Curriculum
Curriculum intent
Through ‘pushing our boundaries to achieve more’ and underpinned by the SNA Way, our curriculum vision is to provide academic excellence for all students and ensure confident, responsible, independent young people.
This will be achieved through:
- Delivering a broad and balanced ambitious curriculum and enriched wider school experience for all students
- Ensuring high levels of challenge and expectation
- Enabling confidence and fluency in literacy, numeracy and oracy
- Providing high quality teaching which inspires students to reach their full potential
- Preparing and equipping students for their next stage in education, employment or training and for life in modern Britain.
The Key Stage 3 curriculum at SNA is taught from years 7 to 9 with all students taking their GCSE options as part of an Options process in spring term of Year 9. Key Stage 4 courses are studied in years 10 and 11.
With recent changes to GCSE and A levels, there is an increased emphasis on literacy and also on terminal examinations with a reduction in both coursework and module examinations.
To ensure both high student progress and engagement, we have recently undertaken a comprehensive review of our KS3 curriculum offer to ensure it supports the progress of every student in preparation for Key Stage 4 study at every ability level.
For more information on how we make our curriculum accessible for those with disabilities or special educational needs, please see our SEND Report, SEND Policy and Equality Act Statement in the policies section of the website.
If you would like to know more about the curriculum the school is following, please contact
Mrs L Sharpe l.sharpe@snacademy.org.uk
You can view each subject's curriculum overview by clicking the links at the bottom of this page.
Key Stage 3
The Key Stage 3 curriculum (Years 7–9) is designed to provide students with a broad range of experiences and a secure foundation of knowledge and skills. Through studying a wide range of subjects, students develop confidence, curiosity and strong literacy and numeracy, while being well prepared for success at Key Stage 4. The subjects studied at Key Stage 3 are outlined below.
At Key Stage 3 students will study:
- Art
- Computing
- Drama
- Design and Technology
- English
- Food Technology
- French
- Geography
- Spanish
- History
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- Religious Education
- Science
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), students follow an ambitious and broad core curriculum comprising English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science (Trilogy), Religious Education and recreational Physical Education. Alongside this, students are carefully guided through a structured options process to select four additional subjects from a wide range of academic and vocational courses. This ensures a coherent and well-sequenced curriculum that equips students with a strong range of qualifications and prepares them effectively for their next stage of education, employment or training.
GCSE Courses
- Art and Design
- Fine Art
- Business Studies
- Computer Science
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- French*
- Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Geography*
- History*
- Music
- Photography
- Physical Education
- Religious Education (full course)
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Spanish*
- Triple Science*
Vocational Courses (GCSE Equivalent)
- NCFE Child Development and Care
- NCFE Health and Fitness
Year Nine Options Evening:
Thursday, March 5th 2026
PSHE
Personal, Social and Health Education
In addition to the main curriculum at Key Stage 3-5, all students at South Nottinghamshire Academy also study PSHE, Citizenship and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education). These important aspects of our students’ education take place during tutor time, assemblies, enrichment activities and during special events during the school year.