Subjects
At Chiltern Academy we want our pupils to have a curriculum that allows each individual pupil the opportunity to excel in academia whilst also allowing them to explore a wide range of different pathways. We expect and support our pupils, as learners, to be aspirant, high achieving, innovative, creative and engaged in high quality teaching delivered from a curriculum which is rich, balanced, personalised and inclusive.
Our vision is to develop pupils who are well educated and well rounded to face the challenges and opportunities of the world beyond school. Our pupils will be offered the opportunity to pursue academic excellence and actively seek out pathways to study or work at the best institutions or companies locally, nationally and internationally.
Subjects
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English
English
In ENGLISH, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- developing imaginative, expressive and influential writers
- creating a passion for reading and a love of literature
- equipping pupils with a passionate voice to express their own viewpoints with confidence
- stimulating creative thinking by challenging pupils to develop new and original ideas
- exposing pupils to new characters, new worlds and new adventures through a broad and enriching variety of stories, poems, plays and texts.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- laying the foundations for learning across the curriculum
- preparing pupils with cultural, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual skills through exploration of a wide range of texts.
- creating artistic poets, writers, readers, speakers and story-tellers of the future.
- preparing pupils with the essential communication skills to be a fully participating member of society.
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Maths
Maths
In MATHS, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
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actively engaging students to foster a genuine love for the subject.
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developing problem solving techniques to ignite analytical thinking
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encouraging pupils to ask questions deepening their understanding of the how and why in maths
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unveiling the captivating ways mathematics shapes our everyday experience
BUILD FUTURES BY:
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linking mathematical concepts to a variety of careers and the real world, illustrating the unifying power of mathematical principles.
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preparing students for the mathematical demands of modern careers, ensuring their readiness for the 21st-century workforce.
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empowering pupils by solidifying theoretical understanding.
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cultivating a profound appreciation for mathematics' role in STEM fields, inspiring future innovators.
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fostering resilience and continuous improvement by embracing mistakes and valuing feedback
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improving financial literacy, supporting pupils navigate their financial futures with confidence and stability
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Science
Science
In SCIENCE, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- instilling the love of scientific knowledge through practical activities, investigations, fun and research.
- opening minds to a world of possibilities for every student and highlighting the everyday relevance of science in our lives.
- delivering a high-quality science education that is based on the process of scientific enquiry that teaches students to think, learn, solve problems and make informed decisions.
- developing curiosity, creativity and exposing pupils to the wondrous, amazing and mind blowing scientific phenomena around us to promote a love of science where pupils are in awe of science phenomena.
- creating a passion for scientific discoveries, events and issues, locally, nationally and globally.
- delving into scientific vocabulary and maximising pupils use of new terminology to express abstract and real concepts.
- making links between everyday experiences and scientific concepts to help understand the world around us.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- supporting the needs of every child so that they can flourish in an environment which nurtures their natural curiosity so that they realise their potential both personally and in wider society.
- creating confident, well-rounded pupils who can passionately voice their viewpoints on ethical and moral contexts
- developing analytical, curious minds who collaborate positively as scientists.
- shaping minds to be open and alert to their surroundings so that they can make informed scientific decisions both now and, in the future,
- preparing all pupils for possible STEM careers by imparting an understanding of core scientific principles and creating opportunities for pupils to understand the role of science in careers.
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Art
Art
In ART, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Learning about the history of art, craft and design as well as the influence of Art from different cultures around the world.
- Creating a passion for creating art in different styles and media through practice and exploration.
- Developing analytical and evaluative skills for students' to use on their own work, and that of others to strengthen their skills.
- Enabling students to express themselves through their artwork and using artist links to create original pieces.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Developing self-esteem, confidence and proficiency when describing their ideas and work in front of their peers.
- Preparing pupils to problem solve in creative ways using their cultural, emotional and social skills in a wide variety of circumstances.
- Giving students the ability to utilise a range of techniques and media that can be adapted for different situations.
- Preparing students to use their artistic skills and knowledge in ways that can be transferable to any subject.
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Business Studies
Business Studies
In BUSINESS STUDIES, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- By developing and understanding the mastery of the subject looking at topics such as business, finance & marketing.
- By engaging with the world of business through the context of current business developments and real business situations.
