Virtually all maintained schools and academies follow the National Curriculum, and are inspected by Ofsted on how well they succeed in delivering a 'broad and balanced curriculum'.[7] Schools endeavour to get all students to achieve the English Baccalaureate qualification – this must include core subjects a modern or ancient foreign language, and either History or Geography.
The school operates a two-year, Key Stage 3 where all the core National Curriculum subjects are taught. Year 7 and Year 8 study core subjects: English, Mathematics, Science with PE,[clarification needed] and Philosophy, Religion & Ethics. The following subjects are taught: Modern Languages, History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music and Computing. Teaching can be mixed ability or setted.[8]
The Academy runs a 3 year Key Stage 4 to allow students more time to study their preferred subjects to examination level. English, Mathematics, Science, PE,[clarification needed] and Philosophy, Religion & Ethics are continued, with four options to form an individual pathway for each student.[8]
Students all sit the Philosophy, Religion & Ethics GCSE[clarification needed] and one option in Year 10- freeing time to consolidate maths and English in Year 11. This is known as the Year 10 Option, the subjects offered include GCSE Dramam BTEC Sport, Digital Information Technology, Creative Media Production, GCSE Photography, Child Development & Care, Hospitalityand Catering, GCSE Design & Technology, and Enterprise.[9]
The second option is choosing between History, Geography, Spanish and French. They then can select two subjects from a pool.[9]
The pool contains:
Triple Science, Geography, History, French, Spanish, PE, Sport, Fine Art, Art Graphics, Photography, Business Studies, Computer Science, Digital IT, eCreative Media, Engineering, Food and Nutrition, Hospitality and Catering, Design &Technology, Sociology, Psychology, Child Development & Care, Drama, and Music.[9]
The sixth form, Key Stage 5, offers A levels in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, English Language, English Literature, Art Photography, Fine Art, Media Studies, Graphic Communication, Music, Drama, Geography, History, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, French and Spanish.
Level 3 BTECs in Applied Science, Business, Health & Social Care, IT, Sports. With Physical Education, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE).[10]