Our curriculum

Intent

Leigh Academy Bexley delivers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme in key stage 3, offering the full national curriculum through the MYP framework. The MYP, like other IB programmes, seeks to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. 

Learning is organised into eight subject groups all of which must be delivered through a minimum of 50 hours teaching time per academic year.  

All learning is framed within Global Contexts which are cross curricular forging links to real world issues, making learning more meaningful and relevant. 

The MYP also seeks to develop students as lifelong learners through the explicit teaching of Approaches to Learning.  ATL are skills designed to enable students in the IB Middle Years Programme to “learn how to learn.” ATL skills are divided into five major categories: 

  • Thinking skills, including areas such as critical thinking, creative thinking and ethical thinking.
  • Research skills, including skills such as comparing, contrasting, validating and prioritising  information as well as digital and media literacy.
  • Communication skills, including skills such as written and oral communication, effective listening, and formulating arguments.
  • Social skills, including areas such as forming and maintaining positive relationships, listening skills, and conflict resolution.
  • Self-management skills, including both organisational skills, such as managing time and tasks, and affective skills, such as managing state of mind and motivation.

We create clear progression pathways from key stage 3 to key stage 4 and beyond. Students are able to choose from a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects in languages, the arts, technology and business.  It is our aim to continue the development of key aspects of the MYP in key stage 4.

Our spiral curriculum allows students  to embark on a two year period of study building on their knowledge and skills in a broad range of subjects that prepare them for their future education and careers. 

Our pedagogical approaches are underpinned by evidence based research. The LABex Lesson Charter is based upon Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction and our Teaching and Learning Principles so that all lessons have a clear structure that builds upon prior learning, introduces new knowledge and skills with sufficient time to address misconceptions and consolidate learning through deliberate practice. Our lesson framework outlines six clear stages that help deliver these principles consistently while allowing teachers to apply their professional expertise and creativity.

Our spiral curriculum is collaboratively planned and carefully sequenced to develop breadth and depth of knowledge and skills over time. Lessons are planned and adapted to meet the needs of all learners. Disciplinary literacy is a core element of our curriculum. 

Learners are supported and empowered through our digital strategy. All lesson resources, homework, digital tools, digital library and state of the art  learning platforms are accessible to all students through our Chromebook scheme. Students  learn how to keep themselves safe online and have enhanced protection via Smoothwall.

Our Assessment Policy outlines our approach to ensuring that our students receive regular and timely feedback and support which helps them to learn and progress.  We use formative and summative assessments to address misconceptions, plug knowledge gaps and identify where further intervention and support may be needed. 

In key stage 3 we use the MYP Assessment Criteria to assess student progress over time. 

In key stages 4 and 5, the assessment objectives outlined in the subject specifications are the main vehicles used to determine academic achievement.  We collect data at appropriate intervals and use Lenz (Trust data analysis tool) to review academic attainment and progress and benchmark against national standards.

We have a comprehensive approach to developing reading and literacy so that our curriculum is accessible to all of our learners. We measure the impact of the various strategies and make adaptations when needed.

Monitoring of the wider and co-curriculum also takes place to uphold our vision of an inclusive and holistic education.  We gauge the opinions of stakeholders through parental and student surveys and Trust Executives, Curriculum Advisors and Governors undertake regular quality assurance visits to the academy. 

We support all of our students to secure meaningful destinations taking great care to ensure that none become NEET (Not in education, employment or training).

Curriculum by Key Stage

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Leigh Academy Bexley is committed to providing a curriculum that is challenging, broad, balanced and appropriate to each student’s ability. In addition to English, mathematics and science, all Key Stage 3 students study Art, Drama, Music, History, Geography, French or Spanish, PE, Technology, and ICT.

We are proud of the diverse range of high-quality GCSE and vocational courses that all students have access to. We are confident that the curriculum we offer to students will equip them with the qualifications, knowledge and skills they will need to lead successful and fulfilling adult lives. The decisions that students will make are therefore important and consequential. It is for this reason we are absolutely committed to providing students and families with comprehensive and individual support at each stage of the options process. Whilst all students will study GCSEs in English, Mathematics and Science, students and families will be taken through a guided process so that an informed decision can be made with confidence about the options your child wishes to make for Year 10 and 11.

This is an exciting time to be part of the Leigh Academy Bexley Sixth Form. Students will study 3 subjects from a range of A Level and Vocational courses, which are designed in a way that students can pick sensible combinations, which allow for progression onto pathways of higher education or into the world of work. Students will also have an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills by gaining extra qualifications, such as EPQ or Core Maths, as well as building their professional profile through weekly career development opportunities. Students’ timetables will see them have a daily lesson of their chosen subjects. Teachers will work with students to ensure they are equipped with the relevant skills they need to be able to study independently which will prepare them for life after Sixth Form. 

All students in the sixth form benefit from a programme of careers interviews, work tasters and opportunities to meet with employers and higher education providers.  All aspects of the support have proved advantageous and have played a large part in our students successfully gaining university places. 

Leigh Academy Bexley Sixth Form is about to embark on an exciting journey over the next few years and this is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of this. We believe in encouraging our students to leave us with as many opportunities available to them as possible, giving them the tools to make informed decisions and be excited about their future.

For further information, please email info@labexley.org.uk.

Leigh Academy Bexley is a Candidate School* for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Leigh Academy Bexley believes is important for our students.
 
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org