Curriculum

Art at Edgar Wood is a creative outlet. Students will learn about a diverse range of artistic styles and artistic influences via a varied exploration of differing artists. Students will develop skills in a range of art medium and learn how each medium should be handled according to a project brief. Students will learn to be creative and critical thinkers as they develop skills in opinion and appraisal. Students will experience a range of different cultural contexts and learn to appreciate a wider understanding of how art surrounds us.

Students live in a digital world, the devices they use are useful if the user is competent, therefore we believe it is essential to empower young people to become digitally literate, developing skills that are not only applicable in the subject but in the real world.  We will equip students with the problem-solving skills to become resilient digital citizens who can positively and confidently navigate the digital world. In Computing, we aim to develop pupils’ transferable skills including problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, perseverance, analysis and evaluation. We want to empower pupils to learn from their mistakes and develop problem solving skills by supporting them to understand that failure is a key feature of any learning process. 

Drama at Edgar Wood is the study of ‘human interaction’. Students will learn about a diverse range of performance styles and explore varied examples of play texts to enhance their understanding of human connection throughout history. Students will learn to be critical and creative thinkers as they develop skills in empathy and gain a wider understanding of different cultures, contexts, and themes.  Students will consider how theatre and theatrical concepts have shaped the arts and entertainment within the modern world.

Abraham Lincoln praised the residents of Middleton and Lancashire for their “sublime heroism” when they stood in solidarity with the slaves in America. This example of resistance and solidarity forms a wider narrative of the commitment of Middleton to social justice even if it comes with a great sacrifice. Another such narrative includes Edgar Wood’s father, Thomas Broadbent Wood an accomplished mill owner, who actively sought to provide relief for the people of Middleton as they stood in solidarity with the slaves in America during the cotton famine. These local narratives of resistance, rebellion, social justice and revolution are interwoven throughout the English curriculum at Edgar Wood Academy. By studying a variety of literature we aim to develop and foster critical and empathetic individuals. Through carefully chosen texts pupil are invited to explore a variety of themes including: the hubristic nature of man; ambition as a fatal flaw; the dangerous allure of science and the power of the sublime. These concepts allow pupils to not only broaden their academic horizons but to develop themselves and their ability to interact with the wider world. There is a significant focus on the development of vocabulary and discussion within the curriculum as this is vital in terms of pupils being able to articulate and develop their own ideas. Pupils will also learn to master their writing skills and this in turn will give learners the confidence to explore their own unique voice and allow them to appreciate writing as a specialised craft. Through a curriculum rich in powerful knowledge, we aim to celebrate diversity, develop each individual’s voice and enable learners to empathise with a range of perspectives.

Food is an essential part of our daily lives. Learning how to cook and implement a healthy diet can improve both your quality of life and life expectancy. 

At Edgar Wood Academy, we believe Food Technology should be a challenging, exciting, and engaging learning environment. Therefore, students take part in a range of theoretical and practical based learning, building up a bank of essential skills whilst developing a curiosity and passion for food. Students develop knowledge of, and apply the principles of nutrition, through cooking a range of predominantly savoury dishes. 

Food Technology theory lessons at Edgar Wood Academy closely link to practical lessons, where students explore Hygiene, Health & Safety; Principles of nutrition; Diet and good health; The science of food; Where food comes from; and Cooking and food preparation.  

Cooking is a crucial life skill that enables people to feed themselves and others throughout life. Due to this, we believe that nobody should be left behind, which is why we are passionate about providing ingredients and equipment to enable all to take part in activities. However, on the day of practical lessons, we may ask students to bring in additional items or a container to bring their food home. 

The Edgar Wood Academy Geography curriculum will equip students with a balanced understanding of the physical and human world. They will view the world with a critical and understanding eye to break barriers and make passionate change. Students will become empathetic individuals by improving their knowledge of key geographical processes and how human actions impact on these processes. Students will gain the knowledge and skills to influence them to be active local and global citizens. They will confidently identify and respond to the complex current issues our planet faces which will shape them to be better individuals. Students will have opportunities to engage and excel geographical skills through fieldtrips, so they are able to personally experience the geography taught in lessons.  

History at Edgar Wood Academy is ‘every story’. Pupils will learn about a diverse range of histories and to empathise with local, national and global communities. They will learn to be critical thinkers and question their assumptions and information that is given to them. Pupils will explore how history has shaped the country and the world around them

Our curriculum is centred upon learning and understanding mathematical knowledge; it’s at the heart of daily maths lessons at Edgar Wood Academy. We want to develop students’ character, including resilience, confidence and independence. This will enable students to have a full understanding of mathematics in order to contribute positively and successfully to the life of the school, their local community and wider environment.

