Subject Information

All students have twenty minutes each day from 10:20 with their Learning Coaches, in addition to the ten-minutes AM registration time from 08:30.

Coaching Time allows Learning Coaches to monitor students’ progress and have regular learning and progress discussions with students

The weekly ‘Coaching’ programme is structured thus:

• Monday: Whole School Assembly (main hall)
• Tuesday: Citizenship (classrooms)
• Wednesday: DEaR ('Drop Everything and Read' in classrooms)
• Thursday Y7: Assembly (main hall)
• Thursday Y8: DEaP ('Drop Everything and Problem-solve' in classrooms)
• Friday Y7: DEaP (Drop Everything and Problem-solve' in classrooms)
• Friday Y8: Assembly (main hall)

Activities around citizenship and British values, and in support of students’ Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC), are promoted during one whole school assembly and one year-group assembly each week, alongside an accompanying session dedicated to Citizenship within the frame of the week’s particular SMSC theme.

One session each week, DEaR is dedicated to independent reading.

One session each week, DEaP, aims to encourage and develop students’ numeracy, problem-solving and thinking skills.

We want our students to become analytical readers and credulous, imaginative, individuals; individuals who express themselves fluently in written and spoken English.

We will explore a range of fiction and non-fiction texts from across time and different cultures which will be used to develop reading, writing and spoken language skills.  All students in Year 7 are encouraged and given opportunities to develop and consolidate their knowledge and understanding of literacy within lessons, as well as promoting a love of reading by taking part in the Accelerated Reader Programme, where students will be able to access the Academy’s Reading Room. Each half term students will complete an assessment, which will allow teachers to monitor their progress and plan future learning that is effective and engaging.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7 and 9 English Mastery

The OCL Maths Curriculum is designed in conjunction with Mathematics Mastery. This means that pupils are given a “thorough understanding of mathematical concepts, rather than a set of techniques or routines to get to the right answer

Knowledgeable students: We want our students to be curious learners who can apply their knowledge to the real world.  To do this we enable them with the fundamental knowledge that allows them to acquire fluency in crucial mathematical procedures. This means they can master and retain key concepts which in turn will result in all students fulfilling their academic potential in maths.

Knowledgeable teachers: We want to ensure that our teachers, at all stages of their career are confident in their subject knowledge. We want all teachers to feel empowered to deliver a carefully planned mastery curriculum with crystal clear explanations. 

Knowledgeable leaders: We want to enable our curriculum leaders to be experts in curriculum delivery – able to develop the pedagogy of their teams through effective CPD observations and feedback. We also want to ensure that they are confident in tracking progress of their students, identifying gaps in knowledge and underachievement. This includes being able to compare the progress of students across a range of schools – and not simply at GCSE.

We will continue to build on the independent learning and problem-solving skills which have been developed in primary school, and then introduce Year 7 students to more sophisticated concepts. They will be covering a wide range of topics from across the curriculum, including ratio, area and volume, algebra, transformations, probability and the data handling cycle. During the two-year Key Stage 3 Maths course, students will be encouraged to work in groups and communicate their ideas effectively, and challenged to strengthen their mathematical reasoning through writing. Your child will also be expected to organise their independent study time in order to complete a rigorous programme of homework which will support the work completed in class.

Click on the links below to view the set plans for each year group:

(*Foundation)     (*Higher)

Our intent is for our students to be knowledgeable, curious learners who are able to apply their learning to the real world. We want our students to be able to use scientific language and understanding confidently, plan and run investigations to test scientific theories and be able to critically analyse data and evidence provided to them. Our curriculum aims to give our learners a better understanding of the world they live in and make informed and wise choices. 

Students start their first term with a two week introductory unit to the foundations of Key Stage 3 Science. The main aim during Year 7 is to engage students in Science by participating in a range of practical work and experiments. At the end of Year 7, students will either begin Year 8 work early or take part in extended project based work to encourage independence and skills of enquiry. Topics studied include acids and alkalis, cells and the muscular system.

Our intent is for all students to acquire a sound knowledge base of both human and physical Geography. To develop an analytical and evaluative understanding of the world through discussion and written responses on case studies and topical issues. The content of the lessons uses case studies from around the world but local wherever possible. This is to ensure that students are aware of the world around them but also their local area and the responsibility and impact they can have.

Year 7 Geography focuses on skills based learning to both ensure development within Geography, but also to aid other areas of students’ learning. For example, literacy with written tasks, numeracy with graph interpretation and report writing skills. We cover both the physical and human aspects of Geography with a place based focus each year where students learn all about a particular country.  Year 7 topics include Settlement, Industry, Climate Change and the London Olympics. 

Year 7 Curriculum Plan - UK Map Skills

Year 7 Curriculum Plan - Natural Hazards

Year 8 Curriculum Plan - Urbanisation

Year 8 Curriculum Plan - Natural Hazards

Spring Term Plans

Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10

Our intent is that pupils will be encouraged to explore a knowledge rich curriculum embedded with sources and interpretations. This will help them become analytical thinkers who have the confidence to question the world around them. Where possible, local History will help them understand their local community. Their History vocabulary will be rich, allowing them to make sense of what they hear, read and encounter in the world. As a result they can stand in any circle with confidence.

KS3 history has been constructed around five historical skills which underpin the work of all great historians. Teachers guide pupils to develop a strong command of historical evidence and introduce them to primary sources. Throughout the year pupils will cover a range of periods with a focus on breath of knowledge to develop chronological understanding including ‘What skills do I need to be a good historian?’, ‘Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?’ and ‘How was the world ‘discovered’?’.

