Curriculum Overview

The curriculum at HLHS is designed give all students the opportunities to:-

  • experience a broad and balanced education which encourages them to fulfill their potential in the many different areas relevant to their abilities, skills and interests.
  • acquire and develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and qualifications necessary to progress with confidence to the next stage of their life and education through a process which encourages them to engage in lifelong learning, whilst preparing them for their adult working life in a changing employment situation.

 

Whilst each subject delivers its own special content, it also contributes to the co-ordinated delivery of a number of other elements which cross the subject boundaries. These elements include:-

  • the core skills of literacy, numeracy and ICT.
  • personal, learning and thinking skills.
  • social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness.

 

To enable progression from the age of 11 through to 16, the curriculum allows learners to achieve the best qualification for them at the stage in their education that is right for them. Students and faculties are set aspirational targets in year 7 to ensure that learners, parents and teachers are working towards the best qualifications for students at age 16, so that every student can achieve and be successful.

 

Grouping of students At KS3 students are taught in ability sets for Mathematics and Science and for English in years 8 and 9. For all other subjects students are taught in mixed ability groups. At KS4 students are taught in ability sets for the core subjects of Mathematics, English, Science and PE. For all other subjects (the options), the groups are mixed and determined by the choice of courses made by the students.

 

The Key Stage 3 Curriculum All students study Mathematics, English, Science, a Modern Foreign Language (Accredited French in Years 7-8, with a choice of Spanish or German in Year 9), History, Geography, Technology (Resistant Materials, Food, Textiles & Graphics), Physical Education, Art, Music, ICT, Religious Education and PSHEE & Citizenship. Students in years 7 and 8 follow a `Learning2learn` course which provides them with the multiple, transferrable skills needed by confident, independent learners at KS3, KS4 and beyond.

 

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum All students follow a core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, RE (incorporating PSHEE and Citizenship) and PE. During Y9 students choose from a range of options for their KS4 courses in addition to the core. Students choose four courses. Options at Key Stage 4 include*:-

Art and Design						Business Studies
Business Studies (BTEC First Award) 		Dance (BTEC Diploma) 1
Drama							Fine Art
French							Geography
German							Health and Social Care (BTEC Diploma)
History							Information/Communication Technology
Media Studies						Music
Spanish							Psycology
Technology – Food Technology				Technology – Graphical Communication
Technology – Resistant Materials			Technology – Textiles
Sociology

Most students choose to take extra science as one of their options. The courses available are:- * Science Double (Additional or Additional Applied) * Science Triple (Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate subjects) Students are directed to the science course most suited to their ability and needs.

 

* subjects may be withdrawn due to staffing / numbers