Our curriculum is knowledge rich with mathematical literacy at its core.  Our curriculum allows pupils to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics. Key terminology can be seen in every lesson and this encourages pupils to argue, prove and justify using mathematical vocabulary. We empower students through mathematical literacy to be confident readers to understand and process key information when starting to tackle difficult mathematical problems.

An important focus within our curriculum is the ability to recall and apply prior knowledge to a variety of mathematical problems. Students will then become proficient at remembering a wide range of mathematical facts and be able to apply these to more complex problems. They will also develop disciplined systematic procedures to solve complex problems in algebra, geometry, statistics, probability, number and ratio.

Ultimately, Edgar Wood students will be confident and empathetic young adults, who can respect and enjoy the disciplines of mathematical studies.

Our curriculum aims to develop pupils’ oracy skills and help students become confident and articulate speakers who can use the language in a wide a range of contexts. We aim to develop pupils’ competencies within speaking and listening, reading and writing. A pupil’s command over vocabulary is absolutely essential and we strive to ensure that pupils are exposed to appropriate vocabulary that empowers them in their learning. Pupils will explore the vast differences between the UK and other countries and as such will come to appreciate the cultural diversity within the Francophone world. We strive to ensure that pupils understand and respond to language from a variety of sources. This in turn will allow pupils to manipulate language to express their thoughts within three time frames. We aim to ensure that pupils use a variety of grammatical structures that allow them to communicate with confidence.

Music at Edgar Wood will foster an enjoyment and appreciation of sound; of how sound and music are interwoven within our lives. Students will learn to appreciate differing genres of music via a sound knowledge of the key elements of music. Students will explore a variety of musical instruments learning important historical contexts surrounding the history of the instrument and students will also be upskilled via practical exploration of the instrument. Students will explore appraising, playing, and composing music.

At Edgar Wood Academy, PE believes that pupils economic circumstances are not a predictor for their outcomes, rather a motivator for them to achieve and excel.
We aim to develop young Athletes, Sport Scientists and future Sports Ambassadors. This will be done by fostering an environment of intrigue and interest within Physical Education through the delivery of a broad and ambitious curriculum. The curriculum is designed to give pupils wide experiences of sports and physical activities, whilst focusing on the core skills of the sport to ensure high quality performance. This will allow for a transfer of principles between sporting activities, promoting confidence within our learners in coaching, leadership and officiating, leading to a lifelong passion for physical activity and healthy lifestyles. Pupils of Edgar Wood Academy will leave school with the necessary skills, confidence and desire to walk into any gym or sports club they are interested in and have the confidence and ability to feel an immediate sense of belonging.

Students of RE at EWA will be religiously literate based on respect and academic rigour.  It will help pupils understand the world and people around them both globally and locally; whilst allowing the pupils to ask philosophical, ultimate and challenging questions. 

The Resistant Materials curriculum at Edgar Wood will develop students with a clear understanding of the impact of technology on our lives and the environment. Everyone will embrace the understanding and impact of effective design whilst considering its effect on both consumerism and the natural environment. Students will develop their understanding of effective design by continuously developing and always pushing the boundaries of their product ideas. Our students will have a clear understanding of the issues within our consumerism lifestyle and become empathetic individuals towards people’s working conditions as well as the depletion of natural resources and pollution we cause. Our curriculum will also facilitate students to develop their creativeness and to show their passion and personalities within their design ideas. The Resistant Materials curriculum will also guarantee that students have the knowledge and skills to thrive in their community, Greater Manchester and beyond.  

Science at Edgar Wood Academy embodies Albert Einstein’s quotation "The important thing is to never stop questioning". Our students will use knowledge from the 3 key disciplines (biology, chemistry and physics) to help answer global, regional, historical and personal questions. They will also use a wide range experimental skills to answer such questions, similar to those that helped scientist such as Lavoisier to discover oxygen, Miescher to isolate DNA from cells and Curie to understand more about the radioactive properties of substances. We want all students to feel that science is ‘for them’ and so representation is an important part of the science curriculum at Edgar Wood Academy. Including not only stories from historical scientists but modern-day scientists who are shaping the world around us that we live, just like our students may do in the future.”