Curriculum
Overview
At Â鶹 Collegiate Academy our curriculum is broad and ambitious.Ìý It ignites curiosity and fosters creativity; all students are supported to unleash their inner brilliance and find their talents. Our school’s curriculum nurtures well-rounded individuals who can thrive in an ever-changing world.Ìý We recognise that each student enters our doors with a distinct set of abilities. We tailor our teaching and learning experiences to ensure that every student can maximise their potential,Ìý providing the space and guidance for them to explore and excel. Our curriculum ensures that knowledge is placed in context, emphasisingÌý the interconnectedness. ​Ìý
Beyond academic subjects, our curriculum embraces holistic development. Co-curricular programmes, outdoor education, and extracurricular activities are integral. Students have opportunities to hone leadership skills, develop emotional intelligence, and discover hidden talents, whether it’s playing an instrument, painting, or leading a team.​Ìý
Our school is an integral part of the community.Ìý Students learn about local history, collaborate with community organisations, and contribute meaningfully. By understanding their surroundings, they discover how their talents can serve a greater purpose. We encourage students to foster and pursue their passion; their interests are nurtured through our wider curriculum which broadens their learning experiences.Ìý Students, across a range of curricular and co-curricular areas, are supported to compete and succeed at a National level.​Ìý
Our curriculum celebrates diversity and inspires excellence; it acts as a compass guiding students toward self-discovery. The curriculum goes beyond merely imparting knowledge; it ignites passions, reveals hidden talents, and prepares our students to make meaningful contributions to the world. ​
The intent is realised through our evidence-based teaching model. The impact of our curriculum is evidenced in student progression, success in national competitions and outcomes.​
The academy has approached the sequencing of the curriculum through the lens of the acquisition of knowledge. We expect our students to be able to participate actively in their learning and ensure the curriculum is adapted for all. Our curriculum sequencing across all subjects explores the substantive knowledge which we expect students to learn and apply, the disciplinary knowledge which underpins the understanding of that knowledge and the procedural knowledge so that students are equipped with the tools to follow subject related processes successfully.​
Focus Days navigate an innovative path through the curriculum. They provide experiences that students layer into their education and are a core part of providing a stimulating, interconnected experience for all. Focus days connect learning outside of the classroom enabling students to consider lifelong learning through a variety of opportunities including educational visits, speakers, and immersive experiences. ​
Key stage 3
The Academy has established a strong and broad curriculum, all subjects have well sequenced curriculum plans. 
Our Literacy for Life (L4L) programme in Key Stage 3 is exceptional; linking national curriculum subjects in a themed approach where students are taught in a dedicated base by a reduced number of teachers who are specialists at delivering this curriculum.
Â鶹 Collegiate Academy developed this curriculum which is now delivered in all secondary academies; the curriculum has been quality assured by Hodder Education and is used in over 70 schools across the country. The programme involves students being taught by one teacher for longer periods of time, starting with 17 hours per week in Year 7, reducing to 13 hours in Year 8 and 5 hours in Year 9.   
Our curriculum follows the KS3 National Curriculum and is sequenced to promote chronology, allow students to learn in context, make links to the world of work, to see the connections between subjects and to create experiences that allow students to demonstrate the knowledge they acquire to support their understanding.   ​
Key stage 4
All students at the academy will take GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science, and at least one of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects – Geography, History, German, French, Triple Science or Computer Science.
In recent years, there has been a national focus on students achieving the EBacc, comprising English, Mathematics, Sciences, a Language and either History or Geography. This suite of qualifications demonstrates to future employers that students have a strong grounding in key academic subjects and so the academy is committed to giving students the opportunity to study this group of qualifications. Students choose their options at the end of Year 9 and begin studying their options at the start of Year 10. Our option blocks are created in such a way as to maximise students’ opportunities to study the EBacc.
Key stage 5
All students in the sixth form will take a minimum of three, level 3 qualifications with the option of choosing a fourth subject or extended project qualification. Students are supported through career advice and guidance to ensure that qualifications students choose are appropriate for their future progress and success. More information on the broad range of qualifications we offer can be found on the sixth form part of our website.
