Curriculum

Curriculum Intent Statement

To fulfil our Academy mission, aligned with the St Joseph Trust values, we have designed a diverse and inspiring curriculum that meets the needs of all.

We will ensure all our students are entitled to a curriculum which will enable them to:

• Exceed expectations;
• Access learning in a personalised way;
• Benefit from a range of curriculum partnerships.

We will deliver a curriculum that will allow students to explore, discover and share what they learn, in turn enriching their character, giving them the skills to become effective citizens of the future, giving back to their community.

Curriculum Aims

Our curriculum will ensure we:

• Include and meet the needs of all our students by promoting engagement to maximise progress and potential;
• Enrich learning, develop skills and interests and promote progression;
• Develop use of 21^st century technology and make learning vocationally relevant;
• Encourage creativity and innovation in our teaching and learning activities;
• Support transition into the academy and post 16;
• Inspire active, independent and student led learning;
• Produce citizens that are representative of the teachings of Christ.

Curriculum Principles:

At Key stage 3, we build a Curriculum that is founded on:

• Extending what students have been taught at Key Stage 2
• Prepare students for success by mapping out key threshold concepts and disciplinary knowledge required for Key stage 4

At Key Stage 4, we build a curriculum that is founded on:

• Extending the progress of students from Key Stage 3
• Key knowledge and skills of exam syllabus and high level of challenge
• Preparing students for life-long learning and their next steps

Principles that underpin design:

• Knowledge from previous units is explicitly and systematically revisited over the learning journey
• Connections across subjects are signposted to allow students to apply skills in a different context
• All assessments test the ability to recall, retain and use knowledge over time
• Regular and systematic recall opportunities
• Outlining the key concepts with high challenge preparing students for those of the next Key Stage
• The level of depth and complexity builds year on year
• Disciplinary literacy is signposted and embedded in students’ learning
• Opportunities for literacy and developing a love of reading

If you have any questions about our curriculum or the subjects we deliver, please contact Mr Whittam by calling the academy or through the admin email.

If you have a subject specific question, please contact your child’s teacher or the Head of Department for that subject.