Curriculum Overview

The Pingle Academy curriculum for 2023-24 has been developed in line with an agreed Affinity Learning Partnership curriculum and our shared values. It has been designed to help provide the best platform for achievement for the young people in our care, as outlined in our mission statement:

“To ensure that all the children and young people in our care have the opportunity to fulfil their potential through achieving highly, regardless of their ability or background.”

The de Ferrers Trust 2019

At The Pingle Academy we understand ‘curriculum’ to be the mechanism by which we provide a comprehensive education for our students based on their need, ability, aptitude and aspiration. This includes all planned activities in and outside the classroom which contribute to the development of all students regardless of gender or background and which prepare them for continuing participation in education, employment or training so that they become active citizens.

Curriculum Intent

•  To provide a broad and balanced curriculum which is rich in knowledge and skills and meets the needs of all students.
•  To ensure that students aim to “aspire and achieve” and in so doing, to help all students to raise their aspirations and exceed expectations.
•  To ensure that students are resilient and respectful citizens who go on to make a positive contribution, both locally and in wider society.
   

Curriculum Aims

•  To plan for a clear progression route in each subject area, through their 3, 5 or 7 year curriculum. Each lesson will have a purpose and fit into a sequence of lessons over time.
•  To address social disadvantage through the curriculum, ensuring it is truly equitable and
  challenging for all students, regardless of background.
•  To address gaps in literacy and numeracy at the earliest opportunity, to ensure all students can access all areas of the curriculum as they progress through the academy.
•  To encourage and inspire students who read for pleasure to do so for life
•  To ensure students in Years 7, 8 and 9 experience a full curriculum during this “enrichment” phase, before specialising in Key Stage 4. This is important for the long term achievement and the well-being of our students.
•  To ensure students in all Key Stages have full access to the arts, Physical Education,
  Computing and a range of Design and Technology subjects.
•  To ensure that the Key Stage 3 curriculum content for each year is not seen as a stepping
  stone to GCSE, but rather an opportunity to provide students with the knowledge and skills
  required to be successful in Further Education, employment or training and life.
•  To provide students in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), “the GCSE/BTEC years”, with access to a curriculum appropriate to their individual needs. In addition to the English Baccalaureate and a range of external qualifications, the Key Stage 4 curriculum aims to provide wide ranging opportunities for creativity, employability and life skills.