The Design Department offers an exciting opportunity for pupils in all year groups to work with a team of specialist teachers covering a range of materials. Courses are designed to meet the National Curriculum requirements in Art, Design and Technology.

During the four years pupils will experience drawing and painting, graphics and the history of art, resistant materials, food, textiles and electronics. These are taught to all pupils supported by the relevant use of information technology. Pupils will be taught in mixed ability group.

The English Department consists of a team of four specialists teaching Years 6 - 9. The department is located on the ground floor in a suite of four classrooms and a drama room, all of which surround a large, central area, and adjacent to one of the two ICT suites.

English is taught in mixed ability tutor groups throughout Years 6 - 9. In-class support is provided for statemented pupils by ancillaries and pupils are sometimes withdrawn for intensive work with the Learning Development Department. We do not rigidly follow a course book but base much of our work around topics that are, where possible, related to literature.

We are committed to devising and delivering high quality lessons which effectively implement the National Literacy Strategy and prepare pupils for end of Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 tests.

Drama is taught as a separate subject in Years 6 and 7 and as a module in Year 8. In Year 9, Drama is integrated into English work.

The Humanities course embraces the study of Geography, History and Religious Education and is directed by the National Curriculum and the Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.

The approach is through themes which draw upon the knowledge, concepts and skills of the three disciplines, and include, for example: Water (Year 7 Geography), Medieval Realms (Year 7 History) and Festivals (Year 8 Religious Education). Each theme is explored for approximately six weeks. Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups.

Developing an understanding of concepts, mastering skills and being challenged to think about attitudes are the essential principles upon which this course is based.

Religious Education is taught to all pupils by the Humanities staff. Full College and Year Assemblies are held on a regular basis with emphasis on moral and social issues. If parents are concerned by their child's attendance at Religious Education lessons or Assembly we will be very happy to discuss the content and possible withdrawal of your child if this is considered necessary.

IT plays an increasingly important part in our lives. Adults of the future need to feel confident with modern technology and to enjoy using it. The College has two modern networked computer suites, with CD Rom and Internet capabilities. We also have many free-standing machines, which pupils are encouraged to use, in curriculum areas.

The Learning Development Department offers support to all year groups in accordance with the Special Education Needs Code of Practice.

Students with Special Educational Needs are assessed and placed on the College SEN Record.

Their curriculum needs are met through a combination of in-class support, small group work and withdrawal on an individual basis.

The progress of students on the SEN Record is monitored by a termly review which parents are invited to attend. These take place in the Autumn and Summer term. Liaison with departmental staff helps to identify and prioritise specific needs.

Mutual co-operation ensures the most suitable approach to enable each student to cope adequately with the demands and expectations of the curriculum. The department both welcomes and encourages parental contact and support.

The Mathematics curriculum is designed to enable all pupils to achieve their full mathematical potential. The work follows the National Numeracy Guidelines, allowing for full coverage of the National Curriculum requirements and other related topics. Pupils are encouraged to see maths as enjoyable, interesting and relevant to the real world.

Classes are set according to ability and taught at a level appropriate to the group. Setting is reviewed regularly and pupils move groups when it is appropriate. For Key Stage 3 National Curriculum tests pupils are entered for the exam at an appropriate level for the individual, regardless of the set they are in.

The use of calculators is encouraged when appropriate and it is hoped that all pupils will be able to bring their own to lessons.

French is taught to all pupils for four years. The course is a communicative one where the skills of talking, listening, reading and writing are developed and regularly assessed.

Children are assessed after each unit in the textbook "Metro" (Heinemann). They are tested in accordance with the National Curriculum on listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Emphasis is placed on practical communication where use may be made of information based activities and pair work for talking.

Lessons are varied and may include, whenever possible, authentic materials, taped tests and videos and role-play activities. We aim to increasingly make use of ICT in our teaching, including Smartboard and data projector.

All pupils are introduced to German for the first time in Year 8. The course used is "Logo" by Heinemann. The aim here is to give pupils a basic introduction to this language and to interest them in German speaking countries. Most continue with German in Year 9.

Pupils are taught in mixed ability tutor groups up to the end of Year 8 but thereafter they may be in ability sets on occasions. The more able pupils have the opportunity to do differentiated homework tasks and to take a more prominent and leading role in class activities such as in question and answer group work and pair work. More able pupils also have the opportunity to participate in special enhancement activities. Pupils have the opportunity during their time at the College to visit France and meet native French speakers.

Music is taken by every pupil in the school throughout all four years and the work is devised to enable pupils to continue with the subject to GCSE level if so desired.

Work is centred around the three main tenets of music teaching - listening, playing and composing. The music room is equipped with a complete set of keyboards which are used extensively by all pupils. In addition all pupils are taught to play the guitar. They also follow a structured course of music theory.

Reward for achievement comes in the form of departmental certificates which are awarded when a specific standard is reached. Approximately 85% of the pupils achieve the basic National Curriculum Standard in Music.

The College also offers individual instrumental teaching and a number of pupils receive instruction on orchestral instruments. The school orchestra meets on a weekly basis. Musical performances take place on a regular basis.

The teaching of Physical Education is delivered by highly qualified, specialist staff and takes place in a well-equipped gymnasium, an outdoor heated swimming pool, a multi-purpose hall, two Astroturf pitches and on extensive playing fields.

The department endeavours to provide a positive learning environment, whilst teaching a wide variety of sporting skills to enable each pupil to reach his or her full potential.

The Physical Education syllabus offers a comprehensive range of experiences and ensures that all pupils have the opportunity to develop their skills in a wide variety of activities including athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, dance, football, gymnastics, hockey, netball, rugby, trampolining and volleyball. It is also designed to promote a better understanding of health related issues.

The College offers a full range of extra-curricular activities, which are open to all pupils, College Netball, Football, Rugby, Cricket and Basketball teams have regular competitive fixtures with other schools and we are proud of our success at District, County, Regional and National level. We also compete in County Athletics and Cross Country events and District Swimming Galas. We regularly produce District and County representatives and we are especially proud of our involvement in the development of a member of the English Schools' Boys Under 15 Basketball Squad.

Physical Education plays a very important role in the life of pupils at Castle Donington Community College and enjoys high standing within the College and local community. Strong links with local clubs have become established and staff are involved in the administration of different County Sports Associations. Participation rates are high and many pupils are involved in representative teams that achieve high levels of success. We welcome the involvement of parents both in a coaching and supportive capacity.

We believe that the programme of curricular and extra-curricular activities, together with an awareness of the leisure opportunities that exist within the community will develop those skills and attitudes conducive to a long, active and healthy life.

As a core subject in the National Curriculum, Science is taught in all four years. Pupils are in mixed ability groups in Year 6 and in ability sets in Years 7, 8 and 9.

The department has produced a course based on strands in the National Curriculum which maintains our highly practical approach to the subject while delivering the required material.

In co-operation with primary schools, the Year 6 work is based on the Key Stage 2 programme of study, preparing pupils for the National Curriculum tests at age 11.