Curriculum

This document aims to provide the framework and a statement of the structure of the teaching and learning in our school.

Our mission has always been to live up to our school motto ‘Ad Caelestia Sequere’ (‘Reach for the Stars’) and it is something we urge all our students to do.

Hence, Highworth aims to develop students who are:

R – Reflective, creative and Innovative
E – Eager for life-long learning
A – Aiming to achieve their full potential
C – Considerate, confident, independent individuals
H – Happy in a caring, respectful community

What Does REACH Mean?

Reflective, creative and Innovative: Our broad and balanced curriculum with its inspiring enrichment programme allows students to pursue personal interests and challenges in a stimulating environment. Creativity and innovation are key elements in our teaching, providing students with a rich and wide range of opportunities to develop their skills and personal talents. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning by applying their knowledge, being resourceful and eager to investigate.
 

Eager for life-long learning: Highworth offers a dynamic learning environment. From the classroom to the world beyond, we want our students to seize the opportunities they are given so that they develop into confident, creative, independent adults who will relish life-long learning. Our popular enrichment programme allows students to try something different and go beyond what is taught in the curriculum. They are also well prepared for their future economic success through work-related learning, Enterprise education, careers advice and guidance. Furthermore, our programme of personal, social, health education and citizenship gives students a greater appreciation of real life issues and situations and enables them to develop a very good understanding of how to live healthy lives.

What Does This Mean Day To Day?

To enable students to develop in the areas outlined about we design a curriculum at meets the needs of our students. Moreover;

• We implement a core curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9 providing students with a range is skills that they will require as they progress through the school.
• Regular assessment, feedback and reflection. Students are set challenging but realistic targets in each of their subjects. Their progress towards these is assessed as part of our continuous monitoring of students. Students will have time to reflect on their progress and their skills base through subject and mentor meetings and through the rewards system.
• Offering a range of GCSE subjects from Year 10 onwards. All students study the core EBacc with GCSE’s in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography or History and a Modern Foreign Language. Students are further able to customise their courses in Year 12 and Year 13.
• The school runs Focus Days where year groups spend a day focusing on topics relevant to themselves. Topics such as careers, enterprise, examination and revision techniques, life skills are included so that students develop a broad range of knowledge and skills.
• Vertical Mentor groups based in 7 communities. Our community structure is a strength of the school and provides a welcoming atmosphere to new students as well as leadership opportunities for older students.
• High quality teaching. Our expert and experienced staff know that nothing can replace high quality teaching. Our staff are highly qualified and up to date with the current themes in education. In our recent Ofsted around 50% of lessons were outstanding.
• Continuous CPD and research for staff. As part of our Teaching School status we work with our own staff and that of other schools to develop expert teaching and pedagogy so that our students benefit from the very best in teaching and learning.

Structure of the Day

The school has a two week timetable and five teaching periods per day:

Key Stage 3 Curriculum (Years 7 and 8)

Students study a broad curriculum design to given them the skills required for achieving their full potential as they move up the school.

Students study:

Modern Foreign Languages

In Year 7 choose two languages from French, German or Spanish. They then choose a single subject to study in Years 8 and then on to GCSE.  Gifted linguists may be able to choose a second language as part of their option choices into Year 10. 

GCSE Curriculum

Students choose their options in Year 10 and all follow EBacc groups of courses. All students study English Literature and Language, Mathematics, Triple Science, Geography or History and a Modern Foreign Language.

Some mathematicians will also study a Further Maths GCSE.

Core Routes