The aim of the history curriculum is to build and grow a wide-ranging interest and passion for history by studying the past so that pupils can understand the world they live in today.

Pupils will be able to foster and develop their written, oral and analytical skills through independent, logical and inquisitive thinking, combined with a tolerant approach to contrasting opinions. Underpinning this academic goal, the curriculum will focus on key aspects of character and allow pupils to cultivate a strong set of British values to inform an understanding of the world we live in and their own place in it.

A strong and inclusive Key Stage 3 curriculum will enable the students to analyse source material, looking at the concept of usefulness before making judgements on the merits of the sources. It will provide students with opportunities for reasoned debates, to listen to other people’s arguments and provide reasoned counterpoints respectfully. This will also include looking at a range of interpretations from different historians, understanding how these interpretations may have been formed and how they can agree or counter these historical interpretations. The curriculum provides a diverse, wide-ranging and thought-provoking series of lessons.

At Key Stage 4, the curriculum will expand on the issues and some of the topics studied at Key Stage 3. Topics such as Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88, and the Cold War will be studied to provide students with an understanding of both British history and the wider world. The curriculum will focus on understanding a wider aspect to life than their immediate community, realising that other people think differently and believe different things.

Religious Education at the George Eliot Academy helps pupils explore life’s big questions and understand how different religions and worldviews shape the way people think and live. Our curriculum develops knowledge of a wide range of traditions, encourages deep thinking about issues of meaning, morality and justice, and promotes respect and empathy in a diverse society. We want pupils to be able to explain their own views clearly, listen to others with respect, and leave school with the confidence, knowledge and values to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

Religious Education (RE) is vital in helping students explore the wide range of beliefs and practices that shape people’s lives and cultures. Our RE curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills to better understand the world around them, developing their understanding of theology, philosophy, and the social sciences, while engaging with real-world and often challenging issues.

We are committed to giving students a deep appreciation of both the diversity and the commonalities within and between religions. They also learn about non-religious worldviews, enabling them to understand the variety of perspectives that exist in society today. This prepares students to think critically, navigate complex issues, and engage confidently with the political, social, and religious landscapes they encounter in further study and everyday life.

Through the teaching, learning and discussion of diverse beliefs and practices, students have the opportunity to break down and examine their own preconceptions and prejudices. They discuss, question and understand better their own beliefs and practices. This allows their own personal growth so that they can understand and enjoy the multi-cultural world around them.  

Religious Education is part of the basic curriculum and must be taught to pupils throughout their time at the academy.

·        Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of religious education. 

·        For any requests to withdraw your child from religious education, please contact the school to arrange a meeting with the Principal in the first instance. 

The main objective of the Health and Social Care curriculum is to inspire young people to work within services that support a wide range of people.

The Health and Social Care curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Are aware of the job roles and responsibilities undertaken by a range of professionals

• Aim to actively pursue a healthy lifestyle with an understanding of why this is important

• Have the knowledge to access Level 3 or Higher Education courses in Health and Social Care (if they choose to)

Pupils are assessed via coursework and one exam for Health and Social Care. 

Enjoyment and enthusiasm are at the forefront of our curriculum, with a broad yet balanced range of units covered. The units covered also aim to develop the knowledge of the wider world and where and when medicine or health-based practices have originated from, promoting cultural capital.

British values are shown throughout Health and Social Care lessons from the rule of law, the culture of the NHS compared to other countries and the mutual respect shown between the health and social care professional and the person accessing the care. The Health and Social Care curriculum leads to many different career pathways. Within the curriculum, units are taught to help pupils gain further understanding of career routes and progressions within a multitude of careers as well as allow them to undertake time working within a Health and Social Care setting if they wish.