Curr_Test
- Bradfields Academy is aspirational and ambitious for all its students. As the students progress through Early Years, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5 they all have the chance, as appropriate, to access and be successful in a range of nationally accredited examination courses.
- The curriculum delivered at Bradfields is similar to that of any primary/secondary school/academy with the exception that class groups are smaller and the curriculum is differentiated to meet the particular and special needs of the students. In addition, the PSHCE & Citizenship Course includes developing social and emotional skills (SEAL – Social Emotional Aspects of Learning & EI – Emotional Intelligence) and independent learning and living skills with opportunities for practice in a real-life setting, through Work Related Learning and placements.
- In addition, the emphasis being placed on developing a sense of Britishness and ensuring steps are taken to prevent radicalisation are now implicit in our curriculum.
- In addition, there is significant community engagement for students in : Land Studies (KS4 & KS5) and sport and recreational club links (KS4 & KS5). A range of subjects are offered as Option choices for students in KS4 and Sixth Form, further detail of which may be found in the booklets linked below:
- Primary Curriculum Booklet
- Key Stage 3 Curriculum Booklet
- Key Stage 4 Curriculum Booklet
- Sixth A Group Curriculum Booklet
- Sixth Form B/C Group Curriculum Booklet
- Programme One Curriculum Booklet
- Year 14 Curriculum Booklet
- The emphasis throughout the whole curriculum coverage from EYFS to KS5 is to achieve the principles of 'every child matters' and successfully prepare all students for independent living, local community engagement, continued learning, access to recreational opportunity and workplace employment.
For further detail on each subject, please view the accordion below:
Subject Information
English and Drama
English
At Key Stage 3, our students follow the former National Curriculum topics for English in conjuncture with developing their core reading, writing skills and speaking and listening skills. The work is differentiated to suit individual needs and is designed to stretch students and add breadth and depth to their knowledge of the subject. Throughout the year we focus on a wide variety of literature from the English traditional heritage as well as a range of diverse poems, prose and plays linked to a variety of cultures and major festivals. There is a strong emphasis on reading for pleasure which we aim to foster in Key Stage 3 as improved reading supports our students in their studies in all subject areas.
At Key Stage 4, students study a range of different qualifications aimed at developing a progressive route through their school career. We study a range of courses from Entry Level 1 up to Entry Level 1 for the WJEC Additional English Award as well as GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature on the AQA specification. We tailor the course content to suit our students’ needs and interests and give them the opportunity to enjoy a range of English and Media studies for a broad and exciting engagement with the subject.
At Key Stage 5, we continue the progressive route through qualifications that begins in Key Stage 4. Students will have the opportunity to progress from their Key Stage 4 success with an emphasis on creating and ethos of achievement and enabling our students to gain the qualification necessary to progress further in life as well as developing core English skills that are so vital for their individual progression. As well as the WJEC Additional English qualification and the AQA English Language GCSE; we also offer the opportunity to study the AQA English Literature GCSE and AS/A Level English Literature Award.
Drama
Key Stage 3 drama involves a variety of games, activities and role playing to engage students and encourage active participation. We look to be totally inclusive in our chosen tasks and role plays and there is a strong emphasis on student-led scenarios and ideas for characters. It is a very creative subject and one that gives many opportunities to develop progressively and individually.
At Key Stage 4, we offer a course within the WJEC exam board’s Creative Pathways scheme. This allows students to achieve an Entry Level 2 or 3 qualification for Drama but also allows for the possibility to combine their Drama units with another creative subject area to achieve a higher qualification. We focus on body language, use of voice and group performance.
Home Learning
Home Learning is differentiated and designed to support students in their lessons by reinforcing key terms and ideas outside of class. English students are set reading, spelling and Key Stage specific exam practice regularly. We also advise all students to access IXL English at home along with The Oxford Reading Buddy for further book choices and comprehension tasks.
Literacy Workshop
The aim of the workshop is to give parents/carers an understanding of the various Literacy topics and themes we teach within our programme of study at Bradfields Academy. You will also create resource packs, which can be shared with your child at home to support with their learning. Home Learning is an invaluable aspect of the learning process and any support that can be given to our students will be incredibly beneficial to them.
The Literacy Workshop for Parents and Carers will run fortnightly on a Tuesday starting from 2:10pm until 3:00pm and will be based in G04 at Upper Site. We will run the workshop on the same weeks as the Numeracy and ICT Workshops for continuity. Please report to Reception to sign in for each workshop (no earlier than 2pm please). You will be collected and taken to the classroom.
