Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Assessment
At WMG Academy Solihull, high-quality teaching and learning sits at the heart of our curriculum. Our aim is to give every student the knowledge, skills, confidence and professional behaviours they need to achieve well and progress successfully to their next destination.
As a University Technical College specialising in STEM and digital technologies, our approach combines strong academic teaching with practical, technical and employer-led learning. Students do not simply learn concepts; wherever possible, they are challenged to apply them, solve problems and understand how their learning connects to the real world.
Our teaching approach is informed by educational research and cognitive science, with a focus on helping students remember more, understand more and apply their knowledge with increasing independence. Students experience a range of teaching approaches, including direct instruction, practical work, problem-solving, collaborative learning and employer-led projects.
Our business-like, business-led ethos is central to this. Employer and university partners support curriculum development, mentoring, projects, work experience and industry placements, helping students connect classroom learning with future careers.
Assessment and Progress
Assessment takes place regularly from Year 9 to Year 13 and is used to:
- check students’ knowledge and understanding
- identify gaps or misconceptions
- adapt teaching and provide additional support
- challenge students to make further progress
- inform reports, parents’ evenings and conversations with families
Students experience a combination of classroom assessment, project work, subject checkpoints, larger synoptic assessments and formal mock examinations, depending on their year group and course.
When students join us, baseline information including nationally benchmarked GL Assessment data helps teachers understand their starting points, set appropriate targets and plan teaching effectively.
Technology and Independent Learning
Technology is an important part of learning at WMG Academy. Every student has an Academy Google account and uses Google Classroom to access resources, complete and submit work, receive feedback and manage assignments.
In English, Maths and Science, regular homework is set and monitored through Sparx, while Engineering Manufacture and option subjects use Google Classroom to support coursework, revision and independent study.
As students progress through the Academy, they are expected to take increasing responsibility for meeting deadlines, organising their work, acting on feedback and becoming confident independent learners.
Our goal is not simply to prepare students for examinations – it is to prepare them for what comes next.