As an English Department, we strive to promote high standards of language and literacy by supporting all of our students to develop a strong command of the spoken and written word.

In both Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four English programmes of study, students will be encouraged to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. We want all students at Corley Academy to be able to read easily, fluently and with good understanding as well as supporting them (in class, in our new library or at home) to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information. Through studying a range of texts and developing understanding of grammar, students will also feel confident using a wider range of vocabulary when they read, write or speak.

At both Key Stage Three and Four, interesting and challenging texts have been deliberately selected so that students can appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage but also broaden their reading experiences to include texts from other cultures or traditions. Students will hopefully find inspiration in these texts in order to improve their own writing so that, with support, it is clear, accurate and coherent.

In terms of spoken language activities students in all years and of all abilities will be encouraged to use discussion in order to elaborate or explain their understanding and ideas within the English classroom. These transferable skills will help students to make formal presentations, demonstrate ideas to other or participate in debates.

Useful links:

• BBC Bitesize English
• BBC Blast creative writing
• Creative Writing Prompts

At Key Stage 3, students will study The National Curriculum which includes coverage of the key concepts of Mathematics – competence; creativity; applications and implications of mathematics; and critical understanding. These are studied through the key process in maths which are representing; analysing; interpreting and evaluating; and communicating and reflecting. The content of study includes number and algebra; geometry and measures; and statistics and is taught for fluency and mastery at each stage.

Where possible, in Key Stage 3 students are grouped by ability so that they are able to develop appropriate skills and reach their full potential.

In Key stage 4, students are grouped by ability and follow different routes which allow them to make the best progress possible.

Year 11 and 10 students study the Edexcel GCSE Mathematics course at Foundation Level (Higher if appropriate). The students’ learning will be externally assessed at the end of the course through 3 written examination papers (two calculator and one non-calculator). The students are able to achieve grades 1 to 5 (or 4 to 9 on higher paper).

Alongside this, students are also developing their functional skills. Accreditation for this will be through tests taken at Entry level, Level 1 and 2.

At Key Stage 5 students continue to study Mathematics either through Functional Skills at Entry Level or Level 1 or 2, Stepping Stones Units at Entry Level or Level 1 or resitting GCSE where applicable. (3 x 45 minutes per week).

Useful GCSE Revision Notes

• Revision notes GCSE foundation exam basic information
• Revision notes GCSE foundation further useful information
• Higher revision sheet

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, students will study the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity – all students will be taught the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Students will be encouraged to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. As well as developing an understanding of science, students will progress in the social aspects of learning through group investigations and practical experiments.

Year 7 

Students in year 7 follow the AQA Key Stage 3 Science Syllabus which incorporates all 3 strands of Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and is related to a different theme each half term. This content will prepare students for year 8 and 9 by providing them with the knowledge and skills to be confident in becoming proficient young scientists.

Year 8, 9 and Class 10 

Students in year 8 and 9 build on their knowledge and skills following the AQA Key Stage 3 Science Syllabus. Alongside this, students will complete AQA Entry Level Certificate (ELC) in Science. This is designed to develop student’s confidence in both their theoretical concepts and their practical skills. The year 8 and 9 curriculum is specifically designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills, which are crucial to being successful young scientists at GCSE. Students will be assessed through Externally Set Assignments (ESA) and Teacher Devised Assignments (TDA).

Key Stage 4

Year 10 and 11 

At Key Stage 4, students study GCSE Biology, which is a singular GCSE qualification. This is assessed at the end of Year 11 in 2 examination papers (1 hour 45 minutes each). Students complete 10 required practical experiments as part of this course which is assessed internally alongside additional practical’s to further students understanding of specific concepts. This course covers various topics from the disciplines of Biology and builds on concepts from their KS3 curriculum.

Useful GCSE Revision Notes

B1-B4 Paper 1 Home Learning Pack

B5-B7 Paper 2 Home Learning Pack

 

• PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) at Corley Academy is a subject through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepare for life and work in modern Britain. Evidence shows that well-delivered PSHE programmes have an impact on both academic and non-academic outcomes for students, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.
• Our PSHCE Curriculum aims to develop skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, teamworking and critical thinking in the context of learning grouped into three core themes: health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world (including economic wellbeing and aspects of careers education).

• In Corley Academy Art and Design department we aim to build students’ practical skills whilst developing their confidence. We aim to provide students with the opportunity to express their ideas and work independently and as groups. They will work in a supportive environment that encourages social skills and respect, qualities that are embedded into the curriculum.
• Students begin Key Stage 3 transitional projects in Year 7 which introduce them to a range of basic skills and promote creative thinking. In Years 8 and 9 students begin working on longer projects that further support and develop their individual learning. Students will be expected to complete an independent study unit, fully supported by teaching staff, which will enable them to identify areas of creative interest and establish their own identity within their work.