Basic Skills Quality Mark
As a result of our subject development work in English we were accredited by The Basic Skills Agency in July 2018 as providing a high standard of English (and Maths) at Bradfields. This is the 5th time we have been accredited for our Basic Skills Quality Mark. This award was renewed after a successful inspection during Spring 2017 and is a testament to the amazing work being done by staff in the core subjects at Bradfields Academy.
Platinum Literacy Mark
As a result of our work in developing the literacy levels across the academy, partly funded by Pupil Premium and Catch-Up Funding, we were awarded the Platinum Literacy Mark in October 2018. This award is directly linked to our success with Buster's Book Club and we have collectively reached the 7 million minutes read mark thanks to the wonderful support of parents, carers, students and staff. This is the third year in a row that Bradfields Academy has won the Platinum Literacy Mark and it is the highest award achievable.
Kent Literacy Award
This year’s Kent Literacy Award Ceremony was held at Hempstead House Hotel in Sittingbourne and attended by schools from all over Kent to celebrate the wonderful innovations and initiatives in Literacy being developed across the county. The event involved all types of school including grammar, primary, secondary and colleges vying for the prestigious awards on the night. This year, Bradfields Academy had a brilliant evening and came away with two separate awards; more than any other school achieved.
There were some amazing initiatives showcased on the night and the fact that Bradfields Academy won more awards than anyone else is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the staff along with the brilliant desire for knowledge and willingness to progress that makes the students here the best in the county.
This year we were awarded the Most Engaging Writing Topic Award for our Walking Stories writing initiative along with the Best Programme to Develop Adult Literacy for the Fortis Trust Adult Education Centre and our work in developing adult literacy across Medway. Both of these awards now hang proudly on our wall along with the eleven other literacy awards we have won in the last four years.
Developing an enthusiastic and exciting attitude to Literacy has been pivotal to everything that we have done during the last year two years here at Bradfields Academy. We have introduced a wide range of schemes and employed a varied range of workshops to compliment the literacy focus, activities and curriculum themes that have become embedded into every facet of the academy’s ethos. Some of our initiatives include: Buster’s Book Club; our new library; Beanstalk Readers; 1-1 Literacy Interventions; Literacy Focus; Story Teller Workshops, Gold Literacy Challenge, Punctuation Pals and our incredibly successful Pop-Up Author Event where, as a way of really encouraging reading; 9 famous children’s authors and illustrators came into Bradfields (including James Mayhew, Angie Morgan & Christopher William Hill) and did a total of 28 different workshops with all our classes. All of these and many other initiatives are just some of the ways that Bradfields has developed all aspects of literacy across the academy to massive success for our incredible students.
Maths
The Maths department consists of:
- Entry Level Mathematics
- GCSE Mathematics
- Functional Skills Mathematics
- Business Studies Level 1
- Managing Personal Finance Level 1
- Employability
- Young Enterprise
- Mathematical Awards at Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2
Bradfields Academy Mathematics Department is committed to raising the standards of numeracy of all its students, so that they develop the ability to use numeracy skills effectively in all areas of the curriculum and to cope confidently with the demands of further education, employment and adult life. We aim to develop the numeracy and mathematical competence of our students through the teaching of number skills, algebraic skills, data analysis skills and knowledge of geometry & measure. We aim to provide challenge to all students, at all levels, to raise achievement at all key stages.
The Math’s team believe that being numerate is essential for students to prepare them for adult life. Numeracy is a proficiency that is developed mainly in mathematics but also in other subjects. It is more than an ability to do basic arithmetic. Numeracy involves developing confidence and competence with numbers and measures. It requires understanding of the number system, a knowledge of mathematical techniques, and an inclination and ability to solve mathematical problems in a wide range of contexts. Numeracy also demands understanding of the ways in which data are gathered by counting and measuring, and presented in graphs, diagrams, charts and tables.
The Maths Department provide a vibrant, positive environment where all students are given the belief and the opportunity to achieve their full potential through high quality learning experiences and outstanding levels of support. A slight gender gap has previously been identified with boys outperforming girls by a small margin. As such, this has become a focus and the gender gap has been significantly closed. The long term aim is for the gap to be completely eradicated.
The curriculum is highly engaging, varied and enjoyable. Assessment of learning happens regularly and consistently throughout the Department. There is a clear shared vision. The team adopt a consistent positive approach and are passionate in their belief in a student’s ability to work with increasing independence.
Numeracy skills can be consolidated and enhanced when students have opportunities to apply them across the curriculum. Thus, improving these skills has become a whole academy initiative.
Provision for developing numeracy through other subjects has been developed and the weekly Numeracy Focus is embedded throughout the academy. The Department also place an emphasis on student’s learning their multiplication tables up to 12 x 12.
Business Studies, Employability and Managing Personal Finance
In addition to the mathematics curriculum the above subjects also fall under the Maths Department umbrella. The skills required to achieve success in Managing Personal Finance are: Understanding sources of income and expenditure, balancing income and expenditure, ways to reduce expenditure, understanding products offered by Banks and Building Societies, advantages and disadvantages of borrowing money. The skills required to achieve success in Business Studies and Young Enterprise are, an understanding of Marketing and Enterprise, Business and People, production, finance and the external business environment. Understanding the skills and requirements of running a successful business and a sound knowledge of good customer service. The skills required to achieve success in the Award in Employability are: learning through work experience, tackling problems at work and working collaboratively with others.
Maths Workshop
The Department run a Maths Workshop for parents/carers once a fortnight which focuses on demonstrating how maths is taught at Bradfields. The workshop is informal and a resource pack is provided for all who attend. The Department are very aware of the importance of Home/Academy Partnerships and offer an open door policy.
Home Learning
A valuable resource available to students is the IXL Maths Software package. The Department are actively encouraging students to use the package as part of their Home Learning. For students studying courses at KS4 and 5 home learning is set once a week and is based on the topic being covered at the time. Academy Home Learning booklets covering key skills across all areas of the curriculum are provided for all students in order for parents to support their child at home. Home learning is meaningful and should last between 20 to 30 minutes. Elements of functional maths (Maths for Life) are included where possible. Home learning is an important part of the learning process and parents/carers are encouraged to support their children whenever possible.
Click here to access the IXL Maths software.
Basic Skills Quality Mark
As a result of our subject development work in Maths we were accredited by The Basic Skills Agency in July 2018 as providing a high standard of Maths (and English) at Bradfields.
This is the 5th time we have been accredited for our Basic Skills Quality Mark.
Science and Land Studies
As a curriculum area, our primary teaching aims are:
- To produce not only scientists with exam success, but also young people who can use their knowledge, understanding, application and skills throughout adult life.
- To enable students to experience an exciting and creative climate for learning science regardless of Key Stage and ability.
Science
Key Stage 2
At Bradfields Academy we follow the International Primary Curriculum and science contributes to its comprehensive and themed program of study. Topics studied include: States of Matter, Rocks, Evolution, Materials, Light, Sound, Plants, Living Things and Space. The IPC has a clear process of learning and with specific learning goals for every subject.
Key Stage 3
We follow a broad and balanced curriculum. The programme of study is divided into 4 strands: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Science Skills. The program of study is delivered over 18 modules. Examples include : Cells and Life, Forces, Reproduction, Acids and Alkalis, Breathing and Eating, Electricity, Habitats, Light and Magnetism and Testing Materials. We use a range of scientific methods and techniques to develop and test ideas and explanations.
Key Stage 4
Students may follow the WJEC ENTRY PATHWAYS (Science Today).
There are a wide range of units that candidates can follow, allowing Bradfields to produce a teaching programme to suit individual learners needs. The qualification is available in three sizes: Diploma (37 credits), Certificate (13 or more credits) and Award (8 credits or more) and at two levels of difficulty Entry 2 or Entry 3.
Topics regularly chosen include:
Food and Health, Science/Health and Safety, Making Useful Compounds, Science and the Human Body,Variation and Adaptation, Working with Electrical Circuits, Renewable Energy and Chemical Products used in the Home and their Environmental Impact.
Key Stage 5
Key stage 5 students can opt for studying the new BTEC Applied Science course. This course is based solely on coursework and no exam. Students will cover a range of topics including; Working in the Science Sector, The Study of Living Systems, Skills and Techniques for Chemistry Investigations, Health and Disease, and Physics and our Universe.
Health and Safety
The Academy prides itself in ensuring that Health and Safety issues are considered for each and every lesson to ensure that students are considerate and safe in their practices.
Key Stage 3
Woodlands
Our Woodlands courses include six week long courses that students undertake as part of the Technology Rotations in Years 7, 8 and 9 and one year courses for Blue Zone students. The program of study is very much dependant upon the time of year and the weather but will include: Health and Safety; British Wildlife; British Woodland Plants; Ecosystems; Using Tools (including saws, lawn mowers); Improving Habitats; Woodland Management; Growing Food.
Key Stage 4 & 5
Land Based Studies
Key Stage 4 and 5 students may opt to study for the Entry Level ABC Award in Horticulture or the Edexcel BTEC Entry Level 3. These practical qualifications are designed to help learners gain the skills they would need to gain employment in the land based sector. A wide range of units are available to study covering horticulture, agriculture and arboriculture.
Science Quality Mark
As a result of our subject development work in Science we were accredited by Primary Science Quality Mark in September 2014 as providing a high standard of Science at Bradfields.
