Curriculum Support
Study Club
The Study Club is a learning provision to raise the boys’ attainment that runs from 2.40 - 4.30pm every day, Monday to Friday. We provide our students with a supportive, independent learning environment and teaching centre where they can complete homework, work with one another and improve their skills.
The Study Club in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) provides access to a quality ICT suite with 24 computers, ten 2-seater chairs for reading, 5 round tables, 10 teaching staff, 11 6th form student tutors (who achieved excellent results at GCSE) and the Library Manager (who provides support on research skills, reading and presentation).
It’s open to all students from 2.40 pm to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Students can also be referred if they have been struggling to complete homework and meet deadlines.
Regular attendees are rewarded for their attendance and dedication with a Stamp for Success Reward.
For more details, email the Study Centre Leader- Mrs Henshaw.
SJC Tutor Study Plan for Year 7, 8 and 9
We aim to make tutor times more effective and a period of continued learning. Gone are the days when they are just a waiting time for the bell to go for the first lesson. Students in year 7,8 and 9 are given a study booklet on English, Maths and Science which they work on even before lessons have begun from 8.15 - 8.40am.
The booklets cater for different abilities ensuring that lower ability students can access the learning, whilst also providing for a higher entry point, as well as stretch and challenge for all.
Please see the school’s plan for the Tutor Study Period.
The Study Club is a learning provision to raise the boys’ attainment that runs from 2.40 - 4.30pm every day, Monday to Friday. We provide our students with a supportive, independent learning environment and teaching centre where they can complete homework, work with one another and improve their skills.
The Study Club in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) provides access to a quality ICT suite with 24 computers, ten 2-seater chairs for reading, 5 round tables, 10 teaching staff, 11 6th form student tutors (who achieved excellent results at GCSE) and the Library Manager (who provides support on research skills, reading and presentation).
It’s open to all students from 2.40 pm to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Students can also be referred if they have been struggling to complete homework and meet deadlines.
Regular attendees are rewarded for their attendance and dedication with a Stamp for Success Reward.
For more details, email the Study Centre Leader- Mrs Henshaw.
SJC Tutor Study Plan for Year 7, 8 and 9
We aim to make tutor times more effective and a period of continued learning. Gone are the days when they are just a waiting time for the bell to go for the first lesson. Students in year 7,8 and 9 are given a study booklet on English, Maths and Science which they work on even before lessons have begun from 8.15 - 8.40am.
The booklets cater for different abilities ensuring that lower ability students can access the learning, whilst also providing for a higher entry point, as well as stretch and challenge for all.
Please see the school’s plan for the Tutor Study Period.
Homework Club for SEND
Homework is a key issue for students, parents/carers and staff. All students with SEND are encouraged to come to homework club every day from 2.40 – 3.40pm. It is open to children in Years 7,8 and 9. TAs are available to offer support as well as finding out what tasks were set when students don’t remember!
Learning Support Unit
The LSU department supports the students with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). The department works closely with academic departments and teaching staff, offering advice and guidance about strategies which can be used in the classroom to support pupils with learning needs and to help make the school an inclusive environment. This support will be individual to the student, reviewed regularly with parents/carers.
The Learning Support Department is also responsible for ensuring that any examination access arrangements, such as extra time, are applied for and implemented within the College.
The SENDCo is responsible for the strategic co-ordination of the day to day provision of education for students with SEND. She is responsible for the management of the team of Learning Support Teachers Assistants (LSA).
Reduced Curriculum
There is a strong focus on academic learning in a small, supportive environment where attention to individual needs, educationally, socially and emotionally can be flexible and highly specific.
We run a well-established transition programme for our future Year 7 students, developed through strong links with our feeder primaries. Our Transition Teacher has experience for many years and is best equipped to support the transition process. Students from Year 8 to 11 who have been identified as having weak literacy and numeracy skills are taught into a smaller classes. The progress of the pupils is carefully monitored and reported to parents and the Senior Leadership Team.
Learning Resource Centre
The LRC offers a clean and quiet working environment. This spacious room is light and airy and has 4 sections.
Area 1: Reading Zone – The Library
20 Bookcases throughout the library housing over 6,000 books and over 2,500 fantastic titles. The seating area has 10 faux leather small settees & 5 faux leather chairs.
Accommodates: Up to 30 students.
These comfortable chairs and sofas makes this the perfect area for silent reading.
Reading lessons are timetabled throughout the day in the library.
The library is open to students every break, lunchtime & after school for quiet reading.
Area 2: Study Area
Furnished with 4 white round tables. Seats up to 6 students comfortably at each table.
This is an ideal place for silent individual study, quiet collaborative work and research.
Teachers may book this area before & after school for interventions.
This area is used during reading lessons that are timetabled throughout the week.
Students are allowed to use this area for studying at break, lunchtime and after school.
Area 3: LRC I.T Suite
Students have access to the computer facilities and of course the internet which is used as an important research tool.
23 Student’s PCs & 1 teachers PC (has access to SIMS). 1 large projector screen.
This room is timetabled throughout the day for various lessons.
It is open to all students attending the SJC Study Club (Mon to Friday 2.35 to 4.30pm). The study club is run by Mrs Henshaw & Ms O’Connor and supervised by PGSE teachers & high achieving 6th Form students who offer assistance and support to younger students.
Area 4: Office & Stock Room
The library sells Basic essential equipment. See Price List.
Items can be purchased at break, lunch & after school.
Revision Guides purchased on line via Parent Pay are to be collected from the library.
