Curriculum Overview
It is our intent that our curriculum provides the broadest, richest experiences which lead to meaningful learning, of knowledge and of skills.
Our curriculum should sculpt young people who, because they have a love of learning in all its forms, are resilient, confident, articulate and successful members of society, who aspire and achieve. To gain this love of learning, and experience the success, they must know how to learn and make connections between school and the real world.
It is the intent of our curriculum that it allows students to learn ‘to be, not just seem to be’ ‘Esse Quam Videri’.
'Leaders have ensured that pupils access a high-quality education. The ‘Hemel Hempstead experience’ combines both the academic curriculum and pupils’ wider school experiences. This is also the case for students in the sixth form. Leaders have created an ambitious curriculum that allows pupils to learn and achieve well, including being able to experience many additional wider opportunities for personal development. There are extensive opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interests'.
Ofsted, December 2022
The content of our curriculum in each academic year for every subject is shown below. We also list the courses available to students at Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 & Key Stage 5.
Our curriculum is accessible for those with disabilities or special educational needs and complies with our duties in the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 our students follow the National Curriculum with some additional subjects. All of our students have a broad and balanced curriculum made up of the following subjects.
- Art - 2 hours per fortnight
- Computing - 1 hour per fortnight in year seven and two in year nine
- Design, Technology & Food - four hours per fortnight in years seven and eight, three hours in year nine
- Dance - one hour per fortnight
- Drama - two hours per fortnight
- English - seven hours per fortnight
- French/German/Spanish - five hours per fortnight in year seven and six hours in year eight and nine
- Geography- three hours per fortnight
- History - three hours per fortnight
- Maths - six hours per fortnight
- Music - two hours per fortnight
- PACE - two hours per fortnight in year seven and year eight and one hour in year nine
- Physical Education - four hours per fortnight
- Religious Education - two hours per fortnight
- Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) - six hours per fortnight
Key Stage 4
At the end of Year 9 students select their KS4 options. In KS4 students study six mandatory subjects and their four chosen options. The mandatory subjects are:
- GCSE English Language & GCSE English Literature - eight hours per fortnight
- GCSE Maths - eight hours per fortnight
- GCSE Combined Science or GCSE Biology, Chemistry & Physics. - nine hours per fortnight
- Games - four hours per fortnight
- PACE - one hour per fortnight
KS4 Options
At Key Stage 4, our students MUST choose one option from French, German, Geography, or History. Students then choose three further courses from those listed below. Students can select French and/or German and/or Geography and/or History within these three choices. For many of our students, this is highly advisable. Each option is five hours per fortnight.
- French (GCSE)
- German (GCSE)
- History (GCSE)
- Geography (GCSE)
- Seperate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry & Physics) (GCSE)
- Religious Studies (GCSE)
- Computer Science (GCSE)
- Business & Enterprise (GCSE)
- Sport Studies (Cambridge National)
- Physical Education (GCSE)
- Product Design (GCSE)
- Resistant Materials (GCSE)
- Textiles (GCSE)
- Graphic Communications (GCSE)
- Food Prep & Nutrition (GCSE)
- Art (GCSE)
- Drama (GCSE)
- Dance (GCSE)
- Music (GCSE)
KS5 Options
At KS5 each subject has it's own grade entry requirements. This ensures that KS5 option choices are suitable and appropriate and that students make the right decisions for their programme of study. The majority of our students will select 3 subjects to study at KS5. We also allow some students to study 4 subjects. A number of students also complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
Our KS5 curriculum also includes Sixth Form Games, PACE, an Assembly & Study Skills programme, Community Enrichment, charity work, student leadership and a range of activities, opportunities and events.
The list below shows the subjects we offer students at KS5 and the grade entry requirements. Each subject has eight or nine lessons per fortnight.
Ancient History
Grade 5 in GCSE Humanity and Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Biology
Grade 77 in GCSE Science to study 3 Sciences
Grade 76 in GCSE Science to study 2 Sciences
Grade 66 in GCSE Science to study 1 Science
and Grade 6 in GCSE Maths.
Business
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 4 in GCSE Business or Level 2 Pass in CNAT, NCFE, BTEC Business etc and Grade 4 in GCSE English Language and Grade 4 in GCSE Maths.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 5 in GCSE English or GCSE Humanity and Grade 4 in GCSE Maths.
Chemistry
Grade 77 in GCSE Science to study 3 Sciences
Grade 76 in GCSE Science to study 2 Sciences
Grade 66 in GCSE Science to study 1 Science
and Grade 6 in GCSE Maths.
Computer Science
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 6 in GCSE Computer Science and Grade 5 in GCSE Maths.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 6 in GCSE Maths and Grade 5 in GCSE English Language.
Core Maths & Finance
Grade 4 in GCSE Maths and Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Can also be taken alongside other A Level courses with any mathematics content (i.e psychology, biology, physics, economics etc).
Dance
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 4 in GCSE Dance and Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature and Technical Qualifications considered.
Economics
Grade 5 in GCSE Maths and Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature or GCSE Humanity.
English Literature
Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and English Literature.
EPQ
Grade 6 at GCSE or Equivalent in at least five subjects (places subject to interview and selection process).
Fine Art
Grade 4 in GCSE Art or Technology and Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
French
Grade 6 in French and Grade 5 in English Language.
Further Maths
Grade 8 in GCSE Maths.
Geography
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 5 in GCSE Geography and Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature and Grade 5 in GCSE Maths.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 6 in GCSE Humanity and Grade 6 in GCSE English Language or Literature and Grade 5 in GCSE Maths.
German
Grade 6 in German and Grade 5 in English Language.
Graphic Communications
Grade 4 in GCSE Art or Technology and Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Health & Social Care (CTEC)
Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature and Grade 44 in GCSE Science.
History
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 5 in GCSE History and Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 6 in GCSE Humanity and Grade 6 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Maths
Grade 7 in GCSE Maths.
Music
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 6 in GCSE Music and Grade 5 in English Language or Literature.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
ABRSM Grade 5 or above in instrument/voice.
Philosophy
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 4 in GCSE RS and Grade 5 in English Language or English Literature.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or English Literature and Grade 5 in GCSE Humanity.
Photography
Grade 4 in GCSE Art or Technology and Grade 4 in English Language or Literature.
Physical Education
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 5 in GCSE PE (or Level 2 Merit in CNAT, NCFE, BTEC Sport etc) and Grade 5 in English Language plus suitable standard of practical performance as performer/coach.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 66 in GCSE Science and Grade 5 in English Language plus high standard of practical performance as performer/coach.
Physics
Grade 77 in GCSE Science to study 3 Sciences
Grade 76 in GCSE Science to study 2 Sciences
Grade 66 in GCSE Science to study 1 Science
and Grade 6 in GCSE Maths.
Politics
Grade 6 in GCSE Humanity and Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Psychology
Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature and Grade 5 in GCSE Maths or Grade 55 in GCSE Science.
Sociology
Grade 5 in English Language or Literature and Grade 4 in GCSE Humanity.
Sport and Physical Activity (CTEC)
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 4 in GCSE PE or Level 2 Pass in CNAT, NCFE, BTEC Sport etc and Grade 4 in GCSE English Language and Grade 4 in GCSE Maths.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 44 in GCSE Science and Grade 4 in GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths.
Textiles
Grade 4 in GCSE Art or Technology and Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Theatre Studies
Where subject studied at GCSE
Grade 5 in GCSE Drama and Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature.
Where subject not studied at GCSE
Grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature and Grade 5 in GCSE Humanity.
LAMDA etc considered.
