Curriculum+Policy+Overview

= Aim High Curriculum Overview =

Rationale
To support the curriculum effectively and give every student the best chance of discovering and achieving their goals and dreams, Aim High has produced a number of documents outlining the operation of the school, addressing issues such as teaching, learning and assessment, school ethos and environment, partnerships and services, behavioural expectations and requirements. See our list of policies here. The Curriculum at Aim High centres on providing choices to students as they navigate their schooling years. Central to this is the activity of constantly assessing and reassessing students goals for their education. In order to give students the best possible opportunities for making informed choices about their education, Aim High insists that all students engage in the creation of an Individual Learning Plan.

**Individual Learning Plan**
The Individual Learning plan will form the basis of the pathway that each student takes while at Aim High. It will detail an individuals goals for their current year's learning, the outcomes from previous goals set as well as plans for future years. By continually referencing this plan, students will remain engaged in choices about their learning. The aim of implementing the Individual Learning Plan is to allow students to take control over their educational pathway and to remain focussed on the goals they are invested in.

Compulsory Years
The implementation of the compulsory Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) from years 7–10 will provide students with a continuous transition and sequential curriculum framework from primary school education leading into secondary school education, as students prepare for post-compulsory education in years 11–12 and beyond. Using VELS curriculum frameworks will also provide a measure of learning achievement that afford students, teachers and parents the opportunity to assess student performance against standardised learning outcomes.

Post Compulsory Years
The implementation of the post-compulsory year 11-12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) lead on from VELS education. The VCE allows students to gain access to academic subjects that can provide pathways into higher education opportunities, such as university studies. The VET program combines general VCE studies with vocational training and experience in the workplace, with access opportunities for apprenticeships and traineeships. The VCAL allows students to gain access to practical ‘hands on’ subjects that can provide practical work-related experience, as well as literacy, numeracy, life and work skills. Pathways may lead into trades and direct employment.

Policy statement
Aim High aims to maximise student learning through the implementation of VELS in a manner that is consistent with Department of Education requirements and latest teaching approaches, according to student needs. Aim High aims to provide as much opportunity for employment and further education possibilities as is required for every student. As such, Aim High will offer the opportunity for the attainment of VCE, VCAL and VET qualifications to all students.

Furthermore, Aim High aims to provide a range of services and activities that will assist students to make important connections between knowledge, their lives and the world around them, will help them develop relevant skills and attributes to help them become resilient and proactive in their interpersonal relationships, will motivate them to learn and will provide opportunities to remain curious and enjoy their schooling years.

Implementation

 * Aim High staff will work collaboratively with each other, with parents, students and the community, to successfully implement the curriculum across all year levels
 * The school council, as required, will instate an active curriculum committee in order to oversee [|whole school curriculum development] and implementation.
 * Individual learning plans will be used to assist students to define their learning pathways. Development of the plans will be negotiated between students, teachers and parents. The plans will be used in compulsory and post-compulsory years and will be in line with regulatory body requirements.
 * The leaders of faculties and teams will meet with the curriculum committee, as required, to discuss strategic planning and implementation of curriculum.
 * The staff of each faculty and team will work together to develop and implement a curriculum that reflects VELS, VCE, VCAL and VET requirements, according to their students’ identified needs.
 * Staff will ensure that all Department of Education timelines and reporting requirements will be met
 * The school council will allocate adequate funds for in and out of classroom experiences that will assist every student to make sense of knowledge and the world in ways that are meaningful and applicable to them and will assist them in developing their identity and ability to create successes in their lives.
 * The school council will allocate adequate funds for relevant professional development, etc.
 * The principal with assistance and suggestions as solicited, will ensure that whole school professional development opportunities will be provided, as well as personal professional development plans developed to cater for the curriculum needs of each staff member.
 * The community will be kept well informed through forums such as, though not limited to, open evenings to explain VELS, VCE, VCAL and VET, relevant bulletins in the school newspaper, and updates regarding the curriculum made available.
 * Student achievement will be measured and reported to students, parents, the Department of Education and the wider community, against relevant progression points and assessment requirements in all areas of the curriculum.

Evaluation
This policy will be reviewed by the Aim High School Council according to the three year cycle for curriculum matters. Issues that require immediate attention will be brought before the school council. The council will then determine if a sub review needs to occur. A decision to revise the entire policy within the three year time frame may occur under the direction of the school council

 Academic references Academic rationale