- Giving pupils the opportunity to partake in real-life business experiences.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Giving pupils a range of skills that they can take and apply in their future career
- Giving pupils a range of business experiences that they can draw upon in pursuing their future aspirations
- Equipping pupils with essential skills and experiences to thrive in an ever-changing business world
- Providing the essential information and skills to enable pupils to be more financially independent citizens of the future
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Citizenship
Citizenship
In CITIZENSHIP, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Giving students a thorough and in depth understanding of various factors and events that are relevant and have had an impact on the development of life today.
- Exploring how modern Britain has been formed by different events, people, cultures, traditions, beliefs and ideas over time.
- Helping students to create their own opinions of various social and political issues, through the use of topical information, case studies and different viewpoints of arguments.
- Encouraging students to develop enquiries into certain issues, to handle a variety of types of sources and to come to respect the multitude of viewpoints people may have.
- Throughout the course the students will understand how to be more of an active citizen, allowing them to have a greater impact on the communities and people that they are passionate about.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Giving the students the skills and understanding of how life in society works and the implications of certain decisions and actions. Students will develop knowledge of contentious issues which will benefit them in many situations in their lives.
- Giving students the knowledge and understanding of the UK political system, ranging from the major UK parties and what they stand for to the different voting systems that we have in place to elect these parties.
- Giving the students knowledge and understanding of many aspects of life, ranging from issues surrounding voting, the criminal justice system & the different forms of government will allow them to leave school ready for the challenges of adult life.
- Understanding why certain people may make the decisions or have certain viewpoints, helps students become more compassionate as people and more impartial as decision makers.
- Preparing students for a number of pathways in life by supplying them with skills and knowledge of highly important and relevant topics.
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Computer Science
Computer Science
In COMPUTER SCIENCE, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Researching the latest development in modern computing
- Identifying careers in STEM and relevant skills
- Embarking on independent research projects as a ‘deeper dive’ to the main curriculum
- By developing an understanding and mastery of the subject
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Giving them a range of skills that they can take and apply in their future career
- Applying newly acquired knowledge to innovate and solve ‘real world’ problems and by doing so develop a sought after skillset.
- Developing a lifelong curiosity for ‘how something works’ and ‘how something can be improved upon’
- Nurturing a growth mindset and an understanding that Computing is for everyone
- Adapting to constant technological change
- Researching the latest development in modern computing
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Dance
Dance
In DANCE, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Students build confidence by learning to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others effectively while fostering self-awareness and working collaboratively.
- Encourage students to explore movement and express ideas and emotions through non-verbal communication.
- Develop a well rounded performer who is aware of the cohesion between all elements of the Dance.
- Expose pupils to professional works as well as British companies to aspire to as well as learn from.
- Allow pupils time to create and be passionate about their work, developing original ideas which are then brought to life through performances.
- Allow pupils time to master new skills, empowering students to take risks and embrace mistakes and challenges.
- Develop a wide range of knowledge and skills within Dance, exploring a variety of topics, styles and issues broadening pupils perspectives and fostering an appreciation for the arts as an industry.
- To use resilience as well as teamwork and problem solving skills in order to find solutions to movement challenges and work collaboratively to achieve a shared vision.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Develop a wide range of knowledge and skills within Performing Arts and working to professional industry standards.
- Providing pupils with the awareness of careers and avenues in Dance which are available to them as well as what they need to do to follow these paths.
- Prepare pupils with an industry led curriculum, not only based on KS4 options but beyond (e.g audition setting).
- Give pupils the opportunities to be creative, lead, choreograph and perform - all within groups to build self-esteem as well as communication skills, resilience and dedication.
- Encourages pupils’ creativity and innovative thinking while working collaboratively .
- Exploring diverse topics, styles and issues broadens pupils' understanding of the cultural, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual skills and promotes empathy towards others.
- Cultivating essential transferable skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, which are highly valued in various career paths.
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Engineering
Engineering
In ENGINEERING, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
giving pupils relevant role models in Engineering.
working with national & international Engineering firms to produce schemes of work.
making every unit of work explicitly link to industry.
introducing pupils to the range of future career options in Engineering and removing their misconceptions about the subject.
providing as much enrichment as possible through extra curricular clubs trips with our pupils as possible.
exposing pupils to the latest engineering stories via an Engineering Blog.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- improving pupils computer literacy with the latest computer aided design software and manufacturing processes.
