At The Halifax Academy, we believe all students are entitled to an ambitious and creative curriculum which will help them to succeed, thrive and become a ‘voice to change the world.’
We challenge social injustice by building knowledge and developing skills through an academic curriculum which is broad and balanced. Each subject specifies, in detail, the knowledge, procedural and substantive, students will remember, underpinned by the National Curriculum and enhanced by wider subject related experiences. As such, across all subjects, students are prepared for examinations, whilst importantly, acquiring knowledge from experiences that build wider cultural capital.
As an all-through school, we have considered the knowledge, skills and attributes we want our students to acquire so that they confidently develop their ‘voice to change the world’’. High-quality subject specialists intelligently sequence the curriculum so that each phase builds on what has come before and prepares for what comes after. It is this careful consideration of what students learn, when, how and in what order that creates the richest experience possible for our students.
Our curriculum is underpinned by research and best practice across oracy, literacy, numeracy and cognitive science. By employing our curriculum as a progression model and enriching it with memorable experience, we make knowledge stick, develop transferable skills and create independent learners who can go on to be successful beyond year 11.
Our sequential curriculum begins in phase 1 so that students can successfully access a broad and balanced curriculum throughout their all-through education. This is underpinned by structured phonics, writing and mathematics lessons in EYFS to ensure core procedural knowledge is secured and that the transition into phase 2 is successful. Continuous provision extends into Year 1 and forms part of the curriculum for as long as students benefit from independent play-based learning in the classroom.
During Phase 2 focus is placed on reading, writing and mathematics. We ensure all students are reading by the age of six so that they can successfully access the curriculum. Through the Mathematics Mastery programme, we ensure core mathematical knowledge is mastered and practised. Music, PE, ADT, Spanish and computing are taught by subject specialists, whilst humanities and science are carefully planned with specialist support to ensure students are making links across and throughout the curriculum.
Throughout Phase 3, students continue to benefit from schemes planned, resourced and delivered by subject specialists. During this phase, we enable pupils to begin to think more coherently, critically and creatively.
Our Phase 4 curriculum is designed to be as broad as possible for as long as possible so that all students can continue to engage with the widest experience. Year 9 pupils continue with a range of courses such as Humanities, Music, Art and Computing.
During Phase 5 our curriculum is designed to prepare students for success in high currency qualifications which will ultimately improve their life chances and open up a range of careers and further education pathways. Our GCSE offer is broad and balanced with a strong core in the EBacc – English, mathematics, science, Spanish or German, and history or geography. There is also an emphasis on the creative subjects with all students completing at least one creative course. All students also study RE and can choose further options from a range of subjects such as: computing and citizenship. Students who wish to pursue a more vocational pathway can access high quality courses such as PE, Health and Social Care and Business. It is this balance, of examination preparation, vocational learning and continued wider cultural and life experience, which equips our students with the confidence and understanding to express their voice and forge their place in the world.
Throughout the through school, students have the opportunity to learn beyond the formal curriculum in their Character Curriculum and Connected programmes. They further develop resilience and confidence, as well as practising new skills through a diverse range of clubs, trips, visits, arts festivals and additional lectures and workshops.
Curriculum Model 2022-2023
For further information about our curriculum, please contact Mrs Jones by email: office@thehalifaxacademy.org
