Curriculum
Overview
Students at Shireland Collegiate Academy follow a rich and varied curriculum, which aims to ease transitions between stages of learning, encourage students to identify connections in their learning and develop the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to excel in their future lives.
Starting in Year 7, our Literacy for Life curriculum supports students’ transition from primary school and focuses on the development of the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their time at the academy and beyond. This Literacy for Life journey continues throughout Years 8 and 9, where students also study an increasing number of individual subjects, before they choose their Options in Year 9 which will form part of their Key Stage 4 experience. Many of our students choose to remain with us into our Sixth Form, where they continue to benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum offer.
Throughout students’ time at the academy, our Focus Day programme ensures that students have the opportunity to continue to apply their knowledge and skills in a range of contexts, with the development of these attributes being further complemented by an extensive extra-curricular programme.
We know that we are preparing students for a world in which they will need to continually update their knowledge and skills, particularly in respect of the use of new technologies and so every student is provided with a one-to-one device while at the academy.
Underpinning our curriculum is our Principal’s vision for students to be aware of their mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well being academically ambitious. Our tutor time and focus day programmes are key elements of achieving this vision and supported by our extensive pastoral support structures.
If you would like to know more about our curriculum offer, please contact us via the academy reception, who will be able to direct your query to the appropriate member of staff.
THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS ARE COMPULSORY, AND ALL STUDENTS WILL TAKE THEM AS PART OF THEIR KS4 CURRICULUM:
No matter which option subjects students take, they should gain the equivalent of seven GCSE grades purely from the core offering. It is the Academy’s aim for all students to study at least nine GCSE or equivalent qualifications. Students also have an hour of non-examined Physical Education.
The government has stated that they expect all students to undertake at least three English Baccalaureate subjects; students can take more than this if they wish. Students will get two of these subjects from their Dual Science award.
Further English Baccalaureate subjects are:
*Community Languages are languages that students may have studied outside academy hours.
Core time will take up the majority of time each week. Students are set by ability in Mathematics, English and Science; PE is taught in mixed ability groups. In addition, students will receive statutory education in areas such as Careers, Enterprise, Religious Education and Citizenship through timetabled Focus Days.
Students undertake Product Design as standard at Shireland; the results for the past few years in this subject have been outstanding.
Students select three additional qualifications which make up the remainder of their timetable.
- Art
- Business Studies
- Computer Science
- Dance
- Drama
- Geography
- History
- ICT
- Music
- Physical Education
- Religious Studies
- Triple Science
- Health and Social Care
- Textiles
- Travel & Tourism
- German
- French
Please see the relevant page for further details on each subject.
