Curriculum Overview

Cornwallis Academy offers a rich and diverse curriculum to harness the talents of every student. In line with our ‘Successful Motivated Inspired Learning Excited and Engaged’ ethos, our curriculum aims to motivate, inspire, excite and engage all students so that they can be successful in their learning. We take pride in our ability to meet the individual needs of every student, providing them with flexibility and choice, within an inclusive environment. Our ambitious curriculum provides all students with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to secure their future employability. We are proud to have ‘ambitions for all’ of our students.

Key Stage Three (Years 7-9)

The Key Stage 3 curriculum follows the national curriculum, with students studying:

English
Mathematics
Science
History
Geography
Modern Foreign Languages (including French and Spanish)
Design and Technology (including Textiles, Resistant Materials, Graphics and Food Preparation & Nutrition)
Art and Design
Music
Physical Education
Computing
Religious Education

In addition to these subjects, we also offer:

Drama
Dance
Our SMILE curriculum (which develops resilience skills)
Scholarships in Football, Art and Dance
Ambition (our academic programme in English and Mathematics)
Literacy and reading intervention programmes

All of our students also study a comprehensive PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) and RSE (relationships, sex and health) programme in Key Stage Three.

Key Stage Four (Years 10-11)

At the end of Year 9, our students select the subjects they will continue to study in Years 10 and 11. Students in Key Stage Four study a range of GCSE and Level 2 BTEC courses.

All of our students study the core subjects:

GCSE Mathematics
GCSE English Language
GCSE English Literature
Either GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (double award); or GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics.

All of our students choose to study one of the humanities:

GCSE Geography
GCSE History

All of our students then choose another two subjects from the following options. We encourage students to choose a language as one of their options:

GCSE French
GCSE Spanish
GCSE Citizenship
GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art
GCSE Creative iMedia
GCSE Religious Education
GCSE Sociology
GCSE Media Studies
GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition
GCSE Design & Technology
GCSE Physical Education
BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Health & Social Care
BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise
BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Financial Education
BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Travel & Tourism
BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Sports, Activity and Fitness
BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts – Drama
BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts – Dance
WJEC Level 2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts (Technical Award) – Music

All of our students also study a comprehensive PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) and RSE (relationships, sex and health) programme in Key Stage Four.

All students have a compulsory PE lesson every week.

Key Stage Five (Years 12-13)

Students in Key Stage Five study a range of A Level, Level 3 BTEC and Level 2 courses. All students are enrolled onto a study programme that meets the minimum 600 guided learning hours, with timetabled Maths and English GCSE classes for those who do not yet have a Grade 4 pass. Study programmes are tailored to suit students’ career or further education aspirations, and all students have a dedicate Careers and Guidance meeting with a Careers Adviser. All students complete meaningful work experience during Year 12 and are also given the opportunity to complete the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as well as non-qualification activities that complement the programme and support their progression and development in line with their career plans.

The qualifications that we offer in Key Stage Five include:

A Level English Literature
A Level English Literature & Language
A Level Mathematics
Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
A Level Biology
A Level Chemistry
A Level Physics
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science
A Level History
A Level Politics
A Level Geography
A Level Art & Design: Fine Art
A Level Psychology
A Level Sociology
A Level Design & Technology: Product Design
A Level Media Studies
A Level Physical Education
A Level Spanish
BTEC Level 2 Beauty Therapy
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Children’s Play, Learning & Development
Level 3 Applied Certificate & Diploma in Criminology
Level 3 Extended Certificate in Digital Media
Level 3 Tech Level in Creative and Performing Arts
Level 3 Certificate in Financial Education
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health & Social Care
RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners (Performing)
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Travel & Tourism

All of our students also study a comprehensive PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) and RSE (relationships, sex and health) programme in Key Stage Five.