Whole School Curriculum Intent
At The Link Academy our 5 CORE VALUES are at the centre of everything that we do.
Our Curriculum Intent (Global Whole School Intent Statement):
At The Link Academy our 5 CORE VALUES are at the centre of everything that we do.
We aim to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum which develops our learners' skills, knowledge, vocabulary and oracy. Offering subjects which support wide-ranging future prospects. The curriculum also develops learners' resilience, effort, confidence and determination.
The impact of the curriculum is measured by effective formative and summative assessments which are thoughtfully designed to test both substantive and disciplinary knowledge, effectively building to KS4 courses.
The curriculum is deeply enhanced by wide extracurricular provision and thoughtful subject-based enrichment.
We place emphasis on our Curriculum Team Leaders being EXPERTS in their field, who have ownership of their curriculum and its evolution. Our Middle Leaders demonstrate high levels of collaboration and accountability for the consistency of their curriculum in all years.
Our overall aim is to provide our young people with a fairer education, which gives them choices and outcomes not dictated by their background.
Curriculum Structure
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
All learners follow the mainstream curriculum, which is adapted to meet individual needs. Upon entry in Year 7, learners complete assessments in English and Maths with results used to inform targeted support, including phonics intervention, the Lexia Programme (supporting reading, writing, and speaking), and small-group tuition in basic numeracy to ensure access to the core Maths curriculum.
At Key Stage 3, students study a broad and balanced curriculum over three years, including English, Maths, Science, a Modern Foreign Language, Computing, Geography, History, Performing Arts, Design Technology, Religious Studies and Physical Education. In the spring term of Year 9, students begin the options process to select their Key Stage 4 subjects.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Key Stage 4 begins in Year 10. All learners study GCSE English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science (with high-attaining learners offered Triple Science), a humanity subject (Geography or History), and Physical Education. In addition, learners select two option subjects from a broad range of GCSEs, BTECs, and Cambridge Nationals, enabling access to both academic and vocational pathways. Most students complete Key Stage 4 with eight GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.
We prioritise English and Maths, offering targeted intervention for learners requiring additional support. In Year 11, our Upgrade Strategy provides an extra lesson Tuesday to Friday, focused on revisiting prior content and preparing for final examinations through increased teacher contact time.
Multilingual Learners
At The Link Academy, we celebrate cultural diversity. Students proficient in a modern foreign language not taught within our curriculum are offered the opportunity to sit a fully-funded GCSE, enhancing future employment and education prospects.
Our option subjects are as follows:
| GCSE | Cambridge National (CNAT) | BTEC First/Tech Award |
|---|---|---|
| French | Child Development | Music |
| Computer Science | Sports Studies | Hospitality and Catering |
| Religious Studies | Creative iMedia | |
| Art and Design - 3D, Textiles, Fine Art, Photography | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Drama | ||
| Physical Education | ||
| Food Preparation |
Curriculum Overview:
Relationships & Sex Education
At The Link Academy we want to put in place the key building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, in all contexts, including online. In secondary school teaching they will build on the knowledge acquired in the younger years and develop further learners’ understanding with an increased focus on risk areas such as intimate relationships and sex.
Please refer to our Relationships & Sex Education Policy for further information relating to the RSE curriculum and the right to withdraw. This policy can be accessed via the link below which is located under the About us > Statutory Information > Policies & Documents area of the website.
Digital Learning (Online Platforms)
At The Link Academy we use a number of online platforms to support learner progress and home learning, these include:
HEGARTY MATHS – Used to set weekly maths home learning and to reinforce key concepts, support learners to complete missed lessons due to Covid or absence and to support effective revision for GCSE examinations. As part of our REWARDING EFFORT strategy, the maths team reward their HEGARTY HEROES with certificates and vouchers to acknowledge their commitment to maths outside of lessons!
BEDROCK VOCABULARY – Used to set supportive vocabulary tasks which narrow the word gap that exists 
between different groups of learners, this enhances outcomes across all subjects in the curriculum! This makes learners more word aware and gives them the tool to improve vocabulary. Bedrock supports our work in the academy on WORD CONSCIOUSNESS and FRAYER MODEL, both strategies are used by all subjects to expose learners to ambitious vocabulary. Weekly rewards are targeted at the best class in each Key Stage 3 year group!
GCSEPOD – Used to set short sharp revision Vodcasts which allow learners to focus on specific content and skills in preparation for their final GCSE exams. This helps to make GCSE learning stick and ensures that learners stick to key specification points without searching online for video clips that could confuse them! Teachers can also use this platform to set assignments, questions and GCSE exam papers.