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We offer a wide variety of subjects at T.P.S. 

  Art  
Drama

Here at ToPS, we passionately believe in developing the full potential in all of our students and In Drama we get to explore social skills, life skills and creatively explore the world around us. Drama is at its very core, an interactive and collaborative subject, so the students have to understand that whilst it is an engaging and practical subject, it is also one that will, at times, put them out of their comfort zone and at all times requires commitment and focus. 

Key stage three projects are structured around providing the students with a variety of ways communicating, including, mime, devising, physical theatre, script work, small and whole group activities, exploring Drama conventions and finding creative solutions to dramatic problems; projects include becoming explorers in the Amazonian Rainforest, examining ways in which we can become "trapped" and using Shakespeare's "Seven Ages of Man" speech as a basis for character work. At GCSE, we review live theatre, devise our own creative and challenging work, study texts and perform scripted pieces as part of the Pearson/Edexcel course. 

Activities
Totnes Progressive School is committed to developing participation for all in Physical Education and goes beyond the target of 2 hours of physical activity each week. Students receive a minimum of 45 minutes of exercise a day. Our aim is to give every child, every chance to be active and informed about the importance of living a healthy life. Totnes Progressive School offers a varied Physical Education and Outdoor Education curriculum. Incorporated within our PE curriculum are chances for pupils to develop creativity, flexibility, strength, balance, control, competitiveness and cooperation skills through challenges in teams and as individuals. 
Maths

Our small friendly classes create an ideal learning environment for maths. We can allow each student to work at their own pace with plenty of individual feedback. We have also recently started using an innovative online learning platform that uses a form of AI (Artificial Intelligence) to further support personalised learning.

 

The majority of students sit the GCSE Higher tier in Year 11 however we currently offer a full range of examination options to suit individual needs: 

  • Functional Skills Level 1 and 2

  • GCSE Foundation and Higher tiers 

  • AQA's Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths (extra curricular).

Biology
Biology is the natural science that studies life and living organisms, including their physical
structure, chemical processes, molecular interactions, physiological mechanisms, development
and evolution.
Biologists are scientists who study the natural world and all the living things in it, from the
largest mammals down to our very own microscopic DNA.
In Biology at TPS we will try to understand how animals and organisms work (including us
humans), how we evolved and the things that can make us sick or improve our health. We can
use this knowledge to learn how to do things like try to stop the spread of disease, track down
natural resources, improve public health, animal care and conservation and work out the true
impacts of things like pollution. Because biologists deal with the natural world, their jobs can
take them anywhere, from labs to zoos to ocean liners in the arctic and fieldwork in the Amazon
jungle.
As with the other sciences, biology helps you to build up research, problem solving, organisation
and analytical skills. When you study biology, you will often find yourself working on group
projects, which will help you build your teamwork and communication skills too.
Biology at TPS is great fun and there is always something new and interesting to learn about
ourselves and the world around us.
Physics
Chemistry

Chemistry helps students to develop a fundamental understanding of the world around us.

Here at ToPS, the students will learn how to conceptualise substances at a molecular level, focussing on their structure and properties, and also the changes they can undergo. Excitingly, chemistry is a subject that practices at the border of the known and the unknown, so students are regularly encouraged to ask questions and to challenge well established ideas. Many students will find they can use their chemistry skills in other areas, since it can act as an Interface for many other subjects, including medicine, geology, engineering, economics and manufacturing. Students will also have a hands on experience, as the subject readily lends itself to ‘learning by doing’ through practical experiments and investigations. The students will also learn how to critically evaluate theories presented to them, predict results based on knowledge, and be able to assess the validity of data. Running through all of these features is the quest to better describe and explain the world; Year upon year we are aiming to deepen their curiosity.

English Language
Spanish

Spanish is now the most popular foreign language studied in the UK and throughout Europe after English. This is down to the attractiveness of Spanish way of life and culture and for native English speakers the Spanish Language is very approachable due to the many similarities in grammar and vocabulary.  