Our Art Gallery

In KS3, Computing students learn about e-safety, IT fundamentals (using word processing and spreadsheet software) creative media (digital photography, animations, computer games, and websites), computer basics (computer hardware and software, history of computer development) and programming (using Lego robots, Scratch, Raspberry Pi and coding in HTML).

In KS4 students will complete either Entry 3 or Level 1 certification in ICT through the WJEC exam board. This qualification is coursework only, and students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge across five units – IT user fundamentals, using word processing software, using mobile IT devices, internet safety for IT users and using the internet.

Useful Links

• Computer Basics
• Lego Mindstorm NXT
• Learn to program in html
• Learn to code in Python

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Music curriculum lessons are delivered once per week in Key Stage 3.  Students can choose to study Music as an Option subject in Key Stage 4 where they will study for Rock School graded examinations in their choice of instrument.

In Year 7, students develop skills in pulse and rhythm, singing, djembe, ukulele, piano, chair drums and pBuzz/brass. They start to read music and learn to perform on their own and in a group, developing their confidence and cooperation. They start to appraise their own performances and the performances of others.

In Year 8 and 9 students build on the skills learnt in Year 7, learning about different styles and eras of music, music from different cultures and how to play as band. They develop their singing, playing and music reading skills. They create their own music and use technology to create music. They also develop skills on more modern band instruments that can be studied in Year 10 and Year 11 (usually guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and vocals).

If chosen as an Option subject in Year 10 and Year 11, students choose an instrument to study (usually vocals, guitar, bass, drums, sometimes keyboard and ukulele) and work towards gaining Rockschool graded qualifications, which have an equivalent Level 1 or Level 2 grade. Students are entered for 30 minute practical exams when ready and these can be during any of three exam periods each year.

Useful Links

• Rockschool

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Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, we aim to offer students a broad curriculum in order to offer experiences of as many different physical activities as possible. PE is an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of how their body works and moves; it allows them to learn in a practical context. In light of our students’ additional needs, the PE curriculum is aimed to help develop team work, socialisation and communication skills. Students are taught PE in blocks of physical activity, so they can improve their skills over a suitable length of time and progress both physically and mentally, with greater tactical and technical understanding of each activity

Key Stage 4 

In these lessons we further develop our students’ physical and mental capabilities. Our aim is to inspire students to find an activity they could continue after they leave our school.

Corley Academy also offers an option in BTEC Level 1/2 first award in Sport; this is a GCSE equivalent and is a way for students to develop their understanding of Sport, Coaching and the Science of Sport. It is taught and assessed through internal coursework and a 1-hour external exam. The PE department is very proud of its student’s results; our students have received some of the highest level qualifications in the school.

From 2024 onwards we are also delivering an option in Cambridge National Level 1/2 Award in Sports Studies. Like the BTEC, this is a GCSE equivalent. In this course, students will study the topics affecting sport through the contemporary issues unit, both play and lead sporting activities, as well as having the chance to either explore the world sport and the media

In year 11 all students complete an Entry Level in PE qualification, although this is not a GCSE equivalent it provides them with a qualification for the practical elements of PE that they participate in. This course gives students the choice to be assessed in four sports of their choosing. The lessons and sports delivered are therefore flexible throughout the year and are dependent on the cohort; although the list below incorporates most of their choices.

Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5, PE staff support the delivery of the practical element of the ASDAN COPE Award. Students will learn a new activity during this time and have to record their progress in activity over an extended period of time.

Extra Curricular and School Sport

As well as curriculum PE, students also get the opportunity to participate in extracurricular Sport. As a school we have competed in a large variety of sports including Football, Basketball, Tag-Rugby, Tennis, Rock Climbing and Boccia. We encourage as many students as we can to participate in extra sporting opportunities but in some activities we do select teams that best represent the talent of our school. Most of these events are part of the Sporty Minds calendar of sports. More information about Sporty Minds can be found on their website.

We also compete in The School Games events; these are run both within our school and externally, when we compete in Level 2 and Level 3 competitions. These provide our students with further opportunities to represent their school in Sport and allow them to socialise with a variety of students, from both our school and others whom they may be competing against. More information on The School Games can be found on their website

 

The PE department and Corley Academy are very proud of our most recent achievement. Due to the high quality delivery of PE and extracurricular provision of different sports teams. We have been awarded the School Games Bronze Mark. This nationally recognised award celebrates the diverse range of sports we offer here at Corley Academy and the inclusion of students in different extracurricular Sports events.

 

During the 2023/24 Academic year, we were honoured to be one of the first schools to compete internationally in a cross Atlantic HADO Tournament (HADO is a new exciting VR Dodgeball Sport – more information is on their website). We have developed close links with HADO and are excited to keep exploring the opportunities this will provide for our students.

Although we try to stay to the planned sports due to weather, timetabling and facilities this is not always possible. Students will always be informed before a school holiday of what sports they will be taught the following term.

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