The fundamental purpose of Leigh Academy Tonbridge is to challenge and defy the barriers that constrain the educational process of our students. The Curriculum is the conduit through which that purpose becomes a reality. Our academic curriculum is rooted in the principles of being:
- Rich in powerful knowledge
- Academically demanding
- Broad and balanced
- Building cultural capital through international mindedness
Our academic curriculum is a vehicle for success. It challenges the mind, nurtures the heart and guides the hand. Each subject area has a curriculum document which identifies the knowledge and skills covered. The curriculum document for each subject is sequenced so that over the course of KS3 students will know more and be able to demonstrate an increasing number of skills. By the end of KS3 students will be prepared to transition to KS4 with an understanding of any threshold knowledge necessary to access the GCSE specification. From September 2023 students in Year 7 and Year 8 will be studying the IB Middle Years Programme which will further enhance and deepen their understanding of their place in the world via different approaches to learning and an interconnected curriculum.
In practice that means:
- All students master the basics of literacy and numeracy in Key Stage 3.
- It provides a broad, innovative and balanced curriculum that is challenging, comprehensive, underpinned by the principles of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program and is accessible to all students, regardless of academic ability or need.
- All students are entitled to study an academic core of English, Maths, Science, Humanities, and a Modern Foreign Language.
- Vocational and Technical courses are offered where appropriate.
- All students will have a designated weekly PSHCE session which cover Sex and Relationship Education and Citizenship education.
- Students in year 7-11 will have discreet RE lessons.
- All students have the opportunity to participate in a wide-ranging and character building enrichment programme, which includes international trips, cultural visits, guest speakers and outdoor activities.
We successfully offer:
Key Stage 3
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) is for Years 7 only. Years 8 and 9 follow a mastery curriculum.
Key Stage 4
GCSEs, BTECs and other Level 2 vocational qualifications in Years 10 and 11.
Key Stage 5
In Post-16 we offer A levels, Vocational Level 3 and Technical qualifications.
Our personalised curriculum provides the academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers. It also promotes a positive attitude to learning by challenging students to solve problems, show creativity and resourcefulness, and participate actively in their communities.
The wide range of opportunities for learning include: student timetables, action days, interdisciplinary days, activities week, extra-curricular clubs, educational visits and excursions abroad, assemblies, enhancement and enrichment programmes, guest speakers, workshops and the pastoral programmes delivered through the system of college tutors, one-to-one tuition, work experience and careers/work-related learning, enterprise activities and conferences, working with businesses and employers and partnership working e.g. Kent and Medway Progression Federation.
British Values, SMSC, RSE and careers education are used to provide students with appropriate and relevant learning experiences. All students have the opportunity to study the language and culture of at least one other country as part of our commitment to encouraging intercultural understanding and respect. It is our expectation that all students will make at least good progress and stretch and challenge and independent thinking and reflection should be experienced by all.
In an evolving world with global challenges, an adaptable curriculum built around knowledge underpins our intent. We extensively use Knowledge Organisers for Years 7 to 11 to ensure the core knowledge and skills needed to be successful are fully embedded. The Knowledge Organiser provides students with the important, useful and powerful content from a topic in an easy to digest format. This is tasked for homework and then this knowledge is used as the foundation to strengthen and develop understanding and apply to problems and practical scenarios within the classroom.
The impact of our curriculum can be measured through the following:
- Internal and external assessment outcomes throughout all key stages.
- Students who join the academy at lower starting points show improvement in literacy and numeracy throughout key stage 3.
- Students are able to communicate their learning clearly and effectively.
- Students’ work shows pride and progress.
- Students are successful at pursuing their preferred destinations.
- Students are proud of their achievements and enjoy coming to school, this results in:
- (i) Strong attendance figures.
- (ii) Low number of fixed term exclusions.
- (iii) High engagement in enrichment activities.
- Students develop a sense of global awareness and environmental responsibility and will be actively engaged in the local community as well as establishing and embedding the knowledge and skills to be effective in an ever-changing world.
- Through engaging with the IB Learner profile, students develop confidence, independence and skills for life.
- Achieving the Gatsby benchmarks.
