year 7, 8, and 9
Key Stage 3
We provide a balanced and complete Key Stage 3 curriculum to ensure students are fully prepared for their GCSE studies. This curriculum covers Year 7, 8, and 9 (students aged 11-14), and runs across the 38-week academic calendar. It may also be helpful to Year 10 students, who may have missed large parts of their Key Stage 3 education.
online alternative provision
How it works
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is available at two levels: Skillsbuilder 1 and Skillsbuilder 2. Each level corresponds to one academic year.
Once students have completed our Skillbuilder 1, they can advance to level 2, which will help them consolidate all the necessary skills and knowledge for their GCSEs.
Learners receive one lesson a day in each subject from Monday to Thursday (apart from PSHE) and can attend a consolidation class on Fridays as well.
our skills builder courses
Our Key Stage 3 Skillbuilder courses
All our courses extend across both Skillbuilder 1 and 2, and last between 1-2 academic years. PSHE is the only exclusively one-year course.
English
This course develops essential and effective skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to read a range of exciting and challenging materials, which will incite their passion for literature and boost their critical thinking.
Maths
The Maths course gives students excellent preparation for GCSE Maths across all areas, especially in number and algebra. It is ideal for students who have missed much of their maths education or for those who find this subject more challenging.
Science
This course introduces students to all major content areas across the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum for science. Biology, chemistry, and physics units are distributed throughout the year, equipping students with basic knowledge and understanding of these key areas.
PSHE
This course equips Key Stage 3 students with important everyday skills to live a happier, safer, and balanced life. It covers a wide range of topics, including study habits, cyber safety, emotional and physical wellbeing, relationships, mindfulness, personal finance, and bullying.
Digital Functional Skills
This course is available at Level 1 and equips students with the necessary skills to interact with the digital world. It covers five areas of study: using devices and handling information; creating and editing; communicating; making transactions; ensuring online safety.
Humanities and Citizenship
This combined course prepares students for GCSE History and Citizenship Studies. It develops skills in investigation, analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and communication. Students will gain an understanding of change and continuity over time as well as an appreciation of cultural and societal development.
additional courses
Functional skills courses
Functional Skills qualifications teach young people the skills they’ll need to operate confidently, independently, and effectively in their education, work, and everyday life.
Please note, assessments must be arranged by the commissioning organisation.
Maths
This Level 1 Pearson Edexcel course develops skills in:
- Representing: Selecting the information and functions to model a situation
- Analysing: Processing and using mathematics
- Interpreting: Understanding and communication results
Schools are responsible for entering students for tests.
English
This combined Level 1 and Level 2 Edexcel course develops skills in:
- Speaking, listening, and communication;
- Discussions and exchanges;
- Reading and understanding a range of texts, comparing information from different sources;
- Communicating information, ideas, and opinions through text.
Digital Skills
Available at Level 1, this course equips students with the necessary skills to interact with the digital world. It covers using devices and handling information; creating and editing; communicating; making transactions; and ensuring online safety.
ICT
The Cambridge National in Information Technologies brings students’ knowledge of the digital environment and ICT. Students learn about data management and manipulation, using augmented reality, and creating integrated technological solutions to communicate information. This course complements GCSE and vocational learning.
Non-accredited curriculum: PSHE
Taught over one lesson per week, this course equips Key Stage 4 students with important everyday skills to live a happier, safer, and balanced life. It covers a wide range of topics, including study habits, cyber safety, emotional and physical wellbeing, relationships, mindfulness, personal finance, and bullying.
Maths
This Level 1 Pearson Edexcel course develops skills in:
- Representing: Selecting the information and functions to model a situation
- Analysing: Processing and using mathematics
- Interpreting: Understanding and communication results
Schools are responsible for entering students for tests.
English
This combined Level 1 and Level 2 Edexcel course develops skills in:
- Speaking, listening, and communication;
- Discussions and exchanges;
- Reading and understanding a range of texts, comparing information from different sources;
- Communicating information, ideas, and opinions through text.
Digital Skills
Available at Level 1, this course equips students with the necessary skills to interact with the digital world. It covers using devices and handling information; creating and editing; communicating; making transactions; and ensuring online safety.
ICT
The Cambridge National in Information Technologies brings students’ knowledge of the digital environment and ICT. Students learn about data management and manipulation, using augmented reality, and creating integrated technological solutions to communicate information. This course complements GCSE and vocational learning.
Non-accredited curriculum: PSHE
Taught over one lesson per week, this course equips Key Stage 4 students with important everyday skills to live a happier, safer, and balanced life. It covers a wide range of topics, including study habits, cyber safety, emotional and physical wellbeing, relationships, mindfulness, personal finance, and bullying.
our approach
Supporting our Key Stage 3 students
Our teachers
Our teachers are fully qualified and highly experienced in teaching Key Stage 3 curriculum. They teach a maximum of 15 pupils per class to ensure each students gets the time and attention they deserve.
If students require additional 1:1 support, teachers can be booked for tutorial sessions. Schools can book one tutorial per subject per half-term via their mentor portal. Tutorials are available every Friday.
Timelines
Students can access our provision within 48 hours. We conduct a baseline assessment to gauge students’ existing knowledge and skills and place them into appropriate groups for their ability level. In partnership with the commissioning organisation, we can move students into alternative groups that more closely match their prior understanding or developing skills. There is no additional charge for this.
User-friendly online platforms
Designed with accessibility in mind, your user-friendly student and partner portals are a one-stop hub for accessing provision, tracking progress, and getting any support you need, 24/7.
Student Support
Each young person referred to us receives:
SEN inclusivity
Students receive a SEN-inclusive live induction for the best possible start. Moreover, our student hub is purpose-built to be inclusive and accessible for students with SEN, and our timetables are flexible to fit individual needs and personal circumstances.
Engaging education
Our fully qualified and experienced teachers create engaging activities and homework to reinforce learning objectives. Students also have a fully integrated learning platform, with carefully chosen technological tools and accessibility features. Live IT support and online support is available for any query.
Learning and career advice
Each student is given a bespoke learning pathway accessible via our innovative InspiredAI platform, with a wide-range of subject-specific content available to support learning goals. Older students can also benefit from careers and progression advice via UniFrog.
Monitoring and reports
Half-term and full-term reports are available on the Mentor Portal. These reports show current and target grades, predicted grades, and teacher comments. Mentors can also track attendance and participation for every lesson to monitor student progress.
Provision solutions
A range of customisable solutions for complex needs
Early intervention
Support your students before they become completely disengaged from their learning.
GCSE resits
Give your students another chance at success with Academy21’s GCSE resit courses: expert teaching in a stigma-free, supportive environment.
Fixed-term or permanent exclusions
Interim support from day six through to governing body hearings, with a seamless transition to longer-term provision if needed.
6th-day requirements
Meet 6th day requirements with a rapid implementation timetable and speedy onboarding
GCSE rescue
It’s not too late for your pupils to catch up and achieve solid results in the core subjects.
Capacity challenges
When children move between local authorities or encounter long waiting lists for specialist services, they can find themselves without access to education. Academy21 can support in these instances by providing consistent, high-quality, accessible provision.
