclusions among under- achieving pupils at an Essex school drop 90 per cent in the past year, writes Ceri Williams.
Philip Morant school and college in Colchester found detentions decreased and attendance increased among the 15 Year 10 and 11 pupils selected for the course.
The school is one of 10 in the UK working with the Royal Society of Arts on its Opening Minds curriculum development project. The alternative curriculum at Philip Morant is based on work experience and community involvement.
Students opt out of the national curriculum in science and modern languages to do the course, which emphasises self esteem and team-work. It is an example of increased educational choice for pupils aged 14 and over proposed in the Government’s recent White Paper.
A one-day conference next month sponsored by The TES, RSA and the Secondary Heads Association will examine the impact of this and other alternative approaches to key stage 3 and 4 in the project schools.
Early indications at Philip Morant are positive. Simon Brennand, director of alternative education, said they had experienced a 90 per cent drop in fixed-term exclusions and accelerated academic progress. There were no permanent exclusions.
Lessons range from team projects on selecting tracks for a compilation CD to building and testing simple electrical circuits.
The students welcomed the new course. One said: “This does not feel like work but I am learning and enjoying myself.”
“Opening Minds, increasing opportunities: the future of the school curriculum”, takes place at the RSA, central London, on November 12. For details contact Lesley James on 020 7451 6862 lesley.james@RSA.org.uk
