Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and knowledge rich which will enable students to become well-rounded citizens who are prepared for life.
Q3 Academy Tipton is committed to providing an engaging and knowledge rich curriculum so that students experience wide and varied opportunities, both inside and out of the classroom. This will support their prior learning and help them to develop Cultural Capital in all its forms. The engagement of our parents/carers is a fundamental part of our curriculum offer and supports increased collaboration and understanding. A broad, balanced, and personalised experience is provided for all students, allowing access to the E-Bacc subjects along with a wide selection of Foundation subjects allowing all different abilities of students to gain the maximum qualifications that supports them to succeed onto their next stage of education or work.
We recognise the importance of good literacy and numeracy and the impact this has on our students’ opportunities for the future. Reading programmes are in place for all students at Key Stage 3 to develop literacy skills and further enhance literacy at Key Stage 4.
The well-being of all our students is a key priority and this is embedded throughout the Academy including during RSE, PSHE, and SMSC.
We organise the academic year into four Curriculum Cycles:
CC1 – September to November;
CC2 – November to February;
CC3 – February to May;
CC4 – May to July.
Our Key Stage 3 includes Years 7, 8 and 9
All KS3 students will study the following subjects:
Life Lessons (5 hours over two weeks) delivered by Tutors;
RSHE and PSHE (2 hours over two weeks)
English (9 hours over two weeks);
Mathematics (7 hours over two weeks);
Science (7 hours over two weeks);
French (4 hours over two weeks);
PE (4 hours over two weeks);
Geography (4 hours over two weeks);
History (4 hours over two weeks);
Religious Studies (2 hours over two weeks);
Computer Science (1 hour over two weeks);
Drama (1 hours over two weeks);
Music (1 hours over two weeks);
Design Technology and Food Technology (2 hours over two weeks);
Visual Arts (2 hours over two weeks);
Students are organised into ten mixed ability tutor groups (Life Lessons). Life Lessons are our PSHE programme designed to develop within our pupils the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. Life Lessons develops our understanding of the wider world, relationships and sex education, health and wellbeing and our personal finance and careers.
Key Stage 3 students are divided in to three bands (X, Y and Z). The X and Y band are split in to 4 teaching groups which are set using data, for Z band there are 3 teaching groups. These teaching groups will vary depending on which block a subject appears. For example, the Maths block will include Maths, Science and other similar subjects whereas the English block will include English, History and other literacy based subjects.
If you require any further information please refer to our Curriculum Policy document, or contact Deputy Headteacher Mr Kearley.