Curriculum
The Curriculum Offered at KSA
The curriculum at KSA
The curriculum is what we provide for our students, to give them the knowledge and skills they need. It includes every part of the student experience whilst at KSA.
Our curriculum is carefully designed so all our students have the opportunity to be the best they can be, based on our core values of Knowledge, Strength and Ambition. We seek to maximise their learning to give them the best start in life; to prepare them to contribute fully to society.
Curriculum Intent
Knowledge
We provide:
- A broad and balanced range of subjects and co-curricular opportunities
- A knowledge rich curriculum, introducing students to be the best that has been thought and said
- A focus on literacy, because this enables deep learning in all subjects
Strength
Our students become:
- Successful, resilient learners who make good progress and enjoy learning
- Confident and critical young people who can live safe, healthy lives making well-informed choices
- Responsible citizens who understand British values and can make a positive contribution to society
Ambition
Ambition for All through:
- An aspirational culture of high achievement, enabling every student to achieve something great
- Raising standards of achievement by taking into account individual needs
- Preparing students for life in the wider community
Curriculum Principles
In designing our curriculum, we provide a range of subjects and co-curricular opportunities based on these principles:
- All students should make clear progress over 5 or 7 years, meeting or exceeding national standards
- Academic rigour and vocational learning are both important in a carefully sequenced curriculum
- Targeted support and additional challenge are needed to ensure all students make at least national rates of progress
- Transition between phases is crucial, so we will carefully support the move from primary school and on to the next steps beyond KSA. We will provide high quality career guidance
- Learning extends beyond the classroom, so a broad range of co-curricular activities is available for all students
- We will support children from all backgrounds, including disadvantaged and those with SEND or other additional needs, to access the curriculum using a wide range of appropriate strategies. please click here for details.
For additional information regarding the curriculum please contact Assistant Principal for Curriculum, Dr Andrew Kirk.
The Key Stage 3 Curriculum (Years 7, 8 & 9)
Students in Years 7, 8 & 9 follow the National Curriculum. There is a strong focus on the core areas of English, maths and science where students have four lessons per week. The Key Stage 3 Curriculum allows students to build on those skills learned at primary level and is an exciting phase of their school career that prepares them successfully to access KS4 & further study and beyond into the world of work.
Key stage three lessons are designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge ready for their key stage 4 qualifications. The sequence of all units taught in KS3 in all subjects is shown in the document at the foot of this page.
| KS3 | Year 7 | Year 7 Nurture | Year 8 | Year 8 Nurture | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Maths | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Science | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Humanities | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| MFL | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Art | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| DT | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Music | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Drama | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| PE | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Citizenship | 1 | 1 | -- | -- | -- |
| Computing/ICT | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | -- |
| Personal Development | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | -- |
| Literacy Support | -- | 2 | -- | 3 | -- |
| 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Nurture Curriculum
Some students follow a nurture curriculum to support them through the transition from primary school. This curriculum includes ICT and literacy in addition to the subjects above.
MFL Modern Foreign Language, either French or German
DT Design and Technology, including Food Technology, taught in rotation
Lessons are 60 minutes long.
Students who require extra support in English in year 9 are given extra literacy lessons for a short period of time.
PSHE is delivered through tutor time and assemblies, 25 minutes each morning.
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum (Years 10 & 11)
Key Stage 4 is the period when students build on their earlier learning and prepare for adult life, higher education and employment. Students in Year 10 start GCSE courses and other nationally recognised qualifications including BTECs.
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All students study a core curriculum of English (Language and Literature), Mathematics, Science (combined science or the three separate sciences), PE and PSHE. Students taking the three separate sciences take this as one of their options. Computer science is also available as an option. The vast majority of students also study a humanity subject, either History or Geography. A majority of students also study French or German
Students also study a range of other high quality GCSE and vocational subjects, with the vast majority taking 9 GCSEs (or vocational alternatives) in year 11.
Option subjects in KS4 are as follows:
Art
Business
Computer Science
Construction
Drama
Enterprise
French
Geography
German
Graphic Communication
Health & Social Care
History
Hospitality and Catering
ICT
Media
Music
Photography
Prince's Trust
Sports Science
Sports Studies
Triple Science
Other subjects were offered as part of the options process, including Religious Studies. Further details of all courses offered can be found in the booklet here.
Our SMSC/PSHE programme is integrated into our tutorial and assembly programme over the academic year and covers a wide range of topics that enhance, equip and provide our students with a greater understanding of the world they live in. We have external speakers and events covering aspects such as motivation, careers, counselling, bullying, enterprise, drugs, hate crimes and great historical events, as well as assemblies for rewards and celebration.
KSA Sixth Form 16-19 Programmes of Study
All sixth form students, whether they are studying academic, applied or technical qualifications are given the guidance that allows them to choose courses which will allow them to progress to the next stage of their education or training or employment. This can include the study of English and mathematics where students do not hold a GCSE graded 9-5 in these subjects. Full information regarding the sixth form can be found here.
For further information regarding the sixth form and programmes of study please contact Head of Sixth Form, Ms Rachael Davies. For further information click here.
The Pastoral Curriculum
Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE)
Intent
Our programme offers a mindful PSHE learning journey spanning the pupils’ time at Kettering Science Academy, from year 7 to year 13. Our PSHE programme is a progressive, spiral curriculum that addresses real needs in our community and in a rapidly changing world, tailored to fit the needs of our students, staff and parents.
Our programme uses an all-inclusive approach to bringing together Personal, Social, Health Education, emotional literacy, social skills, mental health and resilience development. PSHE is promoted through knowledge, strength and ambition, the 3 key strands that are embedded in all we do.
Teaching strategies are varied and are mindful of preferred learning styles and the need for differentiation. Assessment styles are varied to suit the needs of all of our learners.
Please click on the attachment below to access the RSE consultation presentation for September 2020.
Co-Curricular opportunities
September 2020 Update
Co-Curricular offer is currently suspended due to operating restrictions. This is under continuous review and we intend to restart the co-curricular programme as soon as it is safe to do so.
At KSA we offer our students the opportunity to participate in a wide range of academic, sporting and cultural opportunities that support the daily curriculum and the achievement of students.
For example, students can undertake the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme (DofE) from age 14 onwards. The scheme is designed to develop students’ skills and personal qualities, helps them to socially interact and develop teamwork skills and can help them to stand out from the crowd when applying for university and jobs. The award scheme allows students to work towards a bronze, silver or gold award by the age of 24 years. It is separated into five sections: volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and for those going for the gold award, a residential activity.
Similarly, an opportunity that the older students have is to participate in an expedition through Camps International, an organisation who specialise in sustainable and ethical expeditions. The expeditions give students the opportunity to gain a life changing experience through travelling to and completing charitable environmental and community projects in disadvantaged areas around the world.
Previously expeditions from KSA have been to Tanzania (in 2016) and Kenya in the summer of 2018. Also, some of our year 11 and 12 students had the opportunity to spend 4 weeks completing projects in Peru. There was also an adventure element to the experience, which allowed students to trek up Machu Picchu as well as see the sights of Lake Titicaca. An important aspect to the project is the fundraising element which develops our students’ creativity, teamwork, organisation and interpersonal skills whilst teaching them about resilience and time management.
For further information regarding DofE and Camps International please contact Miss Rachael Davies. For a full range of current co-curricular activities, please visit the co-curricular page.