Computing
Welcome to the Computing department. The department is made up of:
- Computing
- ASDAN AoPE
- ASDAN CoPE
In KS3 students complete either a programme of study based upon either the NAACE curriculum designed for mainstream KS3 students (focusing on Software skills, Technology in the World, Digital Literacy and Technical Understanding) or the EQUALS curriculum (focusing on Developing ideas, Exchanging information and Finding things out) which was designed specifically for students with Special Educational Needs.
This year the Computing department has also subscribed to the rising star which offers students an exciting and rigorous curriculum.
The Control Technology rotation allows students to extend their technical understanding through the use of motors, sensors and other outputs and covers many of the elements of programming and logical thinking outlined in the new Computing curriculum for 2014.
All students at KS4 take a qualification in Computing. Many sit Functional Skills to an appropriate stage for their needs.
Students in KS5 will take an IT Users course and have an option to choose Cambridge Technical or Project qualification. These courses have wide choice of units to take and plenty of variety.
Options
Students also have the opportunity to take Computing as one of their options subjects where they will have the opportunity to take Cambridge Technical or iMedia which involves visits and the study of a choice of units. Other students can opt to complete a project which is based on their own choice of topic which they will study, develop and bring to a conclusion.
Students in Key Stage 5 have the opportunity to take an ASDAN qualification, either at a Certificate or Award in Personal Effectiveness. Students cover many areas of learning and can count such experiences and college courses and work experience, along with personal skills such as oral presentation, research and discussions.
Home Learning
Home learning in Computing does not require a computer. Key Stage 4 and 5 are assessed as when appropriate using a variety of research tasks, worksheets and tests.
ICT Community Workshop
The workshop started at the beginning of this term and runs on Monday from 2:10 to 3:00pm. The club is for parents and carers or people of the local community of all ages to improve their skills in general usage of computers. From learning how to send emails to using programmes such as office and excel, anything parents/carers want to learn we teach them. The workshops are informal and parents/carers learn lot of exciting things in an environment with the most up to date technology. Parents/carers also get insights into how various topics/courses are delivered within the Academy. This enables them to provide extra support to their children in completing their class work/home learning.
Accordion Title
The Humanities department is made up of:
- Geography
- History
- Religious Education
- Modern Foreign Languages
- French
- Polish
Humanities is taught at KS3 and as options at KS4 and KS5. Lessons include a variety of activities such as quizzes, role plays, model making, watching film clips, PowerPoint's and trips. At KS3 topics of study include World War One, the Rainforests and Islam. Language lessons involve speaking, listening, reading and writing in the target language. At KS4 and KS5 accredited courses are followed such as Entry Level Certificate Geography, History, RE and French, and GCSE in Geography, History and RE where appropriate. Topics studied include Coasts, Nazi Germany and issues surrounding Life and Death.
At KS5 students can follow ASDAN short courses in Geography and History to contribute to the ASDAN CoPE Award. Topics covered in these courses consist of Local History, Food, Energy and Waste.
Home Learning
At KS3 Geography and History set Home Learning Booklets to be completed over 1 or 2 terms depending on the length of topic. RE and MFL set Homework weekly. At KS4 and KS5 the department sets a range of home learning including weekly tasks and termly booklets.
RE Quality Mark
As a result of our subject development work in Religious Education we were accredited by REQM in July 2017 as providing a high standard of RE at Bradfields and awarded the Gold Quality Mark.
Geography Quality Mark
As a result of our subject development work in Geography we were accredited by Secondary Geography Quality Mark in September 2018 as providing a high standard of Geography at Bradfields.
History Quality Mark
As a result of our subject development work in History we were accredited the Gold Secondary History Quality Mark in February 2018 by the History Association for providing a high standard of History education at Bradfields.
Holocaust Beacon School
Bradfields Academy has been awarded Holocaust Beacon School status by the UCL for 2016-17. This means we will be engaged in a number of exciting training opportunities to develop our provision of Holocaust teaching and learning including a teachers trip to Poland. As a Beacon school we will also be involved in helping other local schools access some excellent training and resources.
PE
The PE Department runs courses in:
- PE
- Entry Level PE
- Healthy Living
- ASDAN Sports and Fitness
- BTEC Sport and Active Leisure
- Sports Leadership
PE is taught to all students from Key Stage 1 to Stage to Key Stage 5.
Our vibrant PE lessons develop students’ competence and confidence so they can take part in a range of physical activities that can become a central part of their lives.
We aim for all students to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity.
EYFS:
We want to ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, to build their capacity to learn and to form relationships and thrive. Our curriculum focuses on the key areas of:
- physical development.
- communication and language.
- personal, social and emotional development.
Key Stage 1:
Students develop core movement, become increasingly competent and confident and access a broad range of opportunities.
