Our Curriculum

At Harris Academy Wimbledon we believe that a broad, deep and knowledge-rich curriculum is the entitlement of all our students so that they are able to learn powerful, academic knowledge that will enable them to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Our intent is that all students, irrespective of their background or context, will: 

• Experience a broad, deep and knowledge-rich curriculum 
• Be literate and numerate 
• Have high expectations for their behaviour and achievement 
• Build their independence, integrity and resilience 
• Take part in enrichment, extra-curricular clubs and deep learning days so that they develop their academic knowledge and cultural capital beyond the classroom 
• Secure foundations for future academic and social progression 

The key stage three curriculum 

The key stage three curriculum is broad and balanced and enables students to deepen their powerful academic knowledge across a range of subjects over time. All students study the national curriculum subjects, as well as Latin, Drama and human and life skills which includes personal, social, health, cultural, citizenship and economic education. 

The key stage four curriculum 

The key stage four curriculum is designed to be broad enough for students to cover a range of subjects so that further study and career pathways remain open to them, whilst also providing sufficient depth so that they develop their powerful academic knowledge within subjects and excel in their GCSE exams. 

All students study the core subjects of English, Maths, Trilogy or Triple Science and Physical Education, and most students study Spanish. Students must also choose at least one Humanities subject and two additional options from a range of creative, performative and technical subjects. All key stage four students continue to broaden their cultural capital through the academy’s rich extra curriculum programme. 

Memorable moments 

Whilst the primary concern of the curriculum at Harris Academy Wimbledon is the mastery of powerful academic knowledge, we know that students learn best when they can immerse themselves in wider curriculum opportunities. As such, each subject area thinks carefully about the ‘memorable moments’ which students will encounter as they progress through the academy. These include careers talks, trips and visits, author visits, competitions and much more. These memorable moments deepen students’ love of learning as well as further develop the powerful academic knowledge and cultural capital of those learning at the academy. 

Enrichment and Extra Curricular

We believe that the academic curriculum should be complemented with enrichment and extra-curricular activities, and we pride ourselves on our outstanding enrichment and extra-curricular programme. The enrichment curriculum is on offer for all students in Key stage three and gives students the opportunity to broaden, extend and challenge their knowledge and skills within a specific subject of their choosing. 

In addition to enrichment all students select at least one weekly extra-curricular activity. These activities help foster a spirit of independence, integrity and resilience, while developing cultural capital, creativity, character and confidence. 

Additionally, embedded within our curriculum are a number of curiosity days. Curiosity days provide fantastic opportunities for teachers to deepen the powerful academic knowledge of their students through enquiry, discussion and debate as students work off-timetable in subject areas. 

Students also benefit from opportunities to take part in sporting, cultural and charitable events such as the cross-Federation sports day, volunteer work in the local community, guest speakers, and visits to art galleries, museums and the theatre. These events and excursions help to develop cultural capital as well as our academy values of independence, integrity and resilience.