- getting pupils the practical skills they will need to succeed in further education and apprenticeships.
- closing the gender gap in the subject. Offering lots of possibilities for both genders in Engineering through university visits and trips.
- developing pupils' presentation skills so they can express themselves and their ideas coherently.
- making pupils sustainability conscious in all they do.
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Food Technology
Food Technology
In Food Tech, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Delivering engaging and challenging lessons
- Instilling a passion and understanding of preparing and cooking a variety of foods
- Giving pupils relevant role models within the food industry
- Creating schemes of work which allow pupils to build upon their skills and learn new ones
- Introducing pupils to the range of future career options in the food industry and removing any misconceptions they may have within the subject
- Providing enrichment through extra-curricular clubs and trips
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Improving pupils technical skills within a food preparation area
- Teaching pupils the practical, technical and theoretical skills they will need to succeed in further education and beyond
- Pupils will leave school with the skills to select ingredients and follow recipes/methods to cook nutritious meals
- Pupils will develop their cooking skills and knowledge of food preparation/hygiene that are hugely beneficial in a wide range of career opportunities
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French
French
In FRENCH, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
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opening pupils' minds to the broad range of culture and traditions across the French-speaking world
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giving pupils a deep understanding of French pronunciation through a focus on phonics
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encouraging curiosity through the teaching of authentic resources including poetry, songs, books and films
BUILD FUTURES BY:
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focusing on topics related to future plans and careers
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giving pupils a wider vision of the world, aiming to create global citizens
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equipping pupils with strong communication skills
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building pupils' resilience through a focus on languages being accessible to every pupil teaching pupils to be independent through the use of individual resources they can access every lesson
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Geography
Geography
In GEOGRAPHY, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
exploring the wider world and the variety of unique cultures within it.
allowing students to critically analyse the physical processes of the Earth and how human action interacts and is ultimately dependent on the natural Earth.
give students the opportunity to complete detailed fieldwork in a variety of locations.
equipping students with the knowledge and understanding of the Earth and their place within it.
developing students understanding of how the world changes at a variety of scales, locally, regionally and globally.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
exploring other cultures, nationalities, customs and traditions and allow students to investigate how their own culture fits into the wider world.
developing the skills and confidence for students to become active global citizens with a strong understanding of social, moral, economic and environmental implications of their actions.
creating effective decision makers who are confident and capable to make informed, well evaluated decisions in a range of contexts.
creating the future problem solvers of the world. Many of the current and future global issues will be solved by geographers and our students will be leading these initiatives.
establishing links between a range of different subjects and career opportunities and how geography is an integral part of wider life, both academically and recreationally.
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Health and Social Care
Health and Social Care
In HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Showing students how their learning can make a tangible impact on people’s lives
- Promoting understanding and respect for cultural diversity, inclusivity, and the unique needs of different groups (e.g. the elderly, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities)
- Connects learning to current societal challenges
- Introduces students to the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability in the health and social care sectors.
- Encouraging self-reflection and interaction with diverse groups of people, building emotional intelligence.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Equipping students with a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills and ethical understanding.
- Preparing pupils for fulfilling careers in a variety of health and social care professions.
- Helps pupils develop the skills to work with people from all backgrounds, ensuring they are prepared for inclusive care practices in their future careers.
- Allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, developing essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
- Places a strong emphasis on the ethical and legal responsibilities professionals face in the Health and Social care industry.
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History
History
In HISTORY, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
giving students a thorough and broad timeline of the past in which they can make connections and understand their place in history.
- exploring how our present world has been formed by different events, people, cultures, traditions, beliefs and ideas over time.
- helping students to challenge simplified tellings of the past, and through listening to a multiplicity of diverse voices, come to a more complex, layered and comprehensive reading of history.
- encouraging students to go on historical enquiries into the past, to handle a variety of types of sources and to come to respect the richness and value they hold for historians.
- developing students' ability to handle interpretations of the past critically and use their own knowledge to come to their own conclusions about the past.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- history at Chiltern paints a detailed picture of how society, technology and government has changed over time. By understanding how, when and why change occurs, it allows the students to better understand how it works now and for the future.
