CURRICULUM INTENT

It is through these values we teach a broad and balanced curriculum planned in recognition of the history and culture of our local community.  In doing so, we prepare our learners to be Life Ready with Ambition beyond formal education.

Self and Cultural Awareness is developed through our pastoral curriculum where each week we consider a range of topics for discussion. 

As all our learners consider the same themes each week, it provides opportunities for our students to understand themselves and each other better, giving opportunities to discuss and engage on contemporary issues outside the classroom. 

In addition, our assembly programme focuses on each of our curriculum intents, introducing our learners to speakers from different industries, organisations and community groups. This helps our learners see that our curriculum is not isolated to our Academy. 

We truly value the importance of Reading at Walker, ensuring it is a key feature across our curriculum. 

Our Registration Reading Routes programme introduces our learners to a wide range of literature that represents our increasingly diverse community. The books open our learners’ eyes to the world around, not only developing their Global Awareness but also instilling a love of reading for pleasure. 

Years 7 and 8 participate in Forensic Reading lessons which are designed to build confidence in reading and the fascinating texts being read have been carefully chosen to inspire awe and wonder in learners and thus a love of reading. Texts are centred around key concepts which are aligned with the English curriculum and develop Cultural and Global Awareness.  

Learners are also given many opportunities to read subject specific texts to increase their scholarship in subject areas.

At all times we are committed to growing our learners' ambition. 

In every lesson learners are given the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through independent work. This helps our learners build resilience and take responsibility for their own academic progress. 

Our expectations are always high, and alongside our teachers, our learning support team are able to ensure learners are both supported and challenged at all stages of their learning. 

Our Gateway extra curricular offer has a huge range of sessions providing more a wider memorable curriculum;, building cultural capital, academic mastery, and support. Equally, our Gateway offer provides opportunities for our young learners to have a positive impact in their local community. With the Green Team keeping the streets clean, and our Food and Cookery/ Events Management learners opening the doors during Christmas time, they share their newly developed skills with the local community.

We cultivate digitally competent learners, recognising the immense potential of digital literacy for their future success both locally and globally. 

Our creative curriculum subjects offer tailored opportunities for digital expression across various media. Additionally, our core curriculum areas integrate technology as a fundamental learning tool.

In each year group we have Student Leaders who are key to the ongoing progress and development of our Academy. 

Their compassion for others and collaboration with the school leadership team, means our learners truly are involved with and at the heart of every decision. Some of our learners choose to be part of our CCF where they further develop the skills of leadership through a range of on site and off site experiences. We have an increasingly popular Football Academy that drives the sporting ambition and opportunity for our talented footballers whilst ensuring they continue to access high quality curriculum in a diverse Academy, and in Year 7, we give all our learners the chance to attend a residential trip to further cement their new friendships and relationships with teachers. 

We celebrate the holistic development of our students, acknowledging their achievements and successes in academic progress, behaviour and attendance. 

Our positive discipline strategy fosters a celebratory environment, reinforcing the value of these accomplishments. By recognising and rewarding our students' efforts, we inspire them to reach their full potential, develop a strong sense of self-worth, so that they can Aim High, Be Proud and Love Life, both here and beyond.

REMOTE EDUCATION PROVISION

There may be some instances where our students' education can not be provided onsite. Under these circumstances, we will follow the procedures outlined in our Remote Education provision document, available below:

► Remote Education Provision: Information for Parents