Intent

At Acklam Grange School we strive to offer a curriculum that not only follows the principles of a broad and balanced curriculum promoted by the National Curriculum, but also to deliver one that promotes equality for all students regardless of race, gender, sexuality or socio-economic background and provides equity by aiming to support students in overcoming those barriers proven to limit social mobility locally such as low levels of reading, vocabulary, numeracy, digital literacy, low self-esteem and low aspirations.

Our curriculum aims to incorporate our five key AGS Pride characteristics which are intrinsic to everything we do. We aim to support and develop our five PRIDE values of Perseverance, Respect, Initiative, Direction and Expression through our curriculum delivery. This is because we want our students to be confident articulate human beings who have those values, beliefs and skills that we believe will enable them to make a positive difference to themselves, their families and to help them shape a positive society in the future.

Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (SMSC) is embedded throughout all areas of our curriculum. PRIDE lessons are our version of Personal, Social and Health Education and offer a wealth of opportunities for students to access important learning experiences which significantly contribute to their development as independent and resilient learners and well-rounded citizens. PRIDE is also the vehicle for the promotion of Human Values incorporating Democracy, Law, Mutual Respect, Individual Liberty and a Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs as well as the teaching of Careers, SRE and Citizenship.

Embracing a personalised learning agenda, our curriculum design meets our students’ needs and promotes lifelong learning. Students are allocated to one of four Personalised Learning Curriculum Pathways each following a varying route and ensuring access to a broad and balanced personalised curriculum. Student’s needs are constantly reviewed and these pathways can and do change in response to student needs either through our regular pathway reviews or whenever it is deemed to be in the best interests of the student so that they experience a curriculum which is as bespoke and personalised as possible.

Whilst striving to be as aspirational as possible by promoting a curriculum with an academic focus characterised by the Ebacc, our students will also have access to the support they need so that the core ingredients of reading and vocabulary are of a standard that allows them to flourish within their own personalised learning journey. Students will be supported in making the right choices for their ability and interests, in striving for success and to go on to follow the Post-16 progression route they desire.

We constantly review our curriculum to ensure it meets the needs of our current and future students as well as our community. This is through a detailed annual curriculum review which takes views of staff, students, parents, governors, primary schools and Post-16 providers on board.

If you would like to discuss the management and delivery of our curriculum, please email Deputy Headteacher, Mr A Hassack: hassack.a@acklamgrange.org.uk

If you would like to discuss our PRIDE curriculum, please email Deputy Headteacher, Mrs L Gowland: gowland.l@acklamgrange.org.uk