ACADEMIC
KS3 Curriculum Intent and Implementation
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is intended to exceed the KS3 National Curriculum, whilst providing a smooth transition between the knowledge and skills covered in KS2 with those required at Key Stage 4.
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Our diverse Year 7 intake from over 40 feeder schools includes a majority of High Prior Attainers and a smaller group with lower prior attainment. Our KS3 curriculum is tailored to address individual needs, ensuring rapid progress for all by closing KS2 knowledge gaps for some and enriching learning for others. As a high-achieving girls’ school, our academically aspirational curriculum fosters a love of learning, builds confidence and resilience, and offers STEM and extracurricular opportunities that challenge gender stereotypes.
A broad curriculum includes arts and PE, and most students study two languages to GCSE level. We prioritize literacy and numeracy through reading for pleasure and engaging maths, with a Year 7 focus on accelerating maths progress due to stronger English skills on entry. Students below expected reading levels receive targeted support through our ‘Achievement First’ program to reach expectations by the end of Year 8.
In devising our Key Stage 3 curriculum, we have ensured that:
- Our curriculum offer is broad and balanced and exceeds the requirements of the National Curriculum
- Dance and Drama are offered in addition to the National Curriculum to ensure that our students are given opportunities to develop confidence (inline with one of our key school values) and regularly perform
- Drama is also used as a vehicle for PSHE delivery, tackling many personal development themes
- Students in Year 7 and Year 8 have weekly Reading lessons to encourage a love of reading and to develop their literacy skills, so that they have the skills and competences to succeed
- Students are set on entry in Year 7 in the core subjects of Maths, English, Science and Languages so that they can receive immediate support, stretch and challenge
- Non-core subjects are taught in mixed ability groups and tutor groups so that all students enjoy a variety of learning experiences and have more opportunities to work with others
- Maths and Science have additional periods to support rapid progress and depth of knowledge in Year 7
- As students make rapid progress, the academic subjects such as English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and Languages, provide our students with stretch and challenge in Year 9 by providing them with a taste of GCSE knowledge so that they can continue to exceed the national requirements and incorporate more challenging work in later years
- The majority of students start studying a second language in Year 8 and the curriculum time is adjusted accordingly
- Our PSHE programme places a large emphasis on healthy relationships, and the Year 7 programme is extended to ensure that we have the time to cover friendship issues in Year 7
- Online safety is addressed twice yearly, through the PSHE and Computing programme of study
- Students in the Achievement First curriculum are meeting the National Curriculum requirements in Geography, History and French through their specialised programme of learning
- Our students have the opportunity to master a new skill, take up a new challenge and develop their confidence in an area that sits outside of the mainstream curriculum through our bespoke Masterclass programme
Year 7 Curriculum Intent
We are really proud of our Year 7 curriculum offer and in particular how it creates a smooth transition between
the content and skills your daughter covered in KS2 to the challenges and increased aspirations of our School Curriculum.
As well as identifying and closing gaps in knowledge from Year 6, our Year 7 curriculum deepens students’ engagement, knowledge and passion for each subject old and new. It actively aims to develop a high level of literacy and numeracy through a culture of reading for pleasure and inspiring maths lessons.
While the curriculum is academically aspirational it is implemented in an environment that inspires enjoyment and commitment to learning as well as developing for students the skills and confidence to learn.
Year 7 is an exciting time in your daughter’s education. This is the beginning of her learning journey at Hayesfield Girls’ School and the first steps into developing confidence, new skills and new ambitions for life-long success.
Year 8 Curriculum Intent
Year 8 is where the training wheels begin to come off and we put more emphasis on developing each student’s confidence as independent and self-motivated learners.
The learning environment continues to inspire enjoyment and foster a commitment and love of learning but here is where the challenge increases and we perhaps take more students out of their comfort zones.
Far from a ‘holding year’, Year 8 is a vital time in your daughter’s education. This is the stage of her learning journey at Hayesfield Girls’ School where she begins to seek challenges and find motivation for herself which will become the foundation of her future academic success.
Year 9 Curriculum Intent
Year 9 is perhaps the most important year of your daughter’s education so far. Many subjects, having covered the requirements of the National Curriculum, now introduce students to the knowledge and skills needed to be successful at KS4.
This is the transition year between KS3 and KS4, where we bring to a close some subjects and open up new ones. Much of the emphasis is on students finding their individual academic pathway while being guided to build a broad and balanced curriculum that meets every student’s needs and aspirations. The learning environment remains inspiring and fosters the commitment and love of learning from Lower School but, without doubt, Year 9 will expect more of your daughter; preparing her for the increased challenges and demands of GCSE knowledge and skills.
Here is also where we lay the foundation for the independence that will serve her well at GCSE. We also promote the idea of an enquiring mind and we will inspire your daughter to challenge and question her learning so that it is further to broadened and deepened. Most importantly, we provide full support and motivation for every student to find her feet and grow her confidence so that she is ready for Year 10.