Students improve agility, balance and co-ordination (ABCs) by working individually and with others. They start to engage in competitive (both against self and against others) and co-operative physical activities.
Students will be taught to:
- master basic movements such as running, jumping, throwing and catching
- participate in simple team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending
- perform dances using simple movement patterns
Key Stage 2:
Students continue to implement and develop a broader range of skills, learning how to use them in different ways and to link them to make actions and sequences of movement.
Students have the opportunity to enjoy communicating, collaborating and competing with each other. They develop an understanding of how to succeed in different activities and sports and learn how to evaluate and recognise their own success.
Students will be taught to:
- use running, jumping, catching and throwing in isolation and in combination
- play a range of competitive games, modified where appropriate
- develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
- perform dances using a range of movement patterns
- take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team
All students will be taught swimming and water safety. Students develop competence and confidence in a range of skills and strokes.
Key Stage 3
Students build on and embed the physical development and skills learnt in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. They become more competent, confident and expert in their techniques and apply them across different sports and activities.
Students improve their understanding of what makes a good performan
ce. They develop the confidence and interest to get involved in exercise and sports and activities out of the academy and in later life.
Students will be taught to:
- use a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in competition through team and individual games
- develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports such as athletics and gymnastics
- perform dances using increasingly advanced movement patterns
- take part in outdoor and adventurous activities which present mental and physical challenges and develop skills to solve problems
Key Stage 4: WJEC Entry Pathways – Healthy Living and Fitness
- Available at Entry 2 and Entry 3
The course is exciting, challenging and builds on the work from Key Stage 3. It is a 2 year 
course that students start in Year 10 and complete in Year 11.
The aim of this course is to give learners the opportunity to participate in a variety of sporting and health and fitness activities. Learners will develop an understanding of factors which contribute to their own and others’ healthy living and fitness.
Students are provided with a choice of activities that suit their abilities. There are opportunities to access local facilities for swimming and personal fitness.
Key Stage 5
All students continue to take part in PE as part of an active and healthy lifestyle.
We support students in finding leisure interests and sporting activities that they would like to do outside of school and when they leave the academy. Students have the opportunity to use a range of local facilities.
Students are able to complete a range of courses that best suit their stage of learning:
ASDAN Sport and Fitness - this qualification recognises and rewards personal qualities, abilities and achievements.
BTEC Sport and Active Leisure (E3/Level 1) - this qualification is vocationally related. It has been designed to provide an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of sport in a work-related context. The course is both practical and theoretical. Students’ p
ractical skills and their knowledge in selected sports are assessed and they learn about the different components of fitness.
Healthy Living - all students follow a Healthy Living course that can lead to a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification. The course gives students the knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of healthy living. Students learn how to keep a healthy body weight, the requirements of a healthy diet and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Sports Leadership
- Available at Level 1 and Level 2 to Key Stage 4 and 5 students
Sports Leadership provides the ideal starting point for students who wish to develop their leadership skills, whilst under the direct supervision of their teacher.
The syllabus is designed to develop generic leadership skills that can be applied to a variety of sports and recreational situations as well as contributing to the personal development of the student.
Opportunities arise for students to support teachers in the delivery of lessons as part of this course.
Home Learning
- Home learning is set for all students in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5
- At KS3 students receive booklets that provide a range of challenges that can be completed outside of the academy
- KS4 students receive a home learning sheet for the term that relates to their practical activity
- At KS5 students receive home learning as part of their Healthy Living lessons
PE Quality Mark
As a result of our subject development work in PE we were re-accredited by The Association for Physical Education and awarded with the distinction PE Quality Mark in November 2018 for providing a high standard of PE and Sport at Bradfields.
Primary Curriculum
Early Years Foundation Stage KS1 - KS2 Curriculum
The Early Years - Reception
The Early Years curriculum focuses on developing the 3 prime areas of learning:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
These are supported through the provision of opportunities within the following specific areas of learning:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
Key Stage 1 & 2 - Year 1 to 6
In Key Stage 1 & 2 the curriculum will further build upon their prior learning at the EYFS and KS1 to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding in line with National Curriculum requirements taught through a creative ad fun thematic (project based approach) curriculum - The International Primary Curriculum. This curriculum focuses on the development of :
- Subject learning goals for Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Information Technology, Design Technology, History, Geography, Music, Physical Education, Art and Society.
- Personal goals - the development of individual qualities and dispositions essentials in the 21st century including enquiry, resilience, morality, communication, thoughtfulness, cooperation, respect and adaptability.
- International goals - which help support the move towards an increasingly sophisticated national and international perspective.
PSHCE, Life Skills and Citizenship
In PSHCE and Citizenship we cover a wide range of topics.
In Citizenship, these include: Law, Crime, Media, Politics, Rights and Responsibilities. Students are encouraged to reflect on how these topics and others relate to their everyday lives. They are encouraged to develop enquiring and questioning minds and to become responsible citizens of the UK. Students are enabled to see the links between their learning and their active citizenship responsibilities. Academy events and charity fundraising are just two areas where active and involved citizenship is evident.
In PSHCE students are helped to develop social and emotional life skills. They are also encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles. Topics covered include Drugs Education, Safety and Financial Awareness.
In Key Stages 4 and 5, students study a range of qualifications. These include the AQA PSE Course, Wider Key Skills, a St John Ambulance First Aid Course and the British Safety Council qualification.
Home Learning
- Students are given valuable, challenging and interesting Home Learning in order to further develop their learning and understanding.
- Home Learning booklets cover key areas and key skills. These should help students with their learning as well as enabling parents to lend a helping hand when needed. These booklets will include tasks such as research, surveys and recording of ideas. Other pieces of Home Learning will also be given to students as well as that contained within the booklets.
- Home Learning Club is run every week in order to encourage students and to provide guidance when needed.
Rights Respecting School's Award
Bradfields Academy has been involved in achieving the Rights Respecting School's Award across all areas and all departments. Staff, students and governors are involved in the RRSA steering group. All forms have a RRSA Class Charter to which students sign up. The SEAL programme reflects areas of human rights and responsibilities.
The academy has been involved in a considerable range of RRSA activities and events over the past year. These have included a human rights afternoon, the ‘Don’t Hate, educate’ initiative, a Kent Police safety presentation and an academy presentation on voting and the EU Referendum.
The academy’s participation in the Day for Change and the Outright campaign initiatives helped to raise awareness and funds for UNICEF.
The academy is on target to achieve the RRSA ROC (Recognition of Commitment) soon and we hope to then proceed rapidly to the full award.
Technology
KS3 Food Technology
During KS3 Food Technology students cover a wide range of skills that are used in preparing and cooking food including:
- Using knives, peelers and safety in the kitchen.
- Washing and drying dishes.
- Use of hob, grill, oven, microwave, food processor, and blender/juicer.
- Methods of cooking – boil, fry, grill and bake.
- Use of picture / word recipes.
- Evaluating their final result, assess their performance – what went well and not so well.
Practical tasks could include making the following meal / snacks:
- The importance of health eating.
- Making hot drinks.
- Fruit salad.
- Smoothies.
- Soups.
- Bread / Pizza.
- Curries (part of food around the world).
- Breakfasts (English, Continental and American).
- Social skills such as setting the table, polite table manners are developed.
Food Technology Home Learning
Home learning tasks are set based around the work from the lesson, tasks may include: Identifying dangers, developing products, naming equipment and ingredients and evaluation of products.
KS3 Textiles
In textiles, students explore a variety of techniques and topics including colouring fabric, properties and origin of fabric, joining fabric, hand and machine stitching. Aspects of health and safety are also covered. They do this through a series of design and make projects, developing and extending their skills in a practical context.
Projects vary depending on the season and the time of year as they are personalised for the different seasons, but they could include:
- Felt bookmark.
- Placemat with hand stitching.
- Mixed media greetings card.
- Mini bag.
- Wall hanging using transfer paint and hand stitching.
- Mixed media book.
- Stuffed toy.
- Calico bag using hand dyed fabric and CADCAM techniques for embellishment.
- Recycled fashion – up-cycling a garment and looking at the ethics of the fashion industry.
- Mixed media & hot textiles – experimenting with plastics, bondaweb and some of the more unusual aspects of creative textiles, using heat tools safely to create mixed media cards.
Textiles Home Learning
At KS3 we provide Home Learning Booklets which can last for the term. The booklets are designed to reinforce the skills that we have covered during lessons.
KS3 Design Technology
During KS3 students work through a range of projects design to cover different skills and tasks such as using saws to cut a range of wood and plastic, use of bench drills and cordless drills, planes and chisels. KS3 projects include:
- Plastic Key ring.
- Coat hook (made from a mixture of plastic, metal and wood).
- Wooden Box that uses finger joints and lap joints.
- Picture frame (this uses a mixture of wood and plastic).
- Automata (a mechanical toy).
- Clock (based on a theme that the students choose themselves).
Design Technology Home Learning
Students are given home learning booklets at the start of each of the rotations. Each of the booklets is designed to reinforce the learning that the students have covered in lessons. Tasks include: Identifying dangers, developing products, naming tools and materials and product evaluation.
