Our Specialisms
Sport
Cumberland School has been a Specialist Sports College since 2003. As a Sports College, we aim to
- increase pupil, staff and wider community participation in PE and Sport
- develop all our learners as skilful, creative and reflective individuals
- ensure that our community is both healthier and happier
- further develop the leadership skills of all our pupils and strengthen links with our partner schools
- drive up whole school results and increase accreditation opportunities for all pupils
- continue to develop a fully inclusive ethos where everyone aspires to achieve
- ensure that the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games and their core values are at the heart of our school community
All pupils take part in a minimum of two hours per week of high quality PE and Sport from Y7 to Y11. In addition to this, pupils have the opportunity to take part in over thirty different clubs and team events throughout their time with us.
Our facilities are second to none and include twelve lane indoor running track, fitness room, specialist classroom, two football pitches and four floodlit courts.
At Key Stage 4, all pupils follow an accredited course picked from our extensive pathway offer including GCSE PE, BTEC First Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma in Sport, Pupil Leadership Awards and Emergency First Aid.
The School is the hub site for a very successful School Sports Partnership which includes six other secondaries and over thirty five primary schools. This partnership allows for a smoother transition for pupils from primary to secondary, and ensures that high quality PE and Sport is at the heart of everything we do.
Applied Learning
Applied learning is the practical application of theory which allows our pupils the opportunity to engage with the subjects they are studying. Through applied learning pupils develop transferable skills which help them to make progress across the curriculum and better prepares them for adult life.
Applied learning encourages:
- Linking understanding and learning activities to job roles
- Interaction with professionals
- Real life investigations and active enquiry
- Learning through doing
- Interactions with other pupils through group work
- Learning in different environments
The Key Stage 3 curriculum is focussed on developing skills. Pupils experience a wide range of learning activities both inside and outside the classroom. Extra-curricular activities such as Enterprise Days enable pupils to apply their learning in practical tasks. In Year 9 pupils are given the opportunity to achieve Functional Skills qualifications in English, Maths and ICT.
In Key Stage 4 the school offers a number of applied learning courses. BTEC First Certificates are offered in five subject areas. Pupils are able to achieve the CIDA qualification in ICT. All pupils in Key Stage 4 are given the opportunity of a ten day work experience placement. There are extra-curricular activities such as Enterprise Days, BOSS Day and mock interviews where pupils can further develop and apply practical skills.
Cumberland School works in partnership with a number of local providers to meet the needs of a small number of pupils whose needs are better met in a more practical, vocationally oriented environment. These pupils are given the opportunity for more extended work experience placements and are able to achieve a variety of nationally recognised vocational qualifications and awards.