Academic Excellence

Our Approach to Learning:

At The Hammond, learning is active, purposeful and ambitious.

Our teachers create learning experiences that challenge, engage and inspire students whilst providing the support needed for every learner to succeed. Learning is carefully planned so that students understand not only what they are learning, but why it matters and how it connects to their wider educational journey.

Lessons encourage students to think critically, collaborate effectively, reflect on their progress and embrace challenge. We believe that learning should be something students actively participate in rather than something that simply happens to them.

Students are encouraged to ask questions, discuss ideas, solve problems and take increasing responsibility for their own development as learners.

Through this approach, we develop confident young people who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and habits needed for success both inside and outside the classroom.

Assessment & Feedback:

Assessment is an integral part of learning at The Hammond.

We use a combination of formative and summative assessment to help students understand their strengths, identify areas for development and make excellent progress over time. Feedback is timely, personalised and designed to help students move their learning forward.

Students are encouraged to reflect on feedback, respond to guidance and take ownership of their next steps. Through dedicated reflection opportunities and regular assessment points, students develop a clear understanding of what success looks like and how they can continue to improve.

Our approach promotes confidence, independence and resilience whilst ensuring that every student is supported and challenged appropriately.

Academic Support & Study Skills:

At The Hammond, we recognise that our students are pursuing excellence across both academic and vocational disciplines. Our support systems are designed to help every learner thrive, balancing the demands of intensive professional training alongside a rigorous academic curriculum.

Our dedicated Learning Support Team, led by our SENDCo, works closely with students, families and teachers to ensure that every learner can access and succeed within the curriculum. Support is tailored to individual needs and may include classroom strategies, targeted interventions and personalised learning plans.

Every student is benchmarked on entry and set aspirational progress targets. Academic leaders regularly review progress, assessment outcomes and wider indicators to identify students who may benefit from additional support. Where intervention is required, support is implemented quickly and its impact is carefully monitored to ensure students remain on track to achieve their potential.

Strong literacy and numeracy skills underpin success across all subjects. Dedicated Literacy and Numeracy Leads oversee whole-school strategies to accelerate progress in these key areas, whilst small-group interventions provide additional support for students who would benefit from targeted teaching.

At Key Stage 4, students may choose Academic Skills as part of their curriculum pathway. This option provides additional specialist support in English and Mathematics, alongside the development of revision techniques, organisation, study habits and independent learning skills. It allows selected students to focus on securing strong outcomes in the core subjects whilst maintaining a broad and balanced curriculum.

Recognising that students learn in different ways, we also offer alternative qualification pathways where appropriate. This includes Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in English and Mathematics, ensuring that every student can follow a programme that best supports their strengths, needs and future aspirations.

Whether a student requires occasional guidance, targeted intervention or a personalised learning pathway, our aim remains the same: to ensure every learner leaves The Hammond with the confidence, qualifications and skills needed for their next stage of education, training or employment.

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to provide strong academic foundations whilst encouraging students to discover new interests, develop independence and prepare for the opportunities and choices available later in their educational journey.

Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum designed to develop knowledge, skills and curiosity across a wide range of disciplines whilst supporting the unique demands of vocational training at The Hammond.

Alongside the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, students study a rich variety of academic, creative and personal development subjects. These include History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, ICT, Music and Drama, ensuring that students develop both breadth of knowledge and transferable skills.

Students also participate in Choir and other performance-based learning opportunities, reflecting the school's commitment to nurturing confident communicators and creative thinkers.

 A distinctive feature of our Key Stage 3 curriculum is Healthy Performer, a bespoke programme designed specifically for young performers. This combines practical Food & Nutrition education with workshops focused on healthy lifestyles, wellbeing, resilience, physical and emotional health, and the habits required to thrive in both academic and vocational environments.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education further supports students' personal development, helping them build confidence, self-awareness and the skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.

At Key Stage 4, students follow a personalised curriculum pathway that balances academic achievement with specialist vocational training. Our curriculum is designed to provide flexibility, challenge and choice, allowing students to build a programme that reflects their strengths, interests and future aspirations.

All students study the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, with dedicated curriculum time allocated to ensure strong foundations in these key areas. Core subjects are taught for approximately four hours per week, providing students with the knowledge and skills required for future study and employment. 

Alongside the core curriculum, students select additional Level 2 qualifications through our option blocks. Students can study up to eight Level 2 qualifications, creating a broad and balanced programme that combines academic and vocational learning.

