Our Curriculum

We are proud to have a nationally-recognised knowledge-based curriculum that is structured by traditional subjects. It is properly sequenced to ensure systematic, thorough teaching for all.

The curriculum at Wayland Academy is designed with long-term learning in mind. Students should be able to take what they learn into adulthood and use it to provide them with the opportunities to succeed in life. Our curriculum takes students beyond what they already know and enables them to be more socially mobile, ensuring they acquire knowledge they wouldn’t ordinarily have access to.

Based upon the principle that all students will acquire an understanding of their subjects and gain mastery of a body of subjectspecific knowledge that we have defined, our curriculum provides the capacity for students to learn even more and develop their understanding.

No matter what a pupil’s starting point or prior learning is, our students will be able to access knowledge. For example, we work with Accelerated Reader in Year 7 through to Year 9 as we know a strong reading ability directly correlates with a pupil’s ability to access the curriculum.

Every student has equal access to our curriculum and their progress is rooted in what we expect them to know at each stage of their education.

We see the importance of making the curriculum relevant and meaningful, ensuring it is transferable and allows our pupils to build links across all subject areas.

Subject-specific vocabulary is emphasised in all lessons with formative and summative assessment used to capture student progress throughout their school life. We take the time to ensure gaps of knowledge are identified and use this to inform lesson planning and curriculum design.

Wayland Academy is proud to be an Inspiration Trust school. Being part of a large academy trust provides us with access to a wide range of specialist knowledge and expertise, allowing us to provide the very best education for your child.

Learning at Wayland Academy

During Key Stage 3 our students study a broad curriculum including English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, History, Geography, French, Religious Education, Technology, Physical Education, Art and Music.

We guide students as they narrow their studies towards GCSE, ensuring they achieve their goals and make the right choices for them as individuals.

Science and Maths at Wayland Academy

Referring back to our Big IDEA, Innovate and Discover are directly linked to careers in STEM industries. At Wayland Academy we focus on these subjects to support the inspiration and development of our future scientists, engineers and technological innovators.

The teaching of Mathematics is strong and our students’ outcomes reflect this, and even when students arrive with lower prior attainment they achieve GCSE outcomes that exceed national levels.

All students complete GCSEs in Mathematics and Statistics at the end of Year 11. GCSE Further Maths is also offered as an option to specifically support progression to A-Level Mathematics, widening opportunities for all of our students.

Two of our science laboratories were renovated in 2021 and are the centrepiece for our teaching, making it a rich and exciting experience.

The Science department currently collaborates with STEM Learning to deliver funded projects across Key Stages 2-4 with the department working towards completing the Science Mark. Students are able to access separate sciences at GCSE.

Our inclusive curriculum celebrates diversity and promotes tolerance and mutual respect of others within our community. Our curriculum has been carefully mapped to empower students’ personal growth and promotes fundamental British Values that cover social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness, as well as personal, social, health, relationship and sex education.