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Curriculum Overview
The Pingle Academy curriculum for 2023-24 has been developed in line with an agreed Affinity Learning Partnership curriculum and our shared values. It has been designed to help provide the best platform for achievement for the young people in our care, as outlined in our mission statement:
“To ensure that all the children and young people in our care have the opportunity to fulfil their potential through achieving highly, regardless of their ability or background.”
The de Ferrers Trust 2019
At The Pingle Academy we understand ‘curriculum’ to be the mechanism by which we provide a comprehensive education for our students based on their need, ability, aptitude and aspiration. This includes all planned activities in and outside the classroom which contribute to the development of all students regardless of gender or background and which prepare them for continuing participation in education, employment or training so that they become active citizens.
Curriculum Intent
- To provide a broad and balanced curriculum which is rich in knowledge and skills and meets the needs of all students.
- To ensure that students aim to “aspire and achieve” and in so doing, to help all students to raise their aspirations and exceed expectations.
- To ensure that students are resilient and respectful citizens who go on to make a positive contribution, both locally and in wider society.
Curriculum Aims
- To plan for a clear progression route in each subject area, through their 3, 5 or 7 year curriculum. Each lesson will have a purpose and fit into a sequence of lessons over time.
- To address social disadvantage through the curriculum, ensuring it is truly equitable and
challenging for all students, regardless of background. - To address gaps in literacy and numeracy at the earliest opportunity, to ensure all students can access all areas of the curriculum as they progress through the academy.
- To encourage and inspire students who read for pleasure to do so for life
- To ensure students in Years 7, 8 and 9 experience a full curriculum during this “enrichment” phase, before specialising in Key Stage 4. This is important for the long term achievement and the well-being of our students.
- To ensure students in all Key Stages have full access to the arts, Physical Education,
Computing and a range of Design and Technology subjects. - To ensure that the Key Stage 3 curriculum content for each year is not seen as a stepping
stone to GCSE, but rather an opportunity to provide students with the knowledge and skills
required to be successful in Further Education, employment or training and life. - To provide students in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), “the GCSE/BTEC years”, with access to a curriculum appropriate to their individual needs. In addition to the English Baccalaureate and a range of external qualifications, the Key Stage 4 curriculum aims to provide wide ranging opportunities for creativity, employability and life skills.
Curriculum: Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
Students in Years 7 and 8 follow a broad curriculum which includes the following subjects.
English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, French or Spanish, Art, Drama, Music, IT, Religion, PE, Technology and PSHE/Values.
Some students in Year 7 and 8 may be provided with additional support and will benefit from catch up literacy and numeracy lessons.
Student are taught in mixed ability groups.
Students in Year 9 continue to follow a broad curriculum in which the following subjects are taught to ALL students: English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, French or Spanish, ICT, Religion, PE, Technology and PSHE/Values.
- At the end of Year 8 students are able to choose to study a combination of two from three creative arts subjects which include Art, Drama and Music throughout Year 9. The intention is to allow students to develop their knowledge and skills, therefore, preparing them for their GCSEs should they choose these subjects through the option process.
- Students in Year 9 will choose their GCSE options after in January.
If you require any further information regarding the curriculum offer, please contact Mr P Harvey, Vice Principal.
| Subject | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Art | GCSE |
| Business | GCSE |
| Child Development | CACHE |
| ICT: Computer Science | GCSE |
| ICT: iMedia | Cambridge National |
| Languages: French | GCSE |
| Languages: Spanish | GCSE |
| Performing Arts: Drama | GCSE |
| Performing Arts: Music | GCSE |
| Philosophy & Ethics | GCSE |
| Psychology | GCSE |
| Sociology | GCSE |
| Sport | BTEC Award Level 2 |
| Technology: Construction | BTEC Award Level 2 |
| Technology: Engineering | BTEC Award Level 2 |
| Technology: Food & Nutrition | GCSE |
Curriculum: Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)
All students continue to study a broad range of subjects to the end of Year 11 which includes the following core subjects for ALL students. English, Mathematics, Science, PSHE/Values and PE.
- GCSE qualifications will continue to be taught in English Language, English Literature and Mathematics.
- We offer combined Science double award GCSE qualification and triple Science, both of which include Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All students will work towards the double Science award throughout Year 9, 10 and 11 with a small proportion of students completing additional units to work towards the triple Science qualifications in Year 11.
- Students will choose at least 1 additional EBacc subject through the options process from Geography, History and French/Spanish. Students wishing to study more than one of these EBacc subjects are free to do so through the option blocks and in some cases are encouraged to do so.
- Where subjects cannot be offered within option blocks due to a low student take up we will offer a “twilight” GCSE where appropriate.
- Students will also have 1 hour per week of PSHE/Values and core PE throughout Key Stage 4.
- Religion content is covered through the Key Stage 4 PSHE curriculum and via a planned programme of assemblies.
- All students will work towards a minimum of 9 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.
If you require any further information regarding the curriculum offer, please contact Mr P Harvey, Vice Principal.
Curriculum: Key Stage 5 (Years 12 & 13)
Please visit our Sixth Form tab for further details.
Documents
| Page Downloads |
|---|
| Academy Curriculum Rationale |
| KS4 Curriculum Guide (2025-26) |
