Curriculum

Curriculum Information 2024-2025

Curriculum Aims

Our aim is to encourage students to achieve the highest standards of which they are capable. We make every effort to ensure that work is stimulating, enjoyable and matched to their individual needs, so that all students fully engage in the learning process. We aim to help our students across the curriculum:

To give students the equal opportunity to develop their academic and applied studies, creative talents and leisure interests
To raise aspirations so that everyone strives for success
To help establish self-confidence, self-motivation and self-discipline
To encourage pleasure and pride in one’s own and others’ achievements
To provide a rich and stimulating learning environment and a curriculum that meets the needs of all our learners
To promote a capacity for independent learning and the motivation to use that capacity
To identify individual needs and offer the opportunity to succeed to all
To provide the highest possible level of care and access to support that is appropriate and effective
To offer a wide range of experiences beyond the formal curriculum and extend their learning in opportunities outside the classroom, including learning through appropriate homework
To celebrate all excellence and achievements
To prepare students for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life and local and global citizenship
To promote an active involvement in caring for the environment of the Academy, the local community and the wider world
To encourage participation and teamwork
To encourage the interest and involvement of parents, governors, industry, commerce and the community in the life of the Academy and further the success of our students
To develop the use of literacy and numeracy skills effectively

As a result, the curriculum at Park Hall Academy aims to provide all students with a rich and broad curriculum that engages them and prepares them for their life and employment. It has been planned carefully with due regard to the context of the Academy as well as national legal requirements and financial probity. At Park Hall Academy, we pride ourselves on the breadth and choice in our curriculum. We believe that, as our students move through the school, they need to study courses that stimulate their interest, support their future aspirations and give them strong foundations for their future education and career choices. This commitment to a wide range of courses, coupled with high quality teaching and learning within each course, supports student achievement and thus the best possible results. We are delighted that this commitment to matching flexible curriculum courses to student needs has been recognised by Ofsted. We also strive to ensure that each child can maximise their Progress 8 score by undertaking a broad and balanced curriculum.

Park Hall Academy Key Stage 3 and 4 Curriculum at a Glance for 2024-2025

What follows is a description of the key features of the curriculum taught here at Park Hall Academy. It is, however, essential to recognise that much of our learning takes place outside the classroom or in wider educational experiences. These are numerous and varied at Park Hall, ranging from educational visits to enrichment and enhancement opportunities. Similarly, the curriculum work is supported by the wider work of all staff in the Academy, including the pastoral system, external agencies and other support systems such as externally purchased websites like MyMaths.

In Year 7, students study the following:

Art English Design and Technology French or Spanish Geography History IT Literacy Maths Performing Arts, including Music Physical Education (Statutory) Religious Education (Statutory) Science Social Education (Statutory PSHE included)

In Year 8, students study the following:

Art
English
Design and Technology
French or Spanish
Geography
History
IT
Literacy
Maths
Performing Arts, including Music
Physical Education (Statutory)
Religious Education (Statutory)
Science
Social Education (Statutory PSHE included)

In Year 9, students study the following:

Art
English
Design and Technology
French or Spanish
Geography
History
IT
Literacy
Maths
Performing Arts, including Music
Physical Education (Statutory)
Religious Education (Statutory)
Science
Social Education (Statutory PSHE included)

In Year 10, students study the following:

English (Literature and Language)
Maths
Science
PE
RE (Statutory)
Social Education (Statutory PSHE included)
Various combinations of courses from the BTEC/ GCSEs lists below

In Year 11, students study the following:

English (Literature and Language)
Maths
Science
PE
RE (Statutory)
Social Education (Statutory PSHE included)
Various combinations of courses from the BTEC/ GCSEs lists below

Year 10 and Year 11
Type	Qualification Title
Core Curriculum Offer - All students
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Combined Science: Trilogy
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in English Language
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in English Literature
Academic	Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics
Statutory	Physical Education
Statutory	Religious Education
Statutory	Social Education (Statutory PSHE included)
Vocational	NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Health and Fitness
EBacc Curriculum Offer - Open to all students
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in French
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Geography
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Spanish
Academic	Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in History
Academic	OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Computer Science
Options Curriculum Offer - Open to all students
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Biology
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Chemistry
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Citizenship Studies
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Dance
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Physics
Academic	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Sociology
Academic	OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design: Art
Academic	OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design: Photography
Academic	OCR Level 3 Free Standing Mathematics Qualification: Additional Maths
Academic	Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Business
Academic	Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies B
Academic	Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Statistics
Vocational	NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Health and Fitness
Vocational	OCR Level 1/Level 2 Cambridge National in Engineering Design (Y11 only)
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Child Development
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Music Practice
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Sport
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Creative Media Production
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts
Vocational	WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Hospitality and Catering

Park Hall Academy Key Stage 5 Curriculum at a Glance for 2022-2023

All pupils take part in various combinations of courses from the BTEC/ GCEs lists below

Year 12 and Year 13
Type	Qualification Title
A Level Curriculum Offer
A Level	AQA Advanced Level GCE in History
A Level	AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in English Literature A
A Level	AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Geography
A Level	AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics
A Level	AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Psychology
A Level	AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Spanish
A Level	AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Sociology
A Level	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Art and Design
A Level	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology A
A Level	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chemistry A
A Level	Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Business
A Level	Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics
A Level	Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Politics
A Level	WJEC Eduqas Level 3 Advanced GCE in Film Studies (Y12 only)
Academic	AQA Level 3 Extended Project
Vocational Curriculum Offer
Vocational	OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Health and Social Care
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Psychology
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Children's Play, Learning and Development
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media Production
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport
Vocational	Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production
Vocational	WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology
Resit GCSE Curriculum Offer - Open to resit students
GCSE Resit	AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in English Language
GCSE Resit	Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics