The curriculum at Alec Reed Academy aims to enable all our pupils to be:

• Successful learners: who enjoy learning, make excellent progress and achieve their full potential. The hallmarks of being successful learners will be pupils who can use their thinking skills effectively, are able to work independently and in a scholarly way.
• Confident individuals: who are able to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives and who are capable of leading others. 
• Responsible citizens: who make a positive contribution to society and use their talents and abilities for the benefit of others as well as themselves.

We also want our pupils to be independent learners and thinkers who can through their own efforts adapt their knowledge, understanding and skills to pose key questions, research wisely, articulate solutions and provide novel answers to problems. In addition, we want to encourage all our pupils to develop the capacity for lifelong learning, to have a love of learning and to make sure that the learning needs of all pupils are fully met.

We are moving forward to deliver the best possible education for our pupils. Our curriculum will continue to evolve as we develop, trial and evaluate strategies and approaches designed to create a challenging appropriate, relevant and inclusive curriculum. There is an emphasis on promoting strength and success in traditional academic subjects balanced with a desire to foster personalisation in our provision. The Curriculum is constantly reviewed and developed to not only meet the needs and strengths of our pupils, but to provide rich opportunities for them to develop a range of skills and enjoy memorable experiences.
 
Throughout our curriculum we have strength in the core. An increased share of curriculum time is allocated to English, Maths and Science throughout KS3 and KS4 to recognise the importance of success and progress in these key subjects. There is a breadth of courses and range of levels across the curriculum, addressing the needs of all groups of pupils; a traditional academic offer balanced with specific vocational courses.
 
Pupils with additional learning needs often related to SEND may well be involved in individual or small group activities at times. Key Stage 3 operates over two years (Years 7 and 8), with Key Stage 4 operating over three years (Years 9, 10 and 11) and Key Stage 5 - Post 16 operating over two years (Years 12 and 13).

To find out more about the curriculum please visit out 'Contact Us' page by clicking here 

Key stage 3

At KS3 the school offers a broad and balanced curriculum, with pupils studying Maths, English, Science, Languages, Geography, History, PE, Music, Drama, Design & Technology, Art, Computing, RE, PSHE and Citizenship.

There is extensive provision and, where needed, intervention through Year 7, 8 and 9 for the development of core Literacy skills, particularly in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
 
Pupils are set according to ability in Maths, English and Science from Year 7, providing opportunity to target support for pupils that need ‘catch up’ provision and ensure stretch and challenge for the more able.

key stage 4

There is a strong focus at Key Stage 4 on the core academic subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, as well as Languages and Humanities.

This is supported by a flexible personalised curriculum, which can be customised in response to pupil choice, strengths and needs, rather than a pre-set defined structure. Curriculum time is organised to benefit pupils and provide opportunities for support, learning reinforcement and challenge.
 
To supplement the core subject courses studied (GCSE Mathematics, GCSE English, GCSE English Literature, GCSE Science, RS and PE) there are a variety of course choices at KS4 enabling us to provide an individualised curriculum for pupils with a wide range of passions, interests and needs. Our Full courses include:
 
GCSE’s – French, Spanish, History, Geography, Business Studies, PE, Computer Science, Art and Design, Product Design, Art Graphics, Textiles Design, RS, Media Studies, Music, Drama, Citizenship
 
Vocational Courses - Btec Level 2 ICT, Btec Level 2 Sport, Btec Level 2 Business Studies, Btec Level 2 Health and Social Care
 
Pupils studying a language at KS4 are required to also choose either History GCSE or Geography GCSE as one of their other Key Stage 4 choices. We also provide opportunities for pupils to take qualifications in many diverse community Languages.

key stage 5

The Sixth Form curriculum is followed by students in Years 12 and 13. The sixth form programme is made up of academic and vocational courses. The only GCSE retake courses available in Year 12 and 13 are English and Mathematics.
 
A number of post 16 pupils follow three or four A level courses and there is provision for pupils to follow other routes. The courses we offer are:

• Academic Level 3 courses (mainly A level): Applied Business, Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design and Technology – Product Design, Drama and Theatre Studies, Health and Social Care, Information and Communication Technology (Applied), Computer Science, Mathematics, Music Technology, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Spanish, Philosophy and Ethics
• Vocational Level 3 courses: Health and Social Care, Music (Performing), Sport Development, ICT, Business Studies, Performing Arts.
• Vocational Level 2 courses: Business Studies and ICT.
• GCSEs: English (retake), Mathematics (retake).