At the Birley Academy, our curriculum is designed to provide a dynamic educational experience that equips every pupil with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become confident, compassionate, and capable leaders in an ever-changing world.
We aspire to foster a vibrant learning community where pupils are able to demonstrate our values:
Ambition – pupils have studied a breadth of knowledge, discipline, and cultural capital so that they can better interpret the world around them and are well prepared for future learning and employment.
Respect – pupils are encouraged to explore their passions, embrace diversity, and develop a deep sense of responsibility towards themselves, their community, and the wider global society.
Courage – pupils use the curriculum to build mental and emotional strength that will allow them to navigate difficulties and emerge stronger. They will learn to often transform challenges into opportunities for growth (to DRIVE).
Integrity – through accessing our broad and varied curriculum, pupils develop a sense of honesty and strong moral principles. They will learn to make choices that reflect fairness and responsibility, even when faced with challenges or peer pressure.
Kindness – pupils will learn to value the diverse range of opinions and interests across the school through having opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities and events, through our cultural celebrations recognising the vast range of backgrounds our pupils have, and through experiencing opportunities to demonstrate and be rewarded each day for being a kind member of our school community.
“We challenge ourselves and each other to be our best selves, demonstrating our school values every day, in all situations. We want The Birley Academy to be the school of choice in our region, showcasing excellent teaching, and providing our pupils with an exemplary education and school experience. We will not rest, as we know we can always be better.”
Therefore, we have focussed our curriculum on the following drivers:
Academic excellence: We are committed to delivering a rigorous, ambitious, and engaging curriculum that challenges pupils to think critically, solve problems creatively, and achieve high academic standards. Our teachers are dedicated to inspiring a love for learning among our pupils and nurturing intellectual curiosity. This is so that our pupils can integrate new knowledge into larger ideas and, over time, build an ever deeper understanding of the world around them and apply this knowledge to new situations beyond the classroom. #Ambition
Pastoral development: We believe that education extends well beyond the classroom. Our curriculum promotes the personal development of pupils, emphasising not only academic achievements but also the importance of physical health, emotional well-being, and ethical values. #Integrity
Character building: Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on character education, instilling in pupils the values of integrity, empathy, resilience, and a commitment to social justice. We aim to nurture responsible global citizens who are compassionate, ethical, and culturally aware. #Courage
Accessibility: We believe in recognising and celebrating the unique strengths and interests of each pupil. Our curriculum is designed to offer a wide range of subject choices and extracurricular activities, enabling all pupils to tailor their educational journey to their individual aspirations regardless of background or prior attainment. #Kindness
Sense of Place: In an increasingly interconnected world, we aim to broaden our pupils’ horizons by promoting global awareness and cultural sensitivity. Our curriculum includes opportunities for pupils to explore local and global issues. #Respect
Through our carefully sequenced, knowledge-rich curriculum, we envision preparing our pupils to not only excel academically but also to make meaningful contributions to society, lead with integrity, and become agents of positive change to make a lasting impact on the world.
