Curriculum Overview

We are committed to working with all of our primary feeder schools in order that our KS3 curriculum meets the needs of all our pupils joining us at the start of KS3.

This work involves:

• The Assistant Headteacher for Transition attends primary head teacher meetings to develop a clear understanding of the primary requirements for transition, assessment processes and SATs support for each child. This builds upon solid relationships with Year 6 teachers for a swift and accurate transfer of information to secure continued good progress for all students and identify those who have additional support.
• Primary subject leads from primary feeder schools have the opportunity to discuss and get advice on their KS2 subject curriculum plans with our corresponding subject leader. This provides continuity and avoids replication at KS3.
• All primary feeder schools are visited from the Easter of Year 6 for reading and phonological awareness testing.This involves all Year 6 pupils which is conducted by the Assistant Head Teacher responsible for SEN.
• Any pupil who is not expected to be secondary ready after KS2 testing is assessed for their specific learning support needs.
• Members of SLT are members of the governing body of a number of our primary feeder schools and are in a position to advise and contribute on curriculum matters.
• All pupils take part in a 3-day transition day in July of Year 6 where they follow a full typical Oxclose school timetable for the 3 days.
• Opportunities are identified for pupils from the feeder schools to visit Oxclose and be taught by specialist teachers in some of the foundation subjects.
• Teachers visit our primary feeder schools through allocated weekly time to advise on specialist subject areas such as PE and MFL.
• All pupils who arrive below 100 in English or Maths (Catch up 7 pupils) are assigned to an intervention prior to arriving and this starts immediately in Term 1 of Year 7.

(Allocated hour are based over 2 weeks (48 teaching hours))

Pupils will study either French, German or Spanish (dependent on year of entry to Yr7) from the start of Year 7 and will continue to study the same Language throughout KS3.

In Year 7 Art is taught as an independent subject. Design Technology subjects are taught on a carousel basis with rotations every 7 weeks. Pupils are taught in 5 different disciplines for 2 hours a week which is delivered by subject specialist teachers (Food 1, Food 2, Graphics, Textiles and Resistant Materials). In years 8 and 9 a joint Design Technology and Art carousel runs which reflects subjects that are available to study further at KS4 through the option process. The option process begins in the February of Year 9.

Curriculum time in Geography and History is increased in Year 8 with the aim to pupils specialising and continuing their study in just one of the subjects from the start of Yr9 through to GCSE examination in Year 11. Pupils and parents are given the opportunity to opt for their preferred choice of study in the summer term of Year 8.

Our aim is for our KS4 curriculum to meet the needs of all pupils resulting in them obtaining qualifications that hold currency with employers as well as enabling them to gain entry to further and higher education establishments.

Pupils choose their options in Year 9 and begin their study for examination subjects in Year 10. In the Ebacc subject’s pupils begin preparation in Year 9 for GCSE specifications that will be examined at the end of Year 11.

Core Subjects for all Pupils

(Allocated hours are based over 2 weeks (48 teaching hours))

Meetings take place with all subject leaders as part of the curriculum and options planning process to discuss option subjects and ensure that students are sitting the correct subject based on ability and challenge.

Initial pupil option choices are based on 5 challenge routes of Red, Purple, Blue, Orange or Green. These routes are guidelines only and are flexible. They are designed to best meet the need of a large number of our pupils. We are able to create specialised challenge routes which may include a combination of these routes to meet the individual needs of all pupils. This enables us to make the Ebacc suite of qualifications open to all pupils if they choose.

Every pupil is given the opportunity to make an appointment and meet with a member of the curriculum team along with their parents to adapt and personalise their curriculum. Individual advice and guidance is given to ensure that the pupil makes the best choices for their progression based on their ability and the schools understanding of their personal strengths and needs.

The options process takes place in January and February in Year 9.

The Option Subjects

We offer 15 out of the 17 KS4 subject clusters. All KS4 option subjects however are dependent on minimum class sizes and available staffing.

