Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Intent
At Ormiston Denes Academy, we believe every student, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to succeed and achieve their full potential. Our curriculum is designed to inspire ambition, raise aspirations and equip students with the knowledge, skills and character needed to thrive in the future.
We provide a broad, balanced and academically rigorous curriculum that challenges all learners whilst supporting them to become responsible, respectful, kind and proud members of our community. Through high-quality teaching and a commitment to continuous improvement, we ensure our curriculum remains relevant, ambitious and responsive to the needs of our students.
Our curriculum is continually reviewed against best practice locally, nationally, across Ormiston Academies Trust and through educational research, ensuring students receive the highest quality educational experience.
Curriculum Structure
Our curriculum follows a five-year journey, comprising:
- A three-year Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)
- A two-year Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
This structure enables students to develop strong foundations before progressing into their chosen GCSE and vocational pathways.
We maintain a 25-hour teaching week, consisting of five 60-minute lessons per day, allowing students to access a broad and balanced curriculum while ensuring sufficient time is dedicated to core subjects.
Key Curriculum Priorities – Literacy and Numeracy
Literacy and numeracy remain at the heart of our curriculum. We continue to invest in targeted intervention programmes across Years 7-9 to support students who need additional help and to ensure every learner can access the wider curriculum successfully.
Key Curriculum Priorities – Personal Development
We place significant value on Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. Weekly PSHE lessons support students’ wellbeing, personal growth and preparation for adult life, including Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) and Religious Education (RE).
Key Curriculum Priorities -Physical Education
Physical education continues to play a vital role in promoting students’ physical and mental wellbeing. All students in Years 7-11 receive two PE lessons each week.
Key Curriculum Priorities Modern Foreign Languages
Students receive two lessons of Modern Foreign Languages each week throughout Key Stage 3. This supports language development and encourages greater uptake of GCSE languages, contributing to our commitment to the EBacc pathway.
Key Curriculum Priorities Technology and Creative Subjects
Students continue to experience a range of creative and technical disciplines, including:
- Art
- Product Design
- Catering
- Computer Science
The curriculum has been designed to broaden students’ experiences and strengthen preparation for future study and careers.
Key Stage 4 Options
Following a review of our curriculum model and in line with best practice across the Trust and high-performing schools nationally, students now select three option subjects rather than four.
This approach allows:
- Increased teaching time within option subjects
- Greater depth of learning
- Improved mastery of subject content
- Stronger academic outcomes
Additional curriculum time created through this change has been invested in core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science.
Curriculum Development and Assessment
Curriculum quality is reviewed continuously through:
- Department and subject reviews
- Self-evaluation processes
- Annual curriculum reviews
- Trust-wide collaboration
All curriculum areas are aligned with National Curriculum expectations, with many subjects also benefiting from curriculum resources and expertise developed across Ormiston Academies Trust.
All students will benefit from Trust-wide Common Assessments, enabling greater consistency in assessment and supporting curriculum improvement across the academy. Our assessment and reporting processes will continue to evolve to reflect this approach.
Download the OAT Curriculum Statement below:
