Whilst Broad oak is a specialist sports college it is no less committed to securing academic success and to equipping students with appropriate life and work-related skills. Indeed our specialist status gives us access to greater resources with which to deliver an excellent, broad and balanced curriculum.

A broad and balanced curriculum.
In the first three years – Key Stage 3 – all students follow courses in:
• Art
• Drama
• English Language
• English Literature
• French
• Geography
• History
• Information Communication Technology
• Mathematics
• Music
• Personal Social Health & Citizenship Education
• Physical Education
• Religious Education
• Science
• Technology

In years 10 and 11 students choose subjects from the list above and also select additional courses to pursue. Most courses lead to GCSE qualifications but a number offer Vocational GCSE or BTEC certificates. For example, we have outstanding facilities in which to deliver Hair & beauty and Construction courses.

Throughout their career at Broad Oak students will be supported in following the full curriculum, working on their weaknesses, exploiting their strengths, so that they have every opportunity to achieve their potential. As they progress they, with their parents, will be able to make choices which provide the best combination for a successful future beyond the school.

Grouping
To ensure every student enjoys interesting and challenging lessons, gains confidence and remains motivated to work hard and achieve their best, we use a variety of grouping methods. These take into account the needs of all students and the different demands placed on them by each subject.
On entry to Broad Oak students are organised into mixed ability form groups but are taught in groups based on ability in each subject. This means they can, for example, be in a top set for one subject, a middle set in another and a lower set in another, depending on their ability in each specific area. Students are continuously monitored so that they may move between sets depending on their progress.

Homework
Homework is a vital part of school work. It encourages individual responsibility and its completion is important in ensuring pupils fully cover the curriculum. Early in the school year pupils are issued with a homework timetable and journal in which they must write down details of the homework they are given, and by when it must be completed. Parents are asked to check their child’s journal regularly and to sign it weekly to show they are monitoring the completion of homework tasks within given deadlines.