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Organisation of the Curriculum

The curriculum of the school reflects the demands of the National Curriculum. It is designed in order to provide all learners with a broad, balanced education relevant to their needs both now and in the future. 

The school operates a two weekly timetable cycle based upon 50 hours of lessons per fortnight.

"The curriculum is well balanced and challenges students to achieve well in all areas of learning."
Ofsted May 2015

The Journey from Year 7 to Year 13.

Whilst traditionally the journey between Key Stage Three to Five is viewed as three separate key stages we view the learning journey as more of a continuum in which learners constantly build on their knowledge skills and understanding from the prior stage of their journey.

Year 7 – 9

In Year 7 – 9 learners follow a common curriculum, which builds on their knowledge, skills and understanding from Primary School.  We allocate time to subjects to ensure that learners can study each area in greater depth.  This is shown below.

 

Number of periods per fortnight (1 hour lessons)

Subjects

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

English

7

7

8

Maths

7

7

8

Science

6

6

6

Geography

3

4

3

History

3

4

3

Religious Studies

2

3

2

Computer Science

2

2

3

French or Spanish

4

4

4

PSHE (Personal and Social and Health Education)

1

1

1

Design Technology inc Food and Textiles

4

4

4

Art

3

2

Performing Arts (Music and Drama )

4

2

2

Physical Education

4

4

4

All learners will also receive a Careers Education programme.  Please see this area of the website for more details. https://www.uptonhigh.co.uk/page/?title=Careers&pid=102

Year 10 – 11

In this phase of the learning journey we are building on the knowledge, skills and understanding of the previous phases of learning.

We offer a wide range of courses at GCSE and Level 2.  This means that learners are able to pursue their interests from Year 7 – 9 through Year 10 and 11.  At key stage 4 learners will normally study a foreign language and a humanities subject. The curriculum is organised as follows:

Number of periods per fortnight (1 hour lessons)

Subject

Year 10

Year 11

English (Lang and Lit)

9

9

Mathematics

8

8

Science

9

9

PSHE

1

1

Religious Studies (Core)

1

1

Physical Education

2

2

History or Geography

5

5

French or Spanish

5

5

Two further option subjects from the list below (5 lessons each subject)

Animal Care

Art and Design - Fine Art

Art and Design  - Graphic Communication

Art and Design - Photography

Business Studies

Computer Science

Design Technology - Food & Nutrition

Design Technology - Health and Social Care

Design Technology - Hospitality and Catering

Design Technology - Product Design

Design Technology - Textiles

MFL French

MFL Spanish

Drama

Performing Arts with a Dance approach

Geography

History

Information Technology

Media Studies

Music

Religious Studies - Philosophy & Ethics

Physical Education

Triple Science

10

10

A very small number of learners may not participate in one of the above options as they may require additional mathematics and / or English support.  This would be in the form of Study+ replacing one of the above options. If we feel your child would benefit from Study+ we will contact you.

Our curriculum also covers the following in an age-appropriate and sequenced way, commensurate with learners’ levels of maturity.

  • Relationships and sex education, and health education (secondary schools)
  • Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
  • British values
  • Careers guidance

Year 12 - 13

The Sixth Form curriculum  consists of the following subjects. Learners will study up to 4 of these subjects, however, the majority of learners will only study 3 of the listed subjects below.

Subject

Course

Exam Board

Timetabled Hours in Lower 6th

Timetabled Hours in Upper 6th

Total Timetabled Hours

Applied Science

BTEC Level 3

AQA

9

9

18

Biology

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Business

A Level

EDEXCEL

9

9

18

Business

Diploma- CTEC

OCR

9

9

18

Chemistry

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Computer Science

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Drama & Theatre

A Level

EDUQAS

9

9

18

DT Fashion and Textiles

BTEC Level 3

Pearson

9

9

18

DT Product Design

A Level

EDUQAS

9

9

18

Economics

A Level

EDEXCEL

9

9

18

English Language

A Level

OCR

9

9

18

English Literature

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Fine Art

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

French

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Further Mathematics

A Level

EDEXCEL

9

9

18

Geography

A Level

EDEXCEL

9

9

18

History

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Mathematics

A Level

EDEXCEL

9

9

18

Media- Digital Film and Video Production

BTEC Level 3

Pearson

9

9

18

Media Studies

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Music

A Level

OCR

9

9

18

Photography

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

PE

A Level

OCR

9

9

18

Physics

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Politics

A Level

EDEXCEL

9

9

18

Psychology

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Religious Studies- Philosophy & Ethics

A Level

EDEXCEL

9

9

18

Sociology

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

Spanish

A Level

AQA

9

9

18

In addition to their chosen subjects, learners in both year groups will also study 1 hour of PSHE and attend a 1 hour Seminar/ Assembly each fortnight.

Learners are able to opt for an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and this is delivered through 1 hour scheduled slots each week. Those learners who are required to resit their Mathematics GCSE have 4 lessons a fortnight.

KS5 Pastoral Curriculum

Theme

Brief overview

Mentoring Monday

Each learner receives regular mentoring from their form tutor.

Thoughtful Tuesday

These sessions allow for the delivery of the locally agreed KS5 Religious Education syllabus.

Wellbeing Wednesday

Learners study a range of content, approaches, and techniques that support positive health, both physically and mentally.

Teacher Thursday

Learners complete a variety of form time activities depending.

Feel - Good Friday

Opportunities for celebrations to be announced and ‘raise praise’ to occur. Learners also have the opportunity for a weekly quiz.