Pupils at Bredon Hill Academy follow a broad, rich and ambitious curriculum throughout Years 6 to 8.  Our curriculum enhances pupils’ learning, attainment, achievement and progress.  It stretches and challenges to help our pupils grow as learners, whilst developing their knowledge, skills and understanding.  Individual subject areas focus on depth of learning, building on prior learning and supporting our school values of Belief, Honesty and Aspiration.  

At Bredon Hill Academy, we have a strong social, moral, spiritual and cultural ethos, which helps prepare the pupils for life in the modern world. 

Our curriculum, combined with our extra-curricular opportunities, supports our pupils to become: 

• Successful learners, who are naturally curious. 

• Confident individuals who are able to live safe and healthy lives. 

• Well-rounded young people, prepared for the next stage of their education. 

• Individuals with the knowledge, skills and understanding to take advantage of responsibilities and experiences later in life. 

• Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to our society. 

Whilst we are accountable to a degree, for KS2 outcomes, we do not overload the curriculum in Year 6 with English and Maths lessons.  Pupils in Year 6 have scheduled lessons of science, computing, PE and all the Foundation subjects taught, where possible, by specialists. This enables pupils to explore a wide range of subjects linked to the National Curriculum. Although there is a secondary curriculum model for Year 6 scheduled on a two-week timetable, literacy and numeracy are seen to be integral across all subjects. 

A clear and coherent rationale for the design of the curriculum exists, with an emphasis on preparing pupils in our 10 – 13 age range for the next stage of their education, from Year 9, in a high school. All staff see this as an important element of the school, and it is shared and understood by all. 

Each curriculum leader has designed programmes of study which are sequenced, cumulative and facilitate a progression of skills, knowledge and understanding. Timely assessment points are factored in to coincide with our reporting schedule, ensuring pupils and parents/carers are informed of progress.  Moderation of standards, both internal and external, takes place through curriculum meetings across the pyramid of schools.  The outcomes (Attainment 8 and Progress 8) at KS4, including the EBacc, strongly suggest that the KS3 curriculum for Years 7 and 8 is highly effective.  This is also borne out by our own internal data and is further verified externally through GL Assessments. There is an expectation that ALL pupils will make progress measured against internal and external tests and assessments across their learning journey with us, and any pupils who are disadvantaged or who require adaptive teaching because of an additional need are well supported.  

Reading is prioritised across the school and seen as the foundation stone to learning.  The importance of reading and comprehension is promoted by tutors, teachers, governors and non-teaching staff.  This, along with mathematical fluency, forms the pre-conditions of curriculum design and delivery. 

The staff Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme is entwined in the school’s curriculum, particularly the development of retrieval practice, reading, talk for learning and the promotion of a rich vocabulary.  The curriculum is also equitable for all - pupils with identified needs are supported within timetabled lessons, enabling as many pupils as possible to access their full curriculum, whilst also developing the core skills of resilience and perseverance.  

The range of extra-curricular opportunities at Bredon Hill Academy is intrinsic to our school ethos and has a substantial impact on our pupils and school life.  These activities support the personal and character development of well-rounded, mature individuals and help to prepare them for the next stage of their education; we hold these concepts at the heart of all we do. We are proud of our rural setting and pupils enjoy being able to develop their outdoor learning. 

The list of extra-curricular opportunities is extensive.  The vast majority of pupils regularly attend at least one club at lunchtime or after school.  Clubs include sport, art, gardening, computing, film, music, Lego, history, birdwatching, coding, chess and STEM to name but a few. 

Throughout the year, there are an array of visits, guest speakers, workshops and presentations designed to support our curriculum delivery, but also to enrich pupils’ lives and provide long-lasting memories of their education.