Benjamin Britten Academy of Music & Mathematics

Our aims are simple: to develop the sharpest minds and the biggest hearts in our children through a traditional academic approach to education.

The pursuit of academic excellence is crucially important, but the learning experience for our children is not confined to the classroom. We are fully committed to the idea of an all-round education where personal development is valued as well as examination success.   We continue to review our curriculum to ensure it reflects our diversity; is broad, balanced and effective, incorporating further bespoke pathways to appropriately challenge all students; providing experiences that will nurture the development of the whole person, their spiritual, emotional and moral health and well-being, as well as academic or vocational ability. Our curriculum consistently matches and exceeds the ambition found in the National Curriculum.

Key Stage 3

The curriculum for Key Stage 3 is set out in nine Areas of Learning:

• English
• Mathematics and Financial Capability
• The Arts: Art and Design, Textiles, Music and Drama
• Learning for Life & Work: Food and Nutrition, Personal Development and ICT skills
• Modern Languages: French, Spanish or British Sign Language
• Environment & Society: Geography and History
• Science and Technology: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Technology and Computer Science.
• Physical Education
• Religious Education, Social Ethics and Citizenship and Employability
• Relationship, Health and Sex Education

Key Stage 4

The curriculum for Key Stage 4 is set out as follows:

Compulsory Subjects

• English Language and English Literature
• Mathematics and Financial Capability
• Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics
• Citizenship

Non-compulsory Subjects

• Core Physical Education
• Personal Development, Careers and Employability
• Relationship, Health and Sex Education

GCSE Option subjects

Bespoke provision for children with SEND

Building upon our Key Stage 3 provision, a small minority of children benefit from a bespoke and inclusive curriculum.  This pathway is tailored to the needs of the children involved.

The Benji Certificate facilitates the development of skills embedded within our bespoke scheme of learning, examples include; embedded literacy and numeracy, supporting our Benji 100 initiative (philanthropy and charity), for example, supporting the Lowestoft Lifeboat (RNLI) organising a Charitable event. These children are taught directly by our SENDCo and Direct Instruction teacher, which provides additional continuity from Key Stage 3. 

Our children also continue to enjoy practising and developing British Sign Language, alongside appropriate life skills, for example, household safety; wiring a plug, meter readings and practical gardening skills.  Additional careers and supported college visits and post 16 transition is also managed during this time.  This enables our children to become more competent and confident when dealing with unfamiliar scenarios and prepares them for greater independence, moving from school to college. For information on how the school complies with its disclosed within the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014, on making the curriculum accessible for those with disabilities or special educational needs, please see the SEND Policy and Equalities Information and Objectives. 

Remote Learning

The aim of the school's remote learning provision is to continue providing a quality education for children who are not in the classroom. This provision is typically aimed at students unable to attend school due to serious illness, those in Silent Learning after being removed from a lesson and students who have received a suspension. The purpose of this provision is: 
● To prevent students developing gaps in knowledge;
● To minimise the reliance on catching up on missed learning after a student has been absent from a lesson;
● To ensure pupils receive a curriculum with identical breadth and depth as the classroom curriculum; and
● To ensure, where possible, pupils benefit from not only the well planned, challenging curriculum, but also the delivery of this curriculum by teachers.

This is achieved through the following:

● Students accessing lessons via live video link to their teacher. Teachers are able to teach the class in the classroom, whilst simultaneously filming and streaming the lesson to the student not in the classroom. This approach ensures smoother reintegration on students' return. 
● Online learning via the @Home area of the school website. This sophisticated programme has been populated with materials which mirror that which would be taught in the classroom during each period for each day. Students follow their timetable and complete the work independently. 

● Online learning tasks sets through Google Classroom
● Homework can be accessed online
● Laptops are available for students to use on loan if needed
 

Our central aim is for everyone to be happy at school, known personally and cared for individually. Our emphasis is on nurturing the whole person and to that end, in addition to our academic pursuits there is a rich diversity of artistic, dramatic, musical and sporting activities on offer. 

For further information on the curriculum we follow, please contact the school and arrange to speak with Mrs K Jenkins, Deputy Headteacher.