Learning

We are dedicated to enhancing our students’ learning and wellbeing by providing a wide range of opportunities that encourage them to aim high and to have achieved to the very best of their abilities before they leave the Academy and go on to higher education or into employment. We would like every young person to feel that they can play an active and informed role in the Academy. Each and every one of them will be cared for, championed and challenged.

We believe that learning happens everywhere. We have a broad and innovative curriculum that interests and motivates all learners. Students’ learning continues beyond the Academy, into their
homes and communities. We celebrate the successes of all students and set out clear pathways to help them make progress towards their personal as well as their academic and vocational goals.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an integral part of the whole curriculum. ICT confidence and capability is a key life skill that will be fostered by the Academy. We will provide all our
Phase 2 (Years 9 to 11) students with a handheld, wireless device that is used as part of their daily learning. In every class our staff will embed the use of ICT, so students are able to learn from the huge variety of resources available including ebooks, 3D applications, educational games and revision resources. In Phase 1 (Years 7 and 8) we will actively promote the use of portable ICT to facilitate learning of the highest order.

Our curriculum

The Taunton Academy has a clear curriculum vision guided by these principles:
• Young people are the focus of all we do;
• We are a learning community rooted in Christian values;
• Learning takes precedence over teaching;
• Partnership and relationship are key;
• Our specialisms will have a positive impact on the whole community;
• We are focused on, and listen to, our community;
• We use our independence;
• We have a philosophy of service;
• We use ICT to help make it happen.

We expect that every young person leaving the Academy will be: an independent, successful and lifelong learner; a caring citizen, sensitive, aware and actively responsive to the needs of others; and a healthy young adult in mind, body and spirit

Session 5 and extra-curricular activities

Session 5 is an extended learning opportunity for all students and takes place every day until 4.30pm and at weekends. The session is compulsory on Mondays and Tuesdays, and school buses will depart at 4.30pm on these two days. Students are also encouraged to stay on the other school days and to come in at the weekend to experience the wide range of activities on offer. There are four main types of activities in these sessions:

Enrichment - This involves activities outside of the usual curriculum, such as NVQ sports coaching, Duke of Edinburgh or junior sports leaders’ courses, as well as academic courses at all levels including AS Critical Thinking and Psychology.

Extra-curricular activities – This involves clubs and activities ranging from traditional sports teams, art and music to street dancing, street ball, radio club, eco club and many more. We provide qualified coaches and teachers to lead these activities and involve students from primary schools who may be coached by our own qualified students.

Support for learning - All students have an adult champion or mentor who will meet with them in Sessions 3 and 5 on a regular basis to look at their academic progress and provide support. There are also homework clubs so that students can study in quiet areas with adult support, as well as literacy support, one-to-one tuition for Phase 2 students in English and Mathematics, and a host of revision classes.

Trips and events - We offer outings and residential opportunities that support learning. These range from local day trips to art galleries, science museums, places of historical interest and the theatre, to residential experiences abroad such as visits to the Mediterranean and ski trips.

Our specialisms

The concepts that lie at the heart of our specialism of Science (with an emphasis on Health Sciences) and Sustainability makes the specialism even more relevant and pertinent to the young people and the wider community.

Health Sciences

Health encompasses:
• Environmental health: to sustain our planet;
• Community health: to provide better for our students, families and surrounding communities through our extended work and opportunities
• Personal health: physical, emotional, intellectual/mental, social and spiritual.

The Science and Health specialism present a huge opportunity for future careers; one of our partners is NHS Somerset, one of the South West’s largest employers. Science and Health Courses include: Triple Science, GCSE, BTEC Science, Single Science, Land Based Science, Health and Social Care BTEC, Society and Health Diploma, Science Diploma at levels 1 to 3. We are working closely with NHS Somerset and Somerset College on the design of the curriculum to ensure appropriate progression rates, including Young Apprenticeships in Health.

All the Academy subjects, policies and systems will highlight the value of healthy bodies and minds and wellbeing. As a Church of England Academy, opportunities for spiritual development will be integral to the Academy’s curriculum, for example, there will be a collective act of worship every day during champion time in Session 3 and in assemblies. Healthy eating is a core focus and our caterer will serve student-grown food that is healthy and nutritious.  Physical activity ranges from curriculum-based courses, such as PE, to Session 5 courses from traditional team sports through to street dancing.

Themed learning

Over the two-year phase Phase 1 students (Years 7 and 8) will study eight themes that cut across all subjects in the curriculum. The themes, such as Food and Drink or Local Wellbeing, are linked to the Academy’s focus on sustainability. Lessons will be delivered by specialist teachers to classes of 20 students.

Students will actively learn the key competencies of literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, team work and independent inquiry to prepare them for their Phase 2 learning. They will also cover explicit areas such as Religious Education, Geography, History and Citizenship. Students will be encouraged to learn independently and in groups, through different learning styles which include watching, listening and doing activities. They will learn in mixed-age groups, based in their learning communities, with the same teacher team supporting their learning across the year. Students will have access to a variety of resources, including the latest laptop technology.

Core subjects

Students will study the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science in mixed-age sets, appropriate to their ability, together with enrichment activities related to the subjects.
Some students will also study additional courses, depending on their aptitude and progress.
Students’ progress in each subject will be monitored regularly and assessed against their expected achievement based on Key Stage 2 data and other Academy assessments.

Creative and aesthetic learning

In Phase 1 all students will study Art, Drama, Music and Physical Education as separate subjects. They will have a variety of practical learning experiences and will be regularly assessed. The students will study in mixed-age groups within their learning communities.

Phase 2

Accredited courses start in Year 9 and continue into Year 11. Students will select a variety of courses within a relevant pathway. Students can study an academic pathway, with all courses leading to GCSE level, a vocational pathway at level 1 or 2, including diplomas and NVQs, or a mixture of academic and vocational courses, with BTECs mixing with GCSEs to provide a general learning pathway. Courses include: