Curriculum Structure
Our curriculum is structured with a focus on a broad and ambitious academic and vocational curriculum throughout Key Stage 3 and 4. As a commitment to that breadth and ambition, we intend that at least 85% of students follow an EBacc curriculum. Beyond the EBacc, we highly value the arts and other subjects, ensuring that all students study music, drama, art, computing, RE and PE in as much depth and for as long as possible, throughout Year 7, 8 and 9. Students can then choose two or three of these subjects for GCSE.
In Year 7, 8 and 9, all students study English and Maths for five hours per week, ensuring that every student has strong foundations in literacy and numeracy. Students who enter the academy below the expected level in reading, writing or maths, have additional support in these areas in order to support them catching up with their peers.
In Year 8 and 9, all students increase the amount of time that they study Geography while continuing to study all other subjects.
In Year 10 and 11, almost all students study nine GCSEs. All students study English, Maths, Science, Core PE and PSHRSE. Almost all students additionally study French and either History or Geography. In addition to these compulsory subjects, all students choose two or three option subjects from the list below.
Following the period of closure due to COVID-19, the academy curriculum has been carefully reviewed and a recovery curriculum is now in place. This includes PSHRSE sessions focusing explicitly on helping students to process their experiences during lockdown and to adjust back to learning on site at the academy. In addition, all subject areas have updated their curriculum plans to reflect the period of online learning that took place and to ensure that all students are able to return to learning the full curriculum.
The academy is ready and prepared to provide high quality remote education again in the event of a further academy closure.
|
Subject |
Year 7 Hours per week |
Year 8 and 9 Hours per week |
Year 10 and 11 Hours per week |
|
English |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Maths |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Science |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
French |
2 |
2 |
3 Almost all students study French |
|
History |
2 |
2 |
3 Almost all students study history or geography |
|
Geography |
1 |
2 |
|
|
RE |
1 |
1 |
3 Students choose two or three of these options |
|
Music |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Drama |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Art/Technology |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Computing |
1 (for one term) |
1 (for one term) |
|
|
Triple Science |
|
|
|
|
PE GCSE |
|
|
|
|
Arts Award |
|
|
|
|
Core PE |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
PSHRSE |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Enrichment |
1 Computing, Debating and Mixed Sports on rotation. Four enrichment days and Futures week. |
1 Computing for one term per year and two terms of student choice. Four enrichment days and Futures week. |
Four enrichment days and Futures week. |