Overview

Grace Academy Darlaston celebrates the academic success of all its students. We are very proud of our achievements, which form the bedrock of our aspirations for every student entering the Academy. Students are encouraged to feel good about being successful and also, to feel confident about expressing views about the life and work of the academy.

Whilst academic excellence is extremely important to us, equally so is development of character, talent and independence, and we set great store by these through our core values: ‘potential, respect, integrity, grace and excellence’. Through Sport, Drama, Music and many other extra-curricular activities, we create an environment in which these values can be promoted and sustained, and it is this that makes Grace Academy Darlaston an inspiring place to learn.

At Grace Academy, our curriculum has been designed to be inclusive for all students, and the specific needs of individuals are catered for through the effective use of differentiation and bespoke support to ensure everyone is able to access a high quality and engaging standard of work. Our aim is to develop and deliver a curriculum that prepares our young people for the 21st century: one that enables our teachers to become facilitators of learning. We provide a broad and varied selection of subjects and our teachers encourage independent learning, which helps our students to become successful and self-sufficient lifelong learners.

For further information regarding how our curriculum is adapted to support the needs of all learners, please see our Accessibility Plan and SEND Policy.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Students at Grace Academy Darlaston follow a three-year Key Stage 3 curriculum which gives pupils the opportunity to undertake a wide range of subjects, providing them with a broad range of experiences. The curriculum has been designed so that pupils can build upon their existing knowledge to extend and secure their understanding, which in turn enables pupils to achieve their maximum potential.

For those students who do not achieve the expected score for Reading and/ or Maths at the end of key stage 2, we provide targeted intervention to support pupils to fill gaps in their knowledge in order to help them progress effectively.

In Key Stage 3, students study the following subjects:

  • English Language
  • English Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Art
  • Citizenship
  • Computer Science
  • Technology
  • Spanish/ German
  • Geography
  • History
  • Music
  • Drama
  • Physical Education
  • Religious Education

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Pupils start their Key Stage 4 courses in year 10, and students have the option to study both vocational and GCSE pathways. The Academy offers a broad and balanced curriculum; however all students will follow a ‘core curriculum’ consisting of English Language; English Literature; Mathematics; Science & Physical Education.

Alongside the core curriculum, students will be asked to choose a range of option courses. Currently, students in Key Stage 4 groups are studying the following GCSE/BTEC subjects:

  • Art
  • Triple Science (Separate Biology, Chemistry & Physics choices)
  • Business
  • Drama
  • Health and Social Care
  • Engineering
  • Food Technology
  • iMedia
  • Geography
  • Travel & Tourism
  • History
  • Spanish
  • Music
  • Religious Education
  • Sport
  • Textiles
  • Citizenship
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Pupils in Years 10-11 will also complete CR lessons, which cover key areas of learning in Religious Education, Citizenship and Relationships, Sex and Health Education. Students receive bi-weekly lessons for CR.

Key Stage 5 Curriculum

Here at Grace Academy Post 16 we strive to provide the best curriculum offering that meets the needs of our learners whilst ensuring that their social and emotional needs are cared for and supported. We pride ourselves on developing the ‘whole’ individual and treat every student as an individual, striving to meet their needs and encouraging them to strive for excellence in all that they do.

Our varied curriculum is designed around preparing students for the world of work, apprenticeship, further and higher education.

We currently offer the following courses at Level 3:

  • BTEC Level 3 Applied Psychology
  • BTEC Level 3 Sport
  • BTEC Level 3 Applied Law
  • BTEC Level 3 Business
  • BTEC Level 3 Health & Social Care
  • BTEC Level 3 ICT – Extended Certificate
  • BTEC Level 3 ICT – Diploma (equivalent to 2 A Levels)
  • BTEC Level 3 ICT – Extended Diploma (equivalent to 3 A Levels)
  • BTEC Level 3 Forensic Investigation (equivalent to 1.5 A Levels)
  • A Level Maths
  • A Level English Literature
  • A Level Biology
  • A Level Sociology
  • A Level Art
  • A Level Geography

Pupils in Post 16 will also compete CR lessons cover key areas of learning in Religious Education, Careers, Citizenship and Relationships, Sex and Health Education. Students receive bi-weekly lessons for CR.

Throughout their stay in Post 16, our students’ progress is carefully tracked in a caring and supportive environment. We offer a range of extra-curricular opportunities for students to enhance their learning from being involved in a thriving Post 16 Committee to supporting their younger peers around the school.

In addition to this course list, students are given the opportunity to re-take their GCSE Maths and English if they do not reach the required grade 4 national standard.

For further information regarding the curriculum taught at Grace Academy Darlaston, please look at the “Subjects” area. Here you will find descriptions of the courses at all Key Stages, as well as information on units covered within each course and the order of their teaching.

If you have any questions or queries regarding any aspect of our curriculum please do not hesitate to get in touch by calling 0121 568 3300.