All Revision Guides bought will be labelled with the student’s name & Tutor Group.
They are to be collected during break, lunchtime or after school.
See Ms O’Connor (SJC Librarian) for collection of Revision Guides or purchase of equipment.
Literacy
What is Literacy at St Joseph’s College?
At St Joseph’s College, we believe every student has the right to feel confident and empowered in their reading, writing and oracy.
Literacy is the responsibility of every teacher across the school and therefore, every lesson, in every subject at St Joseph’s College has a literacy focus to give all scholars the key to unlock their potential in the world around them.
Throughout the college, students in all lessons have access to:
What can you do at home to support students?
· Reading at home can include listening to your child read, reading with them or simply making sure they are given the opportunity to read independently.
· Encourage your child to read a range of materials such as newspaper articles, blogs and non-fiction text as well as fiction.
· Ask your child questions about what they have learnt at school that day. Support them in summarising key events/ideas or suggest that they explain 5 key things they have learnt that day.
· Test your child when they have spellings to learn and encourage them to look up definitions of unfamiliar vocabulary. Get them to write these in their class books or planners.
· Encourage your child to check their written work for errors and to use a dictionary when completing homework.
Homework is a key issue for students, parents/carers and staff. All students with SEND are encouraged to come to homework club every day from 2.40 – 3.40pm. It is open to children in Years 7,8 and 9. TAs are available to offer support as well as finding out what tasks were set when students don’t remember!
Learning Support Unit
The LSU department supports the students with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). The department works closely with academic departments and teaching staff, offering advice and guidance about strategies which can be used in the classroom to support pupils with learning needs and to help make the school an inclusive environment. This support will be individual to the student, reviewed regularly with parents/carers.
The Learning Support Department is also responsible for ensuring that any examination access arrangements, such as extra time, are applied for and implemented within the College.
The SENDCo is responsible for the strategic co-ordination of the day to day provision of education for students with SEND. She is responsible for the management of the team of Learning Support Teachers Assistants (LSA).
Reduced Curriculum
There is a strong focus on academic learning in a small, supportive environment where attention to individual needs, educationally, socially and emotionally can be flexible and highly specific.
We run a well-established transition programme for our future Year 7 students, developed through strong links with our feeder primaries. Our Transition Teacher has experience for many years and is best equipped to support the transition process. Students from Year 8 to 11 who have been identified as having weak literacy and numeracy skills are taught into a smaller classes. The progress of the pupils is carefully monitored and reported to parents and the Senior Leadership Team.
Learning Resource Centre
The LRC offers a clean and quiet working environment. This spacious room is light and airy and has 4 sections.
Area 1: Reading Zone – The Library
20 Bookcases throughout the library housing over 6,000 books and over 2,500 fantastic titles. The seating area has 10 faux leather small settees & 5 faux leather chairs.
Accommodates: Up to 30 students.
These comfortable chairs and sofas makes this the perfect area for silent reading.
Reading lessons are timetabled throughout the day in the library.
The library is open to students every break, lunchtime & after school for quiet reading.
Area 2: Study Area
Furnished with 4 white round tables. Seats up to 6 students comfortably at each table.
This is an ideal place for silent individual study, quiet collaborative work and research.
Teachers may book this area before & after school for interventions.
This area is used during reading lessons that are timetabled throughout the week.
Students are allowed to use this area for studying at break, lunchtime and after school.
Area 3: LRC I.T Suite
Students have access to the computer facilities and of course the internet which is used as an important research tool.
23 Student’s PCs & 1 teachers PC (has access to SIMS). 1 large projector screen.
This room is timetabled throughout the day for various lessons.
It is open to all students attending the SJC Study Club (Mon to Friday 2.35 to 4.30pm). The study club is run by Mrs Henshaw & Ms O’Connor and supervised by PGSE teachers & high achieving 6th Form students who offer assistance and support to younger students.
Area 4: Office & Stock Room
The library sells Basic essential equipment. See Price List.
Items can be purchased at break, lunch & after school.
Revision Guides purchased on line via Parent Pay are to be collected from the library.
All Revision Guides bought will be labelled with the student’s name & Tutor Group.
They are to be collected during break, lunchtime or after school.
See Ms O’Connor (SJC Librarian) for collection of Revision Guides or purchase of equipment.
Literacy
What is Literacy at St Joseph’s College?
At St Joseph’s College, we believe every student has the right to feel confident and empowered in their reading, writing and oracy.
Literacy is the responsibility of every teacher across the school and therefore, every lesson, in every subject at St Joseph’s College has a literacy focus to give all scholars the key to unlock their potential in the world around them.
Throughout the college, students in all lessons have access to:
- literacy mats
- literacy displays to support skills
- words of the week and;
- ‘SPEAK like a Scholar’ where students are encouraged to:
- use standard English
- to pause
- to elaborate their answers
- to articulate themselves and to use key words.
What can you do at home to support students?
· Reading at home can include listening to your child read, reading with them or simply making sure they are given the opportunity to read independently.
· Encourage your child to read a range of materials such as newspaper articles, blogs and non-fiction text as well as fiction.
· Ask your child questions about what they have learnt at school that day. Support them in summarising key events/ideas or suggest that they explain 5 key things they have learnt that day.
· Test your child when they have spellings to learn and encourage them to look up definitions of unfamiliar vocabulary. Get them to write these in their class books or planners.
· Encourage your child to check their written work for errors and to use a dictionary when completing homework.
