Curriculum Intent
The curriculum ambition at Brook Academy is to offer a broad curriculum including Maths, English and a bespoke tailored curriculum of PSHE, Life Skills, Art, Citizenship, Science, Religious Education, Food Tech and ICT to ensure that every learner at Brook is given the opportunity to be self-sufficient. This is taught within a primary model embedding nurture principles to support of learners’ development of agency and understanding of the world around them.
The curriculum at Brook is aimed to promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of learners at the school and of society; and prepare learners at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Opportunities for learning outside the classroom, making links to real-life experiences and meeting the individual academic and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs of learners through a tailored curriculum offer is essential.
Whilst the curriculum intent at Brook Academy has a focus on the development and progress of learners individually, it also aims to meet the Trust wide challenge of Equity through education, developing self-sufficient learners to become independent and resilient adults with access to wider opportunities recognising their strengths. All learners have access to a high-quality curriculum and qualification offer, which does not seek to further disadvantage them by placing limits on what they can strive to achieve.
Curriculum Implementation
The broad curriculum offer model is that learners are taught primarily by the same teacher across all subject areas, enabling adults to build and develop supportive and trusting relationships with the learners in their class. All staff use a PACE approach and Zones of Regulation, recognising the Social, Emotional and Mental Health and wellbeing needs of the learners is as vital for a successful school experience as the academic subjects on offer. Because of the importance of social and emotional well-being for all learners, our curriculum integrates social-emotional learning throughout all subjects. We provide opportunities for learners to develop self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, and resilience in class, 1:1 or small group sessions. All staff work closely with learners to build positive relationships, foster a sense of belonging, and create a supportive learning environment. Our curriculum also includes mental health education to help learners understand and manage their emotions, reduce stigma, and promote mental health awareness.
Reading is a focus across the whole curriculum, and when necessary, individual learners have access to a sequenced reading and phonics programme (read Write Inc Fresh Start). All learners are assessed using WRAT and teaching staff identify the starting points of individual learners and plan learning priorities and lessons effectively, in order for all learners to make progress.
Planned intervention sessions are timetabled in all classes, both KS3 and KS4, in order to ensure there is opportunity for all learners to make progress towards their individual EHCP targets, both academic and SEMH. A number of targeted interventions are available for 1:1 or smaller groups as required.
Preparing learners for life beyond school is a key focus of our curriculum. We emphasise the development of life skills, including communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, as well as equip learners with the skills needed for independent living and successful transitions to further education, employment, or training. We also foster partnerships with local organisations to enrich our curriculum and provide real-world learning experiences.
At KS4, learners have access to a range of qualifications from Entry Level 1 to GCSE. Formal qualifications are a vehicle for curriculum delivery and sequencing, and Brook Academy recognises the positive impact gaining qualifications can have on learners’ next steps, self-esteem and self-confidence.
TBA Curriculum Intent Sept 2024-25
To find out more about the curriculum, please contact the school office on 01452 221626 or email info@tba.clf.uk
