Learning and Teaching

Year 7 (Key Stage 3)

Exciting times are ahead for Year 7 students of Millbrook Academy as they embark on a curriculum called Opening Minds.

This curriculum focuses on the students developing a variety of different competencies or skills. In order to develop these skills the students will be taught by the same teacher for a third of their timetable. This enables the teachers to get to know the Year 7 students well, addressing any specific needs more quickly.

During their lessons, over the course of the academic year, the students will focus on six projects - Identity, Local Area, National and International, Conflict, 21st Century and Enterprise.

The development of these projects links well with the enterprising element of the school as students are likely to be more challenged and develop their innovative skills. All students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning. This will increase their enthusiasm and motivation for learning because they can see the purpose of their lesson.

Year 8 (Key Stage 3)

The Year 7 Opening Minds course has been successful. We have continued it into Year 8. The theme for Year 8 will be humanities, with Geography, History, Citizenship and Performing Arts being the lead subjects.

Again, students will follow a skills-based course but within the area of the subjects above. The remainder of the 'traditional' subjects will be followed by students as a preparation for KS4 courses.

Year 9 (Key Stage 3)

Currently students follow a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography, History, PSHE, Technology, Food Technology, Art, PE and Performing Arts. This is seen as a preparation year for KS4 and some core subjects will start the GCSE course early. The Option process is carried out between January and March.

Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4)

All students follow a core curriculum. This includes Maths, English Language (English Literature for most), Science (Double for most), PE and Citizenship.

We offer the English Baccalaureate, vocational and traditional GCSEs at Key Stage 4.