Edexcel BTEC Construction
In the BTEC Construction course students work through a series of units that enable them to gain a BTEC Level 1 Award, Certificate or Diploma (depending on the number of credits achieved). KS5 students can choose to take the course over two years, the aim is that if they complete the course over two years they will achieve a Level 1 Diploma (Level 1 Certificate if taken in one year).
Units include:
- DIY Skills (this can include tasks such as assembling flat pack or putting shelves up).
- Carpentry (making trays and stools).
- Plumbing (connecting a working sink).
- Electrical installation (wiring up lights and sockets).
- Wall papering & painting.
BTEC Construction Home Learning
Students will be set different home learning booklets that are based on the different units of work that are being covered. These include tasks such as identifying dangers and identifying tools and equipment.
Edexcel Home Cooking Skills
The course units aim to give learners the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy cooking meals at home, developing skills for life. They introduce a range of basic cooking skills and foods, knowledge about sourcing food, transferring skills, kitchen health & safety and the importance of good hygiene are also covered.
Home Cooking Skills Home Learning
Home learning tasks are set based around the work from the lesson, tasks may include: research into products, other uses of ingredients and evaluation of products.
WJEC Textiles - Entry Level Award in Creative, Media and Performance Studies
Students will complete at least 2 units of work focusing on textiles and printmaking. Students will:
- Be able to research information and ideas appropriate to textiles and printmaking.
- Be able to develop and record ideas for textiles and printmaking using appropriate materials, techniques and processes.
- Be able to produce a final piece for textiles and printmaking, and present their work in response to a theme.
- A typical project is printing fabric and making a calico bag in response to a theme they have researched.
Through practical lessons students will explore a wide range of media, tools and techniques and learn to develop these in their own work.
Textiles Home Learning
At KS3 we provide Home Learning Booklets which can last for 1 to 2 terms depending on the length of the topic. At KS4 the Home Learning Booklets are for each unit of the exam course.
Accordion Title
KS3
During KS3 students work on a rotation that lasts a term with each subject area (Art, Design Technology, Food Technology, Textiles, System & Control Technology and Woodlands).
KS3 Art
In Art students will:
- Understand and use visual elements in their own words.
- Investigate the work of others and create their own responses.
- Develop creative ideas in two and three dimensions.
- Evaluate and review their own work and others work.
Students will complete a number of different projects including:
- Year 7: Introduction to Art and the visual elements.
- Year 8: Portraits and masks
- Year 9: Realism to Abstraction.
Art Home Learning
Home learning is included within the Home Learning packs.
KS3 Creativity
In Creativity students will:
- Learn about the diversity of the arts through practical experience.
- Find out about artist and their work.
- Develop creative responses and art skills through structured activities.
- Share information with others.
Creativity Home Learning
Home learning is set every two / three weeks. The tasks can include collecting research, drawing ideas and describing learning activities to others.
KS3 Music
In Music students will learn:
- How to listen to different music.
- Compose music.
- Listen to and appraise different music from around the world.
All students are given the opportunity to take part in a range of performances including concerts and assemblies.
Students will complete their work by working through a number of different projects including:
|
|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Autumn |
Building blocks of Music |
Elements of Music |
Elements of Music |
|
Spring |
World Music |
World Music |
World Music |
|
Summer |
The Orchestra Mood and Music |
The Orchestra Mood and Messages |
The Orchestra Music and Atmosphere |
Music Home Learning
Students are set home learning twice per term. These tasks may take the form of a word puzzle to help students with key words or it may be to research tasks on a particular topic.
KS4 & 5 Options within The Arts
Edexcel BTEC Performing Arts
BTEC Performing Arts is designed to develop the skills used in the performing arts industry. This will involve work as a member of a team to plan and make decisions in a vocational context about different aspects of performing arts. Units will include:
- Introduction to performing arts.
- Taking part in a performance.
- Starting to develop performance skills.
BTEC Performing Arts Home Learning
Students are encouraged complete different tasks such as learning scripts, designing products and watching performances on TV.
Creative, Media and Performance Arts Entry Pathways
This qualification includes units for developing skills and knowledge in a range of subject areas, including:
- Art & Design
- Drama
- Music
With this course it is possible to build a qualification from a range of subject areas, enabling students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of a diverse range of arts disciplines. Within each subject area, students will complete a series of units to accumulate credits leading to their overall qualification level. Examples of units covered are: Three Dimensional Studies, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Solo Music Performance and Using the Voice in a Dramatic Context.
Students can be entered for any units within the Creative, Media and Performing Arts qualification that they choose. They need the following number of credits to achieve:
8-12 credits to achieve an Award
13-36 credits to achieve a Certificate
37+ credits to achieve a Diploma
WJEC Entry Level Pathways Music
This is a highly practical course where students have the opportunity to develop skills in performing, composing, listening and appraising music. There are opportunities for students to be creative in a range of ways through group and solo performances and composing original material.
