The Axis Academy Curriculum Intent
The Axis Academy curriculum is PRECISE for every learner: progressive, relevant, exciting, challenging, inspirational, sequenced and (re)engaging, fostering enquiry-based learning and promoting a thirst for knowledge, maximising academic potential and personal/social development, enhancing future life chances through a nurturing approach.
The Axis Academy Vision
When a student leaves The Axis Academy we want them to:
We believe our nurturing and therapeutic curriculum allows all pupils to achieve these outcomes.
The Axis Academy sees the importance of developing all aspects of a student’s character and so offers a holistic education promoting progress in all areas – socially, intellectually, creatively and culturally. Fundamental to this is equipping students with the tools to support their social and emotional wellbeing now and in the future.
The delivery of our nurturing and therapeutic curriculum ensures pupils learn and remember more, extend their knowledge and are given opportunities to make concrete links between topics and subjects. At the heart of the Axis curriculum is the development of students interests and talents with a rich, deep and ambitious diet. Using an enquiry-based learning approach we promote creativity and leadership within our students to support them becoming lifelong learners with the skills and attributes they need to succeed in careers that we don’t yet know due to the rapidly changing world we live in. Therefore, the enquiry-based curriculum needs to be rich, deep, aspirational, creative, relevant and meet the needs of our students, following a comprehensive programme of subjects with a strong focus on reading and literacy. Pupils will hone their leadership skills through a range of activities including The John Muir Awards, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and many sporting opportunities and extracurricular activities.
Formative assessment is planned to ensure learning is broad and effective. The Axis curriculum is carefully sequenced with timely support and intervention to fill gaps in learning allowing students to make accelerated progress. Our curriculum allows for individual personalised pathways to support individual needs and build upon students’ prior knowledge whilst providing appropriate challenge.
At the Axis Academy it is important that we recognise students’ personal starting points, we acknowledge some may have not had a positive experience of education and it is our job to change this. We believe in learning for enjoyment and equipping our pupils for the world beyond school.
The Axis Academy Curriculum
The Axis Academy offers a broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 . We offer the following subjects:
| English Literature | English Language | Mathematics | Science |
| History | Geography | Religious Education | PSHCE |
| Careers | Food Technology | Art & Design | Design Technology |
| Outdoor Education | Computing |
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum currently offers a range of academic and vocational subjects. During Summer 1, pupils select from a range of option subject (Guided Choices). All pupils at KS4 study English, Maths, Science, PSHCE, Careers, PE, BTEC Food & Nutrition as well as Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh in addition to their option subjects.
To find out more about the curriculum your young person is following please click on their teaching group below and it will give you an overview of what they are studying this year.
Religious Education
At The Axis Academy, we believe that Religious Education helps pupils develop understanding, respect and awareness of different religions, beliefs and worldviews. It is a statutory part of the curriculum and is taught to all pupils; however, parents and carers have the legal right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE lessons. Parents are not required to provide a reason for their request.
Any parent wishing to exercise this right should contact the Headteacher to discuss the arrangements that would be made for their child.
Music at The Axis Academy
At The Axis Academy, music is not currently part of our core curriculum offer. However, we recognise the positive impact that music can have on confidence, wellbeing, self-expression and engagement, particularly for young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
Pupils have the opportunity to access high-quality peripatetic music tuition in drums, keyboard and guitar, delivered at no cost to pupils or families. Lessons take place in our dedicated music room, providing a welcoming and creative space for pupils to develop new skills and explore their musical interests.
We are committed to continually enhancing our music offer and regularly seek opportunities to broaden pupils’ experiences through specialist workshops and enrichment activities. Our latest planned partnership is with Noise Music Academy, which will provide pupils with opportunities to explore DJing and music production, helping them to engage with contemporary music technologies and creative industries.
Through these opportunities, we aim to foster creativity, build confidence and provide meaningful musical experiences that support pupils’ personal development and wellbeing.