The Castle Mead Academy curriculum aims to give scholars access to the best that has been thought, said, written and created in every field of human endeavour, so that they are knowledgeable, critical and enriched. Within this broad, balanced and deep curriculum, the primacy of knowledge and critical thinking are emphasised.
Curriculum Model
| Key stage | Subject | Number of lessons per week | ||
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | ||
| KS3, (current) | English | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 5 | |
| Science | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Geography | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| History | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| RE | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| French | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| Computer Science | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Art | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Drama | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | |
| DT | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
| Music | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | |
| PE | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Reading for Pleasure | 1 | 1 | ** | |
| KS4 (provisional) | English | 5 | ||
| Mathematics | 5 | |||
| Science | 4 | |||
| Geography / History | 3 | |||
| RE | 2 | |||
| French | 3 | |||
| PE | 2 | |||
| Option 1 | 3 | |||
| Option 2 | 3 | |||
The curriculum model allows the special focus on the EBacc subjects, as always intended from the original bid for CMA. The intention is for as many scholars as possible to study the EBacc to GCSE. In KS3, relative extended learning time in the core subjects allows a tight focus on these subjects and allows depth to the curriculum. The KS3 curriculum model will continue to be reviewed and refined moving forward.
The KS4 curriculum is provisional. The intention is for extra learning time in Science, as we aim for as many scholars as possible to study Triple Science. In line with the EBacc aims, all scholars should study either Geography or History. All scholars will study RE to GCSE and we intend for the same to be for French. Scholars should leave CMA with at least 10 or 11 qualifications.
For information on the curriculum in each of our subjects, please see the pages at the bottom of this page.
PSHE at Castle Mead
Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education at Castle Mead Academy is a key part of our curriculum offer. The PSHE curriculum is designed to help scholars of CMA become citizens of Leicester as well as understand their place in a global community. Furthermore, the curriculum is designed to be reflective of the needs of CMA scholars and this flexibility allows the PSHE offer to be as inclusive and tailored as needed.
During Key Stage 3 scholars will build on the attributes they acquired during their time at primary school. Between years 7 and 9 PSHE will address the changes young people are experiencing as they move into their adolescence and gain increasing independence. Scholars will learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the pressures of media as well as the changes which their bodies are experiencing.
During Key Stage 4 scholars will further deepen their understanding gained at Key Stage 3 and will extend this knowledge into years 10 and 11. Here there will be a greater emphasis on scholars moving towards an independent, adult life as they take on more responsibility for themselves and others.
Our PSHE curriculum is centred around three main themes: health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world. These themes are addressed throughout Key Stages 3 and 4 and they are broken down into different topics.
Scholars will learn about 4 topics each year. These topics are explored in tutor groups with their form tutors. We use a planned and coherent tutor time programme for the delivery of these sessions. Content is delivered to scholars through Knowledge, Reading for Excellence, Debate and Discussion as well as Careers sessions. The topics also complement our assembly calendar where appropriate.
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