Hamstead Hall Academy
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Students study all National Curriculum subjects:
English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Computing, Drama, French, Geography, History, Physical Education, Music, Religious Education and Technology.
Students study all National Curriculum subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Computing, Drama, Geography, History, a language (this could be French, Spanish, or Latin); Physical Education, Music, Religious Education and Technology. Students are placed in sets based on ability in most subject areas, but these are regularly reviewed to allow for movement between sets.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview
In Years 7, 8 and 9 we aim for a broad and rich curriculum. We want our students to have the opportunity to experience many of the subjects on offer to them in KS4, and provide students with a firm foundation for further success in KS3. We value the skills obtained from creative subjects and nearly a third of a Key Stage 3 student timetable is made up of the creative subjects such as Art, Computing, Dance, Drama, Music, PE and Technology. Most of our students will learn one language (French or Spanish) and a targeted cohort will also study the Ancient Language of Latin. In Science, our students will develop disciplinary knowledge of all three disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics throughout Key Stage 3 taught by specialist teachers.
PSHE is taught through a mapped programme delivered during form time and also through 5 collapsed timetable days across the academic year. This allows us to deliver a comprehensive programme of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development, British Values and Careers education. We also provide a Launch to Learning programme at the start of Year 7 which enables us to provide our new students with a safe, welcoming, and successful transition from Key Stage 2 into Key Stage 3. Year 7 students quickly become familiar with the school environment and our 5 key learner values and expectations of Pride, Persistence, Patience, Preparation, and Progress.
A targeted cohort of students also benefit from having timetabled withdrawal lessons that are embedded within our curriculum to work with Birmingham City University (BCU). The BCU forward programme aims to raise attainment for disadvantaged pupils and ensure they can maximise their educational success and future prospects. The programme utilises a range of evidence-based approaches including small group tuition, literacy interventions, parental engagement sessions and aspirational initiatives. Further details of the BCU Forward programme can be viewed using the following link: Hamstead Hall Academy - BCU Accelerate programme.
Year 7 Curriculum Plan
Our Year 7 students study the following subjects over a two-week timetable comprising of 40 periods:
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Maths |
English |
Science |
Computing |
Drama |
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MFL |
Geography |
History |
RE |
Physical Education |
Art |
Music |
Technology |
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Topic Areas Studied in Year 7
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Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
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English |
The Power of Storytelling -narrative structure -conventions of an exposition |
The Power of Storytelling -Greek myths |
Drama of Storytelling -Shakespeare & tragedy |
Drama of Storytelling -Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Cesar’ |
Rebellion of Storytelling -Restoration period -diary writing |
Rebellion of Storytelling -Romantic movement -Romantic poetry |
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Maths |
-Number Skills -Expressions, functions, and formulae |
-Expressions, functions, and formulae -Analysing and displaying data |
-Ratio and Proportion -Decimals and Measures |
-Probability -Angles |
-Angles -Sequences and Graphs |
-Sequences and Graphs -Transformations |
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Science |
Biology: Human Body -Cells, Tissues, and Organs -Respiration |
Biology: Human Body -Lifestyle, Disease, and Drugs -Puberty |
Physics: Energy, Forces, & Space -Energy Stores -Types of Force |
Physics: Energy, Forces, & Space -Upthrust, Friction, Speed -Stopping Distance -Solar system |
Chemistry: Elements, Mixtures, and Compounds -Atoms, Elements, & Compounds -States of Matter |
Chemistry: Elements, Mixtures, and Compounds -Properties of Metals -Mixtures & Separating Techniques |
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MFL
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Introduction to Basic Language |
Likes and Dislikes |
Free time - films |
Free Time - music |
Free Time – general activities |
Cultural Topics |
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Geography |
OS Map skills and Atlases
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The United Kingdom
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The UK & environmental opportunities
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The Middle East (location and biomes) |
The Middle East (conflict and resources)
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Coasts
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History |
