Curriculum Implementation

All pupils at are able to access a curriculum which is personalised to address their circumstances and with the potential to flex as needs change, or new needs are revealed.

At Mary Astell Academy, all pupils receive a blend of academic and therapeutic education tailored to their individual needs. This approach aims to address gaps in subject knowledge, maintain age-appropriate learning, and prepare pupils for their future, whether they return to mainstream education or pursue other pathways. Our goal is to minimise disruption to each pupil’s educational progress by providing targeted support that ensures they are ready to succeed in their next educational setting.

All pupils are places in key stage specific classes following carefully sequenced schemes of work. These plans are aligned with national curriculum standards and examination specifications, adapted to meet the specific needs of each pupil. This personalised approach ensures that all pupils have the opportunity to address gaps in knowledge and build on new content in preparation for their future steps.

The curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of our pupils, with the ultimate aim of supporting their successful reintegration or transition.

In all lessons, knowledge and skills from previous units are explicitly revisited and therefore systematically woven into all units to build retention, develop recall and ensure understanding. Sequences are planned and delivered across both key stages, to ensure pupils build new knowledge and understanding upon that previously acquired, and demonstrate sufficient grasp of the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to their ability expectations. Learning objectives for every lesson are explicit and shared with the pupils so they to understand the purpose and sequenced nature of their lessons. Teachers and classroom based support staff use the principles articulated by Barak Rosenshine to increase the effectiveness of learning in their settings, including intentionally revisiting previously taught key learning objectives in starters, main body of the lesson and plenaries, augmenting this further through homework, unit assessments and more formal examinations.

Medium Term Plans (MTP) are used by subject experts to develop and expand upon the learning outline found in the long term plans (LTP). The MTP’s are used by all teachers to identify core themes, ideas and components, sequenced across each key stage.

Literacy & Numeracy:

At the heart of our delivery sits the raising of literacy and numeracy standards and skills. The majority of our pupils arrive with gaps in their education and this frequently manifests in below age-related abilities in either, or both, literacy and numeracy. We are committed to raising the standards of literacy and numeracy for all our pupils as these crucial attributes are the keys to accessing all learning, whether here, or in further education.

A strong emphasis is placed upon literacy and reading as foundational skills for academic success. Upon entry, all pupils complete a reading age assessment to identify their specific needs. Based on the results, we create tailored intervention packages designed to support and enhance each pupil's literacy skills. These targeted interventions are delivered by a team of dedicated and trained staff, ensuring that every student receives the focused support they need to progress. Our approach ensures that literacy development is a key part of each student’s learning journey, empowering them to succeed across all areas of the curriculum.

We recognise the importance of oracy in developing confident and effective communicators. We are committed to helping pupils build their speaking and listening skills through a range of structured activities integrated across the curriculum. These activities encourage pupils to express their ideas clearly, engage in thoughtful discussion, and develop the confidence to articulate their thoughts in a variety of contexts. Our focus on oracy not only enhances academic performance but also equips pupils with the essential communication skills they need for success in future education, employment, and life

Classroom based lessons offer opportunities for pupils to engage in pieces of extended writing. These allow for the skills taught to be demonstrated in the pupil’s own hand and for our teachers to provide valuable feedback and guidance. Additionally, pupil’s exercise books allow pride to be demonstrated in the quality and presentation standards of written work while also acting as recall and revision tools.

We recognise the crucial role that numeracy plays in both everyday life and future career success. Our approach to delivering numeracy focusses on developing pupils' abilities to interpret, calculate, reason, and solve problems, equipping them with the skills to navigate all aspects of mathematics in adulthood. We provide a supportive and motivating learning environment that addresses the unique needs of each pupil, promoting resilience and the value of learning from mistakes as key contributors to personal growth and self-esteem.

Our curriculum is designed to encourage pupils to communicate their understanding, supporting the development of reasoning skills through problem-solving and investigative activities. We employ a range of strategies to revisit and reinforce key mathematical concepts, ensuring long-term retention and deep understanding. At Key Stage 3, we take a personalised approach, tailoring lessons to address individual gaps in understanding, with effective assessments guiding targeted learning and progress tracking.

At Key Stage 4, we prioritise pupil achievement and progression by offering a wide range of qualifications to ensure accessibility and maximise academic success. Our curriculum is structured to build knowledge incrementally, with step-by-step components that help pupils grasp concepts deeply. We challenge advanced learners through mastery activities, while providing additional practice for those needing more support, ensuring all students progress at a pace that suits their understanding. This structured, individualised approach ensures that every pupil has the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications and succeed in their mathematical journey.