Year 7 Autumn Curriculum Plan 

Year 8 Autumn Curriculum Plan 

Year 9

Term 1a,   Term 1b,   Term 2a,   Term 2b,   Term 3a,  Term 3b

Your child will be introduced to the six major world religions and study the different terms for beliefs, the chronology of the world’s main religions, the symbols of these faiths and the meanings behind them, the possibility of miracles, the need for rules and the study of religion itself.

The moral, ethical and social aspects will be explore in relation to challenging contemporary issues.

Spring Term Overview

Year 9

Year 10

At Arena, we believe that Physical Education plays an important part in their lives when it comes to their health and well-being. We also believe it is a vital and important part of a student’s education. It gives the students the opportunity to learn new skills. We try to encourage our students to step out of their comfort zone and try new/different sports that are not so traditional in a school setting, for example, Handball and Netball. We offer a curriculum in varied sports because it covers a range of skills and techniques from as basic as passing to as technical as strategic planning, game play, subject knowledge and of course a brand-new outlook and a developing passion for the sport(s). By exploring different sports with the students, this allows them to tap into their voices and learn new or develop their (self) leadership, organisation, communication and creativity skill set.

Your child will get to experience a variety of new and exciting sports. Students will study a new sport during each half term meaning they will perform in six different sports across the academic year. Between September and Easter, sports include football, basketball, rugby, fitness, netball and gymnastics.  In the summer term, sports include cricket, rounders and athletics. In Year 7 we focus on ensuring that all students can master the range of basic skills for each sport which includes throwing, catching and developing hand-eye co-ordination. 

We run an extensive PE extra-curricular timetable where students can either simply improve their skills or represent the Academy in sports fixtures in local and national competitions.

Intent

At Arena, we believe that Art is a vital and important part of a student’s education. It gives the students the opportunity to learn new skills and build on their knowledge, skills and understanding over 5 years. We aim to enrich the Cultural Capital of our students by providing them with a means to engage with the critical understanding of their own and others’ cultural traditions as well as introducing them to a diverse range of male and female artists. Basic knowledge about the visual elements (line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape, 3D form) in Art, encompasses the core of what the students need to develop in their understanding and process. We aim for students to explore their creative abilities with the focus of developing their skills in drawing, understanding of colour, use of tones and sculpture – inspiring them to try out different ideas based on the natural world around them.  We offer a balanced curriculum in Art, covering a range of subject matter from drawing all the way through to producing a final outcome. We intend that this journey will give students a voice and the space to express their creativity, take risks and overcome obstacles.

Learners will be introduced to a broad range of new techniques, materials, artists and themes. These experiences will set the foundations for developing as an effective artist and creative thinker. Drawing is seen as a fundamental art skill, which is encouraged and developed across all year groups. In Year 7, learners begin to develop a more realistic style of drawing and are taught the importance of keen observation, accurate use of line and the use of tone and colour.

Spring Term

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

The intent is that learners will be encouraged to explore a new and innovative subject which will widen their scope and knowledge of how different resources may be used to make creative and interesting designs. This will help them be creative and further develop their confidence/ competence. This new curriculum aims to where possible, help them to acquire the necessary skills which will help them understand the main function of different tools, equipment and ingredients.  Learners will develop greater knowledge of food, resistant materials and graphic designs.

Your child will learn a broad range of new techniques and explore materials linked to design technology specialisms and we will introduce the subjects of Resistant Materials, Graphics, and Food Technology. This will set foundations for your child to develop as a creative thinker and technical problem-solver. Projects will include: brand identity including packaging, merchandising and logo design; healthy eating; and door buzzers using resident materials and electronics.

Full Curriculum

We aim to create the very best Linguists.  We challenge students to think, act and speak like those working in the field would, by developing their French reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. We aim to equip all our students with rich vocabulary knowledge and skills to thrive and succeed in language learning; encouraging and inspiring them with quality first teaching, broadening their awareness of other countries and communities and providing opportunities for participation in a broad range of linguistic and cultural educational experiences.

French curriculum overview Years 7-11 (2 year KS4)

French curriculum overview Years 7-11 (3 year KS4)

Our intent is that students will build on the basic performance, role play and improvisation skills they will have been introduced to in their KS2 English curriculum, and to teach an appreciation of these skills as professional and artistic talents which can be developed and refined: students are taught to love and appreciate Drama as a subject in its own right, within the broader field of Performing Arts. The curriculum is designed to help them become not only confident and articulate communicators and performers but also sensitive and thoughtful audiences, as well as considerate and compassionate citizens through the curriculum’s focus on teamwork and engagement with challenging and complex real-life issues. Where possible, opportunities to watch live productions and participate in theatre workshops are embraced and all students are encouraged to attend, thus building our students’ cultural capital.

Our intent is that the Oasis Academy Arena curriculum for music aims to assess the musical skills, knowledge and understanding that pupils enter the academy with and then to work with them to ensure that all pupils perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians. That students learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, learn to play musical instruments and use music technology skilfully. That students understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the musical elements: dynamics, rhythms, instrumentation, pitch, structure, tempo, articulation, timbre, texture and appropriate musical notations. That students develop a lifelong love of music underpinned by knowledge, skills, confidence and a belief that they are a musician. That students have sufficient musical skill and understanding by the end of KS3 that allows them to continue their musical learning independently or by studying GCSE music if they wish, engaging in extracurricular clubs and enrichment activities that allow them to develop their own musical interests and skills.