- the importance of how history fits into the local, national and world-wide community, provides students with a sense of self-worth and allows them to understand themselves better.
- exploring other countries, ethnicities and ancestries, helps students develop a greater understanding of those around us, preparing them for the future.
- understanding why people may have behaved the way they do, helps students become more compassionate as people and more impartial as decision makers.
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Music
Music
In MUSIC, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Students build confidence by learning to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively.
- Exposing pupils to a diverse range of musical genres and styles, from classic composers to modern day innovators
- Providing opportunities to hone musicality through instruments, singing and technology
- Creating a space for challenging and thoughtful discussions about music
- Building a culture of creativity and experimentation
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Developing analytical skills through a broad exploration of composers and artists, using the unifying ‘elements of music’ to inform responses
- Raising awareness of the cultural significance of different musical traditions across the globe
- Increasing confidence through performance experiences
- Forming a bond between technology and creativity
- Promoting a collaborative workspace that increases communication skills.
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Performing Arts
Performing Arts
In PERFORMING ARTS, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- develop a well rounded performer who is aware of the cohesion between all elements of the Performing Arts
- expose pupils to professional works to aspire to as well as learn from
- allow pupils time to create and be passionate, developing original ideas which are then brought to life through performances
- giving pupils the understanding of all backstage and behind the scenes areas of Performing Arts and allowing them to be a part of the process
BUILD FUTURES BY:
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equip pupils with the awareness of careers and avenues in Performing Arts which are available to them as well as what they need to do to follow these paths
- prepare pupils with an industry led curriculum, not only based on KS4 options but beyond
- creating an understanding of the cultural, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual skills by studying multiple plays, musicals and dance across cultures and time periods
- give pupils the opportunities to be creative, write, lead, choreograph and direct- all within teams to build communication skills
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Physical Education
Physical Education
In PHYSICAL EDUCATION, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Providing and encouraging students to take in a variety of sports to ensure they lead healthy active lifestyles.
- Giving students leadership opportunities in lessons and beyond.
- Exposing pupils to different and challenging situations within sport encouraging them to face them head on.
- Inspire students to take part in extra curricular clubs both in school hours and at local clubs.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- Create physically literate students by ensuring students understand a variety of topics e.g. muscles, bones, fitness components, methods of training and ensure they know how to use this knowledge to stay healthy.
- Developing self-esteem, confidence and communication skills through leadership opportunities which then can be applied in their every day life.
- Giving students the tools to understand what makes a healthy active lifestyle and how to build upon this into adult life.
- Ensuring students are aware of the different PE career pathways and opportunities available to them when they leave Chiltern Academy.
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Psychology
Psychology
In PSYCHOLOGY, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- developing imaginative, expressive and influential writers
- creating a passion for reading and a love of literature
- equipping pupils with a passionate voice to express their own viewpoints with confidence
- stimulating creative thinking by challenging pupils to develop new and original ideas
- exposing pupils to new characters, new worlds and new adventures through a broad and enriching variety of stories, poems, plays and texts.
BUILD FUTURES BY:
- laying the foundations for learning across the curriculum
- preparing pupils with cultural, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual skills through exploration of a wide range of texts.
- creating artistic poets, writers, readers, speakers and story-tellers of the future.
- preparing pupils with the essential communication skills to be a fully participating member of society.
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RE
RE
In RE, our curriculum is designed to:
INSPIRE MINDS BY:
- Developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of worldviews (religious/non religious beliefs), practices and traditions
- Considering and responding to a range of important questions related to their own spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through critical thinking
- Interpreting and evaluating texts, sources of authority and other evidence in order to explore different beliefs, tradition and practices
BUILD FUTURES BY:
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Promoting and encouraging tolerance and respect for all beliefs, cultures, traditions and worldviews
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Knowing how worldviews, practices and traditions influence individuals, communities, societies and cultures
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Equipping pupils’ to clearly and coherently articulate their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences knowledgeably and tolerantly through embedding oracy within the curriculum
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Preparing pupils with the essential skills and knowledge to engage with and participate in public life
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Motivating and educating pupils’ into becoming thoughtful, active citizens