Curriculum Overview

Cockburn John Charles Academy has a curriculum which meets the needs of everyone. This page presents comprehensive information about our curriculum including:

• detail of the curriculum studied in each subject area for each year group
• information about our Guided Destination process moving students from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4
• timetable allocations for Years 7 to 11
• current exam qualifications studied by Key Stage 4 students

The curriculum:

Our curriculum zones provide students with exciting learning experiences that are designed to fit the needs of all. Every subject has a destination plotted for students that is rich in the development of skills and that leads towards the good qualifications needed to succeed in life. The timetable is a 30 unit week with each lesson 50 minutes long. There is a form period of 20 minutes at the beginning of each morning. Break (20 mins) is between Units 2 and 3 and lunch (35 mins) is between Units 4 and 5. The school day starts at 8:30 am and finishes at 2:45 pm.

Careers Education:

Careers education is delivered through the PSHCE curriculum. In Year 10 and Year 11, all students have the opportunity for an individual careers interview with our careers team. A well-resourced careers library is maintained and a careers adviser is available to help students make the right choices.

E Learning:

Cockburn John Charles Academy is well resourced with new technologies, including Interactive White Boards in classrooms, and several computer rooms. We also have the benefit of a wireless network. Students benefit from the use of technology during lessons to give a variety of activities and methods for them to engage with the curriculum.

Students are taught in progress groups which are set according to baseline data. This is the case for all subjects and year groups with the exception of Year 10 English, which are taught in mixed ability classes. There is flexibility in the system as students can be moved between progress groups if this is deemed appropriate following the outcomes from regular Key Assessment Points. Such organisation means that personalised learning is more effective and intervention is more efficient. There is a good balance of traditional and vocational courses, including carefully chosen courses giving students a wide range of opportunities to gain qualifications. All students in Years 7, 8, access Accelerated Reader in order to improve their reading skills. At the end of Year 8, students choose from Guided Destinations blocks, where a mix of GCSEs and technical awards/BTECs are on offer. In every case, data is examined to ensure students are maximising their chances of getting the best possible grades, leading them onto appropriate post 16 courses. Where appropriate, those students who speak English as an additional language are entered for GCSE in their first language. This decision is based on how well students can speak, read and write in their first language. The curriculum offer is reviewed on a yearly basis to ensure that we continue to provide a personalised curriculum that offers both breadth and academic rigour, whilst maximising opportunities for progression to post-16 education.

Please click here to visit our Guided Destinations site

If you would like more information about Cockburn John Charles Academy’s Curriculum please email: info@cockburnjohncharles.org and mark your email ‘For the attention of Mrs A Wright (Assistant Headteacher)’.

Curriculum Allocation

Click here to download the timetable allocations for 2023-24Key Stage 4 Courses

Whole School Curriculum Overview