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Our School Day

Our school day consists of 5 x 60 minute lessons (50 lessons per fortnight).

We extend the school day each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for students who we think will benefit from working in a small group on a particular topic or unit of work. This provision designed to help our students to stay on track and achieve their potential.

The timing of the school day is:​​​

  • 08.20 Arrival

  • 08.25 Roll call

  • 08.30 Tutor time

  • 08.50 Period 1

  • 09.50 Period 2

  • Break:

    • 10.45am – 11.00 am: Y8 & 10

    • 10.50am – 11.05 am: Y7, 9 & 11

  • 12.00 Period 4

  • 13.00 Lunch

  • 13.40 Period 5

  • 14.40 DEAR / clubs / interventions

  • 15.00 Leave / Period 6

  • 16.00 Period 6 end

Teaching Groups

Students are taught in ability groups in Maths, Science and Languages; and mixed ability groups in other subjects. Our  rationale for configuring teaching groups is outlined below:

  • G/R/O/W/S mixed ability groups in KS3 are configured to ensure that there isn’t a significant spread of ability - they are partially mixed ability rather than fully mixed.

  • Partially-mixed ability groups are used in subjects where students of all abilities cover the same topics and content.

  • Ability setting is used in subjects where students learn different topics depending on their ability (typically subjects that are tiered at GCSE).

  • Research by The Education Endowment Foundation concludes that ‘On average, pupils experiencing setting or streaming make slightly less progress than pupils taught in mixed attainment classes.’ (EEF research)

  • Teaching in partially mixed-ability groups enables us to use approaches which advance and embed the learning of lower, middle and upper ability students.

  • Being a ‘comprehensive school’, we believe it is healthy for students from different backgrounds (gender, ability, ethnicity etc.) to interact both inside and outside of lessons.

  • Our very weakest students spend more time taught in ability groups enabling SEN support to be pooled.


KS3 Curriculum

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum meets statutory requirements. Further to these requirements, we offer additional personalised provision and enrichment opportunities ensuring that students of all abilities make good progress. Key Stage 3 personalised provision includes:

  • Literacy and Numeracy catch-up provision for students below age related expectations in Year 7
  • Access to a range of GCSE qualifications during Year 9
  • Timetabled literacy lessons enabling students to access more demanding reformed GCSE exam questions
  • Many enrichment activities to develop students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness
  • Transition group provision for students in need of a more graduated KS2 to KS3 transition

The typical number of lessons allocated to subjects per fortnight during Key Stage 3 is as below: 

Literacy English Maths Science Technology PSHCE Study Skills PE

1 lesson

7 lessons

7 lessons

7 lessons

5 lessons

1 lesson

1 lesson

3 lessons

ICT

French

History

Geography

Music

Art

Religious Education

 

1 lesson

5 lessons

3 lessons

3 lessons

2 lessons

2 lessons

2 lessons

 

KS4 Curriculum

At The Axholme Academy we offer a broad and balanced Key Stage 4 curriculum which is appropriate for students of all abilities. Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is divided into core, guided and optional elements.

Our core subjects are English (WJEC), Maths (AQA), Science (AQA - Biology, Chemistry & Physics or Combined Science: Trilogy), ICT, Games and Complementary Studies (personal, social, health and economic education; citizenship and religious education).

The amount of time typically allocated to subjects per fortnight in our core curriculum is as below:

English Language & Literature Maths Science ICT

8 lessons

8 lessons

9 lessons

1 lesson

PSHCE

PE

Games

Up to 4 Options

1 lesson

1 lesson

2 lessons

4 x 5 lessons

Guided subjects are identified through consultation between subject leaders, pastoral leaders and senior leaders. During this consultation we review how each student has progressed during Key Stage 3 to identify the guided subjects that are best matched to their strengths and needs. Our Key Stage 4 Guided Options structure is outlined below:

Core Subjects Guided Subjects Option Subjects

English

English Literature

Maths

Science

CS

Games

ICT

English, Maths and Science Enrichment

French

Literacy Study+

Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry & Physics)

BTEC Tech Award in Health & Social Care

BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise

Cambridge Nationals Award in Sport Studies

Geography

History

Religious Studies

Art: Fine Art

Art: Textiles Design

Music

    Physical Education

Computer Science

Food Preparation & Nutrition

Design & Technology

Year 9 Options

Although the majority of subjects begin delivering GCSE content during Year 9, we continue to operate an options process during the Spring term allowing Year 9 students to specialise in a reduced number of GCSE and equivalent subjects during Years 10 and 11. Humanities and Technology options commence during the Summer term in Year 9 enabling students to focus their learning within these areas post options.

The combination of subjects available within our options changes annually. If you would like any further information about specific courses being delivered during Key Stage 4, or would like to know about plans for future academic years, please email us on admin@theaxholmeacademy.com or call us on 01724 710368.