Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to foster thought, curiosity and a desire for learning in all pupils, regardless of their background, strengths and needs. It is ambitious, challenging and engaging. It builds on the essential knowledge, skills and understanding from primary school and enables pupils to become informed citizens who have an appreciation of human creativity, ingenuity and achievement.

Our curriculum draws out key concepts that provide a rich web of knowledge for our pupils and help them to become expert critical thinkers. Our curriculum aims to:

  • cultivate well-rounded, intelligent and socially-aware students.
  • develop cultural capital in all pupils, so that they have an appreciation of human creativity and talents.
  • develop pupils as excellent citizens with a strong sense of responsibility for their actions.
  • encourage civic and social participation within their community.
  • promote and develop leadership within all pupils.
  • encourage pupils to develop their individuality and lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
  • inspire and motivate.
  • foster a deep and durable love of lifelong learning.
  • provide a strong and lasting foundation for future learning at every stage.
  • deliver excellent exam results, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they can compete for the best jobs locally, nationally and globally.

At the heart of our curriculum is a strong academic core for all our pupils at key stage 3 and key stage 4: the English Baccalaureate. This includes English, mathematics, sciences, history, geography and a modern foreign language. Creative and performing arts, technology, computing, and physical education are central to our curriculum offer sparking curiosity, interests and talent.

Our curriculum promotes spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and emotional development of pupils at school and in society more widely. Religious Education, Relationship and Sex Education, Health Education and Citizenship are fully timetabled and taught by specialists throughout key stage 3 and key stage 4.

We believe every pupil is entitled to a curriculum that is varied, challenging and inspiring, which enables every individual to fulfil their potential to the highest possible standard, developing enquiring minds capable of original thought and well-balanced critical argument.

In line with the Star Quality Standards, the curriculum actively promotes equality for all through both its content and delivery. Full details are contained in the Annual Equalities Statement.

We aim to ensure that all pupils have access to the curriculum and are not disadvantaged by any disabilities or special educational needs. Full details are contained in the SEND Information Report, Policy and Guidance. Our curriculum also provides opportunities for pupils to consider careers in each subject – more details are provided in the careers page of our website.

Our school operates a five-year curriculum journey, from Year 7 to Year 11.

All pupils will follow a traditional model of study, which involves core and foundation subjects.

Pupils make their GCSE choices towards the end of Year 9 when the Key Stage 3 curriculum has been delivered. All Key Stage 3 subjects match or surpass the ambition and scope of the national curriculum. Pupils complete GCSEs and vocational qualifications in Year 10 and Year 11.

A high proportion (70%+) of pupils follow a combination of subjects which will enable them to achieve the English Baccalaureate. Pupils also study vocational subjects to contribute to a deep and rich curriculum experience. Pupils are offered extra time for English and mathematics – alongside their full curriculum entitlement – where they are performing below nationally expected levels. In particular, there is a strong emphasis on reading and expanding vocabulary.

Subjects studied at key stage 3

At key stage 3, pupils will complete the following programmes of study:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • History
  • Geography
  • French
  • Religious Education
  • Citizenship (PSHCE) & RSHE
  • Art & Design
  • Computing
  • Design Technology (including Food & Textiles)
  • Physical Education
  • Music
Key stage 4

At Key Stage 4, pupils complete a range of qualifications. All pupils can follow a combination of core subjects which will enable them to achieve the English Baccalaureate: English, mathematics, sciences, humanities and a modern foreign language. As part of the core curriculum, they will continue to study physical education, religious education, citizenship and RSHE (PSHCE). In addition, pupils will choose optional subjects from a broad suite of subjects covering both GCSE and vocational qualifications.

Qualification Name Exam Board Academic Year
English Language AQA 10
English Literature AQA 10
Mathematics Edexcel 10
Science (Combined) Edexcel 10
Geography AQA 10
History AQA 10
Religious Studies A AQA 10
French AQA 10
Citizenship AQA 10
Art & Design (Photography) AQA 10
Food and Cookery NCFE 10
BTEC Tech Digital Information Technology OCR 10
BTEC Tech Enterprise (Business) Pearson 10
Sport Studies OCR 10
English Language AQA 11
English Literature AQA 11
Mathematics Edexcel 11
Science (Combined) Edexcel 11
Geography AQA 11
History AQA 11
French AQA 11
Art and Design (Fine Art) AQA 11
Food Preparation and Nutrition AQA 11
Creative iMedia OCR 11
BTEC Tech Enterprise (Business) Pearson 11
Sport Studies OCR 11

A very small number of pupils requiring cognitive learning support may undertake an alternative pathway. Pupils will complete nationally and industry-recognised awards and qualifications, developing a personalised portfolio to include GCSE, approved high-value vocational qualifications and Entry Level and pre-GCSE courses to ensure they are meaningful for pupils and support their next steps.

Future developments

As the pupils who are following our key stage 3 curriculum ‘graduate’ into key stage 4, possessing a broader and deeper range of knowledge upon which to base their further learning, we anticipate that we will be able to offer an even wider range of options.

Pupil voice at key stage 3 tells us that we can expect that more pupils will wish to study triple science at GCSE in coming years. The academy is also working to grow the number of languages offered for study.

For more information on our curriculum, please see the more detailed information contained within the subject-specific pages on our website. Alternatively, please contact the following colleagues directly: