Teaching & Learning

Curriculum Ethos & Intent 

At St Wilfrids Academy we aim to provide all children with a broad, balanced and challenging curriculum, bespoke to individual needs, that develops their skills and experiences, supporting transition into education, training or employment. 

Alongside developing academic achievements and accelerating progress, particularly in literacy and numeracy, our curriculum offer also aims to develop pupils’ self-esteem and the wider need of each young person.  Our weekly provision includes PSHE, sport and enrichment opportunities, art therapy-based learning and access to a range of therapeutic interventions, to allow for holisitic development and successful re-engagement with learning. 

We view learning very much as a partnership between school staff, pupils and their parents. We encourage parents to actively engage in the learning process through supporting homework, attending parent showcase events, and other enrichment activities. 


Key stages 2 and 3 

Our aim is to provide a stimulating environment in which children feel happy and secure, and take steps to independence. We follow the National Curriculum, which is key skills based and appropriate for the age of the children. 

Our curriculum is topic based, encouraging cross-curricular links between subjects. Each topic is planned to engage and stimulate the children’s curiosity and interest through a variety of activities where children learn and apply new skills. Our curriculum is broad and balanced, concentrating on English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, PE, Creative Arts and Technology. At the end of each topic children are given the opportunity to review and evaluate their learning experiences. 

Children are taught in mixed ability classes where we offer a balance of child-initiated and adult led learning, guided group work and appropriate individualised support with a keen emphasis on the acquisition of basic literacy and numeracy skills. All children participate in daily literacy and mathematics lessons and each student will be given tailored support in these areas. 

All teaching groups are supported with a Thrive Action plan which allows staff to plan activities and use strategies to develop emotional and social skills. Some students will also enjoy activities within individual Thrive Action Plans or other therapeutic sessions such as Draw and Talk, Art therapy, Emotional Literacy Support or Cognitive behaviour therapy. 


Key stage 4 

KS4 students follow bespoke, tailored packages which they co-construct on admission, to build a personal curriculum plan that successfully supports them onto post-16 pathways. 

While students continue with the core subjects of English and Mathematics, they can then choose from a wide range of other GCSE options (including English Literature, biology, history, art, health & social care, film studies, personal finance) along with vocational courses in different fields, including construction, motor vehicles and catering.