Supporting Your Child

We want your child to be happy, safe and successful throughout their time at The Keystone Academy. We know that the best way to achieve this is by working in partnership with our families. We want you to feel involved in your child’s school life and we welcome your communication and feedback.  

 You can support your child by: 

  • Taking them to the local library to choose a book together.  
  • Knowing what they are learning about and discussing it with them. See the curriculum links below for your child’s yearly learning plan.  
  • Encouraging them to find out more about what they are learning. Please use the website below to support further discovery 
  • Talking to your child about the news and current affairs. You could even look at Home – CBBC Newsround together! 
  • Helping them to learn how to revise and study – look up Core4 revision.  
  • Ensuring they attend school – there is a clear link between attendance and academic progress. The more you are in school, the better you do! 
  • Encouraging them to read for 20-minutes every day and completing their reading log to show they have done this. Click below for more information about supporting your child’s phonics, reading and writing development. 

Key Stage 4 

We offer a wide range of qualifications at Key Stage 4. You will get the chance to discuss your child’s options at a year-9 evening. Throughout key stage 4, we encourage our students to be familiar with the specifications of the courses that they are studying.  

SUBJECT   EXAM BOARD   Specification 
GCSE English Language   AQA   AQA | English | GCSE | GCSE English Language 
GCSE Mathematics   OCR   Maths GCSE | Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (2015) | Pearson qualifications
GCSE Trilogy Science   AQA   AQA | Science | GCSE | GCSE Science 
GCSE Art and Design   OCR   GCSE – Art and Design (9-1) – J170-J176 – OCR 
GCSE Food Tech   OCR   Food preparation and nutrition qualifications – OCR 
GCSE History   Edexcel   Edexcel GCSE History (2016) | Pearson qualifications 
Functional Skills English   Pearson   Edexcel Functional Skills in English | Pearson qualifications 
Functional Skills Maths   Pearson   Edexcel Functional Skills in Mathematics | Pearson qualifications 
Entry Level Maths   Edexcel   9781446932995-entry-level-mathematics-spec.pdf 
Entry Level Science   AQA   AQA | Science | ELC | ELC Science 
Unit Awards   AQA   AQA | Unit Award Scheme | Our Units 
Learning in the Outdoors   Agored Cymru   Qualification 
BTEC Level 1 Introductory Award Information Technology   Pearson   IT (L1 Introductory) | Pearson qualifications 

 

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education & Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) 

At the Keystone Academy, we recognise and value the importance of teaching a strong and relevant Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum which prepares our pupils for life in a modern society, both within and beyond school.  Included within our PSHE curriculum is statutory content relating to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). 

  

The aims of our RSE curriculum are to: 

  • Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place 
  • Prepare pupils for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene 
  • Help pupils develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy 
  • Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships 
  • Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies 

The RSE curriculum will be taught in an age-appropriate way to educate and raise awareness of the key areas noted above. 

  

Parents / carers’ right to withdraw 

For primary aged children: 

Parents / carers do not have the right to withdraw their children from relationships education. 

Parents / carers do have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory/non-science components of sex education within RSE.  However, they cannot do so without a good reason.  

For secondary aged children: 

Parents / carers do have the right to withdraw their children from the non-statutory/non-science components of sex education within RSE up to and until 3 terms before the child turns 16.  However, they cannot do so without good reason.  After this point, if the child wishes to receive sex education rather than being withdrawn, the school will arrange this. 

All requests for withdrawal (for primary or secondary aged pupils) should be put in writing using the form found in the RSE Policy and addressed to the Headteacher. 

A copy of withdrawal requests will be placed in the pupil’s educational record. The Headteacher will discuss the request with parents and take appropriate action. 

For further information about the RSE curriculum, the full RSE policy can be viewed on our Policies page.