Hodgson School in Poulton / David Young Academy Leeds
Two highly successful schools that have been creative in their Academic Year 'roll forward'.
Hodgson roll forward in June giving KS4 approximately 8 weeks extra teaching time - teachers are given their timetable in May, approximately 4 weeks before the roll forward to allow for planning etc.
The David Young academy begin their new academic year 6 weeks before the summer break. The also run a 2 year KS3 and a 3 Year KS4 because they view KS4 as a more important Key Stage.
Last year we also ran our new timetable for 10 school days at the end of term - did this work - were there advantages?
Do you know of any other 'inovative' ideas that may be of interest to our group - if so add them here?
What are the advantages, if any, of starting our academic year early?
Is there a prefered date to give the best start to the new academic year?
Should we forget these new ideas and stick to a September start?
Should we move curriculum planning and timetable forward to allow staff time plan for the roll forward?
I think that rolling the curriculum forward early was a big success this year, but I would like to see it roll forward a bit earlier probably early June. Rolling the timetable forward caused a few jitters amongst the staff, but in the end it went very well.
There are many reasons for doing this but the most important one I think is focusing the new year 10 on their new curriculum. Because onece they have sat their SATS and have chosen their options they lose interest inthe subject that they are not going to take in Year 10. It also extends the teaching time in KS4.
I agree with Linda above but I would like to see it even more flexible. By that I mean starting even earlier to allow block timetabling to meet our pupils’ needs and curriculum needs. I'm not just considering KS4 but KS3 too.
It could be very successful given more time to plan - Not just a 'lets crack on' with the new timetable but give teachers a real chance to develop relationships through team building activities, projects that focus on working together (competitions between classes on longer projects/movies etc).
I also felt that the early roll forward was successful and would like to see it happen again next year (eventhough I will be on maternity leave!). I agree that an earlier start with more planning time would be more prudent, and in terms of administration there is no real reason why this could not happen. PEW and I joked about starting the timetable for 09-10 in the summer holiday just passed, but in reality it could be done. I really hope that we come away from our weekend with enough information to get that 2009-10 timetable underway.
I agree with Glenda. Pupils could even choose their options at the end of Year 8 so that the curriculum can be personalised earlier ( complete KS3 in Years 7 and 8).
In all honesty, I didn't think the "roll over" was particularly effective this year, as unfortunately (due to unforeseen circumstances) it all happened rather too late on in the term. Year 8 were out on camp, planning (personally) was tight, the SEN IEPs & programmes were curtailed and had to be completed somewhat hurriedly (!) and I personally felt a bit stressed with all the prep, but - "nothing ventured - nothing gained". Nevertheless, we learnt from the experience. I think it will be much more successful next year as appropriate planning can begin much earlier, causing less stress & rushing around. I remain optimistic for the future and an earlier rollover (post Spring Bank?)
I thought that starting the new timetable earlier worked excellently. Personally, I felt so much more organised for September. Meeting classes, sorting seating plans, seeing previous teachers to find out where they were up to with the scheme of work was so much easier than trying to do it all in September. I agree with Anne that at the time it felt a bit stressful but worth it in the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed the early timetable as I met my new groups, I was more organised and relaxed during the summer hols.
I think students enjoyed and responded to it very well also Peter was able to iron out problems before September. I am looking forward to it starting early (after may half term) this academic year.
Comments (9)
Linda Appleby said
at 9:40 pm on Sep 9, 2008
I think that rolling the curriculum forward early was a big success this year, but I would like to see it roll forward a bit earlier probably early June. Rolling the timetable forward caused a few jitters amongst the staff, but in the end it went very well.
There are many reasons for doing this but the most important one I think is focusing the new year 10 on their new curriculum. Because onece they have sat their SATS and have chosen their options they lose interest inthe subject that they are not going to take in Year 10. It also extends the teaching time in KS4.
glendab binns said
at 5:03 pm on Sep 11, 2008
I agree with Linda above but I would like to see it even more flexible. By that I mean starting even earlier to allow block timetabling to meet our pupils’ needs and curriculum needs. I'm not just considering KS4 but KS3 too.
wardlec said
at 1:44 pm on Sep 19, 2008
It could be very successful given more time to plan - Not just a 'lets crack on' with the new timetable but give teachers a real chance to develop relationships through team building activities, projects that focus on working together (competitions between classes on longer projects/movies etc).
Becky Foxton said
at 3:37 pm on Sep 19, 2008
I also felt that the early roll forward was successful and would like to see it happen again next year (eventhough I will be on maternity leave!). I agree that an earlier start with more planning time would be more prudent, and in terms of administration there is no real reason why this could not happen. PEW and I joked about starting the timetable for 09-10 in the summer holiday just passed, but in reality it could be done. I really hope that we come away from our weekend with enough information to get that 2009-10 timetable underway.
Gillian Rowley said
at 3:45 pm on Sep 29, 2008
I agree with Glenda. Pupils could even choose their options at the end of Year 8 so that the curriculum can be personalised earlier ( complete KS3 in Years 7 and 8).
Anne Horne said
at 11:11 pm on Sep 30, 2008
In all honesty, I didn't think the "roll over" was particularly effective this year, as unfortunately (due to unforeseen circumstances) it all happened rather too late on in the term. Year 8 were out on camp, planning (personally) was tight, the SEN IEPs & programmes were curtailed and had to be completed somewhat hurriedly (!) and I personally felt a bit stressed with all the prep, but - "nothing ventured - nothing gained". Nevertheless, we learnt from the experience. I think it will be much more successful next year as appropriate planning can begin much earlier, causing less stress & rushing around. I remain optimistic for the future and an earlier rollover (post Spring Bank?)
Suzanne Gibson said
at 3:55 pm on Oct 1, 2008
I thought that starting the new timetable earlier worked excellently. Personally, I felt so much more organised for September. Meeting classes, sorting seating plans, seeing previous teachers to find out where they were up to with the scheme of work was so much easier than trying to do it all in September. I agree with Anne that at the time it felt a bit stressful but worth it in the end.
Angela Hallam said
at 6:26 pm on Oct 2, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed the early timetable as I met my new groups, I was more organised and relaxed during the summer hols.
I think students enjoyed and responded to it very well also Peter was able to iron out problems before September. I am looking forward to it starting early (after may half term) this academic year.
BAY said
at 5:00 pm on Oct 16, 2008
It certainly made it a smooth and more relaxed start to the new school year.
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