Child Development

Intent Statement

At the Mandeville School, Child Development is an optional curriculum subject which teaches students about the fundamental aspects of children’s growth and development. Our students are at the beginning of a journey with Child Development, which will enable them to progress into adulthood with an understanding of the fundamental principles of early childhood development, their impacts and how these shape future lives.

Our intent is to enable students to become caring, respectful and creative individuals who have a deeper understanding of how the development of children contributes to society, encouraging them to be tenacious individuals with a passion for improving the quality of care provided for children.

Child Development is important because through the understanding of developmental areas, students will develop essential skills and attributes that will be prized by employers. There are strong opportunities for post-16 progression in this subject.

Links to the whole-school curriculum

The Child Development curriculum is aligned to the whole school Curriculum. The Child Development curriculum is designed to establish a kind community where everyone perseveres, achieves and flourishes; where we enable all the experience life to the full. In the Child Development department, we maintain the Mandeville School Curriculum Principles:

A kind community through a curriculum that respects the diversity of our school, valuing our rich knowledge, history and experiences.

Perseverance and achievement through a curriculum that is well sequenced, developing understanding, building retention and leading to academic achievement. Firm foundations in a three-year Key Stage 3 provide grounding for success in Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5 and beyond.

Flourishing through a curriculum that nourishes personal development by giving students opportunities to explore their identity and grow their character. Students are equipped with knowledge of how to be healthy, sustain positive relationships and maintain wellbeing so as to have the information needed to be able to make an effective contribution to society.

Enabling students to experience life to the full through a curriculum that inspires and enriches them with meaningful knowledge and cultural capital. High aspirations mean students study a broad range of subjects in Key Stage 3 and have a variety of routes through Key Stage 4 and 5 which are challenging and aspirational.

Curriculum Map

Child Development KS4 Curriculum Map