Curriculum
The Curriculum at Beacon Academy
Principles:
The Academy’s curriculum is broad and balanced and promotes the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, and physical development of students, preparing them fully for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. The current government is keen that the curriculum supports British Values. At Beacon Academy, the teaching of values is central to everything we do, as our purpose is to Educate for Life.
Aims:
The academy seeks to:
- support students to use language and number effectively;
- enable students to acquire understanding, knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and employment in a rapidly changing world;
- encourage all learners to have lively, enquiring minds, with the ability to question and argue rationally, to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills, foster creativity and develop essential skills for life;
- inspire students to a commitment to lifelong learning and promote a healthy lifestyle;
- help students develop personal moral values, respect for each other’s values and tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life, by recognising what we have in common and celebrating our differences;
- help students enjoy lessons and fulfil their potential;
- be at the heart of our wider community seeking opportunities to collaborate in order to enrich the learning of students;
- offer students the opportunity to acquire a range of qualifications that allow them to achieve the other aims of this policy as set out above and demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have acquired.
Implementation:
The curriculum will meet the requirements of the National Curriculum; it will be:
- broad – so that it provides a wide range of knowledge, skills and learning opportunities;
- balanced – so that each element is given sufficient time to contribute effectively;
- coherent – so that each element is linked to make the learning experience more meaningful;
- relevant – so that it is related to the learner’s interests, needs and experience wherever possible;
- differentiated – so that what is taught and how it is taught is matched to the students’ needs, aptitudes, abilities and achievements;
- inclusive – allowing, as far as is possible, all students access to the full curriculum;
- flexible – allow opportunities for extracurricular and enrichment activities.
Key Stage 3
The curriculum for Key Stage 3 is as follows. There are five, hour-long lessons per day. All pupils follow a programme of study which consists of English, mathematics, science, IT, physical education, engineering, French, geography, history, RS, art (fine art, graphics, photography) and performing arts (music, dance, drama). In KS3 pupils have an hour a week dedicated to citizenship and PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic education). SRE (sex and relationships education) is delivered through programmes in Science and citizenship with support from the Local Authority’s YPSS staff.
Year 7:
English, Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), IT, PE, Engineering, MFL (French), Geography, History, Art, Performing Arts (Music, Dance and Drama), Citizenship.
For information about the planned PE activities to support with kit needed for each half term please consult the Core PE Curriculum Map below:
Curriculum Map – Core PE 22-23
Year 8:
English, Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), IT, PE, Engineering, MFL (Spanish), Geography, History, Art, Performing Arts (Music, Dance and Drama), Citizenship.
For information about the planned PE activities to support with kit needed for each half term please consult the Core PE Curriculum Map below:
Curriculum Map – Core PE 22-23
Year 9:
English, Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), IT, PE, Engineering, MFL (Spanish), Geography, History, Art, Performing Arts (Music, Dance and Drama), Citizenship.
For information about the planned PE activities to support with kit needed for each half term please consult the Core PE Curriculum Map below:
Curriculum Map – Core PE 22-23
Key Stage 4
The DfE believes that schools should offer students a broad range of academic subjects to age 16, and we are confident that our KS4 curriculum meets that expectation.
Year 10 and Year 11:
Students study a core programme that includes: GCSE English language, GCSE English literature, GCSE maths; GCSE science trilogy and PE.
Options Subjects at Beacon Academy:
In addition students are able to choose from a number options subjects from a range of traditional GCSE and vocational subjects including:
History, Geography, Engineering, Dance, Acting, Music, Spanish, Sports Science, Sports Studies, Art, Photography, Textiles, Graphics, iMedia, Design & Technology, Religious Studies, Psychology and Health & Social Care.
All KS4 subjects with the exception of core PE, lead to formal accreditation.
For information about the planned PE activities to support with kit needed for each half term please consult the Core PE Curriculum Map below:
Curriculum Map – Core PE 22-23
For further information about the curriculum at Beacon Academy please contact Mrs R Pickles, Deputy Headteacher on the Academy number.
