Curriculum Overview

Manshead CE Academy Curriculum 2024-2025

 

From September 2024 we are amending the structure of the school day to consist of five 60 minute lessons.

 The key reasons for this decision, based on the research, are highlighted below: 

Research on One-Hour School Lessons

• The structure of school lessons significantly impacts student engagement, retention, and overall academic performance. Research suggests that one-hour lessons provide an optimal balance between attention span, cognitive processing, and instructional depth.

   

  Cognitive Load and Attention Span

• Studies indicate that students' attention spans typically range from 10 to 20 minutes before declining (Bradbury, 2016). However, breaking lessons into varied segments within a one-hour time frame — such as incorporating discussions, activities, and independent work can help sustain engagement. Compared to shorter lessons, a one-hour structure allows for deeper understanding and application of concepts without overloading cognitive capacity.

   

  Instructional Depth and Retention

• Longer lessons enable teachers to go beyond surface-level instruction. A study by Marzano (2007) found that extended learning periods lead to better comprehension because students have more time to process information, ask questions, and apply knowledge. With only 40 or 50 minute lessons, teachers may rush through material, leaving insufficient time for reinforcement.

   

  Student Engagement and Active Learning

• Research supports active learning strategies, such as problem-solving tasks, peer discussions, and hands-on activities (Freeman et al., 2014). These methods require sufficient time, which one-hour lessons can accommodate. In contrast, shorter lessons may force a reliance on passive learning, such as lectures, which are less effective for long-term retention.

   

  Flexibility and Reduced Transitions

   

• Longer lessons minimise the number of classroom transitions, reducing disruptions and maximising learning time (Aronson et al., 1998). This is particularly beneficial in subjects requiring complex problem-solving, such as science and mathematics.

 

Taking into account the available research, feedback from other schools and most importantly an understanding of our students here at Manshead, we believe that this will make lesson time more effective and support students in making even greater progress.  

 

Key Stage 3 for 2024-2025

 Year 7

Subject	Number of Lessons per Week
English (Language / Literature)	5
Mathematics	6
Science	3
Modern Foreign Languages (French / Spanish)	2
History	1
Geography	2
Music	1
Drama	1
Design Technology (Food Technology / Product Design / Textiles)	2
Art	1
Accelerated Reader	1
Ethics	1
Computing and ICT	1
Physical Education	3

Students cover a Personal Development Education (PDE) programme through a combination of form time activities with their tutor and Personal Development days across the school year.

All students will study Design Technology (Food Technology, Product Design and Textiles) across Key Stage 3. Students will study two of the three technology subjects in Y7, Y8 and Y9, however there will be no Product Design in Y9.

 

Year 8

Subject	Number of Lessons per Week
English (Language / Literature)	5
Mathematics	6
Science	4
Modern Foreign Languages (French / Spanish)	2
History	2
Geography	2
Music	1
Drama	1
Design Technology (Food Technology / Product Design / Textiles)	2
Art	1
Ethics	1
Computing and ICT	1
Physical Education	2

Students cover a PDE programme through a combination of form time activities with their tutor and Personal Development days across the school year.

All students will study Design Technology (Food Technology, Product Design and Textiles) across Key Stage 3. Students will study two of the three technology subjects in Y7, Y8 and Y9, however there will be no Product Design in Y9.

 

Year 9

Subject	Number of Lessons per Week
English (Language and Literature)	5
Mathematics	5
Science	4
Modern Foreign Languages (French / Spanish)	2
History	2
Geography	2
Music / Drama	1
Textiles	1
Food Technology	1
Art	1
Ethics	2
Computing and ICT	1
Physical Education	3

Students cover a PDE programme through a combination of form time activities with their tutor and Personal Development days across the school year.

All students will study Food Technology and Textiles across Key Stage 3. Students will study two of the three technology subjects in Y7, Y8 and Y9.

Students will make a choice to study either Music or Drama.

 

Key Stage 4 for 2024-2025

 

Year 10 Curriculum

Subject	English Language	English Literature	Mathematics	Science		Option	Ethics	Physical Education
				Combined	Triple	1 / 2 / 3
No. Lessons per Week	3	3	5	6	7	3 / 3 / 3	2	2

Students cover a PDE programme through a combination of form time activities with their tutor and Personal Development days across the school year.

 

Year 11 Curriculum

Subject	English Language	English Literature	Mathematics	Science		Option	Ethics	Physical Education
				Combined	Triple	1 / 2 / 3
No. Lessons per Week	3	2	6	6	7	3 / 3 / 3	2	2

Students cover a PDE program through a combination of form time activities with their tutor and Personal Development days across the school year.

 

Key Stage 5 for 2024-2025

 

Year 12 Curriculum

Subject	Option	Independent Study	PE	Enrichment Option
	1 / 2 / 3			Core Mathematics	EPQ	Finance	Duke of Edinburgh
No. Lessons per Week	5 / 5 / 5	12	1	2	1	1	1

Students will cover a Tutorship program including PDE, UCAS and University applications and discussion of current affairs through form time.

 

Year 13 Curriculum

Subject	Option	Independent Study	Physical Education
	1 / 2  / 3
No. Lessons per Week	5 / 5 / 5	12	1

Students will cover a Tutorship program including PDE, UCAS and University applications and discussion of current affairs through form time.