Our Subjects & Qualifications
The subjects and qualifications offered at Ark St Alban’s Academy form the basis our university preparatory curriculum.
Featured in every key stage are the facilitating subjects which form the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc).
Key Stage Three
During their first three years of secondary school education, all of our pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, study a broad and balanced curriculum.
|
Key Stage Three |
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|
Subject |
Number of lessons each week |
||
|
English |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Maths |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Science |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
History |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Geography |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
RE |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
French |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Art |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
DT |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Music |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Computing |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
PE |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Character |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
30 |
30 |
30 |
Key Stage Four
When pupils begin Key Stage Four, at the start of Year 10, they start to specialise by learning fewer subjects as they begin to study two-year GCSE courses.
|
Key Stage Four |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
Subject |
Number of lessons each week |
|
|
English |
6 |
6 |
|
Maths |
5 |
5 |
|
Science |
6 |
6 |
|
RE |
2 |
2 |
|
French |
3 |
3 |
|
PE |
1 |
1 |
|
Option A |
3 |
3 |
|
Option B |
3 |
3 |
|
Character |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
30 |
30 |
For a summary of the subjects available within each of the option blocks, please refer to the Key Stage Four column of the table summarising the exam boards followed further below.
Key Stage Five
Pupils in our sixth form are able to pursue A-Level or Level 3 BTEC qualifications, both of which provide them with the opportunity to secure a place at a selective university or top-100 apprenticeship when they leave us at eighteen.
Most pupils study three options, and therefore in a twenty-six period week, they have ten hours of independent study.
|
Key Stage Four |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
Subject |
Number of lessons each week |
|
|
Option A |
5 |
5 |
|
Option B |
5 |
5 |
|
Option C |
5 |
5 |
|
Option D |
5 |
5 |
|
Option E |
5 |
5 |
|
Character |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
26 |
26 |
Exam Boards
The table below outlines the exam boards studied in each of our subjects in Key Stage Four and Key Stage Five.
Decisions around exam boards are informed by our work with schools across the Ark network, where opportunities for teachers and pupils to collaborate are frequently identified.
|
Subject
|
Key Stage Four |
Key Stage Five |
|
English |
AQA |
Edexcel |
|
Maths |
Edexcel |
Edexcel |
|
Science |
AQA |
|
|
Biology |
|
AQA |
|
Chemistry |
|
AQA |
|
Physics |
|
AQA |
|
Art |
OCR |
OCR |
|
Business Studies |
Edexcel |
|
|
Computer Science |
OCR |
AQA |
|
Design & Technology |
AQA |
|
|
Geography |
AQA |
AQA |
|
History |
Edexcel |
Edexcel |
| MFL | Edexcel | Edexcel |
|
iMedia |
OCR |
|
|
Music |
AQA |
|
|
Photography |
OCR |
|
|
RE |
Edexcel |
WJEC |
|
Psychology |
|
AQA |
|
Sociology |
|
AQA |
|
Level 3 Business BTEC |
|
Edexcel |
|
Level 3 Applied Science BTEC |
|
Edexcel |
Enrichment Offer
Within an increasing number of the activities included within our Enrichment Offer, pupils work towards a qualification accredited by an exam board or awarding body.
|
Course |
Awarding Body |
|
Triple Science |
AQA |
|
Level 2 Dance Leaders |
SLQ |
|
Level 2 Dance Leaders |
SLQ |
|
Extend Project Qualification |
AQA |
