Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Overview

We have a well-constructed curriculum, tailored to meet the needs of our learners and address social disadvantage on many levels. Our curriculum offer is adapted to meet individual needs where appropriate and therefore offers a range of pathways, which we believe broaden rather than narrow the offer at different points during the five-year journey. This is essential to overcome social disadvantage and remove the barriers our young people face.

At Ash Hill Academy we follow a 3 year Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) and then a 2 year Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11). At the end of Year 9, students opt for subjects that they will study in Years 10 and 11 and they complete those subjects by the end of Year 11. We offer a wide range of both subjects and qualifications which will cater for all needs from creative and technical qualifications to more academic and health related courses. Students will follow a course that best suits their abilities and could include: GCSEs, BTEC and Cambridge National or Technical certificates. Students opt for either Geography, History or a language, with some students studying two of these, where appropriate. We design our curriculum around each individual child and it is, therefore, a bespoke curriculum.

In Years 7 to 9 students follow a core curriculum of English, Mathematics and Science. They also study, History, Geography and languages, and then on rotation enjoy a wide range of creative and technical subjects. In addition they study Life which incorporates our citizenship curriculum and finally ICT and core PE.

Our curriculum: (Intent)

  • is sequenced to enable pupils to build their knowledge and skills over time
  • provides deep, sustained and valuable learning for all pupils, including those with SEND
  • provides opportunities to develop levels of literacy and numeracy across all curricular areas
  • promotes opportunities across the curriculum for the development of good student health and well being
  • recognises the importance of digital literacy and provides opportunities for the development of
  • the skills pupils need to function safely and responsibly in a technological world
  • provides a range of academic, technical and vocational courses which challenge, engage and motivate pupils
  • develops cultural capital across a wide range of contexts and experiences
  • ensures that all pupils make good progress irrespective of their starting point and those young people facing disadvantage are lifted from educational poverty

We recognise that to provide our young people with rich learning experiences in a range of contexts it is crucial to work in partnerships with others. Expertise often lies beyond the school and learning opportunities are regularly planned with partner organisations including, statutory and voluntary organisations as well as employers and charitable organisations.

Our students are prepared so that they can contribute positively to society, fulfilling their economic and personal potential. At Ash Hill Academy we want all our students to be grounded in British Values while being tolerant of others. Our broad and balanced curriculum allows for personalised learning while giving all students the necessary building blocks from which to succeed in later life. Our aim is that all students enter the next chapter of their life with confidence and a genuine desire to succeed.

Our Curriculum Impact

  • who are not disadvantaged by the social context in which they live
  • who have the literacy and numeracy skills needed to succeed at school and beyond
  • who have the confidence, resilience and knowledge to stay mentally healthy
  • who feel included in their community with an active desire to contribute politically, socially, culturally, environmentally and economically
  • who have high expectations of self and an ambitious vision for their future
  • who have a work ethic that results in them achieving, and exceeding, their academic potential
  • who are respectful, tolerant and empathetic towards the values and beliefs of others
  • who are happy and have a desire to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle
  • who have a range of transferrable skills to succeed in learning, life and work including: creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and willingness to challenged accepted norms
  • who are capable of making informed decisions and are aware of their rights and responsibilities

How to obtain further information

If you require further information about the curriculum, please contact Mrs Quinn by emailing info@ashhillacademy.org.uk