year 10 and 11
Key Stage 4
Our KS4 curriculum comprises both access to GCSE outcomes and the opportunity to achieve functional skills qualifications for year 10 and 11 learners. It runs throughout the 38-week academic calendar.
online alternative provision
How it works
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum focuses on core subjects: English language, maths, and science.
In line with your curriculum, we supplement these subjects with GCSEs in history, English literature, geography and citizenship studies.
We also offer functional skills courses and specialist courses to further engage students in learning.
Post-16 learners who may have fallen behind on their KS4 studies or need to resit core subjects are also welcome to join.
Our GCSE curriculum
Courses for Years 10 and 11
English Language
This course is aligned with the requirements of the AQA 8700 course and covers the essential skills. The course covers important and fulfilling content that gives students the confidence and literacy skills they’ll need for future pathways.
English Literature
Academy21 delivers the AQA 8702 reformed GCSE (9-1) specification for English Literature. Complementing English Language studies, GCSE English Literature enriches cultural awareness, creativity, and literary understanding through the study of heritage texts.
Maths
All Key Stage 4 students are put into GCSE groups that prepare them for their specific exam board entries (AQA, Edexcel, or WJEC). This course equips students with all the essential maths skills, and enables them to engage with, explore, and succeed in this subject.
History
This course follows the AQA 8145 Specification. Students will study different historical events in detail to understand what drives change and how the past influences the present. Learners develop skills by studying a range of historical evidence and will debate and learn how to present and support their views.
Combined Science (Dual Award)
We deliver the triple and dual award reformed AQA (Trilogy) GCSE specifications. A variety of pathways will be available to cater for individual student needs. Required practicals for all the GCSE courses are embedded throughout the courses and will be delivered via video and interactive simulation software.
Geography
The Y11 GCSE 1 year Geography course follows the AQA 8035 specification. It enables students to study different aspects of physical and human geography in order to consider key issues and investigate the links between them. Learners will develop skills by travelling the world from their online classroom: they will explore case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs).
top up qualification
Our 1-year courses
Everyday Science
This course is available for Year 10 students who have the option to sit the WJEC Entry Level in Science qualification at the end of the first year of the course. Designed for students with significant learning gaps who still wish to progress in science education and are aiming to achieve grades 1 to 3 in Combined Science.
Triple Science
Students can study separate GCSEs in biology, chemistry, and physics alongside Combined Science through our “Triple Top-Up” course, which covers additional content for each GCSE. This course is offered at the Higher tier for Year 11 students, or for academically engaged Year 10 students, who can take up this course in their second GCSE year.
WJEC
We provide a range of WJEC GCSE courses. These can be taken in one year by Year 11s only: English Language WJEC 3700, Maths and Numeracy WJEC cbac (Foundation and Intermediate Tiers) and Science WJEC 3430 (students must already have covered Units 1,2 and 3 in Year 10).
Citizenship Studies
The course follows the AQA 8100 Specification, and teaches students the value of becoming thoughtful, active citizens. Students will learn about democracy, government and law, and develop skills to create reasoned arguments, present various viewpoints and plan practical citizenship actions to benefit society.
Everyday Science
This course is available for Year 10 students who have the option to sit the WJEC Entry Level in Science qualification at the end of the first year of the course. Designed for students with significant learning gaps who still wish to progress in science education and are aiming to achieve grades 1 to 3 in Combined Science.
Triple Science
Students can study separate GCSEs in biology, chemistry, and physics alongside Combined Science through our “Triple Top-Up” course, which covers additional content for each GCSE. This course is offered at the Higher tier for Year 11 students, or for academically engaged Year 10 students, who can take up this course in their second GCSE year.
WJEC
We provide a range of WJEC GCSE courses. These can be taken in one year by Year 11s only: English Language WJEC 3700, Maths and Numeracy WJEC cbac (Foundation and Intermediate Tiers) and Science WJEC 3430 (students must already have covered Units 1,2 and 3 in Year 10).
Citizenship Studies
The course follows the AQA 8100 Specification, and teaches students the value of becoming thoughtful, active citizens. Students will learn about democracy, government and law, and develop skills to create reasoned arguments, present various viewpoints and plan practical citizenship actions to benefit society.
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.
Assessments must be arranged outside of Academy 21.
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 4 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. From the enrolment process to the first lessons, our teachers gauge students’ existing knowledge and skills and place them into appropriate groups for their ability level. This multifaceted approach to ‘baselining’ ensures we really understand student need and learning to date. 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
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.
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.
