Our Curriculum

Here at the Academy, our curriculum provides excellent opportunities and progression.  King’s is an educational community whose philosophy embraces the development of academic excellence, responsibility, character, leadership and friendship through the delivery of an exciting and challenging curriculum delivered in a safe environment where intellectual risk-taking is encouraged. This is an outstanding feature of the Academy and one noted by Ofsted, which we were delighted with and believe in tremendously.  

We are committed to developing a learning programme which harnesses aspirations and ensures that students have the best possible chance of success in the future.  Expectations at King’s are high in Key Stage 4. We firmly believe that every student can succeed, whatever their starting point. However, good attendance (>97%), punctuality and a focused attitude to learning are critical for success and are an expectation for all students. Students are also challenged during the senior programme to organise and manage their study time effectively. Assemblies and extra-curricular activities also remain an important part of Academy life and we hope that students will manage to balance their work life with enjoyment, through participating in the many events which allow time for us to have fun together as a community. This includes the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award which every student will be enrolled on at the start of Year 9.  

Students will continue to be very well supported through our outstanding pastoral system, and similar to Years 7 & 8, will link very closely to the academic curriculum. Subject Practitioners will continue to report on students’ progress every Learning Cycle and Academic Tutors will meet regularly as progress mentors during daily Aspire time. By the time students complete Year 11, they will have received lots of guidance and support in moving on to the next stage in their learning journey.  

The first stage of the Senior Programme is to arrange the ‘focus’ subjects that will be studied.  The vast majority of subjects that will be studied here at King’s are known as ‘core’ or compulsory subjects. These include English, Mathematics, Science, Spanish, Character/Leadership and PE.  

King’s Foundation Curriculum 

Students in Years 7-8 complete the King’s Foundation Programme of Study, a 28-hour weekly curriculum, aligned to the English Baccalaureate. We believe it is essential that all pupils acquire a competent grasp of English, Mathematics, Science, a Modern Foreign Language, History, Geography, Philosophy, Public Speaking and Ethics. Each of these subjects is taught as part of the ‘Academic Arc’ alongside our award-winning ASPIRE character programme. Creative, Physical and Leadership subjects such as Computing, Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education and Leadership are taught within the ‘Creative Arc’. 

King’s Senior Curriculum  

The senior curriculum incorporates Year 9, as well as Years 10 & 11. We firmly believe that an extra year focused on GCSE study is vital to our students' success as it is a critical stepping stone before they make choices for post-16 education and beyond. Any student starting school now will be entering a labour market where 90% of jobs will change before he/she is sixteen. It is therefore crucial that the Academy provides a curriculum that is rich in tradition, relevant to success in higher education and career choices, and interesting and purposeful so that students benefit in the long term. Here is a summary of our curriculum beliefs.  

Our Aspirations

To create a learning environment within the Academy, which: 

  • encourages aspirations 

  • rewards endeavour 

  • inspires creativity, and  

  • ensures that the potential and aspirations of all students are fully realised 

  • To develop our students as responsible citizens with a sense of civic pride, social responsibility and cultural awareness 

  • To utilise the values and standards of the academy to drive it forward in establishing a unique position in the local, national and international educational communities 

  • To offer clear and attractive routes to higher education and professional employment using a range of opportunities leading to internationally-recognised qualifications 

Our Principles

The curriculum is planned to help us achieve our five core educational objectives: 

  1. To offer an all-round education with a commitment to academic excellence 
  2. To equip our pupils with a breadth of relevant academic skills and knowledge  
  3. To develop their character strengths in self-awareness, professionalism, respect, responsibility, reliability, perseverance and tenacity 
  4. To develop our young people as leaders in their own right 
  5. To ensure their engagement through the development of a sense of positive well-being and achievement 
Principle 1 - All round education 

To deliver a curriculum that is both broad and balanced, and encompasses: 

  • the EBacc (the English Baccalaureate) 
  • an additional range of subjects and experiences that will allow all students to fulfil their potential 
Principle 2 - Relevant academic skills and knowledge 

Within the curriculum, the aim for all students must be: 

  • fluency in, and accurate use and understanding of, English 
  • skills in numeracy; problem-solving; and proficiency in mathematical and scientific methods and investigations 
  • proficiency in the knowledge of concepts, issues and applications in history, geography as well as knowledge and appreciation of humankind, our heritage, human achievements and aspirations; and a concern for environmental and ecological issues 
  • proficiency, in line with individual ability, in at least one foreign language, with the opportunity to attain knowledge and understanding of at least one other language, modern or classical 
  • the development of the coordination of body and mind 
  • proficiency in the use of modern information technologies as a learning tool 
  • To be able to apply their learning in a wide range of contexts 
  • To develop independent working skills, independent problem-solving strategies, and an independent sense of enquiry 
Principle 3 - Developing character strengths 
  • To be fully aware of their strengths and areas of further development 
  • To act professionally at all times 
  • To display through their everyday actions, respect for themselves, others and the environment 
  • To develop as both responsible and reliable civic-minded young adults 
  • To develop the determination, perseverance and tenacity that will ensure their success 
Principle 4 - Developing leadership 
  • To promote and develop teamwork, and the associated challenges of individual leadership 
  • To develop in each of our young people the confidence to lead others in a positive and meaningful way
Principle 5 - Positive well-being 
  • Learn in a purposeful environment where there is mutual respect and understanding 
  • Are engaged and motivated in their work 
  • Be able to manage risks and cope constructively with change and adversity 
  • Have confidence in their ability to succeed 
  • Achieve success from their achievements