At ICC our curriculum is based around four key principles:

All students will experience a broad, balanced and rich curriculum

All students follow the National Curriculum and our offer at KS3 is broad and rich, allowing access to a wide range of subjects, essential knowledge and opportunities to apply knowledge to diverse contexts. This builds a strong foundation for more specialised qualifications at KS4 and KS5.

Students have a wide range of subjects to choose from at KS4 & KS5 including sciences, arts, humanities and languages. All students must continue a modern foreign language or humanities subject into KS4 alongside their core Maths, Science and English qualifications. As a large proportion of students have English as an Additional Language, students are encouraged to complete a qualification in community languages in addition where appropriate. We are proud of the rich curriculum we are able to offer at ICC and are able to offer a wide range of experiences and qualifications for students as a result.

Our post-16 offer comprises A-level and vocational Level 3 qualifications in a wide range of subjects, allowing students who have been successful at Level 2 to continue with us and prepare for further study at university, apprenticeships or employment

All students will leave with the levels of literacy and numeracy required for a successful future

The development of reading, writing and oracy are vital to development of confidence and success in all subjects. We place high importance on our students’ opportunities to develop these skills through school and provide planned opportunities for these skills to be developed. Good communication skills are an essential aspect of a successful life, and we strongly support their development. Our literacy strategy has been constructed in-line with the EEF’s ‘Improving Literacy in Secondary Schools’ guidance report, and places emphasis on the need for students to develop their disciplinary literacy skills as well as their wider reading, writing and speaking.

Numeracy skills are developed across the curriculum to prepare students for the next stage of their education, training or employment.

If students are not making expected progress in literacy or numeracy, incisive interventions by subject specialists support rapid progress, and the curriculum in these areas is designed with vulnerable students in mind, including those with SEND.

All students will achieve the best possible outcomes facilitated through a research driven curriculum-design and high expectations

We have high expectations of student progress and strive to support all students to be successful and ready for the next stage of their development. We ensure that lessons are engaging and students understand why they are learning curriculum content. We give high-quality, regular and impartial advice about the next stage of learning or employment designed to allow students to be ambitious in their thinking.

We ensure all our students have a safe, caring, respectful and supportive environment in which to learn. Our Behaviour for Learning framework rewards positive behaviour and sets out clear consequences for any disruption to learning.

Subject curricula are constructed through consultation of the most recent research and pedagogical literature. Our curriculum has been designed to ensure there is ample opportunity for formative assessment that pushes learning forward and opportunities for review and reteach after summative assessment points.

All students will build character and develop culturally, socially, mentally, and physically

We promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of our students and ensure that they are prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

Participation in sport is promoted, and engagement is good. From sports teams and expert coaching to lunchtime activities, there is a wealth of opportunities for students to engage in and enjoy physical activity.

We offer a range of opportunities for students to develop their character, values and awareness of the world around them. Students regularly engage in opportunities to build their cultural capital within our diverse community.

Students have an entitlement to educational visits, all at low or no cost, to ensure all students can access these opportunities.