(Allocated hours are based over 2 weeks (48 teaching hours) + Denotes a Vocational Qualification)

Additional qualifications/awards include Further Maths, Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze), Princes Trust and Young Sports Leaders Award. KS4 students who are following the Ebacc suite of qualifications and study triple science are offered an enrichment hour on a Tuesday afternoon where they can study an additional option qualification.

As we are currently unable to offer post 16 provision at Oxclose Community Academy progression after KS4 is a key focus especially in Years 10 and 11.

We hope the opportunity pupils have at KS4 to specialise from a range of different subjects helps develop interests, opportunities for further study and helps enable pupils to make informed choices for future careers.

• We make every effort to ensure our Curriculum caters for all pupil’s aspirations and destinations, so all our pupils leave with recognised qualifications and with the highest possible grades in Maths and English.
• Our curriculum caters for pupils who wish to study traditional A level qualifications and we provide information and guidance to develop aspirations for further study in the future including university.
• With links developed with our post 16 provider’s pupils can progress onto specialist Level 3 vocational courses and apply for apprenticeships in the specialist subject areas we offer at KS4.
• As all our courses are level 1 / 2 qualifications (apart from entry level) this enables pupils achieving level 1 grades to successfully progress to Level 2 study at our local colleges especially in the vocational subjects they may have studied.
• All pupils get a personal careers interview with a specialist qualified careers advisor employed by the school.
• Post 16 providers who attend our Yr11 Information evening in the October of Year 11 and work with the lead teacher for careers through the PSHE programme and Tutorial time throughout the year. Pupils also visit and participate in taster days at a range of these post 16 providers.

Pupils are identified prior to joining Oxclose and some are placed into a .9 curriculum pathway to support both their academic needs, and their social & emotional wellbeing.

Pupils are taken from across the form classes within the year group and this creates a ‘virtual form’ who attend most lessons together.  This was designed to bridge the gap between Primary School and Secondary setting and to aid transition as pupils harness a stronger sense of class identity.

These pupils receive additional teacher time as they benefit from smaller class sizes (approximately 16-18 pupils) and increased support from Learning Support Assistants.

Throughout foundation school, there is always an opportunity to move in or out of this group and it is never a fixed destination point. Pupils are assessed regularly using a range of methods and performance is measured in the same way as the other pupils within the year group.

Students study a broad and balanced curriculum where they experience all subjects within the national curriculum, but actually benefit from additional, bespoke curriculum offers where they are introduced to the ‘Prince’s Trust’ qualification from the beginning of KS3. We do Princes Trust to develop students social and learning skills, knowledge of the world and social awareness. We do not enter these pupils into MFL, but they do access an MFL experience as part of their programme.

Their curriculum is designed so that in KS4, they have the opportunity to succeed, even if GCSE examinations are not accessible.  We offer certification in English and Maths which ensures that they do not leave school without a qualification to reflect their progress.  We also offer a wide range of creative subjects to ensure they receive a broad and balanced curriculum which is both bespoke and personalised to their need.

SEMH Learning Provision

The Discover Learning Centre (DLC) is a Key Stage 3 provision which aims to provide a small group of pupils with concentrated academic and pastoral support, enabling them to become successful learners and reintegrate into accessing mainstream education. Specifically, the DLC aims to: 

• Rebuild positive attendance and engagement patterns 
• Increase engagement in learning  
• Prepare pupils to transition into the main site to successfully complete their GCSE qualifications 

New Start is a small internal provision for pupils who require support to start attending school. The provision is designed to gradually integrate pupils back into full time mainstream education, overcoming SEMH barriers that are preventing them from attending school and accessing full-time education. 

In certain circumstances a very small number of pupils may need to access external alternative provision at some point in their time at Oxclose Community Academy.

In such cases an individual curriculum is devised through discussion with the organisation to best meet the individual needs and strengths of each pupil. This is monitored through regular progress updates for each subject and monitoring visits overseen by the AHT for Alternative Provision.

Alternative Provision Providers

• Beacon of Light
• The Link School
• Young Mums
• Springboard
• Evolve

Alternative Provision Policy 2024-25