Key Stage 4 Curriculum
The key focus of the curriculum at The Upper Academy is to ensure an ambitious, broad, balanced and well-sequenced curriculum that build knowledge and skills step-by-step.
Our curriculum is designed to give the students opportunities to learn regardless of their starting point, in order to:
- Develop a love of learning
- Develop resilience to be able to work independently
- Develop foundational skills such as literacy, reading, numeracy and oracy
- Support spiritual, moral, social and cultural growth
- Encourage healthy lifestyles and how to be an active citizen
- Chose from a wide range of option subjects that align with their interests, ambition and future career
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is taught in one-hour lessons. Each subject has the following number of hours per week:
|
Subject |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
English |
4 |
5 |
|
Maths |
4 |
4 |
|
Science |
4 |
5 |
|
PE |
1 |
1 |
|
RSHE |
1 |
1 |
|
History or Geography |
2 |
2 |
|
French |
- |
1 |
|
Option 1 |
3 |
3 |
|
Option 2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Option 3 |
3 |
- |
We offer a wide range of option subjects in both GCSE and Vocational subjects. Our current Year 10 offer includes:
|
GCSE |
Vocational |
|
Triple Science |
Engineering |
|
French |
Creative Media |
|
History |
Health and Social Care |
|
Geography |
Construction |
|
Art |
Hospitality and Catering |
|
Business Studies |
Travel and Tourism |
|
Computer Science |
|
|
Psychology |
|
|
Photography |
|
|
Music |
|
|
Dance |
|
|
Economics |
|
|
Physical Education |
|
To support all students to build on their previous knowledge and skills we have four mainstream pathways, North, South, East and West as well as Nurture and Bridge for identified students. Students are placed in one pathway based on their attainment data to ensure that the appropriate scaffolding, adaptations and stretch and challenge are in place to support them making progress.