Curriculum & Academic Overview

 

We believe the curriculum in place at BACA will prepare students with the breadth and depth required to be successful in the modern world.  As well as focusing on key subject skills and knowledge, it also helps students understand about modern Britain and the challenges within it.  Our broad and challenging curriculum motivates and engages students, preparing them for future success.

Below is a list of our subjects for each year.

See HERE to view for our full Curriculum Map for the 2023 - 2024 Academic Year

Key Stage 3 (KS3) for Year 7, Year 8 & Year 9 students

All students follow the KS3 national curriculum where they study the following subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Physical Education
• Sport
• French or Spanish
• History
• Geography
• Computing
• Art and Design
• Drama
• Food Technology
• Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PHSEE) 
• Religious Studies
• Music
• Design Technology

Please see here for our full curriculum map for Years 7-11 for the 2023 - 2024 academic year.

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Key Stage 4 (KS4) curriculum:

At BACA we begin GCSE subjects at the start of Year 10.  Students will be supported through the options process during Year 9 to ensure that they make the best possible choices for the next three years.

Beginning in Year 10 until Year 11 KS4 students study:

• English Language
• English Literature
• Mathematics
• Science (double science)
• Core Physical Education
• Citizenship
• PSHEE

Students then select:

• History or Geography
• Spanish or French (continuing on with the same language)

Students also select two subjects from the following:

• Art and Design
• Creative Media
• Business Studies
• Catering
• Child Development
• Music and Performing Arts
• Design Technology
• Drama
• Triple Science
• Computing

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 GCSE & BTEC:  Subject & Qualification 2023 - 2024

Subject	Qualification name	Exam Board
Art & Design	Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design	OCR
Biology (Triple Science)	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Biology	AQA
Business	BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise	Pearson BTEC
Catering	Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Hospitality	Pearson BTEC
Chemistry (Triple Science)	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Chemistry	AQA
Child Development	Level 2 Award in Child Development and Care	NCFE CACHE
Computing	Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in Computer Science	OCR
Creative Media	BTEC Tech Award in Creative Media	Pearson BTEC
Dance	Level 1-2 Tech Award in Performing Arts	Pearson BTEC
Drama	Level 1-2 Tech Award in Performing Arts	Pearson BTEC
English	Functional Skills qualification in English at Entry 3	Pearson Edexcel
English	Functional Skills qualification in English at Level 1	Pearson Edexcel
English Language	Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in English Language	AQA
English Literature	Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in English Literature	AQA
French	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in French	AQA
Geography	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Geography	AQA
History	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in History	Pearson Edexcel
Maths	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics	Pearson Edexcel
Maths	Functional Skills qualification in Maths at Level 1	Pearson Edexcel
Maths	Functional Skills qualification in Maths at Level 2	Pearson Edexcel
Music	Level 2 Certificate in Performance for Music Practitioners	RSL
Music	Level 2 Certificate in Technology for Music Practitioners	RSL
Physics (Triple Science)	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Physics	AQA
Science	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Combined Science: Trilogy	AQA
Spanish	Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Spanish	AQA
Sport	Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Sport	Pearson BTEC

 

Class Sizes & Setting

The average class size in Years 7-10 is 28 and in Year 11 class sizes are an average of 22.

Class sizes in Art, Food Technology, Drama, Music and Design Technology are 22 on average in Years 7 and 8.

Classes are set by ability in Mathematics and Science in all years.  All other subjects are mixed ability.

 

English Baccalaureate (EBacc)

The EBacc ensures that students have a comprehensive and broad education.  It is comprised of English literature, English Language, Mathematics, Science, History, or Geography and French or Spanish. 

During Years 7, 8 and 9, students complete a range of other subjects: Art, Design Technology, Food Technology, Music, Drama, Physical Education, PHSEE, Religious Studies, and Computing.

 

 

 

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Contact Us

If you would like further information about each of the courses or any part of the curriculum, please contact the relevant subject leader;

SUBJECT LEADS

Mr S Hind	Head of Maths Faculty	shind@baca-uk.co.uk
Mrs M Gant	Head of English Faculty	mgant@baca-uk.co.uk
Mr M Harris	Head of Science Faculty	mharris@baca-uk.co.uk
Ms A Crowe-Wright	Lead Teacher of Geography	acrowe-wright@baca-uk.co.uk
Ms M Warren	Lead Teacher of History	mwarren@baca-uk.co.uk
Ms A Williams	Lead Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish)	awilliams@baca-uk.co.uk
Miss J Mosely	Head of Creative Faculty / Lead Teacher of Music (Media, Drama, Music, Enterprise, Art & Photography)	jmosely@baca-uk.co.uk
Ms M Tighe	Lead Teacher of Art	mtighe@baca-uk.co.uk
Mr L Talbot	Lead Teacher of Physical Education	ltalbot@baca-uk.co.uk
Mr M Lelliott	Lead Teacher of PSHEE	mlelliott@baca-uk.co.uk
Ms A Collenette	Head of Technical Faculty / Lead Teacher of Childcare (Childcare, Food, DT and Computer Science)	acollenette@baca-uk.co.uk
Mr A Broadbent	Head of Construction Faculty	abroadbent@baca-uk.co.uk

 

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BACA Curriculum Policy – September 2023

The fundamental purpose of our curriculum is to ensure that every BACA student discovers and fulfils his or her potential, as part of inclusive learning community build on a commitment to rigour, relationships and results.

