ACADEMIC
KS4 Curriculum
The Key Stage 4 curriculum is intended to support each student to achieve their personal best in meaningful qualifications by the end of Year 11, whilst supporting their social, moral, spiritual and cultural development through an extensive tutorial, PSHCE, PE and extra-curricular offer.
Our KS4 Curriculum Subjects
Design and Technology & Enterprise
The Design and Technology curriculum at Hayesfield aims to inspire, engage and enthuse by designing and making products that solve real and relevant problems, allowing students to learn iteratively using up to date technologies and processes, ensuring success for all by raising all students’ aspirations to prepare them for career pathways suited to the 21st century.
School Activities to Support Progress:
Career Exploration & Industry Exposure:
Year 10 Women in Engineering Day at Buro Happold, Y10 Equal Engineers Careers Fair, Visits from External Career Links Relating to Design, Architecture and Engineering, Links with Work Experience Opportunities.
Practical Skills & Design Application:
Dyson Robotics Workshop, Links to Manufacturing Techniques, Links to Case Studies on Manufacturing in Industry, 121 Support Outside Lessons to Help Build Confidence in Practical Skills and Techniques.
Academic & Scholarship Support:
Arkwright Scholarship Application Support, Support with HPQ, Y11 NEA Support Club.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Academic Engagement and Support:
Complete all homework within deadlines to ensure a strong grasp of topics and actively participate in P6 LEAP sessions.
Watch relevant TV programmes such as The Repair Shop, Grand Designs, Inside the Factory, and How Things are Made (YouTube) to gain insights into design, manufacturing, and restoration processes.
Practical Skills Development: Engage in hands-on activities like upcycling, repairing items, assembling flat-pack furniture, creating new products from single-use plastics, and assisting with DIY projects.
Sustainable Design Principles:
Actively apply the principles of the 6Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Rethink, Refuse) in practical activities to promote sustainable design and consumption.
English
In English, it’s vital for students to grasp the world around them. We explore diverse texts and encourage students to extend their learning beyond the classroom by visiting the cinema and theatre, including opportunities at Bath’s Royal Theatre and The Little Theatre cinema. They should also read widely on every topic to enrich their understanding of Literature and Language. Additionally, we ensure each year group benefits from an author visit, where authors give talks, run Q&A sessions, and offer students the chance to purchase signed novels and meet them.
Activities to Support Progress:
Debate and Public Speaking:
Includes BANES and Literature Festival debate clubs and competitions, as well as the ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition.
Literacy Events & Competitions:
Encompasses International Literacy Day, World Book Day, Bath Literature Festival Competitions, and the in-house Battle of the Books.
Reading & Literature Support: Covers KS4 Literature support, various author visits, reading clubs (Battle of the Books, The Centurion Award, Carnegie), Readathon, and the Hayesfield 100 reading list.
Performing Arts Exposure:
Features Theatre Club and Poetry Live.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Promote Extensive Reading: Encourage daily, wide-ranging reading, utilizing school and local libraries, online catalogues, and even university resources to broaden literary horizons.
Engage with Writing and Competitions:
Encourage participation in writing for school or local publications and entering creative or essay writing competitions at various levels.
Utilize Diverse Media for Learning: Advise listening to Radio Four plays and arts programs, solving crosswords, and accessing undergraduate-level lectures through platforms like GULP, BRSLI, iTunesU, and YouTube.
Participate in Literary and Creative Activities:
Encourage involvement in Hayesfield Library events like book awards, joining or establishing book circles, fan fiction workshops, and film clubs, and experiencing live theatre.
Maths
We aim to enable students to develop a love of learning for the subject and an understanding that there are no limits to their own development in Maths and Computer Science.
Activities to Support Progress:
Maths Challenges and Competitions:
Participate in the UKMT Junior (Years 7 & 8), Intermediate (Years 9 & 10), and Senior (Years 11-13) Maths Challenges, FMSP Maths Feast Competitions, Cypher Challenge, and the Alan Turing Cryptography Challenge.
Enrichment Lectures and Workshops:
Attend Royal Institution Mathematical Masterclasses, Maths Inspiration Lectures, and “Taking Maths to the Limit” Lectures, and engage with the Wells Mathematical Circle.
