Key Stage 4 – Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications
In Years 10 and 11, students move into formally examined courses while continuing to experience the academic, technical and employer-connected education that defines WMG Academy.
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum combines essential academic subjects with engineering and specialist options. Students normally work towards at least eight qualifications, although individual programmes can be adapted where a different curriculum is more appropriate.
The Core Curriculum
Students study:
- GCSE Mathematics
- GCSE English Language
- GCSE English Literature
- GCSE Combined Science, with Triple Science available as an option
- Cambridge National Engineering Manufacture
- RSHE – non-examined
- Enrichment, including sporting activities
All students study Engineering Manufacture, reflecting the Academy’s specialist technical and engineering focus.
Students then select additional subjects from an offer which can include:
- Triple Science
- Computer Science
- Geography
- Art & Design
- Business
- Product Design
- Graphics
- Electronics
- Creative iMedia
- Engineering Design
Where appropriate, students can follow a programme supporting progression towards the English Baccalaureate.
A Different Way of Learning
Teaching at Key Stage 4 combines strong subject knowledge with opportunities to apply learning in practical contexts.
Specialist engineering and technical learning can include employer-led projects and real-world challenges, allowing students to develop technical knowledge alongside teamwork, communication, presentation and problem-solving skills.
Students benefit from our specialist facilities, including engineering workshops, CAD and computer suites, science laboratories and industry-standard equipment and technology.
As students move through Year 10 and into Year 11, teaching increasingly supports them to become independent, resilient and confident learners, while maintaining the practical and industry-inspired elements of the WMG experience.
Assessment in Years 10 and 11
Students complete regular assessments using our KAR model:
- Knowledge – what students know and understand
- Application – how effectively they can use their knowledge
- Reasoning – how successfully they can explain, evaluate and solve problems
Progress is reported using a working-at grade, with targets informed by students’ prior attainment and performance.
Formal mock examinations become increasingly important, particularly during Year 11, allowing students to experience examination conditions, identify areas for improvement and develop effective revision strategies before their final examinations.
Setting and Examination Tiers
In Key Stage 4, students may be grouped by ability in English, Mathematics and Science. These groups are kept under review and can change as students progress.
Mathematics and Science qualifications also include Foundation and Higher examination tiers. Decisions about the most appropriate tier are made carefully using assessment evidence, mock examination performance, subject knowledge and teachers’ professional judgement.
Final decisions are normally made following the Year 11 mock examinations and are always based on giving each student the best possible opportunity to achieve their highest grade.
By the end of Year 11, students should leave Key Stage 4 with much more than qualifications: they should have the technical knowledge, professional skills and confidence to make an ambitious next step into Sixth Form, college, an apprenticeship or another high-quality destination.
STEM Curriculum
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Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11)
486 KB
The emphasis of our Year 10 & 11 (Key Stage 4) curriculum is on science, technology, engineering maths but we also offer core subjects such as English, plus options including art and languages at GCSE level.
Download full details of our Key Stage 4 curriculum here.