Hamstead Hall Academy
Our Curriculum
Teaching and Learning
At Hamstead Hall Academy, we have a deep commitment to maximise our students’ potential.
At the heart of this is a relentless focus on teaching and learning. We are all learners and as such, we encourage all children and adults to develop knowledge and expertise. It is our aim to ensure that all students enjoy their education, achieve through it and participate in a variety of stimulating learning activities and opportunities.
Our Vision
To further develop a broad and balanced curriculum which supports and challenges
our students to enable them to succeed and reach their full potential. It aims to be
varied, innovative and exciting and fully prepare students for life in the 21st century.It will engage our students through excellent teaching to raise standards and aspirations.
The Curriculum for Key Stage 3
Students study all National Curriculum subjects:
English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Computing, Drama, French, Geography, History, 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. In Year 7 students also follow the ‘ROCIT’ curriculum at different points within the year which encompasses curriculum areas such as Religious Education, Geography and History. This skills based learning is designed to emphasise the acquisition of generic skills through cross-curricular projects. Further information on subject content is available on the Academy website in the Curriculum information section.
The Curriculum for Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 students study a common core of subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Religious Education and Citizenship.
Students are supported through information, advice and guidance to follow the Learning Pathway of their choice. This enables students to choose from a wide range of subjects the courses they wish to study alongside the core subjects. The curriculum is differentiated and tailored to meet the needs of individual students. It caters for all students covering both vocational and traditional GCSE subjects.
All subjects lead to GCSE or Vocational qualifications. A work related learning programme includes work experience and careers guidance for all students. For students that are not able to access GCSE courses we run a foundation learning programme that develops key skills such as literacy, numeracy, ICT, functional skills, Personal Social Development and Work Skills to prepare students for independent living. Students complete entry level qualifications in these subjects.
To ensure every child receives their entitlement of two hours of Physical Education every week at Key Stage 4, students are expected to stay at the Academy until 4.00 pm one evening per week. Students achieve very highly at Key Stage 4 with results that are well above the national averages. Our success is based on high quality teaching, excellent resources, a secure grounding in Key Stage 3 and high aspirations of the teachers, students and parents/carers.
Subjects taught at KS4
Compulsory Subjects
English Mathematics Science (in 3rd Science option)
Optional Subjects
Art and Design Business Studies Computer Science
Creative Digital Media DanceDrama
Geography GraphicsHealth & Social Care
HistoryModern Foreign Languages: French, Latin & SpanishMusic (BTEC and GCSE)Physical Education
(All subjects listed are taken at GCSE unless otherwise stated)
Further information on subject content is available on the Academy website in the Curriculum information section under the Year 9 Options page.
Physical Education
All students receive a minimum of two hours of Physical Education per 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 Principal.
Students who are withdrawn from Religious Education are given additional time for reading.
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.
Reporting to Parents/Carers
Parents/carers receive information about the academic progress of their child every term.
This data and progress information is used by staff to track the achievement of students throughout the year. There is one formal opportunity each year to discuss your child’s progress at Parents/Carers Evening. We also encourage regular communication between home and the Academy throughout the year.
The Curriculum for Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form)
At the end of Key Stage 4 the majority of our students stay on to continue their studies in our Aspirations Sixth Form Centre.
We offer a wide range of courses that include traditional A Levels as well as Applied A Levels. We also deliver a level 2 Apprenticeship Progression programme that includes vocational, work based learning to complement the courses completed at Hamstead Hall. There are a wealth of extra-curricular activities including work or university placement opportunities through our strong links with businesses and universities that students are encouraged to take advantage of. In 2016, OFSTED stated,
Sixth form learners benefit from a highly effective 16 to 19 study programme which includes a rich variety of activities to enrich their learning.
We offer the sensitive support of an academy combined with the independence of a college. The induction programme will help to make Hamstead Hall a welcoming Sixth Form for the students and prepare them for life in the Sixth Form. The success of the Sixth Form Centre is due to the hard work and high aspirations of students and staff. There is a fully integrated information, advice and guidance process that supports students to achieve in their subjects, develop personally and make the right choices for life beyond the Sixth Form. All students will have a personal tutor throughout their time in the Sixth Form offering personalised support and guidance. The majority of our students have secured their desired university places including places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Homework
Hamstead Hall Academy strongly believes that homework plays a crucial role in both a student’s learning and the performance of the Academy.
There is no question about its academic worth, particularly as research suggests that completion of homework at secondary level can add an additional 5 months progress onto a child’s learning (EEF, 2016). Hamstead Hall Academy uses an online educational platform called Show My Homework that aims to promote consistency, improve transparency and ensure effective communication between teachers, students and parents / carers with regards to homework completion.
In adopting a more technological approach to homework we hope to transform and improve home-academy relationships. We are very excited about the future of this product in helping us to raise standards, increase learning outcomes and improve the homework quality across the Academy. Show My Homework were recently announced as winners of the EdtechX Global All Star Rise Awards in which they were recognised as a company of tremendous promise who are innovating within the edtech space and meeting real market demands. Hamstead Hall Academy is very excited to be part of this journey.
Show My Homework enables teachers to create and set engaging homework that students can submit online. Parents / carers can also track homework details, monitor deadlines and engage with teachers about their child’s progress much more freely. Show My Homework has accessible software for a desktop, tablet or mobile device and the application can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.