Curriculum Page

"The Curriculum has good breadth and balance and meets all statutory requirements"

We believe that all students should have equal access to the curriculum. In our rapidly changing society it is important for them to have a broad range of study which will equip them with the skills to success both now and in the future. Our curriculum covers the National Curriculum and includes all the elements of the Key Stage 3 National Strategy. In addition to this, because we are a Specialist Language College, there is an emphasis on preparing students to live and work in a global society. This means languages and cultural awareness both have a high priority. Students have access to a range of both European and non-European languages.

Students all study the same subjects though there can be some difference within subject areas eg languages. Those with special educational needs are taught in mainstream classes and given appropriate levels of support. Individual needs are assessed by staff in consultation with parents and, where appropriate, other professionals outside the academy.

Students are taught in a variety of groupings. There is a mixture of whole classes, ability sets and broader bands consisting of parallel sets in order to match teaching to the needs of students. They will also meet a wide range of teaching styles to help meet individual learning needs.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) all students study:

English	Geography	Religious Education
Mathematics	Design Technology	Physical Education
*Langauges	Art	Citizenship
Science	Music	Personal, Social and Health Education
History	Information Technology	Drama

*Students study a language in Year 7 with an opportunity to sample a second.

The school determines which language from French, German and Spanish will be studied in Year 7. In Year 8 students can choose to study either Mandarin Chinese or Russian instead of the designated second European language.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

The Key Stage 4 curriculum is in a period of change following the government guidance on introducing more vocational and work related learning. Arrangements presently are as listed and should follow a broadly similar pattern next year.

All students study the following GCSE courses:

Art	German	Design Technology - Graphics
Art and Design OCR	Health and Social Care OCR	Design Technology - Resistant Materials
Business Studies	History	Product Design - Textiles
Business OCR	ICT OCR - Full Course	Public Services Btec
Chinese	Media OCR	Religious Studies
Critical Thinking AS	Music	Russian
Drama	Physical Education GCSE	Spanish
Economics	Performing Arts BTec	Sport Btec
French	Design Technology - Food Technology
Geography	Design Technology - Electronics

English Language	Core Science, Applied, Additional or Separate Sciences
Maths	One Language from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish
ICT (Key Skills)

Physical Education	Careers Education and Guidance
Personal, Social and Health Education	Citizenship