Current option choices include:

• Block A

• GCSE Art & Design

• GCSE Geography

• GCSE History

• GCSE Music

• Block B

• GCSE Art & Design

• GCSE Religious Studies

• GCSE French

• GCSE Computer Science

• Academic Skills

• Block C

• Level 2 Performing Arts – Acting

• Level 2 Performing Arts – Dance

Option subjects in Blocks A and B are taught for approximately 2.75 hours per week, whilst Block C subjects are taught for approximately 1.75 hours per week.

A distinctive feature of our Key Stage 4 curriculum is the inclusion of Academic Skills as an option pathway. This programme is designed for students who would benefit from additional support in English and Mathematics, alongside the development of revision strategies, organisation, study skills and independent learning habits. This enables students to focus on securing strong outcomes in the core subjects whilst maintaining a broad and purposeful curriculum.

Our curriculum model ensures that every student can access a pathway that is both ambitious and achievable, whether their strengths lie in traditional academic subjects, creative disciplines or a combination of both. Through careful guidance and support, students are equipped with the qualifications, confidence and skills needed for success beyond The Hammond.

• PSHE

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a vital part of the curriculum at The Hammond, supporting students' personal development, wellbeing and preparation for life beyond school.

Delivered through weekly timetabled lessons led by our pastoral team, the PSHE programme provides students with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to make informed decisions, develop positive relationships and navigate the opportunities and challenges of modern life.

Topics are carefully planned to be age-appropriate and relevant, covering areas such as physical and emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, online safety, financial awareness, careers education, diversity and inclusion, and personal responsibility.

In addition to weekly lessons, students participate in a number of dedicated drop-down days throughout the year. These enrichment events provide opportunities to engage with specialist workshops, visiting speakers and external organisations, allowing students to explore key topics in greater depth and gain valuable real-world perspectives.

Through our PSHE programme, we aim to develop confident, resilient and compassionate young people who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and future lives.

• Reporting & Assessment:

At The Hammond, assessment and reporting are designed to provide students and families with a clear understanding of progress, achievement and next steps.

 Students receive three formal reports each academic year across both their academic and vocational studies. Two reports focus on attainment and progress data, whilst one written report provides detailed teacher feedback alongside outcomes from key assessments and examinations.

 Academic progress is measured against aspirational target grades generated through a combination of internal benchmarking and CAT4 assessments. These targets provide a rigorous and personalised flightpath for each learner, enabling staff, students and parents to monitor progress effectively over time.

 Within vocational disciplines, students are assessed against bespoke flightpaths that reflect the expectations of high-quality technical and performance training. These benchmarks allow students to track their development in the specialist skills required for success within their chosen discipline.

Assessment opportunities vary across year groups and subjects, including end-of-year examinations at Key Stage 3, mock examinations at Key Stage 4, and practical and technical assessments within vocational subjects.

Alongside written reports, parents are invited to attend an annual Parents' Evening, providing dedicated opportunities to discuss progress directly with teachers. We also host Open House events throughout the year, where families can observe students working within our studios and performance environments.

Whilst these formal reporting opportunities are important, we believe that effective communication is an ongoing process. We actively encourage parents to maintain regular dialogue with staff throughout the year, ensuring that students receive the support, challenge and guidance they need to achieve their full potential.

• Homework & Study Expectations:

At The Hammond, independent study is an important part of academic success. Our homework programme is designed to reinforce classroom learning, develop independent study habits and prepare students for future examinations, whilst recognising the unique demands of full-time vocational training.

In Key Stage 3, students receive weekly homework in the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, alongside fortnightly homework in their other academic subjects. This ensures regular opportunities to consolidate learning whilst maintaining a balanced workload.

In Key Stage 4, students receive weekly homework across their subjects, reflecting the increasing demands of GCSE study and supporting preparation for assessments and examinations. 

Within the core subjects, students make use of carefully selected online learning platforms that provide personalised and adaptive learning experiences. These platforms enable targeted practice, identify gaps in understanding and allow students to work at an appropriate level of challenge, helping to maximise progress and confidence.

For our boarding students, supervised preparation time is built into the weekly routine, providing dedicated opportunities to complete homework, revise and seek support where needed.

We believe that academic success is built through consistent effort over time. Our approach seeks to balance academic rigour with the realities of intensive vocational training, ensuring that students are challenged appropriately whilst maintaining a healthy and sustainable workload.

Through effective study habits, independent learning and regular practice, students develop the organisation, resilience and self-discipline needed for success both at The Hammond and beyond.