We have a well-constructed curriculum, tailored to meet the needs of our learners and address social disadvantage on many levels. Our curriculum offer is adapted to meet individual needs where appropriate and therefore offers a range of pathways, which we believe broaden rather than narrow the offer at different points during the five-year journey. This is essential to overcome social disadvantage and remove the barriers our pupils face.

Introduction

Melior Academy provides education for students aged from 11-16 years. The academy is firmly committed to the principle of providing a broad and balanced curriculum for all students. The academy aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum with high quality teaching and learning.

Purpose

The purpose of the Curriculum Policy Statement is to detail how the curriculum serves the needs of all students.

The academy aims:

• to construct a curriculum that is ambitious and designed to give all pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.

• to have a curriculum which is coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulatively sufficient knowledge and skills for future learning and employment.

 • to recognise the individual needs and talents of each student and to facilitate development of their intellectual, moral, physical, spiritual and creative capacities;

 • to ensure that the curriculum incorporates statutory requirements, reflects the academy’s strengths and yet is flexible and relevant to SEND students’ needs developing their knowledge, skills and abilities to apply what they know and can do with increasing fluency and independence.

 • to prepare students for the world of work and lifelong learning;

• to promote the core British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

 Philosophy/Intent

The curriculum is designed to be broad, balanced, relevant and meeting the needs of individual learners in order to support good progress. The curriculum has been carefully sequenced to ensure that learners receive a logical curriculum that aids knowledge retention. The range of subjects helps students acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in all aspects of their education. It is constantly reviewed to ensure that we are giving our students the best opportunities and to ensure that it is in line with current education department/academy sponsor recommendations.

The curriculum plan

The curriculum in Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 & 9) follows the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum.

At key stage 4 (yr 10 and 11) all students study a compulsory core curriculum of:

An increasing proportion of students study a Modern Foreign Language. In addition to these core subjects, all students choose 3 options. A range of GCSEs, BTECs and other accredited courses are offered as optional subjects.

Subject offer and student setting 2023/24

During Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 & 9) all students study the same subjects as required by the National Curriculum. The aim of the curriculum is to give all students a wide breadth of subjects and to equip them with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.

The curriculum contributes to students’ behaviour and welfare including their physical, mental and personal wellbeing, safety and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through cross curricular themes within the curriculum. The EPC programme covering the National Curriculum guidelines for PSHE is cover in 1 session per week. In addition, Sex and Relationship Education is delivered via an external provider (Big Talk Education).

At key stage 4 (Yr 10 and 11) all students study the same subjects as required by the National curriculum. Students also get the opportunity to select three additional options from a suite of GCSE and vocational subjects.