Historical Understanding and Disciplinary Knowledge -What is a source -Historical key words e.g. chronology Norman Conquest -Battle of Hastings (1066) |
Norman England -Feudal system -Domesday Book |
Medieval England -Thomas Becket -Black Death |
Tudors -Tudor dynasty -Religious division |
Stuarts -Gunpowder Plot -Civil War |
Local History -Industrial Birmingham -Birmingham from the past to the present |
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Religious Education |
Beliefs: Religious Leaders |
Beliefs: Religious Leaders |
Beliefs: The Teachings of Abrahamic Faiths |
Beliefs: The Teachings of Abrahamic Faiths |
Beliefs: The Teachings of Eastern Faiths |
Beliefs: The Teachings of Eastern Faiths |
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Art |
Drawing: Colour and Tone |
Pattern and Shape |
Shape and Pattern
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Line and Texture |
Observational Drawing |
Artist Research |
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Computing |
Introduction to School IT Systems, Platform Logins, and Google Classroom
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Endangered Animals Poster
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E-Safety Unit: · Email Scams · Hacking · Protecting your data
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Social Media Unit: · The Good · The Bad · The Ugly
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Block-based Programming Scratch Unit: · Movement · Scoring · Randomising the Sprite
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Artificial Intelligence Unit: · What is AI? · Machine Learning · Ethics of AI · Image Recognition
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Drama |
Introduction to Drama -Skills fundamental to dramatic performance |
Black History Month Celebration - Application of skills through the celebration of Black History Month |
Characterisation and Application of Skills -Storytelling |
Characterisation and Application of Skills -How to perform a variety of characters |
From Page to Stage: Exploring Classical Text -Shakespeare |
From Page to Stage: Exploring Classical Text (Shakespeare) - Reflect on performance with opportunities to self and peer-assess |
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Music |
Ensemble Performance -Monophonic and Polyphonic Textures Melody and Harmony |
Graphic Scores -Music Structure -Dynamics and timbre |
Music Notation -Treble clef -Rhythmic devices
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Development of the Orchestra -Music for films -Fur Elise |
Modern Strings -Ukele
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Music Technology -Structure and Editing -Constructing music
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Physical Education |
Boys: Football & Badminton
Girls: Netball, Health & Fitness |
Boys: Football & Badminton
Girls: Netball, Health & Fitness
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Boys: Trampolining & Basketball
Girls: Football & Dance
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Boys: Handball & Table Tennis
Girls: Trampolining & OAA (Outdoor Adventure Activities) |
Boys: Softball & OAA (Outdoor Adventure Activities)
Girls: Badminton & Table Tennis |
Boys: Athletics & Cricket
Girls: Athletics & Striking and Fielding |
Year 8 Curriculum Plan
Our Year 8 students study the following subjects over a two-week timetable comprising of 40 periods:
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2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
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18 |
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20 |
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English |
Maths |
Science |
Computing |
Drama |
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28 |
29 |
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31 |
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33 |
34 |
35 |
36 |
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40 |
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MFL |
Geography |
History |
RE |
Physical Education |
Art |
Music |
Technology |
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Topic Areas Studied in Year 8
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Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
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English |
The Victorians & The Language of Social Protest -Dickens -Bronte |
The Victorians & The Language of Social Protest -Frankenstein -Sherlock Holmes -Writing a Narrative |
The Language of Social Protest: The Impact of War -First World War Poetry - Civil rights: Mohammed Ali, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King |
The Language of Social Protest: The Impact of War - Feminism: Emeline Pankhurst, Malala Yousef -Writing an Argument |
The Language of the Media (The New World) -Different media platforms -Representation of different groups |
The Language of the Media (The New World) -Representation of sexuality -Writing an evaluation |
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Maths |
-Number -Area and Volume |
-Statistics, Graphs, and Charts -Expressions and Equations |
-Real Life Graphs -Decimals and Ratio |
-Decimals and Ratio -Line and Angles
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-Calculating with Fractions -Straight Line Graphs