Our mission is to ensure all BACA students benefit from an excellent education, secure great qualifications and develop into young adults who are the first choice recruits for universities and employers.

We serve a diverse and complex community and many of our students come to us with significant gaps in their basic skills and cultural literacy. Our curriculum seeks to address these gaps and inspire students to value and build their wider knowledge and understanding.  Our policy is fully inclusive and compliant with the Equalities Act and SEND guidance and regulations.

Remote Learning Provision: Students will be provided with additional remote learning provision as when this is required due to partial or full school closure. For students who are unable to attend due to self-isolation, their teachers will provide additional work to complete at home. All remote learning will be a blend of independent learning, direct online teaching, written work, reading and assessments. 

Curriculum Aims

The aims of our curriculum, model the aims of the academy. They can be summarised by the following key aims:

• The Value of English and Maths:
  • Gives all students the basic life skills to access a successful future
  • Based on the Mastery approach
  • We recognise the value and power of developing highly literate young people in an increasingly text-based technological world. We aim to develop effective literacy skills, a love of reading, numeracy and problem-solving skills for students to be successful.
  • Daily reading programme for all students at BACA. We understand the importance of reading everyday which helps develop students literacy, oracy, as well as confidence and public speaking.
• The Value of the academic core of Science, History, Geography and learning foreign languages
  • We believe in developing our students’ cultural capital and understanding of British values in order to help them navigate our rapidly-changing world and make them tolerant and respectful of diversity and inclusion.
  • We believe the inquisitive nature of these subjects will enable all students to develop their critical thinking and reflection and well as develop a love of learning.
• Broad and balanced curriculum:
  • Value of the arts
  • Value of vocational subjects
  • Value of Sport, both competitively as well as physical and mental well-being
  • We are committed to providing a broad and balanced curriculum that enable students of all abilities and starting points to thrive, experience success and fulfil their potential. Our curriculum pathways must provide access, challenge and flexibility for all.
  • We believe in empowering our students to look after their own physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing.
  • Our curriculum ensures that students experience a broad range of cultural and creative experiences and opportunities for self-expression.
  • Development of the whole child:
    • Life skills
    •  Enterprise skills, in the everyday curriculum, as well as 3 Enterprise Days each year where we focus deep down in key topics and interests.
    •  Through the curriculum we will develop our students’ inquisitiveness, motivation, confidence, resourcefulness and resilience.
    • Across the curriculum we seek to develop the skills and attributes students will need to contribute to the local, national and global community - explicitly focusing on the entrepreneurial attributes passion, problem-solving, risk-taking, teamwork, creativity, determination - and which enable them to make a positive contribution as a 21^st century global citizen.
    • Strong pastoral support through 20 minutes tutor time per day to ensure student needs are met every day
    • Ensuring our curriculum is inclusive and fully compliant with the Equality Act 2010 and SEN and Disability Regulations 2014. The range of curriculum, as well as the implementation of this curriculum, mean that ALL students have access to a full and comprehensive curriculum

How we structure the curriculum:

The success of the curriculum is built on a strong, carefully designed and sequenced curriculum which is brought to life by exceptional teaching and supported by effective assessment. When this is added to strong pastoral care at school, support from home and belief and effort from the student, it leads to exceptional results.

We aim to ensure learning flows from KS2 to KS3 to KS4, with clear pathways to KS5 at various post-16 institutions and that students have the confidence, skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen career. Each year of the seven year journey at BACA is linked to a key concept in order to provide a sense of coherence and momentum.

• Year 7 – Discover
• Year 8 – Explore
• Year 9 – Focus
• Year 10 – Accelerate
• Year 11 – Achieve
• Year 12 – Aspire
• Year 13 - Success

To ensure that these priorities are developed and interwoven effectively, we have a 4 point planning programme at BACA. These are made up of:

• Curriculum Map
• Curriculum, Learning and Assessment Maps (CLAM)
• Scheme of Work (SOW)
• Lesson-by-lesson planning

All of these planning documents ensure that we plan to be the best we can be. They ensure the curriculum is:

• - Sequential
• - Interwoven
• - Supporting the more and less able
• - Setting minimum standards for all students
• - Ensuring homework is rigorous and well-structured
• - Assessments are well-timed, of high quality and structured
• - Learning ‘sticks’

Curriculum Implementation

Key features of the BACA curriculum

A focus on reading and literacy permeates the curriculum. Our innovative reading programme brings the whole academy community together to promote reading for pleasure. The development of tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary is made explicit in all lessons. Talk for writing, oracy, disciplinary literacy and extended writing are common features of every BACA classroom. 

We provide for the broad and balanced curriculum for all, which becomes more specialised as students’ progress from Year 10 onwards. Students specialise in either History or Geography GCSE and the majority of students continue with a Modern Foreign Language to GCSE.

