SECONDARY OVERVIEW

Introduction

Our priority is to support and develop your child through relevant and engaging lessons which allow students to question, challenge and take responsibility for their learning. We aspire to making students independent, lifelong learners who are fully equipped for the world beyond education.

Basis of the Curriculum

The curriculum is structured around individual needs and linked to support programmes that seek to raise students’ aspirations. The curriculum vision for our Academy has the following main elements:

a broad and balanced curriculum which offers students the opportunity to gain a portfolio of qualifications, experiences, skills and competences
personalised learning that provides academic, vocational and work-related pathways
interventional support for vulnerable students
a programme of literacy and numeracy development with further support in these areas where required
an appropriate balance of breadth and depth, content and skills, and opportunities for independent learning.

Key Stage 3

The Aylesbury Vale Academy offers its students a broad and balanced curriculum.

During the Academic Years 7 – 9, all students access courses in English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Design and Technology, Drama, Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Physical Education and Religious Studies.

Personal Health and Social Education, Information and Communication Technology and Citizenship are taught across the curriculum.

Key Stage 4

In years 10 and 11 students have an element of choice which allows them to personalise their Key Stage 4 Curriculum.

GCSE English (Language and Literature), GCSE Maths and GCSE Combined Science along with core PE are compulsory subjects for all students. The remainder of each timetable is composed of three Option Subjects *1 and one choice from the English Baccalaureate groups *2.

Most students will achieve a minimum of eight GCSE or equivalent qualifications.

*1 - GCSE Fine Art and GCSE Art, Craft and Design, AQA Technical Award in IT, GCSE Media, GCSE Physical Education, GCSE Design Technology, GCSE Music, GCSE Religious Studies, BTEC Performing Arts and BTEC Engineering.

*2 - GCSE Geography, GCSE History, GCSE Spanish and GCSE Computer Science.

Key Stage 5 - Post 16

We offer students the chance to specialise in three highly successful, vocational subjects. Students will be able to choose from BTEC Level 3 National Extended National Diploma in Business, Health and Social Care or Creative Digital Media Production.