In-School Maths Events and Further Study:
Engage in Number Week, the Multiplication Bee, Finance Day, and consider taking Further Maths GCSE.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Show Active Interest & Engagement:
Take a keen interest in what she’s learning in Maths lessons, regularly ask to see her completed homework, and encourage her to explain recent topics to you.
Foster a Positive Mindset:
Don’t let your own anxieties about Maths hinder her learning. Instead, offer plenty of praise for her efforts and achievements to build her confidence, which is crucial for success in the subject.
Utilize Available Resources:
Make use of key resources like the Mathswatch VLE, which provides accessible videos for home use.
Collaborate and Seek Support:
Work through revision lists together that are issued to students, and don’t hesitate to ask for resources specifically designed for parents to help with her Maths work.
Humanities
In Humanities, we help students understand the world through various experiences. We organize field trips across the UK for Geography, and explore different cultures and religions through visits to temples, churches, and mosques. Our LEAP program offers a wide range of activities and discussion groups, including a Politics group, Sociology Cafe, and Happiness Club, giving all students diverse opportunities.
Geography
Geography helps students understand our rapidly changing world by revealing the interconnectedness of human and natural systems. It’s not just about facts; it’s a unique perspective that teaches you to make sense of patterns and phenomena, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability and transforming your way of thinking.
Activities to Support Progress:
Small scale local fieldwork
Local fieldwork in Bath
Coastal fieldwork on Dorset coast
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Engage with Science Documentaries:
Watch relevant documentary programs such as “Green Planet,” “Planet Earth,” and “Climate Change: The Facts” on BBC iPlayer and Netflix’s “Explained” series to deepen understanding of environmental and scientific topics.
Stay Informed through News and Discussion:
Regularly read or watch the news and discuss current events together to foster critical thinking and an awareness of global issues.
Explore Places of Interest:
Visit various local or distant places of interest, which can provide practical context and real-world experiences related to different subjects.
Subscribe to Educational Periodicals:
Consider a subscription to a periodical like National Geographic Magazine, offering engaging and stimulating features on a wide range of subjects from natural history to current global issues.
History
Hayesfield’s History department believes that students deserve an expansive and ambitious history curriculum that exceeds the remit of the national curriculum. Our offer is rich in subject-specific knowledge that ignites curiosity and skills that prepare students well for future learning and employment.
Activities to Support Progress:
Historical & Local Immersion:
Participate in trips to historical sites like Montacute House as part of the Elizabethan course, and a “Medical History” tour of Bath connecting to the Health and People topic.
Political Engagement & Civic Education:
Engage in enrichment trips to Parliament and the Supreme Court, and benefit from a partnership with Politics Project for Q&A sessions with politicians.
Collaborative Debates & Forums:
Participate in the Bath Senate in partnership with other schools, fostering debate and civic participation.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Utilize Historical Documentaries, Series, and Films:
Enhance understanding of historical periods like Elizabethan England (e.g., Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Tudors), 21st-century conflict (Munich – The Edge of War), the rise of Nazism (Rise of the Nazis), and health history (Blood and Guts, Filthy Cities Medieval London, Seven Industrial Wonders of the World: Sewer King) through relevant visual media.
Engage with Historical Fiction:
Explore historical periods and themes through novels such as George Orwell’s Animal Farm (essential for any history student) and books set in Nazi Germany, like The Book Thief, to gain a deeper, more contextual understanding.
Invest in Revision Resources:
We recommend exploring The Fashion Museum, The Roman Baths, The Holburne Museum, The American Museum, No.1 Royal Crescent, and The Museum of Bath at Work.
Access Core Curriculum Support:
Leverage a wide array of resources, from historical documentaries and series to specific films, to support and contextualize the curriculum across various topics including Elizabethan England, modern conflict, the inter-war years, German history, and the history of health.
Philosophy and Beliefs
In order to reflect the different worldviews that our students have and which we teach them about we have named our subject Philosophy and Beliefs. This is an inclusive title which reflects that whilst we teach the main world religions, we also include other worldviews such as Humanism.
