Implementation
At NK Academy we have 25 lessons per week, lasting an hour each.
Key Stage 3
We have a very broad curriculum at Key Stage 3.
In Year 7, 8 and 9 the curriculum includes:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science, split into Biology, Chemistry and Physics
- A foreign language (German)
- History
- Geography
- Religion Ethics and Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Drama
- Dance
- Music
- Art
- Information Technology
- 3D Design
The number of lessons per subject is as follows:
For students who are behind in their chronological reading age, additional support is provided through withdrawal to enable them to rapidly catch up.
Students consider which subjects they would like to specialise in for their GCSE courses over the course of Year 9 and formally begin to study these courses in Year 10.
PHSE and Careers education is taught during Learning for Life days, where the normal teaching timetable is suspended.
An additional after-school enrichment programme includes, but is not limited to, a range of sporting activities, music, drama and dance.
Assessment at Key Stage 3
Students will be assessed regularly and this will take a variety of forms including: informal, ongoing assessment during lessons; classwork, homework, formal assessments in class and an examination in every year. Information on progress and attitude to learning will be reported to parents three times every year in Key Stage 3. Parents will be invited to parents’ consultation evenings once per year and will be invited to further information and engagement events.
Key Stage 4
In Year 10 the students start to specialise to provide them with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and prepare for the examinations in their core curriculum and chosen subjects.
All students must study:
- English Language
- English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science – Combined or Triple Science
- History or Geography and/or a German
- PSHE and Careers Education
- Physical Education (non-examined)
Students in current Year 10 and 11 follow either the EBacc or Humanities/Languages Curriculum. From September 2023, the vast majority of students in Year 10 will study German (see separate KS4 Curriculum Choices booklet). This booklet also provides information on the subjects available for students to choose for their additional subjects.
The subjects from which students choose are:
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The number of lessons per subject are as follows:
Twilight opportunities
An additional after school programme is available in Drama, Dance and Music. Students apply to study an additional subject for an extra qualification with their learning taking place after school.
Assessment at Key Stage 4
Students will be assessed regularly and this will take a variety of forms including: informal, ongoing assessment during lessons; classwork, homework, formal assessments in class and an examination in every year. Students in Year 10 and 11 will have Pre-Public exams in every subject. Information on progress/attitude to learning will be reported to parents three times per year in Years 10 and 11. The assessment report in Year 11 will contain a target grade for the end of Year 11 for every subject based on their KS2 assessment information in English and Maths. In both Years 10 and 11 the report will contain the professional prediction from the teacher and information about attitude to learning based on 4 criteria: Motivation, Independence, Responds to Feedback and Respect. Parents will be invited to attend parents’ consultation evenings, in person or virtually via our online platform, once per year and will be invited to further information and engagement events.
PSHE
Key Stages 3 and 4:
The PSHE programme for KS3 and KS4 takes place during calendared Learning for Life days. The programme is as follows:
Key Stage 5:
The PSHE programme for KS5 is delivered in timetabled PSHE lessons which are one hour per week. The overview for this is as follows:
Key Stage 5
Students in Year 11 are given extensive guidance and information on post-16 institutions and courses. Our course offer in Years 12 and 13 can be found in the 6th form prospectus issued in term 2 and our website. We offer a wide range of courses which changes each year and is dictated by student voice. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is also offered to students to allow them to refine research skills necessary for university and to gain extra UCAS points.
Students study the equivalent of three Level 3 courses, from an offer of A-level, Applied General and Tech Level courses. There are 4 hours of lessons per subject per week, with an additional hour of staffed study time allocated for each subject. Students in Years 12 and 13 will have Pre-Public Examinations in each subject studied. Information will be reported to parents and students three times per year for Years 12 and 13 and will include attitude to learning scores, as well as an updated professional prediction from staff.
Students receive guidance and support to help them progress to their next stage post-sixth form, whether this be into further education or employment. Those wishing to progress to university also receive support with UCAS applications and personal statements.
For further information on our curriculum please contact Miss K Warburton, Assistant Headteacher on 01522 881010.