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-Percentages, Decimals, and Fractions
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Science |
Chemistry: Reactions -Types and indicators - Acids and alkalis
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Chemistry: Reactions -Reactions with acids -Fossil fuels, atmosphere, and the greenhouse effect |
Biology: Environment -Photosynthesis -Ecology |
Biology: Environment -Evolution and Inheritance |
Physics: Electricity, Magnetism and Waves -Electricity -Magnetism -Waves |
Investigation Skills Ball Bounce Quadrats
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MFL
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Sport |
Town
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School |
Clothes and Fashion |
Food and Drink |
Recap and Revision |
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Geography |
Rivers - features |
Rivers -management |
Russia & cold environments |
Cold environments - glaciation |
Rainforests |
Africa |
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History |
The Industrial Revolution -Masters of industry: from Arkwright to Boulton - Urban living conditions |
The British Empire -Slavery -Colonisation |
Migration Through Time -Anglo Saxons to the Normans -Irish potato famine |
British Civil Rights Movement -Notting Hill Riots -Bristol Bus Boycott |
20th Century Global Conflict -First World War -Trenches |
20th Century Global Conflict -Second World War -Home Front |
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Religious Education |
Practices: Personal Worship |
Practices: Personal Worship |
Practices: Local Places of Worship |
Practices: Local Places of Worship |
Practices: Global Places of Worship |
Practices: Global Places of Worship |
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Art |
Aboriginal Art |
Aboriginal Art |
Portraits: The Green Man |
Portraits: The Green Man |
Observational Drawing |
Individual Projects |
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Computing |
E-Safety Computer Crime Unit: · File Management · Social Networking
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E-Safety Computer Crime Unit: · Keeping data safe · Using E-mail · Searching the web
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Building a PC Unit: · Hardware · Software · Storage · Binary
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Text-Based Language Small Basic Unit: · Loops · Variables · Condition and Branching · Random Numbers
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Networks Unit: · The Internet · Topologies · Encryption
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Text-Based Programming Python Unit: · Strings & Variables · Algorithms · While Loops · Selection
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Drama |
Introduction to Drama -Skills fundamental to dramatic performance |
Black History Month Celebration - Application of skills through the celebration of Black History Month |
Commedia Dell’arte / Melodrama / Silent Film -Exploration of this dramatic form of theatre |
Commedia Dell’arte -Melodrama -Silent film performance |
From Page to Stage -Application of skills to a play-text |
From Page to Stage -Staging configurations -Audience perspective |
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Music |
Blues/Rock ‘n Roll -12 bar -Blues scale |
Blues/Rock ‘n Roll -4 Part Performance -Hound Dog |
Music Technology -Stand By Me -Piano chords -Percussion |
Solos -Note duration
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Songwriting -4 chord songs -Structure |
Non-Western Music -African drumming |
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Physical Education |
Boys: HRE (Health Related Exercise) & Hockey
Girls: HRE (Health Related Exercise) & Basketball |
Boys: Football & Badminton
Girls: Hockey & Netball |
Boys: Trampolining & Basketball
Girls: Dance & Football |
Boys: Handball & Table Tennis
Girls: Trampolining & OAA (Outdoor Adventure Activities) |
Boys: Softball & OAA (Outdoor Adventure Activities)
Girls: Badminton & Table Tennis |
Boys: Athletics & Cricket
Girls: Athletics & Striking and Fielding |
Year 9 Curriculum Plan
Our Year 9 students study the following subjects over a two-week timetable comprising of 40 periods:
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
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English |
Maths |
Science |
Computing |
Drama |
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21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
33 |
34 |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
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MFL |
Geography |
History |
RE |
Physical Education |
Art |
Music |
Technology |
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Topic Areas Studied in Year 9
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Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
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English |
Explorations in creative reading - Descriptive explanation |
Explorations in creative writing - Narrative description |
Explorations in Poetry -Interpretation & Critical response |
Explorations in modern literature (Animal Farm) -Interpretation & Critical response |
Shakespeare - Interpretation & Critical response
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Spoken Language Study - Writing to argue |