Two or three further creative or vocational options at KS4 enables students to maintain breadth and develop the rich understanding of the subjects they most enjoy. Although a smaller than average secondary school, we have preserved a wider than average range of options subjects in these areas; Music, Drama, Catering, Business, Creative Media, Art, Product Design, Computing.

We also make changes within our curriculum to ensure that supports specific students at specific times. These include:

• Approximately 60% of students follow a Modern Foreign Language to GCSE where their ability indicates they are capable of being successful.
• 40% of students study an alternative curriculum in place of MFL. This includes additional literacy and practical subjects in Year 7, 8 and 9, and an additional vocational option subject at Key Stage 4.
• Additional 8 hours per fortnight of formal lessons for Year 11 students (58 hours instead of 50)
• Bespoke skills based programmes:
  • o BACA Scholars curriculum enrichment programme for high prior attainers
  • o Into University cohorts (7-13) – 3 workshops per year for 5-7 years
  • o 3 Enterprise Days per year
  • o Year 11 mentoring programme

The implementation of this curriculum relies on motivated, qualified and well-trained teachers and other education staff. At BACA we ensure that we are constantly developing our teachers to ensure that they are best able to support all BACA students.

All teachers at BACA are developed in the following areas to best implement our rigorous curriculum:

• Subject specialist training and qualifications
• Coaching
• Specific teaching and learning techniques training (e.g. AfL, behaviour management)
• Specific exam board training and support
• Safeguarding and attachment awareness training
• Specific SEND training (e.g. dyslexia, sensory needs, ASC)
• Pastoral specific training (e.g. mentoring, attendance support)
• Reading tutor training

Subject and time breakdown (fortnightly)

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
English	8	8	8
Maths	8	8	8
Science	6	6	8
History	4	4	4
Geography	4	4	4
French/Spanish (or alternative provision)	4	4	4
PSHEE	1	1	Tutor Time
Religious Studies	1	1	1
Art	2	2	3 out of the 5 subjects (3 lessons each)
Drama	2	2
Music	2	2
Computing	2	2
Design Technology/Food	2	2
PE	4	4	4
Total	50	50	50

 

	Year 10	Year 11
English	10	10
Maths	8	10
Science	10	10
Option 1: History or Geography	5	5
Option 2: French, Spanish (or additional subject)	5	5
Option 3	4	6
Option 4	4	6
PE	3	2
PSHEE/Religious Studies	1	1
Additional timetabled Intervention	N/A	2
Total	50	58

BACA College curriculum

The BACA College curriculum is carefully structured to allow students to take advantage of a number of unique opportunities:

• Aldridge Cricket Academy
• Football Academy
• Brighton Table Tennis Academy
• Brighton Digital Media Academy (BDMA)
• Construction Centre

Apart from construction centre lessons, academic lessons are timetabled in the morning, with additional structured enrichment opportunities taking place in the afternoon (during lesson 5 and beyond).

Students have 9 hours of lesson per fortnight in each of their option subjects, with students taking 3 subjects each.

How we review our curriculum?

Our curriculum is reviewed continuously by the highly skilled teacher and leaders in the academy. It is also done via our collaboration with the wider teaching community:

• Brighton and Hove Subject Leads collaboration and support
• Brighton and Hove Curriculum Deputies collaboration and support
• Support and leadership from the Aldridge Education (AE) Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)

We also review our curriculum internally through a series of ‘focus weeks’ on each subject. This allows us to get a deeper knowledge and understanding of how the planned curriculum leads to the delivery and outcomes for each subject.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum is measured via our academic and destination outcomes.

Curriculum Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions	Answers	Further explanation
How long are lessons?	60 minutes	This allows each lesson to have depth and pace, and enables us to have 5 lessons per day.
How many lessons are there per day?	5 (6 in Year 11)	This enables us to have a weekly timetable and maintain the pace of learning throughout the week.
Why do you have 4 extra lessons for Year 11?	To enable the extra depth and support in the final 10 months of compulsory schooling	We believe students need this to be the most successful they can.
When do you students choose their GCSE options?	From January of Year 9	Students then start them in September on Year 10. We are transitioning this year to where students have chosen some creative options in Year 8, ready for Year 9. We will review this again this year.
When do they choose their options for BACA College	From October of Year 11	Students apply for BACA College from October in Year 11. They initially select what courses they want with guidance from staff. These are finalized once they receive their GCSE results.
Is the timetable weekly or fortnightly?	Fortnightly	To ensure we get the best balance of subjects and number of lessons we follow a fortnightly timetable. We believe this is the best structure for teachers and students.
Do students have reading every day?	Yes	We believe that positive routines and learning, such as reading are needed every day. Students also are expected to read each night and at the weekend.
How will you catch-up gaps caused by Covid-19 disruptions?	Bespoke intervention Targeted intervention and curriculum development within in each subject Additional summer and holiday programmes Additional tutoring support (online and in person)	We recognize that many students have been impacted by the disruption of the last 18 months and in many different ways Therefore we are targeting support to individuals, as well as many changes to the overall provision to support all students.