Curriculum

Sandwell Academy opened in 2006 as a new build school serving all six towns of Sandwell. We are a fully comprehensive school and are part of the Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust (TTMAT) , which was established in September 2017.

The Academy was originally opened with the mission “to maximise student outcomes”, as a reflection of concerns surrounding educational achievement in the region at the time. Throughout its existence, Sandwell Academy has supported its students to realise their full potential, make great achievements and secure excellent outcomes. Whilst our core purpose has changed very little over the lifetime of the school, it has always been ready to respond to the changing needs of our students and embrace educational developments.

Following the coronavirus pandemic, Sandwell Academy undertook an extensive review of its provision with the objective of ensuring that our curriculum is best suited to meet the needs of our students. Part of this review led to the restructuring of our Key Stage 3 and 4 curriculum phases, the rationale for which is detailed in Curriculum Review 2022/23

From September 2022, the Academy’s curriculum structure is arranged accordingly:

The Academy’s curriculum aims reflect the characteristics of the area we serve (see Sandwell Regional Context), and have been chosen to overcome artificial barriers and prepare students for their future, to build resilience, self-reliance and perseverance throughout their time at the Academy. The curriculum encompasses everything that we offer to our students and aims to:

• Build resilience, self-reliance and perseverance
• Raise aspirations and promote “self-challenge”

· Experience a broad range of subjects and learning opportunities

• Increase the “cultural capital” of students
• Support Mental Health and Wellbeing

· Develop deeper understanding and a love of learning and self-development.

Student characteristics

Sandwell Academy strives to develop the whole student so that when they leave the Academy they will have all the attributes required for future success. Our ambition is for all students to be:

• Inclusive - An inclusive person tries to include many different types of people and treat them all fairly and equally. As an inclusive student, you will treat all people irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or ability with respect.
• Aspirational - Wanting very much to achieve success in your education, your career and life. An aspirational learner will set challenging targets for themselves and then strive to achieve or exceed these targets.
• Resilient - Having the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. Resilient learners will have the skills and strategies needed for meaningful and satisfying participation in life-long learning.
• Responsible - Having good judgment in order to make the correct decisions and act appropriately. A responsible student will own their achievements and results and will be a positive role model to all.
• Aware - An aware student will know about their position in a local, national and global context. Knowledge and understanding of particular situations and developments.

Curriculum Planning

In developing our curriculum, we have carefully determined what the ultimate endpoint of each curriculum phase looks like, overall and for each individual subject. We have then planned learning sequences, experiences and events to ensure students meet these endpoints with the greatest success. Through structured assessments, we actively aim to identify students who falling behind at the earliest opportunity. We then used research backed intervention strategies to support students, to regain lost ground and get back on track.

Curriculum Intent Documents

View our Curriculum Intent Documents Here.