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Maths |
-Number - Integers, Place Value, Decimals, Indices, Powers, Roots, Factors, Multiples and Primes |
Algebra basics, Expanding, Factorising single brackets, Expressions and Substitution into Formulae |
-Graphs, Tables and Charts -Fractions and Percentages |
-Equations, Inequalities and Sequences -Angles |
-Properties of Shapes, Parallel Lines, Angle Facts, Interior and Exterior Angles of Polygons |
-Averages and Range -Perimeter, Area, and Volume |
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Science |
Physics -Energy Stores -Energy Dissipation, Conservation, & Efficiency |
Physics -States of Matter and Density -Energy Transfers |
Chemistry -The Periodic Table -Bonding |
Chemistry -Compounds & Metal Bonding -Separating Techniques |
Biology -Cell Structure -Microscopy |
Biology -Circulatory System -Plant Tissue & Structure |
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MFL
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Holidays
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Technology
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Environment |
Health |
Daily Routine |
Recap and Revision |
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Geography |
Asia (China, population) |
Asia (globalisation & TNCs) |
Tectonic Hazards |
Cold environments - glaciation |
Coasts |
Extreme Weather |
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History |
Political Systems -Capitalism -Communism |
Votes for Women -Suffragists -Suffragettes |
Persecution of the Jews -Holocaust -Resistance |
Indian Independence -Gandhi and resistance -Nehru |
American Civil Rights -Martin Luther King -Malcolm X |
Making of the USA -Independence & Civil War -Segregation |
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Religious Education |
Beliefs and Practices in Action: Personal Action |
Beliefs and Practices in Action: Personal Action |
Beliefs and Practices in Action: Local Action |
Beliefs and Practices in Action: Local Action |
Beliefs and Practices in Action: Global Action |
Beliefs and Practices in Action: Global Action |
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Art |
Pop Art |
Pop Art |
Cultural Pattern: Bisa Butler |
Cultural Pattern: Kehinde Wiley |
Observational Drawing |
Individual Projects |
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Computing |
Graphics Unit: · Vector Images · Bitmap Images · Conveying Meaning · Adding Text |
Text-Based Language Advanced Python Unit: · Loops · Variables · Condition and Branching · Random Numbers |
Spreadsheet Unit: · Models · What If Scenarios Conditional Formatting · Macros |
Computational Thinking & Logic Unit: · Logical Thinking · Logic Gates |
Computational Thinking & Logic Unit: · Algorithmic Thinking · Abstraction · Decomposition |
Creating a Movie Unit: · Scripting & Storyboarding · Shooting Scenes · Editing a Movie · Final Cut |
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Drama |
Introduction to Drama -Skills fundamental to dramatic performance |
Black History Month Celebration - Application of skills through the celebration of Black History Month |
Practitioners in Practice - Key theatre practitioners -Theatrical styles and conventions |
Practitioners in Practice -From Brecht and ‘Epic Theatre’ to Artaud and ‘Theatre of Cruelty’ |
Blood Brothers -Key themes and key characters throughout the play |
Blood Brothers -Successful application of a range of skills including accent |
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Music |
Film Music - Leitmotif |
Group Performance -Crazy/ Don’t Stop Believin’ |
Genres -Rhythm and Blues -Punk and Metal |
Genres -Jazz |
Record Labels -Signatures |
Record Labels -Texture basslines -Melody - Ostinatos |
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Physical Education |
Boys: HRE (Health Related Exercise) & Hockey
Girls: Basketball & Health and Fitness |
Boys: Football & Badminton
Girls: Netball, Hockey & Basketball
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Boys: Trampolining & Basketball
Girls: Football, Handball & Dance |
Boys: Handball & Table Tennis
Girls: Trampolining & OAA (Outdoor Adventure Activities) |
Boys: Softball & OAA (Outdoor Adventure Activities)
Girls: Badminton, Softball, & Table Tennis |
Boys: Athletics & Cricket
Girls: Athletics & Striking and Fielding |
Physical Education
All students receive Physical Education lessons each week.
The students follow a broad and balanced curriculum which involves the use of the sports hall, gymnasiums, fitness centre, astro-turf pitch and playing fields.
Religious Education
Although Religious Education is an important part of the National Curriculum, parents/carers are entitled to withdraw their children on the ground of conscience after consultation with the Headteacher.
Students who are withdrawn from Religious Education are to be supplied with their own RE by parents/carers and will complete this during their normal RE lesson time.
Students with SEN
Teaching Assistants provide support to SEN students across the curriculum and where possible, students with SEN are integrated into mainstream lessons with the support of Teaching Assistants.
Where appropriate SEN students are given additional time and
support with English and Maths and access to curriculum that has been designed to develop life skills.