Curriculum

Curriculum Statement

As a maintained school, Garth Hill College is legally required to follow the statutory national curriculum which sets out in programmes of study, on the basis of key stages, subject content for those subjects that should be taught to all pupils.   Further information on our curriculum by subject and academic year is available here on the College’s website.

Curriculum Intent

At Garth Hill College, we aim to provide a curriculum that is broad and balanced, ambitious and demanding and provides our students with a rich range of opportunities inside and outside the classroom. A curriculum that:

• Features high quality learning in a broad and balanced range of core and foundation subjects.
• Develops the key knowledge and understanding required in each of the subjects.
• Does not solely focus on exam and test outcomes, but develops the whole child, personally and academically.
• Provides a rich diversity of educational experiences and opportunities to develop the wider knowledge, understanding and skills that prepare pupils for adult life.

Our aim is to develop:

• Successful learners who enjoy learning, work hard, progress and achieve.
• Confident and ambitious individuals with great aspirations for the future, and the aptitude, determination and commitment to go on and achieve well in life.
• Responsible citizens who can make a positive contribution to society.

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Key Stage 3 Curriculum

At Garth Hill College, key stage 3 is taught over three years.  The National Curriculum is followed.  Students study the following subjects in the allocated number of 75 minute periods over the two week timetable: 

* In year 9, a small minority of pupils, who find it difficult to access elements of the technology curriculum, are supported with a different pathway and instead study Prince’s Trust; this includes modules on sustainability, the world of work and career planning with explicit links to STEM learning.   

** In years 7 and 8, students study either history or geography for half the academic year and then switch. Year 9 students study three periods each of history and geography within which religious studies is taught. 

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

KS4 options offered include GCSEs in Art, Business, Computing, Drama, French, German, Spanish, Geography, History, Media, Music, PE, Religious Studies; BTEC travel and tourism, BTEC Health and Social Care, BTEC Performing Arts, V Cert PE and study support. 

Pupils are taught in sets in English, maths, science, RS/citizenship and PE.  Subject leaders will set students into set 1, 2 or 3 and will review setting on a half termly basis (please note there may be more than one set 1, 2 or 3 dependent on profile and size of year cohort).  Setting in option subjects will be used where possible.

Key Stage 5 Curriculum (Post 16)

NB: V denotes vocational course eg. BTEC; course certification is A Level unless otherwise stated.  

G denotes GCSE retake.

Level 2 offer - Diploma in Business Administration

Entry requirement for Level 3 courses are typically five GCSE passes at grade 4 or higher (please refer to the Sixth Form options information for specific entry requirements for each subject).  Learners who do not make this threshold will be offered a place on a Level 2 programme.  Any learner who does not achieve a GCSE grade 4 in English and maths will be required to re-take this qualification in Year 12. 

Other Information

The national curriculum forms only one part of the school curriculum. Garth Hill aims to provide a wide range of opportunities in and beyond the classroom.  The many informal learning experiences and opportunities that we have on offer to our pupils in areas such as STEM, music, drama, the arts, culture, sport, leadership etc. form an important part of the College’s curriculum.  This is enriched through our partnerships with others, notably local businesses.   We believe these opportunities are key to developing character, culture and the wider knowledge, understanding and skills that our young people need to prepare for adult life. 

All state schools are also required to make provision for a daily act of collective worship and must teach religious education to pupils at every key stage and sex and relationship education to pupils in secondary education.  

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Character and Culture Programme

The College’s PSHE programme aims to prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.  It covers a range of aspects including personal, social, health, careers/work related learning, as well as health and well-being, relationships and sex education.  It also covers the teaching of British values and preparation for life in modern Britain. The PSHE programme is taught to all students through lessons, tutorial periods, assemblies, and aspects are also taught in other subjects across the curriculum.   

Withdrawal from Religious Education or Sex and Relationship Education  

Schools must provide religious education and sex education from key stage 3, but parents/carers can ask for their children to be taken out of the whole lesson or part of it.  The College will ensure that parents/carers are provided with the information on the objectives and content of these lessons, so that parents/carers can make an informed decision.  As elements of these studies are integrated in the curriculum, the College will discuss withdrawal with parents/carers students to make the best possible arrangement.  The College has a duty to supervise withdrawn students, but not to provide additional teaching. 

Should you have any questions with regards to the Curriculum, please email:

Mrs A Keen a-keen@garthhillcollege.com 

or reception@garthhillcollege.com.