Curriculum Provision

Our vision for World Class schooling is one in which all pupils:

• Make outstanding progress in their learning, regardless of ability, gender, social background or ethnic origin.
• Are engaged in a curriculum suffused with memorable experiences and rich in opportunities for learning.
• Learn, with teachers, in an environment which is mutually respectful and promotes a shared enjoyment of learning.
• Develop social attitudes and behaviours founded upon the values of respect, responsibility, and resilience.
• Develop the transferable skills and attitudes necessary to thrive in the global economy of the 21st Century.

Our curriculum philosophy is underpinned by the principles of Excellence, Equity, Engagement and Enterprise.  We offer a challenging curriculum that meets pupils' needs and offers increasing choice as pupils move through the Academy.  The focus is on progress achieved through high quality teaching and a range of engaging learning experiences.  The acquisition of skills is central, both in terms of literacy and numeracy, as well as the wider skills needed to equip pupils for success throughout and beyond education.  The curriculum is broad and balanced, offering a real breadth of opportunity and enrichment to allow all pupils to progress successfully to the next stage in their education or career path.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)

In Year 7, pupils are placed in a mixed ability tutor group with approximately equal numbers of boys and girls. Pupils are taught in these groups for Art, Music, Dance, Drama, Digital Literacy (ICT), Design Technology, History, Geography, Religious Education, Modern Foreign Languages and Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education. English, Mathematics, Physical Education and Science ‘set’ the pupils according to their particular ability in these subjects.

At Key Stage 3 we follow a broad and balanced curriculum which is tailored to the needs of different groups of pupils. We offer a range of opportunities in order to challenge and support pupil learning. Whilst the nurture pathway provides extra support in literacy and numeracy, the preference curriculum presents the opportunity for deeper learning in humanities and the arts.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

The curriculum pattern provided for Year 10 and 11 pupils closely follows the National Curriculum requirements for Key Stage 4 (14-16) with all pupils studying for qualifications in the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, IT and Computing.  Our broad and balanced curriculum offers pupils choices both within and in addition to the National Curriculum framework.  This is subject to change in the future as we review the curriculum annually in order to best meet the needs of our pupils.

Physical Education, Careers, Personal, Social, Citizenship, Religious and Health Education are compulsory non-examination subjects for all.

Inclusion

We recognise all of our children, as individuals, respect them accordingly and are committed to developing the learning of all pupils, regardless of ability or background.

In April 2015 we were awarded the IQM Centre of Excellence Award in recognition for our outstanding inclusive practice. The 2017 IQM report quoted: ‘There is a superb quality of support, care and nurture that continually evolves to enhance provision here for the pupils as individuals and as group’.

We are able to support our pupils with a wide range of issues through our Inclusion Unit, either through our mentor support or our inclusion room if needed. Pupils also have access to many external agencies through school should this be required.

High Ability Pupils

We are always committed to improving the provision and outcomes for our high ability pupils. There are three main ways that we try to do this. Firstly, we aim to provide stretch and challenge in the classroom, and ensure that our high ability pupils are made to think hard. Secondly, we use information about pupil progress to support our pupils and intervene when necessary. Thirdly, we try to provide engaging learning opportunities and enrichment activities that will inspire. This is through specific subject events and visits, and through our established links with sixth form colleges, universities and businesses. We have a co-ordinated programme to help raise awareness of future career pathways, as well as providing unique opportunities that enable our high ability pupils to reach their full potential.

SEND (Special Education Needs and Disabillity

Please refer to our SEND Policy here.

Homework

We believe that homework plays an important part in the learning and development of all our pupils and we set it as a matter of good educational practice.  We deem that homework is such a vital area of study that it positively affects attainment and helps pupils to fulfil their potential.  It is because of this that we ask parents/carers to support us in seeing that homework is properly completed and under the best possible circumstances.

