Curriculum

All students have a 25-period week, this is 5 lessons per day of 1 hour duration. There is a form period of 40 minutes at the beginning of each morning and a floating Positive Discipline lesson that takes place during a different period every week where students spend the lesson with their form tutor.

All year groups will experience PSHCE drop down days. These days cover the statutory requirements included within the RSHE information, and, we carefully plan in the delivery of social, moral, spiritual and cultural aspects of learning, including the promotion of British values. As well as this, key topics such as drugs, bullying and careers are embedded into this rich curriculum and form time.

What do lessons look like at The Farnley Academy?

Years 7, 8 and 9 allows students to study a broad range of subjects that, at the end of Key Stage 3, enable them to make informed choices for their GCSEs. Students are taught in groups that reflect both their ability and their pastoral needs for all subjects. Subjects studied include: Art, Citizenship, Drama, English, Geography, History, ICT/Computer Science, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages (Mandarin, French and Spanish), Music, Ethics, Philosophy and Religion, Physical Education, Science and Technology (Product Design, Food, Technology and Textiles).

Students choose their GCSE option courses in year 9. Information on the options process can be found below.

Students begin their GCSE courses in Year 10. Students will study both English Language and English Literature, along with Mathematics, Combined Science (two GCSEs) and selected students will study Triple Science. Students also pick up to four option subjects from a combination of GCSE and Level 2 vocational courses. (Note: Certain subjects cannot be chosen together. Further details will be provided during options evening)

Students will have one Physical Education lesson per week. We feel that the study of Physical Education is very important to promote well-being and prepare students for life beyond The Farnley Academy.

Forensic Reading is delivered through English lessons.

Some students will be able to study Triple Science in Year 11 if they have been successful in the acquisition of knowledge and skills during the study of Combined Science.

All subject areas at The Farnley Academy have Curriculum Maps, which cover five or in certain cases three years. Curriculums have been designed to ensure that all students are fully prepared for the demands of GCSEs and A Levels. Curriculum Leaders started by identifying the key Assessment Objectives contained in the GCSE specifications and mapped backwards to ensure students are introduced to key skills and content during Key Stage 3. It is also essential in order to promote learning cohesion across Years 7 to 11, thus enabling our young people to make progress over time and systematically develop the knowledge and ability to apply these skills in a range of contexts.

As parents and carers you will be able to see the topics and skills your child is currently working on and also what they will be going onto explore next. If you require any further clarification on how to support your child with these topics please contact Curriculum Leaders by sending an email to [email protected] or by telephoning the academy on 0113 2630741.

As an academy we are also committed to ensuring that our young people are fully exposed to a variety of social, moral, spiritual and cultural aspects of learning (SMSC), including Fundamental British Values (FBV). It is for this reason that such opportunities are highlighted within the Curriculum Maps. Please click on the download link to view each subject’s Curriculum Plan.