Year 7 students will follow a curriculum focussed on the key areas of literacy, numeracy, ICT and enterprise skills. Additional curriculum time will be used for activities such as sport that promote teamwork and leadership.
All Year 7 students will receive mentor support from their personal tutor and will work towards short-term personal targets in each of the key areas. The foundation curriculum will also provide challenge and stimulation for those students already operating at a high level across the key areas. At the end of Year 7 students will move in to Year 8 ready to access a curriculum leading to SATS and perhaps some GCSE style work in Year 9. By the end of Year 9 students will be ready to move into the 14-19 phase of education where the Academy will offer a mix of vocational and academic courses. Delivered on and off site, these will allow students to pursue their particular interests as well as the core subjects of English, mathematics, science and information technology.
We are committed to providing a full range of courses within the Academy curriculum, from the most challenging academic options to the highest quality vocational courses. Through the work of the Gateway Unit all students will be supported in securing work placements, training and career guidance relevant to their aspirations and abilities.
At Corby Business Academy students will be taught in mixed ability classes and in sets based on ability. From Year 8 onwards each teaching faculty will decide how students will be organised when they are in that area. However, Year 7 students will be taught in mixed ability classes at all times. It will be an absolute right of students to negotiate which work they should attempt from the choices on offer. This choice will be a key feature of the Academy's commitment to promoting independent learning. It forms a fundamental part of the Academy's strategy to encourage students to take responsibility for their learning. The Academy curriculum will not be banded across the whole school, so there is no question of an individual being constrained to a diet of work at just one level.
The key roles of the Gateway Unit will be to:
Work-based learning broadens students' experiences beyond the Academy. Periods of work experience are an extension of Academy studies an important bridge between education, training and the world of work. Fostering links and developing strong partnerships with the business community through curriculum initiatives, enrichment activities and a wide variety of work experience programmes is an essential part of the Academy's role. The dedicated team of staff working in the Gateway Unit will strive to ensure that all students participate in quality assured work experience programmes that complement the core curriculum and are matched to the interests of students.
As a minimum, work experience placements will expose students to:
Corby Business Academy is committed to the principle that students should have the opportunity to explore new environments and learn about other places, thereby developing a broader perspective of the world. Residential trips are intended to develop self-awareness and decision-making skills. Such opportunities for autonomy and self-reliance enhance the capacity of students to organise themselves and become independent learners. This personal development is aided without the normal constraints and imposed structures of the formal Academy setting. The intentions underlying the Academy's approach to residential experiences are:
The Academy is firmly committed to equality of opportunity and will do its best to ensure all students are given opportunities to participate in day trips and residentials.