Key Stage 2-3 transition

Curriculum provision builds sequentially upon KS2 experiences (where appropriate).  Subject leaders have a clear understanding of the KS2 curriculum, pedagogy, assessments and outcomes in order to further develop pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding.

QKA has an established Transition Leader and team who work with our primary stakeholders throughout the academic year to ensure that information is shared and Key Stage 2 (KS2) students are sufficiently prepared to start their secondary journey.  QKA provides a series of transition days for Year 5 and Year 6 students, where they get to meet subject teachers, tutors, have ‘taster’ lessons and meet student leaders.

In addition to this, there are a number of enrichment opportunities offered to our primary stakeholders including:  Language Leaders, Primary Maths Challenge, KS2 Science Club, amongst others. 

Key Stage 3

Students at KS3 study a broad and balanced curriculum including academic, creative and practical subjects.  There are a range of extension opportunities implemented with appropriate time allocations across a range of subjects, including a Year 9 ‘taster option’ model, to allow students to better understand the full range of KS4 options prior to making their choices.

Our ‘Aspire Curriculum’ offers a range of opportunities for the majority of our learners, and pedagogy provides stretch and challenge for all.  An ‘Accelerated Curriculum’ has also been embedded to meet the needs of our learners who arrive at the Academy needing additional support.  The ‘Accelerated Curriculum’ and associated programmes are coordinated and tailored in order to meet individual needs and enable accelerated progress to the ‘Aspire Curriculum’ when appropriate. 

The ‘Accelerated Curriculum’ is a literacy- and linguistics-based, thematic approach to subject delivery, allowing for a linguistic and numeracy focus.  Learners in the ‘Accelerated Curriculum’ are taught as a discrete group for almost half of their timetable, but join the whole cohort for the remainder of the week.  Learners in the ‘Accelerated Curriculum’ are taught by fewer teachers and spend most of their lessons in their ‘base’ room.  Additional Teaching Assistant support is focussed towards the ‘Accelerated Curriculum’.

Key Stage 3-5 progression

Programmes of study clearly identify the big ideas and concepts so that the subject curriculum can be sequenced from starting points to examination in order to allow for revisiting and re-teaching as appropriate.

In Year 9 students start 3 selected preparatory courses from a range including Creative Arts, Technology, Media and Computer Science.  These preparatory courses will prepare skills and knowledge required for KS4.  Preparatory courses offer more time to these subjects than experienced in years 7 and 8.  Students are not locked in to a course having opted for it as a preparatory course.  Completing a preparatory course is not a pre-requisite for starting a course at KS4.

Subjects offered in the different key stages will build up the required skills for progression e.g. Vocational subjects offered at KS5 will follow a similar offer at KS4.

The Academy has embedded a Learning Gateway to support students who may find accessing some large-group lessons difficult, often due to social and emotional needs.  The Learning Gateway provides a micro-group provision supported by a dedicated teacher and Teaching Assistants.

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of each subject’s programme of study and is integral to teaching and learning.

Assessments are well considered and meaningful and reflect the Assessment Objectives of subject and exam specifications.

Assessment are timely, accurate and inform teaching to enable impact.

Key Stage 4 and 5 pathways, particularly for new and nearly new arrivals

A range of academic and vocational subjects are offered at KS4 and 5  including GCSE, BTEC, Cambridge ESOL and A Level, but clear consideration is given to group size viability. 

We aim for the vast majority of our students to follow an Attainment / Progress 8 ready curriculum, however, for a small minority of students, we recognise that this may not be appropriate - the focus is always on ensuring students are able to make the next steps in education or employment.  There is, however, an expectation that all students will gain a minimum of 6 GCSEs or equivalent by the end of Key Stage 4.

Students following the Aspire Curriculum will be entitled to study English Language and Literature, Maths, 3 English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) subjects (Sciences, Computer Science, Language, History and Geography) and 3 Open subjects (E.g. Art, Sport, Media, Business, Health and Social Care, Drama, Dance).  All student in KS4 will take part in core PE and Human and Cultural Education.

Appropriate independent advice and guidance is given to all students regarding their KS4 and 5 option choices.  At Key Stage 5 an individual student’s curriculum is appropriate to their needs and knowledge of their intended next steps.

At KS5, Students are encouraged to opt for subjects that support their career plan and are most likely to give them success, regardless of whether A Level or vocational.  Additionally, KS5 students who have not yet achieved sufficient Level 2 certificates will have a broad range of options to achieve meaningful qualifications to help them access Level 3 provision.

Transition to work/FE/HE

Pathways that students follow are appropriate to their intended next steps.

The curriculum offer and provision enables students to progress to work/FE/HE, and time and focus within the curriculum is provided to develop the necessary skills for progression.

Collaborative Key Stage 5 provision

Consideration is given to the range of subjects offered at KS5 and to the utilisation of localised specialist resources and provision.