Quality of Education

Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact 2020 onwards:

North Durham Academy is committed to ensuring high quality teaching and learning, and the ongoing development of teaching and learning, to ensure that all of our students are able to achieve their full potential.

Our approach is intended to ensure the following student aims are realised:

Students develop the skills that they need to be successful learners at North Durham Academy and then beyond, becoming genuine lifelong learners and are fully prepared for the next stage of their education and employment.

Our approach is intended to ensure the following student aims are realised:

  • Teachers are supported to be strong reflective classroom practitioners
  • Teachers focus on their own professional development in terms of their practice as a teacher.
  • Consistency in teaching and learning across all subjects.
  • Students’ prior attainment used to plan challenging lessons this includes: KS2, standardised assessments, use of assessment in lessons, and high quality teaching from Year 7 so that students can meet their target by Year 11.
  • Build student resilience by allowing them to work things out for themselves.
  • Consistent application of the marking and feedback expectations so that students know their strengths and how to improve.
  • Well sequenced curriculum design that builds on the Key Stage 2 curriculum, meets the aims of the National Curriculum and the Key Stage 4 aims and objectives.
  • Curriculum that is consistently implemented meeting the needs of all students.
  • Religious education is taught within Life.

We ensure that teaching and learning is always central to the way in which we operate as an Academy and this is seen in a wide variety of ways including the clear focus on the development of teacher practice in the Academy’s own CPD programme and the profile of teaching and learning across the Academy.

Our Teaching & Learning Policy is available within our policy page.

In Years 7,8 and 9 all students currently study Maths, English, Science, History, Geography, Spanish, Technology (graphics, resistant materials and food), Art, Music, Drama, Life, ICT, Computing, Physical Education.

Our priority will always be to maximise students’ chances at achieving standard and strong passes in English and Maths to secure future life chances. Selection of subjects in Year 9 will be guided choices.