Spanish is taught from Foundation to GCSE at TPS. The first approach to the language is made during the Foundation Year. This is theme-based and looked at basic aspects of vocabulary and grammar. The purpose of the Foundation Year is to show students that learning a Foreign Language can be enjoyable. The after school Spanish Club on Wednesdays is great fun too. 

KS3 is all about providing students with the tools they need to communicate in Spanish. Special emphasis is placed on developing the four skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Real-life situations are introduced to the classroom to make this possible.

Spanish is brought to life by way of the Penpals project and the school organises regular trips to Spain.

The two years of GCSE are used to transform the students´achievements into a formal qualification. Classroom activities are aimed at developing greater spontaneity and fluency using effective pronuntiation and complex structures. Students will be able to communicate effectively when travelling in a Spanish-speaking country.

We have fun! Learning Spanish as a Foreign Language doesn´t have to be like tilting at windmills!

Drama
Geography
Geography is the study of the world around us. It is a wide-ranging subject that enables students to engage with global issues such as climate change, resource management, pollution and growing population. Topics covered include OS map skills, rain forests, climate change, international migration, plate tectonics, weather & climate, farming, the energy gap to name a few. In geography students develop a range of skills such as team working, research, presentation and statistics. We also conduct fieldwork, both locally and to wider locations.
History
ICT

At TPS we teach ICT skills in years 6, 7, 8 and 9 with an emphasis on digital creative processes. These include sound recording and music technology, digital graphics editing and manipulation, animation techniques, HTML5 web based presentations, 3D CAD-CAM design/3D printing, 2D computer design and cutting techniques, video editing and production, visual based programming languages and other processes.  Work is project based and students acquire a fluent working knowledge of file maintenance and computer use through their practical work in the IT suite.  Later in the school we diversify at GCSE option stage - into either the European Computer Driving Licence or the Computer Science GCSE if chosen as part of the student's course of study.

Outdoor Education at TPS

    Weekly outdoor sessions with Shona are offered to students in Foundation and Year 7. These sessions are tailored to meet the needs of students within the classes and, for example, include opportunities for games, exploring our local environment, quiet time, gathering together, talking, whittling, making a fire, sharing food, wild art and seasonal activities. Where possible activities may also be included that support the children's learning in other areas of the curriculum. Shona is passionate about providing opportunities for children and young people to spend time in Nature. This supports their development, health and well being in numerous tangible and less tangible ways. It also provides a vital balance and support within modern busy lives and academic pursuit.

    Where timetabling allows students in Years 8-10 may be offered one full day outdoors with Shona. These days support social cohesion within classes and allow older students an opportunity to relax and explore for a day in the outdoors, and play active games that they often enjoyed when younger.

    Each year the Foundation class is offered a wild camping trip on Dartmoor, in the summer. This is great fun and includes a night walk, some basic map reading and tuition around enjoying the outdoors safely and how to get help if required.

    Many school trips include an element of outdoor education and opportunity to benefit from the enrichment that this offers.

Music
Dance
During dance activities students will encounter fitness, core strengthening and
flexibility programmes.
A variety of dance styles will be explored during dance sessions, working on
technique, posture and performance skills.
Students will be focusing on group work and options to progress in duo and
solo work as confidence builds for each student.
The focus of dance sessions is for group bonding and building confidence.
Learning new skills and disciplines and opening opportunities for all students.
Happiness and Wellbeing
Happiness & Well-Being classes at TPS focus on building strengths and developing
creative and positive thinking in order to boost happiness, well-being and achievement. It
aims to help students increase their motivation, maintain positive mental health and to
flourish in all areas of their lives. It also helps students to develop the knowledge, skills
and attributes they need to manage many of the critical opportunities, challenges and
responsibilities they will face as they grow up. By teaching pupils to stay safe and healthy,
and by building self-esteem, resilience and empathy, Happiness & Well-Being lessons help
tackle barriers to learning, raise aspirations, and improve the life chances of our students.
Philosophy And Ethics
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