Homework is also recognised as something that encourages good study habits.  This is because it offers pupils the chance to work independently and helps to develop self-discipline.  Finally, homework also gives pupils the opportunity to practice what they have learned during lessons.  In conclusion, evidence shows that pupils who attempt their homework conscientiously are the ones who will be likely to make the most of their opportunities at school.

To help pupils plan and record their homework, teachers record homework they have set on our VLE.

Reporting to Parents/Carers

At Hollingworth Academy we provide an annual comprehensive written report on each pupil's achievements.  During the course of the year, additional information is sent out to inform parents/carers about their child's progress.

There are Parents' Evenings for each year group.  Parents/carers will be informed of the dates and times during the school year and reminded shortly before they take place.

If at any time parents/carers feel the need to discuss the progress of their child they should contact the appropriate Head of Year at school.

Awards Evenings and Reward Trips

Every year we hold three Awards Evenings to celebrate the successes of our pupils. These evenings recognise and reward pupils for a variety of accomplishments including academic success, sporting and musical development as well as personal achievement. The awards are designed to recognise the achievements of all pupils irrespective of age, ability or gender. We believe that it is important to reward our pupils for their excellent behaviour and attitude to learning. Staff regularly organise reward trips at the end of the Christmas and summer terms. These included activities such as: go karting; ice skating; Alton Towers; Chill Factore; cinema; Chester Zoo; and visiting the Trafford Centre. These trips help to foster excellent relationships and build the ‘Hollingworth Family’.

Enrichment Events

At Hollingworth we believe in providing a stimulating and creative environment, both in and outside of school.  This personalised approach means developing the whole child, focusing on their individual strengths and needs.

We aim to enrich the curriculum with educational trips and visits and run over seventy each year. These include all age groups and represent all curriculum areas. Examples of trips organised in previous years include:

• A ski trip to Andorra
• History visits to YPres, Munich and Berlin
• Geography fieldtrip to Mt Vesuvius and Bay of Naples
• Modern Foreign Languages visit to Barcelona
• A Science visit to CERN, Switzerland, to see the Large Hadron Collidor
• A lower school football tournament in Spain
• PGL trips to Boreatton Park
• A History trip to the Houses of Parliament in London

In recent years Hollingworth has looked to develop the creative skills and talents of all pupils. A series of enrichment days which focus on issues such as healthy lifestyles and choices, and effective revision techniques are provided for all pupils. Furthermore, during these sessions we develop the transferrable skills, such as team work, personal and social enterprise, which the pupils will need when they leave Hollingworth. These creative skills are also developed through participation in the many Performing Arts events. Recent events include:

• Evenings of Music, Voice and Piano
• Evening of Dance
• The Mighty Zulu Nation
• ‘Contacting the World’ international theatre project
• Various theatre trips including ‘Billy Elliot’ and ‘Mama Mia’ in Manchester and the London Residentials
• Year 8 Summer Singing Showcase
• ‘Vaudeville Show’
• Performances in the Rochdale Music Festival
• Free instrumental sessions – piano, singing, brass, woodwind, violin, guitar and drums
• Community Music Project – performances at a local care home
• Shakespeare in Schools, The Beverley Craven Song Writing Workshop for GCSE pupils, The Beatles Story Museum visit

After School Clubs

Hollingworth runs a number of clubs after school on a daily basis.  These include every single department, with a particularly healthy PE provision.  A full list of after school clubs can be found here.

The Base

The school also provides clubs every night during the week for pupils to access both resources and staff when completing their homework. In Key Stage 4 we have an upper school study lounge, ‘The Base’, which runs on numerous nights until 4:30pm and offers pupils a working environment similar to those found at colleges and universities. There is also a homework club run in the Learning Resource Centre every night, Monday to Friday, 2.50 to 3.50pm.

Revision Sessions

As we move close to the exam season, our Revision Programme begins from the February half term. We put on over 170 sessions per week. At this time pupils also move into targeted tutor groups, which focus on specific areas, allowing pupils daily revision sessions leading up to the exams.