Curriculum
Our offer of a distinctive and relevant education for all
Key Stage 3: In Years 7 to 9 students experience a wide range of subjects across the main areas of the learning experience (scientific, mathematical, technological, aesthetic and creative, human and social, physical, moral and spiritual). All students study English, Maths, Science, Religious Studies, Languages, Technology, Drama, Art, Music, ICT and Physical Education throughout these three years. Year 7 students intake are placed in sets for maths and in form groups for all other subjects according to ability. Students study two foreign languages throughout Key Stage 3, emphasising the importance and status of languages as the Academy’s specialism. Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught as separate subjects in specialist laboratories, reflecting the Academy’s secondary specialism of science.
Key Stage 4: In Years 10 and 11 all students follow an academic curriculum with a broad range of GCSE subjects. Core GCSE subjects of English, English literature, Maths and at least one Modern Foreign Language are studied. Students also study either Co-ordinated Science Double Award or the three separate sciences to GCSE level. Students choose from a wide range of optional subjects to complete their GCSE portfolio. Teaching and learning takes place in form groups or in ability sets for the core GCSE subjects and in mixed ability groups for optional subjects. A mentoring programme operates to provide individual support for all students in Year 11. Careers Education is integrated into the Life Skills programme and all students have a work experience placement. Students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities and to seek opportunities to take the lead in these.
Specialisms
Students study French and Spanish throughout Key Stage 3, the two languages rotating status annually as major and minor languages in terms of curriculum time. Students continue with at least one language to GCSE level. In Sixth Form both French and Spanish are offered as optional subjects at AS and at A2 level. One of our priorities is to increase our teaching expertise in a wider range of languages, thereby offering a greater choice to more students, and additional languages are also offered through the enrichment programme.
Students study Physics, Chemistry and Biology throughout Key Stage 3. At GCSE level students study either Physics, Chemistry and Biology as separate subjects or Core Science and Additional Science. In Sixth Form Physics, Chemistry and Biology are offered as optional subjects at AS and A2 level. Opportunities for further activities in Science are offered to students through the enrichment programme.
Optional subject choices at GCSE 2007/08
- Art
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Drama
- Geography
- History
- Home Economics
- ICT
- Latin
- Music
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Religious Studies
- Core Science
- Additional Science
- French
- Spanish
- Textiles Technology