Curriculum Offer
We have a well-constructed curriculum, tailored to meet the needs of our learners and address social disadvantage on many levels. Our curriculum offer is adapted to meet individual needs where appropriate and therefore offers a range of pathways, which we believe broaden rather than narrow the offer at different points during the five-year journey. This is essential to overcome social disadvantage and remove the barriers our pupils face. We are proud of how far our curriculum reaches, with a wider offering of GCSE level options than many larger schools.
We continue to develop our offer, with design technology, food technology, art, ICT including elements of computer science, drama, and music taught in Key Stage Three alongside our core, PE, EPC (Ethics, Philosophy and Citizenship) and Ebacc subjects. In Key Stage Four we offer an extensive range of technical, vocational, and academic subjects that allows every student to pursue their individual area of interest or career pathway. We are very keen to expand this provision and have added triple science and 3D Design to the option list in recent years. We also offer fine art, photography, creative media, hospitality and catering, sports science, performing arts, health and social care, and enterprise.
The Key Stage four option process takes place over a number of weeks and includes detailed presentations from each subject area as well as a comprehensive parental consultation. This ensures that students make the right choice, reflecting their individual strengths and areas of interest. All the subjects are equally well represented, underlining the academies objectivity towards the option process. Alongside these accredited subjects we also deliver a number of optional curriculum opportunities which reflect the needs of the local community, these include the Ambition Project and Duke of Edinburgh Award which we hope to launch this year. This gives students broader exposure to the skills and qualities required to excel at university and in the workplace.
Our curriculum now truly goes ‘beyond the taught curriculum’, ensuring all pupils have the chance to take part in charity events, volunteering activities as well as direct learning in their local community. Many of these activities now sit within our dedicated Colours program, which is accessed and encouraged across all year groups.