Curriculum Structure

At Holderness Academy and Sixth Form College, our intention is to ensure learners make exceptional progress and that the curriculum removes any potential barriers to learning, irrespective of social background, culture, race, gender or sexuality, differences in ability and disabilities. 

We aim to develop our learners through our core values of being Aspirational, Resilient, Respectful and Kind. These are at the heart of everything we do.  We set high expectations to ensure every learner excels across all aspects of academy life. 

We want our learners to leave with knowledge and skills which will not only create excellent life opportunities and enable them to be successful in whatever career they choose but will also prepare them exceptionally well for life beyond the academy and thus fulfilling our vision: 

To inspire and empower young people to make a positive difference today, ready for tomorrow.

At Holderness Academy and Sixth Form College, learners will: 

• Have a curriculum that can be accessed by all, regardless of ability or social-economic background.
• Experience a broad, deep and knowledge-rich curriculum.
• Develop as a Holderness Communicator, to create active readers, skilled writers and confident speakers. 
• Be numerate; building and link numeracy skills across all relevant subjects.
• Have high expectations for their behaviour and achievement.
• Enhance their cultural, social, moral, mental and physical development.
• Become a Holderness Learner prepared for progression to their next steps in life.

Key Stage 3

The curriculum in Years 7–9 is structured to comply with the National Curriculum Secondary national curriculum (publishing.service.gov.uk).

In Years 7-9, all learners follow a programme in which all the subjects listed below are taught separately.

• Art
• English
• Geography
• History
• Computing
• Mathematics
• Music
• Modern Foreign Languages (Either French or Spanish)
• Physical Education (PE)
• Philosophy and Ethics – Religious Education
• Science
• Technology (Food, Product Design and Textiles)
• ARRK – Aspirational, Resilience, Respect and Kind lessons; this encompasses British Values (BV) and the Religious Sex Education framework (RSE)

Setting (Maths, Science and Computer Science)

Learners complete national Access Maths Tests (AMT) twice a year in addition to end of topic knowledge-based assessments in Maths and Science. This information, as well as a teacher's knowledge of their learners, is used to determine learner sets.

All other subjects are taught in mixed ability and tutor groups.

A range of teaching styles and techniques are used throughout the curriculum. This is intended to provide varied and stimulating learning for all with the methodology of the lesson being determined by that which best suits the subject matter.

Key Stage 4

Teaching takes place in mixed ability groups, apart from in Mathematics, English and Science, where ability groupings are used.

The progress of all students is carefully monitored by staff, with regular assessments taking place to ensure that appropriate programmes of study are provided for all ability levels. 

A range of teaching styles and techniques are used throughout the curriculum. This is intended to provide varied and stimulating learning for all with the methodology of the lesson being determined by that which best suits the subject matter.

In Key Stage 4 and the Sixth Form, for public examination purposes, every subject is taught according to the exam board specifications (Vocational, GCSE or A Level) and the guidance of the subject leader responsible.

Our curriculum provides an opportunity for learners to follow a curriculum pathway that is informed by where they have come from in their academic life and where they aspire to be. Learners study a range of core subjects but also have the opportunity to specialise in a range of option subjects. In some cases, we also offer external vocational options for those learners who would benefit the most.