Curriculum overview

The Curriculum at York High School

Our curriculum is designed to challenge students to improve their Resilience, Aspiration and in doing so become even more successful. We passionately believe that high quality teaching coupled with a broad and balanced curriculum; studying subjects which allow students to develop a rounded skillset is vital in preparing students to be successful members of society. We therefore aim to fulfil the following principles:

1. To provide a curriculum that is tailored to the needs of our learners; ensuring that all learners, whether those who are gifted and talented, or those with special educational needs and disabilities, are challenged and supported to achieve their very best.
2. To engage our students in the classroom and develop them into active learners who ask thought provoking questions to further develop their learning.
3. To ensure that our students develop strategies to commit their learning to memory in order that they are fully prepared for the demands of the reformed GCSE’s and renewed focus on terminal examinations.
4. To ensure that our students benefit from a curriculum which ensures they secure the best possible academic outcomes at the end of Y11.
5. To equip our students with the necessary skills for their futures Post 16. This is delivered through individual subjects but also includes the Careers, advice and guidance which is delivered through our Aspirations programme that runs throughout the school.
6. To promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
7. To enrich the taught curriculum with a range of exciting extra curricular opportunities.

The Key Stage 3 Curriculum consists of the following subjects:

• English
• Maths
• Science
• Geography
• History
• French
• RS
• PE
• Computing
• Music
• Drama
• Art
• Food Technology
• Design Technology
• RAS

Structure and organisation of the Curriculum

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

Students will follow one of two Pathways in KS4

The Guided Pathway

The core curriculum, which all students study consists of:

• English language and literature
• Maths
• Science
• PE
• Personal Development (which includes RS)

KS4 students also study three further optional subjects which must include one of:

• Religious Studies
• Geography
• History
• French

This ensures that our students have a breadth and blend of subjects, which will give them the best academic chances post-16.

The remaining two options are chosen from a wide range of courses which include:

• Art
• Geography
• History
• French
• Religious Studies
• Creative I-Media
• Child Development
• Health and Social Care
• Sport
• Drama
• Music
• Food & Nutrition
• Design Technology
• Dance

The Supported Pathway

The core curriculum, which all students study consists of:

• English language and literature
• Maths
• Science
• PE
• Personal Development (which includes RS)

KS4 students on the Supported Pathway will also attend the following supplemental session:

• Additional English
• Additional Maths
• Reading & Literacy Intervention
• Workskills

They can then choose one option from a wide range of courses which include:

• Art
• Geography
• History
• French
• Religious Studies
• Creative I-Media
• Child Development
• Health and Social Care
• Sport
• Drama
• Music
• Food & Nutrition
• Design Technology
• Dance

More information about the Options process is available in the annual KS4 Options booklet which is provided to Y9 students to guide them in their choices for KS4. The subjects available may vary according to demand each year.

Homework

At York High School we believe that homework is essential to consolidate the learning which takes place within school and is set using Google Classrooms. All students and parents are provided with a login to ensure that they can access the homework which has been set. We provide a Homework club after school each evening for students who prefer to complete their homework in school where help can be provided as necessary.

Find out more about our curriculum

You can find out more detail about our subjects here. You can also see exactly what our students are learning here.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our curriculum offer, please contact Mr S Hardy, Assistant Principal: Curriculum Development.