Introduction
At St. Michael's we have an aspirational and inclusive curriculum offer to meet the needs of all students within our community. We have a full 3-year KS3 programme that provides a foundation for choices at GCSE. Our curriculum intent is to teach students the best of all that has been thought and said in order to equip them with the cultural capital needed to be ready for the next stage in their learning. The curriculum is planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before. Staff have explicit clearly defined end points for every year and this is shared with students and parents to ensure clarity. This also ensures that the students are fully aware of their own progression through the curriculum and this is illustrated in ‘learner journeys’ which are used throughout the school. We focus on embedding knowledge into long term memory using recall and retention strategies consistently and we provide meaningful and purposeful homework.
We adapt the curriculum to make it both challenging and accessible where appropriate in order to give every student the best possible opportunity to succeed. Enabling students to experience success and achievement and therefore build confidence and resilience underpins the whole purpose of our curriculum.
In Years 7, 8 and 9 students experience a broad foundation of subjects to help identify areas of strength and love for subjects they would like to pursue at GCSE level. These include:
| RE | English | Maths | Science |
| Art | Computer Science | DT | Geography |
| History | MFL | Music | PE |
In addition, all students from Year 7 through to Year 11 follow a course of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, which is studied weekly. This curriculum covers a range of important subjects such as financial education, British values and Sexual and Relationships Education. All aspects of PHSEE are delivered through the perspective of the Catholic Values that underpin all areas of curriculum in St. Michael's.
St Michael’s Catholic Academy regards preparation for life and keeping safe as a profound priority, and this is reflected in our weekly provision of assemblies and talks from visiting speakers.
Setting from September 2021
From September, all subjects for year 7 will be taught in their form classes. This will be mixed-ability teaching in all subject areas. In Y8 and Y9 setting used in maths.
In year 10 and 11 the core subjects of maths, English, science and in Religious Education, setting is used. Option subjects are taught in mixed ability groups with a broad range of subjects and courses being available to engage all students.
Religious Education
As a Catholic Academy we see Religious Education as at the core of our Academy and therefore all students follow a Curriculum Directory based programme of study at KS3 and go on to study GCSE Religious Education at KS4. Not only is the subject very successful academically, but it also provides important moral, cultural and spiritual education vital to the development of every child and adult.
Core curriculum at KS4
All students take GCSEs in Maths, English Language and English Literature. These three qualifications are the key to future success regardless of whether students go straight into the world of work, apply to college or for an apprenticeship. All students take Science as part of their core curriculum. Core Science consists of a Combined Science GCSE (two GCSEs) which includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Otherwise, students may study Separate Sciences which consists of three separate GCSEs. We also expect all students to participate in Core PE which is not examined in any key stage.
Option choices
All students in St. Michael’s chose their options in Y9 to begin their GCSE courses in Y10. We expect all students to complete 9 GCSEs but for some we offer the opportunity to complete 10.
Available GCSE and Vocational option courses
| GCSEs | Vocational | |
| Art | CNAT iMedia | |
| Computer Science | BTEC Sport | |
| Film Studies | BTEC Health and Social Care | |
| French | BTEC Travel & Tourism | |
| DT: Food Preparation & Nutrition | BTEC Music | |
| DT: Graphic Design | ||
| Geography | ||
| History | ||
| Physical Education | ||
| Spanish | ||
| DT: Textiles | ||
| DT: 3D Product Design |