Curriculum Intent

Huntington School offers a broad, rich, relevant and balanced curriculum tailored to statutory requirements and our vision of high ambition and high quality, evidence informed provision.  A wide range of additional opportunities for learning and personal development enriches the curriculum. The range of subjects and courses supports students in acquiring knowledge, understanding and skills in all aspects of their education, including the humanities, linguistic, mathematical, scientific, computing, technical, social, physical and artistic learning. Our curriculum is designed to provide all our students with the core knowledge and skills that will become the foundation of their success in life.

Curriculum Intent Principles:

 

Implementation

Through the school’s CPD programme, supported by Research School, dedicated time is invested in curriculum development. The curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before. Each subject curriculum is carefully considered and builds increasingly complex knowledge. Alongside our carefully mapped and sequenced curriculum, truly great teaching ensures our students remember the content they have been taught and integrate new knowledge and build schemas. Informed by Research School, regular, dedicated subject specific CAF (Curriculum and Assessment forum) time gives our subject experts time to plan collaboratively and develop subject and pedagogical knowledge; this ensures that our curriculum is implemented with fidelity.

The breadth and balance of our curriculum is borne out in the curriculum model which demonstrates our commitment to humanities, linguistic, mathematical, scientific, computing, technical, social, physical and artistic learning.

 

Key Stage 3

Huntington School students receive a rich and varied curriculum within Years 7, 8 and 9, in accordance with the National Curriculum and enriched by a wide range of additional opportunities for learning and personal development.
Each subject has identified and mapped the key skills, knowledge and understanding within their subject discipline to ensure progression across the curriculum. At a subject level the National Curriculum is used as a starting point for the creation of programme of study however, we believe it is important to extend student learning beyond this.
Whilst utilising truly great teaching and learning strategies and research, we aim to develop the individual student to a high level of competence in all subject areas. The Key Stage 3 Curriculum aim is for students to enjoy learning and develop the attitudes, understanding, skills and confidence to thrive. Throughout Key Stage 3 there is recognition that challenge is for all, not just the most able pupils.

Key Stage 4

We aspire for every student to complete Year 11 with the best possible set of GCSE/Level 1/2 qualifications to take them on to their next stage of learning whether this is Post 16 study, employment or training.
Pathways are introduced at Key Stage 4 to ensure that students continue to follow a broad and balanced curriculum that is suited to their individual needs. We are proud to offer a traditional curriculum based on the core subjects. We believe that the English Baccalaureate subjects are important, but we understand that every subject is uniquely important.

The suite of GCSE/Level 2 qualifications that students study within Key Stage 4 is built around a traditional programme of qualifications.  This ensures that students study a broad and balanced curriculum that enables them to progress onto their next steps, challenging all students and ensuring that no door is closed.

The majority of students will study the following at GCSE:

• English Language
• English Literature
• Mathematics
• Science (either triple or combined)
• A Modern Foreign Language 
• Geography or History
• Plus two other subjects

We are particularly proud of the high percentage of students that continue studying a language at KS4. 

Alongside the above, all KS4 students study Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), core Physical Education and our Philosophy for Life course.  We offer a range of traditional GCSE and an increasing range of vocational subjects and qualifications to broaden the curriculum and pathways for students, where appropriate.  The Unit Award and BTEC Level 1 qualifications meet the needs of particular learners, and although not included in progress data, we feel strongly that they are invaluable in supporting our students’ needs.

Key Stage 5

Huntington School offers a wide range of A Level and Level 3 qualifications at Key Stage 5.  Details of the Key Stage 5 Curriculum can be seen in the Sixth Form Prospectus on the school website. In addition, we offer a comprehensive package of extra-curricular activities including sport, theatre, music, community activities, and support for younger students and charity work.

As part of the weekly timetable, all sixth form students are required to take part in the Personal Development Programme (PDP).  We strongly believe in developing the ‘whole person’ in the sixth form, we regard this opportunity for students to gain wider experiences outside their subject curriculum as an integral part of our service to the community both in school, and beyond. 

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

PSHE/RSE is a statutory but non-examined subject.  It helps to give students the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. It aims to help students understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. Students learn about bullying, citizenship, drug education, healthy eating, physical activity, mental and emotional health, wellbeing, relationships and sex education.

Our Programme of Study aims to:

• develop skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, team working and critical thinking
• understand how students are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up
• teach and learn about bullying, citizenship, drug education, healthy eating, physical activity, mental and emotional health, wellbeing, and sex and relationships.

At Huntington we recognise not only the importance of allowing students to flourish academically but also embrace our wider role in preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum.  We follow equal opportunities guidance, which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender and sexuality, political or financial status.  Part of our role in that preparation is ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to all our students.