Subjects and Qualifications
At the Fermain Academy, we offer a wide variety of qualifications. We have high expectations of all our students and we aim to provide an environment where every student who comes through our doors has the best possible chance to succeed.
We offer full Progress 8 accredited qualifications:
| Subject | Qualification | Curriculum Intent | Curriculum Map(s) |
| Mathematics | GCSE (AQA) | Maths 2020 | |
| English Language | GCSE (AQA) | English 2020 | Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 |
| English Literature | GCSE (AQA) | English 2020 |
Year 11 |
| Biology | GCSE (AQA) | Science 2020 | Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 |
| Geography | GCSE (OCR) | Humanities 2020 | |
| Information Technology | Cambridge Nationals (OCR) | ICT 2020 | |
| Health and Fitness | NCFE | Health and Fitness 2020 | Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 |
| Hair and Beauty | VTCT | Hair and Beauty 2020 | |
| Art and Design | GCSE (OCR) | Art 2020 | Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 |
| Design Technology | AQA Unit Awards (AQA) | Design Technology 2020 | Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 |
| Music Technology | NCFE Level 1 | Music Technology 2020 |
Students also have dedicated sessions for RSHE (Statement of Intent and Curriculum Map) and Careers.
Baselining at The Fermain Academy
Here at the Fermain, we baseline pupils in most subjects during their induction. This gives us a better idea of their ability in each subject, giving teachers the opportunity to challenge each pupil.
Certain subjects use a past GCSE paper to give a good representation of what grade the pupils are currently working at. We also use an online baselining tool for maths and English called BKSB. This involves pupils answering a range of levelled questions, which when completed gives a level and percentage. Pupils are given their results once completed.
Below is a table, showing how each level equates to each grade in GCSE, as well as the old style GCSE grades.
For example, Pupil A scores 64% on the Level 1 BKSB test in maths. The table would show that Pupil A would currently be working at a GCSE Grade 2.
| % Score | Old Style GCSE Grade | New Style GCSE Grade | Baseline Equivalent |
| 91<100 | U | U | < Entry 3 (85%) |
| 81<90 | G | 1 | Entry 3 (86%) - Level 1 (20%) |
| 71<80 | F | 1.5 | Level 1 (21% - 50%) |
| 61<70 | E | 2 | Level 1 (51% - 80%) |
| 51<60 | D | 3 | Level 1 (81%) - Level 2 (10%) |
| 41<50 | C | 4 | Level 2 (11% - 40%) |
| 31<40 | B | 5/6 | Level 2 (41% - 70%) |
| 21<30 | A | 7 | Level 2 (71% - 93%) |
| 11<20 | A* | 8/9 | Level 2 (94% <) |
| 0<10 |
