Curriculum - Springwest Academy
Springwest academy 7

Curriculum

On this page, you will find details about our curriculum offer at Springwest Academy. If you have any queries or wish to find out more about our offer, please contact us at info@springwestacademy.org.

Intent

At Springwest Academy, we provide an ambitious, knowledge rich curriculum for all of our students, regardless of start point, in order to promote social justice. All of our students are entitled to acquire the “powerful knowledge” that will enable them to move beyond their everyday experiences and ultimately be successful members of society.

Subject-specific knowledge and skills, guided by the National Curriculum Framework, are at the heart of our curricula. These are delivered sequentially, building on prior learning and promoting progression to help students to develop breadth and depth of knowledge.

To narrow the attainment gap and support successful learning, both now and in the future, our curriculum focuses on the following three pillars:

Reading

To widen vocabulary, increase knowledge and improve literacy, students are presented with a range of texts and benefit from dedicated focused reading time.

Oracy

To improve verbal communication, deepen understanding and facilitate the application of new knowledge, students are encouraged to collaborate, discuss and debate.

Cultural Capital

To improve social mobility, students are exposed to a range of knowledge and experiences which broaden their horizons and increase ambition.

Implementation

It is expected that:

  • All lessons will begin with a relevant ‘Do Now Activity’ (DNA). This should be largely retrieval.
  •  At Springwest we define learning as ‘Understanding + Memory’, therefore lessons focus on developing understanding of “powerful knowledge” and strategies are used to ensure that learning is committed to long term memory.
  • As the emphasis is on knowledge and subject specific skills, students should practise recalling and applying facts, vocabulary, key concepts and key debates.

Impact

The following assessments will be used to see whether pupils have learnt and can apply subject-specific knowledge and skills and to ensure that their depth and breadth of subject-specific knowledge is progressing over time.

It is expected that:

  • All students complete short, regular, knowledge recall tests known as Mastery Quizzes every 3-4 lessons.
  • A drafting process takes place through each unit of work with students receiving formative feedback to support in the creation of a model, or ‘best’ piece of work.
  • Students undertake summative assessments, known as Progress Checks, on at least 3 occasions in the academic year.

What can students study at Key Stage 4?

Core subjects:

English Language

English Literature

Mathematics

Combined Science

Option Subjects:

Art

Dance

Early Years

Engineering

Geography

History

Hospitality & Catering

MFL

Photography

Religious Studies

Sport

Travel & Tourism

 

In Food Technology we learn how to be healthy and in PSHE we learn about how to have good mental health. We are encouraged to be reflective and responsible for ourselves and those around us.

Joe, Year 8

My favourite thing about Springwest is the diversity, I love that each student or teacher is different in their own way and that the school encourages students to be their own person and to be confident in who they are, no matter their background, orientation or gender. | am proud to know that we are one of the schools that ensure that all students feel welcome.

Student Feedback

The thing I love most about Springwest is the collaboration between the students. Students will aid one another not just in education but in everyday life

Ben, Year 11

Teachers teach high quality lessons with their valuable experiences. Students’ questions are always clarified patiently until we understand the topic.

Jaikishan, Year 11

I used to be a student at Springwest and now I work here. I love helping the students and building a rapport with our families. It is rewarding seeing students understand something they didn't.

Teacher

Thank you so much for such an amazing experience with First Give. I am really grateful to Ms Swandle for making it so fun for everyone. This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. - Ameera Year 9

Ameera Year 9

I’m now in Year 11 and I am the way I am today because of my teachers. In Year 7, I had no confidence and would shy away from everyone. However, members of staff have helped me to overcome this.

Year 11 Student

“Post 16 advice and guidance is great, compared to friends at other schools we have so much support. Ms Tupper is really great at it”

student feedback