Curriculum Offer
Curriculum Intent and Implementation Framework 2019-2020 Whole Academy
Ensuring the curriculum is well designed and delivered:
Objectives of curriculum
At Birley we aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to support all of our children in achieving their potential. The purpose of the curriculum is to develop the deep skills and knowledge that will allow students to thrive in life beyond the academy. We value the role of academic and vocational qualification is offering a range of approaches to realise this goal, whilst no excluding students from an subjects.
The curriculum is designed and coordinated by Curriculum leaders through close work with the leadership team. Each curriculum area will not only meet the objectives and requirements of the national curriculum but will also foster a keen interest in and understanding of specific subjects in order to share with students a passion and expertise in their areas of study.
In summary the Academy’s intent is to ensure that the curriculum:
- Broadens student’s aspirations and opens their minds
- Offers an ambitious programme of study by providing essential knowledge in each subject area
- Helps students make a positive contribution to modern British society as active citizens
- Equip students with the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to progress further
- Prepare students for the world of work
KS3
The KS3 curriculum runs from Y7-Y9 and focuses on the development of the deep skills and knowledge required at KS4 and beyond. Students are entitled to subjects from the core curriculum of Maths, English and Science but also have the opportunity to experience and master subjects drawn from a wide range of specialisms. The rich and varied curriculum includes performing arts, religious studies and through assemblies in developing wider knowledge. In addition to the tutor-time curriculum compliments the wider curriculum in embedding key learning skills and reflection exercises into students’ daily routine
The KS3 curriculum is designed and coordinated leaders and their teams and is managed to ensure that key topics are delivered, relevant assessments are provided and accurate and helpful feedback is given. Through this process over the three years students are in a strong position to make choices around the pathways available at KS4 in order to move to the next level.
KS4
The KS4 curriculum is broad- offering a wide range of GCSE (and equivalent) subjects in order to suit individual interests, passions and life choices. As well at adhering to Statutory Progress 8 requirements, the curriculum at KS4 emphasises work experience, PSHE and preparation with college/job interviews to give our young people the best start in life beyond the Academy possible.
All students will study English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Science (combined or separate). In addition their pathway choices will include the study of humanities (Geography/History) and MFL. To develop a wide range of skills and knowledge students will also study a combination of:
- Food
- Resistant materials
- PE
- Engineering
- Music
- Drama
- Art
- Religious Studies
- i-media
In addition to the qualification on offer the curriculum at Birley is also intended to ensure students can navigate the challenges of life in a complex world with confidence and support. Therefore, a weekly session of PSHE is offered to give students support with work experience, college applications, emotional well-being, British values and mental health.
Super Curriculum offer
To ensure that students are equipped to seize the opportunities and challenges of life, The Birley Academy also offers a super curriculum as part of the promise. Various programmes are in place to promote confidence, character and success are offered to all students or (where appropriate) are targeted at cohorts that have been identified as benefitting from up-take of these offers.
These include:
- The Brilliant Club
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
- PE competitions and leagues
- Period 6 revision
- Latin
- Discover Us
- Sports Leader Awards
- Impact
- HEPP
Extra Curricular Offer
In addition to broadening student’ minds through academic and vocational entitlements, The Birley Academy also offers the following extra-curricular activities which allow students to keep healthy, pursue interests outside of school and, in some cases, reach an elite level:
- Football
- Netball
- Badmington
All of these sports are played at a competitive regional level.
Curriculum Model
The Academy reviews the impact and efficacy of the curriculum through the year to measure impact. Through the focus on review of outcomes, priorities for the future and ensuring the curriculum is right for the community to proposed curriculum for 2019/2020 is:
2019/20 CLFP update
Key Stage 3
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
| English | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Maths | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Science | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Geography | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| History | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| MFL | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Art | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DT | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Performing Arts | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| PE | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| RS | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| PSHE | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| TOTAL (per fortnight) | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Key Stage 4
| Y10/11 | |
| English | 8 |
| Maths | 9 |
| Science | 9 |
| PE | 2 |
| PSHE | 2 |
| Option 1 | 5 |
| Option 2 | 5 |
| Option 3 | 5 |
| TOTAL (per fortnight) | 50 |
Pathways at KS4
Pathways at KS4 are managed and negotiated by Leadership Team. Generally, the majority of students will take 9 GCSEs, unless it is in their interests to do otherwise. This allows students to experience a broad and balanced curriculum characterised by academic rigour and vocational opportunities.
Students will have the opportunity to choose from a broad range of subjects including:
- Geography
- History
- French
- Religious Studies
- Creative i-media
- Art
- Food
- DT (graphics or resistant materials)
- Music
- Sports Studies
- Travel and Tourism
- Health and Social