Opening Minds

Personnel

J Taylor Director of Learning (Assistant Headteacher)

V Potten Curriculum Leader
v.potten@ratton.e-sussex.sch.uk  

K.Clark Opening Minds and Science

D.Powers Opening Minds and Drama

S.Bax Opening Minds and Geography

C Penna Opening Minds and R.E.

Aims of the Opening Minds Department

• A competence-based curriculum, focusing on learning, managing information, relating to people, managing situations and citizenship.

• Year 7 students are taught by one teacher for the majority of their curriculum, combining a variety of subjects in a project-based context

To encourage initiative, imagination and flexibility of mind when problem solving whether working independently or co-operatively.

• Students participating in OM cover more ground, more thoroughly and with greater understanding than they do through the subject-based curriculum.

• Often, year 7 students work on material that they would normally cover in years 8 or 9.

• The content of units will take into account national curriculum requirements for PSHE, Citizenship, ICT, Geography, History and the RE framework.

• On the basis of current evidence, all NC requirements will be met.

Expectations for lessons

We expect all pupils to:
* remember that they are here to learn to learn
* try their best
* allow me to teach them and the class
* respect all members of staff and other pupils in the classroom
* respect equipment and text books
* not to talk when another is talking
* remain seated at all times
* use polite language

Pupils can expect us to:
* teach, guide and help them to develop a range of competencies

*treat all fairly and with respect

EQUIPMENT

All pupils should be fully equipped for their Opening Minds lesson to enable them to access the curriculum.

Basic Equipment includes (items in bold are essential):
Pen (Blue or Black)
Pencil Rule
Rubber Colour pencils
School Planner Pencil Sharpener

The Opening Minds department also runs a Gifted and Talented after school club on Tuesdays called Engaging Minds. Attendance is by invitation from your Opening Minds teacher.

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