Curriculum

 Plume Academy is the only 11-18 secondary school situated in the historic town of Maldon,   Essex. In recent years, the number of students on roll has increased significantly, with many   families moving into the various new housing developments in the area and many more   from out of catchment electing to send their child to the academy.

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 As the town’s sole provider of mainstream secondary education, the academy considers   itself to have a moral duty to offer the learners in its care the broadest possible educational   experience, and one that will enable learners of all abilities and interests to thrive whilst at   the academy and when they leave – be this to pursue work, further education – or a   combination of both.

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Plume Academy firmly believes that education should be tailored to the individual, and therefore offers a series of highly differentiated programmes. Students study a broad range of subjects during a conventional three-year Key Stage 3 programme.

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We believe that a three-year Key Stage 3 programme is the best option for our learners, as it enables them to experience the broad spectrum of educational experiences that an academy of our size is able to offer. At Plume, students have an entitlement to knowledge – the acquisition of knowledge over a formative, three-year period, in range of subjects, provides them with rich opportunities to build cultural capital and the ability to make informed choices about the subjects they wish to study in greater depth when they move into their next Key Stage.

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This is not an academy that has narrowed its vision – students pursue a rigorous and well-planned academic curriculum that encompasses a wide range of E-Bacc and STEM subjects, as well as the creative arts of Dance and Drama. Physical Education extends beyond the classroom and into a vast array of extra-curricular experiences. The academy also places a high value on reading and scholarship, with all Key Stage 3 learners at our Mill Road Campus participating in the Accelerated Reader Programme.

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When students move into Key Stage Four, the curriculum personalised even further, with a continued focus on academic rigour at all levels. In addition to its core compulsory programme of English, mathematics, science (with most learners studying stand-alone courses in all three) and religious education, the academy continues to offer a full range of technology, physical education, foreign language, computing, humanity and creative arts subjects. Additionally, students also have the option to study less-frequently offer subjects at Key Stage Four, including child development, psychology and sociology.

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A select number of students also follow a bespoke vocational and work-based learning programme, in addition sitting a broad suite of academic subjects, to ensure that they are well-prepared for progression into vocational learning. All students are given a freedom of choice, but this freedom goes hand-in-hand with a comprehensive guidance programme.

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Plume Academy also offers a very inclusive Sixth Form experience. A range of level two and GCSE English/Mathematics resit courses are offered as pathway for those preparing to enter the world of work. Similarly, Plume College prides itself on offering a rich range of academic qualifications, qualifications that enable students to progress onto prestigious university courses, include Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.

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Cutting across all Key Stages is our pastoral, extra-curricular and cultural capital programme, which also champions reading, broadens student horizons and is designed to assist students in the journey to becoming responsible citizens of the world.

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Parental guides for each subject in each year group can be found by clicking on the year group tabs.