Curriculum Offer
Intent
The design and delivery of the Curriculum at the Lower Site is catered closely to the individual needs of our learners to ensure engagement and success for all. Our creative timetable enables us to deliver all National Curriculum subjects through challenging, motivating and innovative learning opportunities. We promote positive learning for all learners, with a focus on SEMH and behaviour. The principles of kindness, honesty and calm are well established throughout. We are proud to be creating confident, competent and kind citizens of the future.
At Trinity Academy Newcastle, we do not see ability as permanent or pre-determined. Learners may arrive with gaps in their learning due to turbulence in previous schools. We relish the opportunity to work with learners to reach their potential. Achievement is carefully monitored and any learner falling below our high expectations is quickly given sharp and specific intervention. Our teaching staff use a range of assessment information to personalise learning so that gaps are closed and progress is visible. We enhance the curriculum by including practical learning, daily enrichment activities and Forest School. Enrichment and experiences represent culture capital and provide opportunities to apply learning.
Trinity Academy Newcastle has high expectations of children’s academic and behavioural outcomes. Academic outcomes are continually assessed with personalised targets to close gaps and ensure progression in the children’s learning.
Our Key Stage 2 and 3 learners are placed in age groups and are taught by consistent class teachers. There are times in the week when these groups access subject specialists for specific lessons and are able to access an age appropriate curriculum that is targeted to meet their needs.
Implementation
The curriculum is more fluid than that of mainstream, due to learners joining us at various points in the year. Teaching and learning is focused on stage as well as age to close any learning gaps.
Our curriculum framework is based on the National Curriculum. Learners are given baseline assessments in all subjects regularly and assessment information is used to effectively plan and deliver lessons at appropriate levels for each learner. The data also informs subsequent learning and interventions where necessary.
We teach phonics using Read Write Inc and learners have reading books to match their phonics knowledge. We have a whole-school focus on reading as this enables our learners to access the curriculum and opportunities to read for pleasure in school on a daily basis.
In Maths, we follow the White Rose programme, with a focus on four operations and the application of these in every session. Maths is further developed across the curriculum in Technology and Science.
Foundation subjects are taught weekly and are often linked to a text from English lessons, through topics where appropriate. Topics are delivered which include local links.
Forest school and experiential learning allow learners to apply learning across the curriculum, and develop PSHE skills and practical knowledge of all subjects. Forest School is delivered off-site on a weekly basis. At Trinity, we encourage learners to develop their skills in teamwork, communication, resilience and self-awareness.
Impact
Learners are given opportunities to access missed learning and social and emotional experiences. We encourage learners to progress academically and socially.
Learning is assessed and evaluated in every lesson and interventions are monitored. This ensures that the curriculum delivered is personalised and adapted to each learner.
Our curriculum is rigorously monitored through consistent lesson observations, learning walks, learner work inspection, learner and staff voice and CPD opportunities.
The table below displays how many lessons are allocated to each subject per term.
For any additional information, please contact the head of site: Miss Sophie Hunter.
Parent/Carer Overview - Autumn 2
Music Action Plan
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At Trinity Academy Newcastle, we encourage learners to develop a keen interest in music using digital media, offering singing, composing personalised pieces and listening to lots of different kinds of music across our curriculum. We strive to provide a range musical opportunities, including the attendance of professional musicians and workshops, and to effectively communicate additional enrichment with families so that learners can continue to develop their skills and love of a range of music. Our long-term vision is that all learners access high-quality weekly music lessons and can progress their learning by taking up an instrument, using digital music software to compose or joining a musical group. All learners will be given the opportunity to experience the joy of live performances. |
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Curriculum Music: Vision is to ensure all learner can access high quality music provision. |
At Trinity Academy Newcastle, we work closely with the Music Hubs to ensure we gain the absolute best experiences for our learners. Through our collaborations, we will continue to invite several music professionals on site to support our drive for greater involvements and appreciation of a myriad music. Following student input, we have invested in a digital music platform called Charanga, which has been developed by the Music Hub and offers a range of musical styles for learners to investigate. Learners are also able to compose their own pieces of music, in their chosen style, then continue the development outside of school time. |
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Co-Curricular: Vision is to ensure small group/individual lessons are free of charge and that there are a range of groups that learners can take participate in. |
Trinity Academy Newcastle is one where learners are encouraged to develop their love of learning in a range of ways. Our work with the Music Hub enables us to provide opportunities for professional musicians to work with learns to foster a lifelong love of music. Every learner can access our musical instruments free of charge and are encouraged to try new instruments to enrichment their life experiences. |
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Enrichment: Vision is to make links with a range of organisations so that our learners can access a variety of live performances, supporting their wider development and enrichment. |
Learners are encouraged to develop a range of musical pieces across a variety of styles then perform these in a safe and calm environment where they feel comfortable and secure. Our aim to run a number of events where learners are able to showcase their progress and talents to parents and carers to develop confidence.
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Lower Site Subject |
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| English |
| Maths |
| Science |
| Humanities |
| Art |
| Physical Education |
| Topic |
| Enrichment |
| Vote 4 Schools |
| Reading - Click here to view further information on Reading |
RSE Curriculum Intent & Framework
Drop down days 2023/24 - Health and Wellbeing, RE and Music
To complement our curriculum, we offer drop down days during the academic year. These sessions replace structured classroom lessons with activities used to strengthen learners' knowledge and application of skills and provide a deeper learning experience into different key topics.
Religious Education is covered within our drop down days, but if parents or carers wish for their child not to take part in the lessons around RE, please contact school and let us know as soon as possible.
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KS1 - 4 |
Activity Ideas – AM drop down days |
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Half term 1 |
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Half term 2 |
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Half term 3 |
Mindfulness 07/02/2025 LS and US |
Mindfulness drop down day around team building/goal setting/problem solving and well being (7th February) |
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Half term 4 |
Safeguarding 24/03/2025 LS and US |
Possible Activities
Safeguarding drop down day delivered by Changing Lives on extremism, radicalisation and D.V. (24th March) School nurses, discussing puberty and SRE (24th March) |
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Half term 5 |
Safeguarding LS and US |
National Safeguarding Week – 19th – 23rd of May (22nd Safeguarding drop down day – What is safeguarding, making the right choices, forced / arranged marriage) Work around FGM in tutor time all week |
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Half term 6 |
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Career Day (2nd of July) POL-ED – Violence against women / Online Grooming / Peer on Peer abuse (8th July) |
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