Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview

During Key Stage Three (Years 7, 8 and 9) students will be exposed to a broad and diverse range of curriculum subjects which not only meets the requirements of the National Curriculum but extends beyond it. Our KS3 curriculum is seen as the powerhouse of the school and equips students with a wide range of knowledge, empowering them to be rounded individuals, whilst also fostering a love  and enthusiasm for learning.

Our curriculum is ambitious in that it ensure that students are exposed to a wide variety of both subject areas and also huge diversity within disciplines. The KS3 curriculum has been expertly planned so that it is both important in its own right and effectively lays the foundations for further study and progression.

Across all subject areas, the KS3     curriculum has been deliberately sequenced to enable students to progressively build knowledge and skills over time, leading to a comprehensive understanding. The curriculum in each subject area has been planned in excessive detail so as to specify on a granular level the knowledge and skills that students are required to acquire are explicitly identified. Curriculum leaders ensure that sufficient time is allocated to topics so that a real depth of understanding can be fostered, as opposed to surface-level exposure. This provides a clear justification for a three-year KS3 provision as it ensures that students are thoroughly immersed across the full range of curriculum subjects.

Students at Salford City Academy study the following subjects during Key Stage Three:

*STEM Pioneer Programme students in Years 7 and 8 have an additional STEM-related lesson as part of their accelerated STEM curriculum in place of the Reading lesson. In Year 7 this has a Technology focus and in Year 8 the focus for this is Science.

In addition to the timetabled Citizenship lesson, students also receive weekly PSHE lessons during tutor time. Our PSHE programme equips students with the knowledge needed to live safe, fulfilling lives and make a positive contribution to society. The provision also encompasses purposeful careers education. The tutor time programme is further enhanced through a weekly values-drive assembly and Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) sessions.

The educational experience of our students is further enriched by our extremely comprehensive and wide-ranging co-curricular programme which includes specific character education, assemblies, educational trips, and enrichment clubs. Our programme of enrichment clubs provides students with a range of opportunities to develop existing interests and uncover new passions outside of the formal curriculum.