Curriculum Information
Ashby School has a long and proud history of delivering a high quality educational experience for young people from the local community. Today, we remain as committed as ever to nurturing confident, happy and resilient individuals who are ready to face the challenges of a rapidly-changing but exciting world.
Read more about our commitment to a curriculum that is broad, balanced, inclusive and aspirational.
Click for information on Special Educational Needs
Our faculty curriculum statements can be found below:
- English - curriculum statement
Through the study of a wide range of texts and genres that enthuse, we aim to excite and inspire creativity and to instil a life-long love of both reading and writing in our students at Ashby School. Because literature is a gateway to other cultures, exploration of the written word encourages students to appreciate, understand, reflect and question the perceptions of others, developing empathy and compassion, while deepening their awareness of the issues affecting modern society. We not only place value on students evaluating writers’ craft and authorial intent, inviting students to flourish as mature, critical thinkers, but also on their ability to articulate ideas fluently and precisely. We believe that anything is truly possible for the future of our students when they’re armed with the necessary tools to interpret, analyse and communicate with confidence.
- Mathematics - curriculum statement
Mathematics is the key to understanding the logic of the world in which we live. At Ashby School, we believe that every student is capable of grasping these logical structures and excelling in mathematics. Taught by our expert staff, students gain fluency in mathematical methods, develop conceptual understanding, and learn to apply problem-solving strategies. Staff manage the pace of lessons to ensure it is matched to the needs of students. In our teaching, we are keen to highlight the connections between different areas of mathematics to build strong foundations for future success.
- Science - curriculum statement
Science isn’t just in a lab carried out by people in white coats….. It’s everywhere! From the moment you get up in the morning to the moment you go to sleep at night, science plays a huge part in our daily lives. At Ashby, we inspire and enthuse students by encouraging them to discover and investigate the phenomena of the world around them and to witness that anything is possible! Young scientists at KS3 will investigate ’10 big ideas’ (Forces, Electromagnetism, Energy, Waves, Matter, Reactions, Earth, Organisms, Ecosystems and Genes) by learning to work scientifically. Practical work will be at the heart of what we do and will be taught by specialist science teachers in well-equipped laboratories. The curriculum uses mastery goals where young scientists can demonstrate their understanding by learning key facts and then applying this new knowledge. Students will learn to analyse and present data, communicate ideas, justify opinions, test hypotheses by collecting data allowing them to examine consequences and review theories. The knowledge and skills developed give a solid foundation to our GCSE and A level courses. We aim to develop inquisitive minds and a lifelong passion for enquiry and discovery.
- Humanities - curriculum statement
Humanities supports students in their learning journey by equipping them with the essential, transferrable skills they need to become well-rounded global citizens. Critical, philosophical and ethics-based learning encourages students to manipulate evidence to become empathetic problem solvers. This ability to understand and empathise also contributes to students’ own personal wellbeing, as well as to the development of morals and tolerance.
Humanities teaching encourages enthusiasm and creativity, as students learn about the world’s systems and the way in which humans have interacted with these to inform present and future behaviours. Humanities gives students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the world around them and to embrace the belief that anything is possible.*
- Modern languages - curriculum statement
Language skills are more important than ever in today’s global society. By studying a language at Ashby School, students will learn how to communicate effectively and gain valuable knowledge for life, work, travel or further language studies. They will broaden their horizons, explore different cultures and discover more about their own society, their thinking and their character. Because we believe anything is possible, our language courses are designed to empower students to achieve success in an ever-changing global world. Our aim is to nurture a passion for language learning and to awaken something special which will stay with our students forever. Speaking another language is not just about communicating – it is an act of friendship.
- The arts - curriculum statement
Arts students are encouraged to embrace opportunity and take creative risks. By exploring arts subjects, students learn to appreciate creativity in a range of forms, as well as how to understand and give constructive criticism. Ashby School embeds a social, historical and multicultural understanding of the development of creative works over time and the communities that make them. This shapes a student’s character, instilling tolerance, respect and a sensitivity to the opinions of others. Students develop a range of skills, as well as being challenged to find their own voice as an empathetic practitioner. The arts allows students to develop key transferable skills such as communication and confidence, which are vital to any future career or academic study. Ashby School arts students are part of a thriving creative community, which produces school wide performances and cross-curricular projects as well as pushing the boundaries and consistently proving that anything is possible.
- Design and technology - curriculum statement
Design and technology students develop their skills in both practical and theory lessons. Practical skills range from learning computer coding to preparing a nutritious dish, as well as working with textiles, designing computer-aided models and much more.
Students can choose from a wide range of subjects. Each subject enables students to develop valuable life skills which provide an ideal foundation for either further education or employment. Students learn not only teamwork and resilience but advance their knowledge on materials, techniques and processes relevant to their chosen subject area. They also learn the practical skills which allow them to progress and enjoy all aspects of design. We encourage all students to achieve their full potential and to use their own creativity and hard work to show that anything is possible in design and technology.
Students are taught by passionate subject specialists who strive to ensure that all students leave with the skills they need to embrace the challenges of an increasingly technological world.
- Physical education - curriculum statement
Our work in PE aims to encourage a lifelong participation in physical activity by inspiring a generation. We want all students to enjoy, succeed and develop essential life skills within our Physical Education curriculum. We provide a broad range of opportunities enabling students to achieve their full potential and improve their health and wellbeing.
Educating young people about health is an essential part of our curriculum, giving them the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their lifestyle. Exploring issues that contribute to the health and well-being of students will be delivered alongside physical activity.
In PE, we prove daily that anything is possible as we challenge ourselves and our preconceptions. This ethos permeates everything we do and is a huge factor in achieving our end goal: a healthy, happy and physically active student.
- Personal development - curriculum statement
Our Personal Development programme focuses on the holistic development of our students. Our ‘three Rs’ of respect, responsibility and resilience are actively promoted in this subject. This enables our students to embrace the challenges they face as they progress through the key stages. This course also covers relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) to ensure our students are well informed and take responsibility of themselves and others. Our young people are growing up in an increasing complex world and this subject ensures they are fully equipped to excel and make anything possible in modern day Britain.
