Our curriculum in years 7-11
Curriculum is at the heart of what we do at Shenley Academy. Our curriculum is underpinned by our academy values of aspiration, resilience, respect, responsibility and tolerance.
The pillars of our curriculum are:
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Subject Specific and Knowledge Rich
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Character Development
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Literacy and Mathematics across the curriculum
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Inclusion
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Challenge
Our curriculum model is designed to enable students to experience a broad and diverse range of subjects, whilst ensuring that every student gains the high quality qualifications they need for the future.
Key stage 3
In years 7, 8 and 9, students study maths, English, science, geography, history, religious education, French or Spanish, art, drama, dance, music, information technology, technology and physical education.
| Subject | No. of Lessons per Fortnight | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | 10 in year 7; 8 in years 8 and 9 | David.Speake@E-ACT.org.uk |
| English | 8 in years 7 and 8; 10 in year 9 | Simon.Richardson@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Science | 6 in year 7; 8 in years 8 and 9 | Emma.Smith@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Geography | 3 in years 7 and 8; 2 in year 9 | Lynne.Murphy@E-ACT.org.uk |
| History | 3 in years 7 and 8; 2 in year 9 | Lynne.Murphy@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Religious Education | 2 | Lynne.Murphy@E-ACT.org.uk |
| French or Spanish | 2 | Thomas.Toulson@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Information Technology (IT) | 2 | Harjeet.Assee@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Technology | 2 | Laura.Jarvis@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Art | 2 | Hannah.Edie-Pabla@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Dance | 2 | Hannah.Edie-Pabla@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Drama | 2 | Hannah.Edie-Pabla@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Music | 2 | Hannah.Edie-Pabla@E-ACT.org.uk |
| Physical Education | 4 | Nick.Vaughan@E-ACT.org.uk |
Key stage 4
In years 10 and 11 students continue to study an academic core which includes maths, English and science. Students are then able to personalise their curriculum by selecting three additional subjects from geography, history, French, Spanish, art, product design, religious education, health and social care, business studies, sports studies, music, dance, drama and catering.
All GCSE exams are now graded using a system of numbers 9-1, rather than letters. For more information on this new system please click the following link.
Shenley Academy Letter to year 11 parents – 26 January 2021
What the new GCSEs mean: A guide for parents and carers
The options letter and booklet, which contains more detailed information about the options process, can be found by clicking on the following links.
Shenley Academy – Options letter 08 March 2021
Shenley Academy – letter to year 9 parents re options evening 26 February 2021
Letter to year 9 parents re options evenings -12 February 2021
Options letter to parents Year 9 Options booklet 2021
There is also a Virtual Options page where you can view presentations about the options process and subject areas, to access this please click the button below.
| Subject | No. of Lessons per Fortnight |
|---|---|
| Maths | 10 |
| English | 10 |
| Science | 10 |
| Physical Education (PE) | 2 |
| Options subjects (students are able to choose three subjects): | |
| Geography | 6 |
| History | 6 |
| Religious Education | 6 |
| French or Spanish | 6 |
| Art | 6 |
| Dance | 6 |
| Drama | 6 |
| Music | 6 |
| Product Design | 6 |
| Catering | 6 |
| Business Studies | 6 |
| Health & Social Care | 6 |
| Sports Studies | 6 |
In order to support your son/daughter in their examination preparation please find links below to the specifications which are studied in each subject:
Year 10
| Subject | Exam Board | Link to Exam Specification Studied |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | Edexcel | http://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/mathematics/2015/specification-and-sample-assesment/gcse-maths-2015-specification.pdf |
| English | AQA | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702 http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700 |
| Science | AQA | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464 |
Year 11
| Subject | Exam Board | Link to Exam Specification Studied |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | Edexcel | http://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/mathematics/2015/specification-and-sample-assesment/gcse-maths-2015-specification.pdf |
| English | AQA | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702 http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700 |
| Science | AQA | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464 |
Additional resources to support the curriculum can be found here
Homework
Homework is an important part of our curriculum. It is used to help students to consolidate their past learning, to prepare for new learning and to develop the revision and recall skills required for examination success. Students are set regular homework in accordance with the Academy’s homework policy.
You can view the homework calendar for your son/daughter by clicking here
Curriculum plans for each subject
You can view the KS3 long term plans for each subject area by clicking on the links below:
| Art | Dance | Design Technology |
| Drama | English | Geography |
| History | Mathematics | Music |
| PE | Religious Education | Science |
| MFL | ICT |
You can view the KS4 overviews for each subject area by clicking on the links below:
| Art | Catering | Dance |
| Drama | English | Geography |
| History | Mathematics | MFL |
| Performing Arts | Product Design | RE |
| Sports Studies |
You can view the year 11 roadmaps for each subject area by clicking on the links below:
| Art | Business | Catering |
| Dance | Drama | English |
| Geography | Health and Social Care | History |
| Mathematics - Foundation | Mathematics - Higher | Music |
| Product Design | Science | Sports Studies |
| Spanish |
More information
If you require further details about the curriculum, please contact Miss Smith on 0121 464 5191 or Emma.Smith1@E-ACT.org.uk
PSHE
Our Programme of Study for PSHE during the Autumn term of 2020 will focus on supporting students in returning to school and providing them with the knowledge and skills to maintain positive mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. The curriculum will be adapted proactively to meet priorities raised by staff, students and our community.
After this “recovery curriculum” students at key stage 3 will build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes, and values they have acquired and developed during the primary phase. PSHE education acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence. It teaches the knowledge and skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life. Students learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media.
At key stage 4, students deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during key stage 3. PSHE education reflects the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others.
Relationships and Sex education will also form an integrated part of PSHCE provision going forward. Due to school closures our consultation period will be running into the autumn term 2020. Our updated curriculum and policy will be published in December 2020 after consulting all stake holders.
The school RSHE education will meet the statutory requirements and support the school’s values of equality, inclusion and respect for all students and communities. The provision will meet students’ age and maturity levels, as well as their cultural and religious backgrounds and ensure students know how to be healthy and safe in school, in their personal relationships and in the wider world.
For more information please follow the below link.
To raise a priority please email