Curriculum

At Thomas Middlecott Academy we follow a knowledge rich curriculum that adapts to the aspirations and needs of the individual.

We provide a broad and balanced knowledge-led curriculum which allows students to achieve the highest standards of academic excellence. In addition to acquiring extensive knowledge, students develop a range of academic, practical, social and personal skills. The curriculum is fully inclusive and supports the rapid progress of all students regardless of ability or individual starting points. We believe that our curriculum will allow students to progress to the next stage of their academic career and to further and higher education.

Please find key details about curriculum, including information about the curriculum provided in each subject at Thomas Middlecott Academy.  Please do not hesitate to contact us should you like any further information.  

Our Trust Vision for Curriculum

We value the acquisition of powerful knowledge as an entitlement for all students.  We invest significant time and resources into ensuring that all students gain a broad knowledge base to enable them to become active members of their community and in the world of work.  Alongside a rigorous and challenging academic curriculum, our students also experience a broad range of sports, arts, music, classical literature reading and well-being opportunities, ensuring they have the richest experience a secondary education can give. 

Our Academy Vision for Curriculum

At Thomas Middlecott Academy, we pride ourselves on delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum that provides students with the skills, knowledge and cultural capital they require to be successful and employable in the future.  We create a rich and exciting learning environment that inspires students to become their confident and academic best.  We are committed to giving every child in our academy a world class education that creates confident, well-rounded young people in the classroom, the work-place and in their communities. We provide a broad and balanced knowledge-led curriculum which allows students to achieve the highest standards of academic excellence.  In addition to acquiring extensive knowledge, students develop a range of academic, practical, social and personal skills.  The curriculum is fully inclusive and supports the rapid progress of all students regardless of ability or individual starting points.   We believe that our curriculum will allow students to progress to the next stage of their academic career and to further and higher education. 

Our mission is: We are unashamedly ambitious for our school and our students, and we make no apology for this.  We command the highest expectations of both our students and staff.  We expect our students to work hard in order to fulfill and exceed their academic potential.  We want them to pursue their talents and passions.  We want our students to have aspiration, ambition, courage and respect.  We accept no excuses. 

Key Stage 3 Curriculum 

Students in KS3 have 25 lessons each week. Each lesson is one hour in length.

Subject	Number of Hours Per Week
English	5
Mathematics	4
Science	3
Geography	2
History	2
Modern Foreign Languages	2
Religious Studies	1
Art	1
Drama	1
Music	1
PE	2
Technology	1
PSHE	3 hours per half term

Key Stage 4 Curriculum core and options subjects list

During Year 9, students make their GCSE options choices.  This is an exciting time of the year where students will, often for the first time, have the opportunity to shape their curriculum towards future career aspirations.  They will study their KS4 curriculum subjects in Year 10 and Year 11.  All students must study the following subjects:

• GCSE English Language
• GCSE English Literature
• GCSE Mathematics
• GCSE Combined Science
• GCSE Geography or History

Plus: students also have a Core PE lesson each week

All students opt to study 3 option subjects from the following:

• GCSE French (GCSEs in other MFL are available for some students)
• GCSE Art & Design
• GCSE Photography
• GCSE Music
• GCSE Religious Studies
• GCSE Media Studies
• GCSE Design Technology
• GCSE Ancient History
• BTEC Sport
• BTEC Performing Arts

RE & PSHE & RSE

In Key Stage Four, RE, PSHE and Relationships, Sex and Health (RSE) education are also covered within assemblies, tutor time and drop-down days across the year.  The curriculum covers all recommended content for personal, social, health and economic education. 

 

Subject	Number of Hours Per Week
English	4
Mathematics	4
Science	4
Geography/History	3
Option One	3
Option Two	3
Option Three	3
Core PE	1

Personal development is part of our curriculum

We also recognise that there is the importance of teaching students the wider skills of personal development.  We carefully design the academic year to recognise the significant events from Holocaust Remembrance Day, Black History month to Mental Well being Day.  We often raise awareness of these though our assemblies, bespoke presentations, guest speakers and our tutors through PSHE curriculum programme.  Our PSHE curriculum focusses on PSHE, RSE, SMSC, FBV, faiths and values. Students in all year groups access the recommended content through drop-down days and PSHE lessons at designated points within the term- usually 3 sessions per half-term.   Our Thomas Middlecott Way principles ensure students do not lose sight of traditional core values, consideration of the environment and ownership of their learning.  We pride our students on 'being ready to learn'.  This ethos epitomises the type of student we wish to see flourish during their five-year education with us. 

Modern British Values 

At Thomas Middlecott Academy we are dedicated to promoting values that ensure our students develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility. 

We prepare students for life in modern Britain because values such as liberty, individuality, democracy, the law, mutual respect and tolerance are embedded within the curriculum and the Academy's ethos.  In addition, these values are promoted at various times throughout the school year, and regularly in assemblies.  Our Academy embodies a democratic model in the way we work, the way we are structured and our general ethos and culture in the academy.  Additionally, our rules and regulations are there for the benefit of everyone.  Our Academy takes a holistic approach to teaching British Values rather than concentrating on individual subjects. 

The Curriculum and Equality & SEND regulations

Our approach to curriculum complies with our equality objectives and regards the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.  We work to the best of our ability to ensure that all barriers are lifted for students so that they can achieve their full potential and access the curriculum.  We encourage all to not only take a full and active part in the lessons, but also to ensure all students have equal opportunity to participate in our enrichment opportunities. 

Assessment Summary & Curriculum by subject

Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 Assessment 

Parents and carers receive 3 assessment reports per year which report on achievement and effort. 

Each student will complete assessments throughout the academic year which builds on prior knowledge learnt.  Students will be expected to retrieve knowledge and demonstrate an understanding on the topics learnt. 

Year 11 Assessment

Parents and carers receive 4 assessment reports during their child's final year which reports on achievement, effort and gives an indication of their preparation for GCSE examinations. 

Year 11 will build upon a robust end of Year 10 summer examinations.  These assessments will be completed in our exam hall and will prepare the students for their mock exams in the Winter & Spring Term and the public examinations (GCSEs) in the Summer Term. 

In each report, two assessment grades will be reported.  Parents and carers will be provided with a Current Grade and a Teacher Predicted Grade.  The Current Grade informs how a student is currently performing at GCSE level, and a Teacher Predicted Grade will inform parents and carers how we think your child will do in their final examinations.

Curriculum by Subject

Click on a subject area below to find out more about our curriculum.

English

• English Curriculum

 

Mathematics

• Mathematics Curriculum

 

Science

• Science Curriculum

 

Modern Foreign Languages- French

• MFL Curriculum

 

History

• History Curriculum

 

GCSE Ancient History (Years 10 & 11)

• KS4 Ancient History Curriculum

 

Geography

• Geography Curriculum

 

Religious Studies

• Religious Studies Curriculum

 

Physical Education (Core)

• PE Curriculum

 

BTEC Sport (Years 10 and 11)

• KS4 BTEC Sport Curriculum

 

Design and Technology

• DT Curriculum

 

 Music

• Music Curriculum

 

Art

• Art and Photography Curriculum

 

Drama

• Art and Photography Curriculum

 

PSHE (all year groups)

  

Curriculum documents