Curriculum Offer
A Curriculum That takes students beyond their lived experiences: Knowledge Is Power. We Make It Stick
At Harris Academy Ockendon, we believe every child deserves more than just a good education, they deserve an exceptional one. That journey begins with a powerful curriculum.
Our curriculum is carefully designed to be knowledge-rich, broad, and ambitious, giving children access to ideas, cultures, and experiences far beyond the everyday. We want our students to be ‘in the know’, equipped not only for exam success, but with the kind of deep, meaningful understanding that lasts.
This belief sits at the heart of everything we do. From maths to personal development, our mantra guides us: “Knowledge is Power. We make it stick.”
When we decide what to teach, we know we’re shaping your child’s future. That’s why our subject leaders begin with purpose. They carefully select the most powerful knowledge, rich, specialist content that draws from top academic institutions, ensuring every lesson is impactful and meaningful.
And this isn’t just about academic results. It’s about social justice. Every child regardless of their background, starting point, or ability has the right to access this powerful knowledge. We believe that by doing so, they gain not just qualifications, but the cultural capital and disciplinary understanding to thrive in an ever-changing world.
We are committed to ensuring that every student at HAOC is protected from discrimination and has full access to learning, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND Regulations 2014.
Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and we’re here to make sure they do.
Students in years 7 to 9 study the National Curriculum, which has been interpreted, designed and sequenced by subject experts to prepare students for their next steps. Subjects such as Drama, whilst not forming part of the National Curriculum, are core parts of a weekly timetable for our students at key stage three as we understand how it contributes to the personal development of students in areas such as communication, empathy, discipline and emotional intelligence.
Our curriculum is knowledge-rich and delivers broad, diverse and ambitious knowledge, invaluable for ensuring all children are ‘in the know’ and are taken beyond their everyday experience. We believe our curriculum will enable all students to excel, not only in public examinations, but in their interactions with the world, ensuring they are prepared for their next pathway and for them to lead happy, successful lives.
Details of the curriculum for each subject can be viewed on our Subjects page, but a summary of the subjects all students attend includes:
- English (Language and Literature)
- Mathematics
- Combined Science
- Art
- Computer Science
- Drama
- Design Technology and Food Studies
- Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish)
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Physical Education
- Citizenship and Religious Education (CRE)
- Careers education
- Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE)
- Enrichment
Students go on to study a rich and varied key stage 4 curriculum which is exemplified by the increasing numbers of students entered for the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), and the large numbers of students accessing more creative subjects at key stage 4 such as art, design technology and music.
The curriculum is filled with ambitious qualifications that match the drive to ensure that all our students achieve outstanding results to enable them to access their chosen pathway at Post 16.
Details of the curriculum for each subject can be viewed on our Subjects page, but a summary of the subjects available to KS4 students is outlined below.
All students at KS4 study the following GCSE qualifications:
- English Language
- English Literature
- Mathematics
- Combined Science
- History or Geography
All students select three additional option GCSE or Vocational qualifications in subjects from a range that includes:
- Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish)
- History
- Geography
- Business Studies
- Sociology
- Drama
- Music
- Art and Design
- Art Textiles
- Design Technology
- Citizenship
- Physical Education
- Computer Science
- Health and Social Care
- Religious Studies
In addition to their GCSE and vocational qualifications, all students at KS4 also attend lessons and assemblies in the following disciplines to supplement and enrich their education:
- Citizenship and Religious Education (CRE)
- Religious Studies
- Careers education
- Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE)
- Physical Education (Core PE)
- Socially and culturally significant events (Black History Month, LGBTQ History Month, International Women’s Day)
We designed the post 16 curriculum with the overall intent of providing the right qualifications for students to access the most competitive universities and apprenticeships. Thus, the curriculum offer has a variety of level three qualifications at A-level and vocational level that meet the needs of students and enable them to achieve successfully.
Our curriculum includes only the vocational qualifications which we believe offer students the right knowledge and skills to access further education or the labour market.
Our intention is that all students reach their further education aspirations and career goals. Therefore, when choosing which subjects to study in KS4, students are offered a range of grouped and personalised pathway events from subject open evenings and information and guidance assemblies, to KS5 taster lessons and one-to-one interviews. External applicants receive a personalised interview to discuss future aspirations and the link to their qualification choices.
Details of the curriculum for each subject can be viewed on our Subjects page, but a summary of the subjects available to KS5 students is outlined below.
|
A level subjects |
Minimum grade in Eng Lang/Lit |
Minimum grade in Maths |
Other criteria |
|
|
Art and Design |
5 |
|
Art 6 if previously studied or 6/Merit in creative subject |
|
|
Biology |
|
6 |
Biology 6 Combined science, 6,6 |
|
|
Business |
5 |
5 |
|
|
|
Chemistry |
|
6 |
Chemistry 6 Combined science 6,6 |
|
|
Computer Science |
|
6 |
Computer science 6 if previously studied |
|
|
Design and Technology: Product Design |
|
5 |
Design and Technology GCSE 5 if previously studied |
|
|
Drama |
5 |
|
Drama 5 if previously studied; active participation outside the academy if GCSE not taken |
|
|
Economics |
5 |
5 |
|
|
|
English Literature |
6 |
|
English Language and Literature 6 |
|
|
French |
5 |
|
French 6 |
|
|
Further Maths |
|
8 |
|
|
|
Geography |
5 |
|
Geography 6 |
|
|
History |
6 |
|
History 6 |
|
|
Law |
5 |
|
Humanities subjects 5 |
|
|
Maths |
|
7 |
|
|
|
Media Studies |
5 |
|
|
|
|
Physics |
|
6 |
Physics 6, Combined science 6,6 |
|
|
Politics |
5 |
|
|
|
|
Psychology |
5 |
5 |
Science 5,5 |
|
|
Religious Studies |
5 |
|
RE 5 if taken; Humanities subject 5 |
|
|
Sociology |
5 |
|
Sociology 5 if taken |
|
|
Vocational subject |
Minimum grade in Eng Lang/Lit |
Minimum grade in Maths |
Other criteria |
|
|
BTEC Level 3 Sport |
5 |
|
4, 4 in Science; actively involved in sport outside the academy |
|
In addition to a variety of information, guidance and self-development opportunities, all students in Years 12 and 13 follow a two-year programme of extra-curricular and enrichment education, which includes:
- Citizenship and Religious Education (CRE)
- Careers education (Career Ready Programme, Oxbridge access programmes, Medicine and Veterinary Science access programmes, Work experience)
- Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE)