Curriculum

Students in all key stages follow a curriculum which is broad, balanced and designed to meet their needs. There is a clear rationale that the curriculum should allow our students to develop the knowledge, understanding and cultural capital to make sense of the world they live in. We believe that knowledge sticks to knowledge and that exposure to carefully sequenced information and key concepts will allow students to develop into inquisitive and analytical thinkers who can apply key concepts across a variety of contexts. We believe that this process of discovery and building blocks of knowledge can promote the love of learning and sense of awe and wonder that will make students lifelong learners.

Whilst there is a clear focus on academic outcomes, there is a strong moral imperative that our curriculum must create strong, independent citizens who can ask important questions and critically assess the information they receive. In this context, skills such as literacy and numeracy, evaluation and communication skills, hold value alongside knowledge. Promoting the personal development of our students is a key driver of our curriculum design which maintains a significant focus on the explicit provision of PSHE, Religious Studies, SMSC and extensive extra-curricular opportunities. Through our curriculum, students develop the knowledge and understanding that allow them to keep themselves safe and demonstrate the values that will make them strong citizens.

It is our belief that the curriculum should be as broad as possible for as long as possible. We value our students as individuals with different skills and talents. We want them to experience a full range of subjects so that they can make informed decisions about areas of specialism as they progress through the school. Equal weight is placed on practical, creative and vocational subjects because we recognise the place these skills have in the modern world and the part they can play in inspiring and motivating learners be the best version of themselves.

We believe that our curriculum must prepare our students for life in modern Britain. The labour market is competitive and dynamic and there is a clear need for our curriculum offer to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges this will bring. Again, the formal taught curriculum dovetails with extra-curricular opportunities to provide opportunities for our students to make themselves stand out. In this context, we are clear that our curriculum and its delivery must counterbalance some of the barriers created by social disadvantage and allow all students to thrive.

In summary. Our curriculum intent is to:

  • Provide a broad and balanced curriculum that allows all students to achieve success and a develop a lifelong love of learning
  • Provide opportunities for students to acquire and apply knowledge so that they can make sense of the world they live in 
  • Provide opportunities for students to acquire and develop the knowledge, skills, qualities and values that will allow them to be kind and strong citizens who actively promote values such as tolerance, fairness, equality and inclusion
  • Provide students with the knowledge, skills, qualities and experiences that allow them to fully access the world of work and enjoy enriching and satisfying lives as a result

We constantly provide enhancement opportunities to engage learning and believe that childhood should be a happy, investigative and enquiring time in our lives where there are no limits to curiosity and there is a thirst for new experiences and knowledge.

We use 'Learning Habits' to promote positive attitides to learning which reflect the values and skills needed to promote responsibility for learning and future success.

Key Stage 3

‘The Foundation curriculum’ for Year 7 and 8 is designed to offer the building blocks for knowledge and skills in a range of subjects.

In Year 9 this continues, but with a sharpened focus upon future aspirations and careers and alongside the choices for specialisation through the options process for GCSE.

Click Subjects to see more detail about our subject specific Intent and Curriculum Maps

Subjects

Key stage 3 Curriculum intent includes –

  • Development of subject specific skills, knowledge and understating
  • Literacy and Numeracy acceleration
  • Instilling core Learning Habits and values
  • Broad academic experience and wide range of foundation subjects
  • Contemporary issues for the modern world
  • Stretch and challenge for all
  • Preparing students for the next stage – options, GCSEs, further education, careers
  • Broad extracurricular experiences
  • See subject specific curriculum intent

This ‘Specialised Curriculum’ is completed throughout Year 10 and 11, with students opting for 3 additional GCSEs and/or alternative equivalent courses running alongside a core curriculum that includes English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Combined/Triple Science GCSE, as well as Core PE and Personal Development. All students have the opportunity to achieve the eBacc qualification.

Key Stage 4

Curriculum intent

Through our GCSE options process, we aim to provide a more bespoke curriculum for Year 10 and 11 study. For us, this means giving our pupils as much choice and flexibility as possible, whilst ensuring they follow examination courses that lead to positive outcomes and give them access to aspirational Post-16 opportunities at the correct level.

Click Subjects to see more detail about our subject specific Intent and Curriculum Maps

Subjects

We offer a wide range of academic and applied subjects. Students receive three options choices including the
opportunity to undertake the EBacc and development of subject specific skills, knowledge and understanding

  • Broad academic experience and wide range of foundation subjects
  • Continued focus on the importance of literacy and numeracy
  • Continuing to instill and develop core Learning Habits and values
  • Personal development focus on relevant issues via our PD/SMSC Programme
  • Focus on successful learning and the impact of this – memory, practice, revision, exam technique,
  • Stretch and challenge for all, preparing students for the next stage in their education or careers
  • Broad extra curricular experiences

Key Stage 5

Our KS5 curriculum provides specialisation, depth and skills to equip our students to be successful in the 21st century. The options available allow students in our 6th form to achieve academic and vocational qualifications which support their progression to both world class universities and careers of choice and significance.

Click Subjects to see more detail about our subject specific Intent and Curriculum Maps

Subjects

Our curriculum choices allow us to be inclusive for all whilst staying committed to providing a platform through which students can thrive and excel, enabling them to progress with confidence and to ‘open doors’ to the next stage of their lives. We work hard to embed the principles of Work, World and Wellness and we try and make that the CORE message.

Students take increasing responsibility for their own learning by reflecting on and responding to assessment and feedback and engaging in wider reading and research. This builds on the learning habits developed in prior key stages. High expectations are set in a culture that demands and supports excellence, focused on developing successful study habits in students whilst using the expertise of our teachers. 

At Sprowston Community Academy Sixth Form, we understand that there are no shortcuts or easy fixes. Our aim is to ensure that students do not feel like they are just another number within a classroom. We try to provide the best all round education possible in a supportive and success-driven environment. As well as this, outside the normal classroom environment, there are some very exciting projects that our current Sixth Formers take the lead role in developing. These include the school Allotment Project and the National Citizenship Service Award, both of which have been extremely popular additions, providing opportunities for our young people to develop personally and professionally. These extra-curricular opportunities develop self-confidence and have helped foster a sense of school community. 

Excellent careers and guidance prepare students for Higher Education, and a variety of pathways including apprenticeships. It not only prepares them for life beyond sixth form but ensures they leave with the belief that they are in control of their own destinies.

We provide a broad, balanced education where skills are developed and a passion and life-long love for learning is embedded. Students are encouraged to discover new talents and are provided with opportunities and support to realise these talents. In keeping with our tradition we strive to empower our students to become informed, independent, confident, articulate and responsible young people. 

To discover more about the content of each subject across the years, please visit our Sixth Form.