Activities to Support Progress:
Philosothon:
Students from all year groups invited to take part
Spirited Arts Competition:
Spirited Arts Competition is a global competition that invites students to use their creative talents to explore profound questions about religious and non-religious worldviews. Now in its 21st year, the competition continues to inspire young minds to reflect on the world around them through art.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Stay Informed on Global Issues:
Regularly watch the news and read newspapers to develop an awareness of current social, moral, and ethical issues worldwide.
Engage in Ethical Discussions:
Have discussions with family or friends about religious, ethical, and moral issues that you encounter or are aware of.
Explore Religions Through Documentaries:
Watch documentaries about different religions and share the information gathered with classmates to enrich discussions.
PSHCE
The key aim of our PSHCE curriculum is to ensure that every one of our students is able to lead a happy, healthy and rewarding life. Regardless of their starting point, we want all of our students to know more, remember more and understand more about how to play a positive and successful role within our society, both as a young person and as an adult.
Our PSHCE Curriculum Aims To:
- provide a safe and secure environment for students to be informed and to create discussion on important health, personal wellbeing, sex and relationship issues
- empower students to communicate their ideas, views, and opinions over a wide range of topics clearly, confidently, and respectfully
- support our students in developing tools and strategies to promote positive mental wellbeing so that they can understand and then deal with exams related anxiety
- provide a significant amount of time for careers, in line with our school moto of ‘achieving ambitions’ so that our students see that all doors are open to them for future employment possibilities
Performance and Arts
Art
At Hayesfield, we champion creativity and visual literacy, believing they are essential in our image-rich world. Our innovative curriculum aims to inspire a lifelong love for the arts, deepen practical skills, and challenge students to achieve their best. We also foster creative problem-solving, support mental well-being, and help students gain qualifications for their future.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Attend Period 6 LEAP support sessions:
These sessions are designed to boost her confidence and further develop her skills.
Ensure she has the right equipment:
Please make sure she brings a 4B pencil, sharpener, and eraser to her lessons.
Encourage cultural experiences:
Support her in visiting museums, galleries, and exhibitions to broaden her cultural awareness whenever possible.
Dance
Dance is a powerful subject that boosts creativity, physicality, emotional expression, and intellectual growth, regardless of prior experience. It helps students develop socially, promoting fitness, well-being, confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork. Through performance, choreography, and critical appreciation, students gain a deep understanding of dance.
Activities to Support Progress:
Regular Dance Participation:
Join the Lower School Dance Club and participate in lunchtime and after-school rehearsals to develop performance and choreography skills.
Performance Opportunities:
Showcase dance talents at the annual “Evening of Dance,” which takes place in Term 4 of each academic year.
Professional Development & Coursework Support:
Engage in workshops with visiting professional artists to develop performance pieces specifically for NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) coursework.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Active Participation & Skill Development:
Participate in and/or support Period 6 LEAP activities and attend regular dance classes both in and outside of school.
Critical Appreciation & Performance Viewing:
Watch as much dance as possible at the theatre to develop critical appreciation, and utilize resources like BBC iPlayer’s “Dazzling Dance” archive to support the anthology unit.
Engage with Dance Theory & Discussions:
Explore talks on dance from TED Talks to broaden understanding and perspectives within the field.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle:
Make healthy food choices and participate in an active lifestyle to support overall well-being, which is beneficial for physical performance.
Drama
We believe that students deserve a broad and ambitious Drama curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which ignites curiosity, is culturally enriching and, for many, prepares them well for future learning or employment.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Encourage attendance at Period 6 LEAP support sessions:
These sessions are designed to boost her confidence and expand her skills.
Support engagement with theatre and performances:
Where possible, encourage her to attend live theatre or watch online performances to broaden her experience and appreciation.
Music
The Music department, part of the beating heart of Hayesfield, delivers a broad and ambitious curriculum with a strong focus on practical music making. We seek to develop the core skills of singing, performing, composing and listening and through this engender a lifelong love of music and an understanding of how music works.
Activities to Support Progress:
Ensemble and Skill Development:
Participate in the Music Theory Club (Grades 1-6), Steel Pans, String Orchestra, Wind Band, and Host Choir to develop musical skills and perform in a group setting.
Performance Opportunities:
Showcase musical talents at various events throughout the year, including the Piano Recital, Autumn Showcase, Christmas Concert, Spring Showcase, and Summer Gala.
