The architecture of our curriculum model designs the structure and allocation of our subject and wider curriculum delivery across each year group and key stage. Our curriculum model is designed to ensure we effectively deliver our Trust’s shared curriculum intent by providing a broad and balanced curriculum and rich educational experience. We also design our academy’s curriculum model to best meet the needs of our students and locality reflecting upon courses that support the local and national job market and those that have been positive destination subjects for our students.
At Outwood Academy Acklam we want all students to leave our academy as well rounded individuals prepared for the world of work and their personal futures. We believe a broad and balanced curriculum built with substance for all supports this ambition; an ambition that underpins our vision to put students first, raise standards and transform lives.
Our curriculum rationale reflects the value we place on developing our students’ personal growth and understanding of themselves, others and the world they inhabit. Our academy is committed to promoting positive mental health and physical well being. We believe the study of health and wellbeing, performance, creative and expressive arts subjects supports this agenda developing our students’ health, wellbeing and self-confidence. By studying subjects that require them to think creatively, problem solve, develop healthy lifestyles and be part of a team, our students will grow as individuals and enhance their employability skills in readiness for the world of work.
Our curriculum model supports the facilitation of this suite of subjects through our Level 2/ GCSE Guided Pathways. An appreciation and experience of these subjects enhances our students’ critical and global thinking; creativity; teamwork; performance enhancing their enjoyment of school. Studying a curriculum that values creative, expressive and practical subjects further supports our students’ physical and mental health and sense of self and others into adulthood.
Our curriculum rationale is reflected in our curriculum model through all year groups. Across year 7 to 9 a broad range of subjects are offered reflecting the entitlement of the national curriculum. In year 9 we begin to enable some personalisation in our students’ entitlement by providing more opportunity for depth and breadth in their subject study. Students make a selection from Guided Pathways to study a Level 2 / GCSE across year 10 and 11 engineering, computer science, art and design, music, design technology, health and social care and hospitality and catering.
In addition, our Year 9 Creative Choices allocation ensures a broad but more personalised programme of key stage 3 study across the creative disciplines of design technology, art, photography, music, and sport. Students can also choose a health and wellbeing option of either sports studies, hospitality and catering or health and social care to complete at the end of Year 10. Year 9 students can personalise their Creative Choice allocation, broadening their entitlement at key stage 3 by experiencing a wider range of creative subjects including art and design, computer science, photography, music, design technology and food technology. Students will then choose 2 of these subjects to continue in year 10 and 11. Personalisation, in year 9, is complemented by our determination to ensure a strong entitlement to the full EBacc subjects. As part of this commitment, we require all students to study history, geography and a modern foreign language across years 7 to 9 with all students selecting to study either geography or history at GCSE across years 10 and 11.
The educational offer at Outwood Academy Acklam promotes a broad and balanced curriculum throughout all years that enables every student to fulfill their potential ready for employment or with the depth and breadth of knowledge required to embark further education and then onto higher education.