One of the key areas of this course is the students are expected to perform in front of others and review their own and others performances.
WJEC Music Home Learning
Students are set music based tasks. These tasks may take the form of a word puzzle to help students with key words or it may be to research tasks on a particular topic by listening to music.
OCR Entry Level Photography
Students will develop and explore key areas of digital photography which may support them in gaining the skills and interests needed to develop this into a future career or hobby. During this course students will work through a series of themed projects to learn the basic principles of photography and use this knowledge to develop a series of their own ideas.
The students will explore and experiment with digital manipulation, lighting, composition, colour and photo montage techniques. Students will investigate the work of other photographers from a range of styles and genres and understand the purpose of photography in a wider context.
OCR Photography Home Learning
Students are set research tasks on different areas of photography. They are also encouraged when possible to take photos at home.
WJEC Entry Level Art & Design
Students work on different units of work such as printmaking, photography, 3D, textiles, drawing and painting. Each of these units of work allows the students to work towards the WJEC course. This course is designed to promote progression through Entry Level 2 and 3.
WJEC Entry Level Art & Design Home Learning
Students are set research tasks such as collecting research, drawing ideas and describing learning activities to others.
Edexcel BTEC Art & Design
The BTEC Art and Design course gives students the opportunity to explore a wide range of Art processes including, painting, printmaking, mixed media and 3D techniques. On the successful completion of each unit students will gain credits enabling them to progress from Entry Level 3 to a Level 1 Certificate. Students will develop a portfolio of artwork which is assessed using the BTEC criteria. Evidence will include photographs, written notes, video presentations and an exhibition of the student’s work.
BTEC Art & Design Home Learning
Students are set research tasks such as collecting research, drawing ideas and describing learning activities to others.
Arts Award Bronze and Silver
The Arts Award course allows the students to progress from a Bronze to a Silver Arts Award. This course encourages students to further develop their understanding and enjoyment of the Arts. The course involves:
- An Arts Challenge
- Attending & Reviewing Arts Events
- Undertaking Arts Leadership
- Learning about Artists and Art Organisations through participation and working with others.
The work is collected in a portfolio showing a record of the art works/performances they have seen or been a part of and researched. Silver Award accesses young people at NQF Level 2 standard in the following :
- Art from knowledge and understanding.
- Creativity and experimentation.
- Planning and review.
- Communication.
Arts Award Silver Home Learning
Students are encouraged to complete different tasks such as learning scripts, designing products and watching performances on TV.
Artsmark Award
Since September 2018, we have been working towards the Artsmark Award.
The ‘Bradfields Curriculum’ is based around 3 themes:
- Developing academic potential and the ability of students to transfer those skills to everyday life and work situations. This will include increased access to externally accredited courses on-site in KS4 & 5 and off-site at local schools and colleges.
- Developing social and emotional skills and levels of emotional intelligence to enable students to present and conduct themselves with confidence and independence in a range of ‘real-life’ situations. This will include targeted learning of social skills to develop the student as a more confident and positively engaging member of their family, academy and local community.
- Developing an understanding and awareness of recreational and work-related settings and providing learning opportunities for engagement in both. This will include teaching: the skills for working life; the value of continued learning; the skills for independent and group/family living; the opportunities for engaging in sporting, recreational, artistic, musical, daily travel and adventurous travel ‘real-life’ opportunities in the South East of England and beyond.
In addition within the KS5 provision at Bradfields the curriculum is being continually developed to provide a real-life context to the academic and social development of each academy student to successfully prepare them for independent living, local community engagement, continued learning, access to recreational opportunity and workplace employment.
Our curriculum model is totally committed to the principles of the former ‘Getting a Life’ Government Initiative for students and young adults with learning disabilities.
Students will be able to transfer out of Bradfields to full-time vocational courses or work-placed careers when appropriate opportunities have been identified and secured. As is the case for the former student from the Blue Zone in the photo above.
The emphasis being on
‘Excellence & Enjoyment’
Extending use of Pupil Premium to aid Curriculum Provision
We are continually looking for new and innovative ways to spend the Pupil Premium. We welcome suggestions from parents, carers, staff and students themselves.
We are currently looking into the following areas:
- Setting up a lending library of equipment to make home learning more accessible to all.
- Further developing our resource of careers material for Key Stage 4 and 5 students.
- Repeating some of the recreational activities following requests from parents and carers so as to further enhance student social and emotional skills. For example, where the funding has been used to allow students to access Extended Day Activities the parents and carers have been able to see an improvement in their social interactions, their collaborative working, and their communication. These skills are then transferable into the classroom to improve their learning experiences.