Community Engagement and Enrichment:
Collaborate with local groups such as the Bath Festival, Bath Carnival, and Bath Philharmonia, and benefit from Visiting Musicians, Concert Visits, and Composing Workshops.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Engage with Documentary Programmes:
Watch relevant documentary programs on YouTube to deepen understanding of various topics.
Active Listening and Discussion of Set Works:
Actively listen to and discuss the 8 set musical works to enhance critical appreciation and understanding.
Attend Live Concerts:
Seek opportunities to attend concerts to experience live musical performances.
Explore Diverse Radio Stations:
Listen to a variety of different radio stations to broaden musical horizons and exposure to different genres.
PE
At Hayesfield, we aim to nurture and grow a lifelong love of physical activity in all our students and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to support good physical and mental health, which is imperative in the current climate.
Activities to Support Progress:
Diverse Sports Clubs:
Participate in a wide range of sports clubs including Hockey, Netball, Football, Athletics, Cross Country, Rounders, Indoor Athletics, Cricket, and Trampolining.
Competitive Opportunities:
Engage in weekly sporting fixtures and compete in all B&NES (Bath and North East Somerset) Tournaments and Swimming Galas.
Leadership Opportunities:
Take advantage of various leadership opportunities available within the sports programs.
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Promote Participation in LEAP Sporting Activities:
Encourage her to attend the Period 6 LEAP sporting activities to further develop her skills and passion.
Ensure Proper Equipment and Healthy Habits:
Make sure she has the correct kit for lessons, especially essential safety gear like mouth guards and shin pads for Hockey. Additionally, foster healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle.
Share Your Enthusiasm and Support Alternative Roles:
Share your passion for sports with her. In cases of injury or illness, support her in taking on coaching or officiating roles during lessons to maintain her involvement.
Maintain Communication and Support GCSE Requirements:
Stay in touch with the PE department via the school bulletin and her planner. For GCSE students, actively support her in collecting and submitting regular video evidence of her practical performance.
Sciences
At Hayesfield, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of science in all our students and equip them with the knowledge they will need to navigate an ever more scientific world. We believe that all students should have the scientific literacy to be able to evaluate critical evidence – this way, they can explain the world around them and make healthy choices whilst becoming responsible citizens.
Activities to Support Progress:
Academic Support & Socials:
Chemistry Café, Biology Bistro, Physics Phyiesta, Southside Support
Creative & Gaming:
Dungeons and Dragons, Minecraft
Hands-on Science & Engineering:
DIY Science, Build an Electric Car
How You Can Support Your Daughter’s Progress:
Active Learning and Discussion:
Encourage her to explain scientific topics she’s covered and engage in general discussions about science with her. This fosters deeper understanding and critical thinking.
Real-World Science Engagement:
Prompt her to stay current with scientific discoveries by reading daily newspapers and discuss these new findings together. This connects classroom learning to practical, ongoing developments.
Experiential Learning through Museums:
Plan visits to renowned scientific institutions like the Herschel Museum in Bath, and the Natural History and Science Museums in London. These visits offer immersive and inspiring educational experiences.
Community and Workshop Participation:
Suggest joining local scientific organizations such as the BRSLI (Bath Royal Scientific and Literary Institute) and attending their workshops. This provides opportunities for hands-on learning, networking, and exposure to diverse scientific topics.
Languages
Our Languages Curriculum is designed to ensure that all students make quick progress to reach their personal best. At the start of Y7 all girls sit a ‘Swedish test’, so we can quickly see the linguistic competency of each girl. We also want our students to have a much wider understanding of the world around them. In the curriculum we offer French and Spanish to our girls as these are the countries they are most likely to visit with their families or have experienced in their primary schools.
It is important that students get a sense of the world in which they live. There are trips to different parts of Europe and also immersion week with France and Spain. We also encourage our Sixth Form students to attend local conferences such as the Bath University Spotlight into Languages day.. We have French and Spanish Language Assistants work with our students to improve their confidence and speaking skills.
Staff are involved in the Extra Curricular LEAP programme and the Masterclass programme.
Our activities include:
- International Ambassadors (for our native speakers to be involved in helping others in our
community) - Extension languages (enabling students to sit A Levels and GCSEs in their native language)
- Visits to Bath University (translating and interpreting suite)