Curriculum Overview

Our Curriculum is built to deliver CARE:

Community

We want our pupils to know the importance of values and respecting differences. Our students are friendly, happy, kind, caring, generous, gentle, engaging, positive, ambitious, adaptable, resilient and trusting. They have a strong sense of cultural identity and, for many of them, their faith plays an important role in their lives. Our school is incredibly diverse in terms of language and culture means that we have an extremely rich environment in which to work and serve.

Aspiration

We want our pupils to know their possibilities are limitless and no matter where their starting point is, all of them can make exceptional progress.

The aim of Stretford High School is to provide opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident, successful learners with high aspirations who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society.  There is a high focus on developing children’s moral, spiritual, social and cultural understanding.  Our school provides a wide range of opportunities, subjects and courses to help pupils acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in all aspects of their education, including the humanities and linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technical, social, physical and artistic learning. We ensure that children are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Resilience

We want our pupils to be empowered to look after their own health and wellbeing.

We want them to be successful citizens, both from a personal and working point of view.  We develop their love of learning, inquisitiveness, confidence, motivation, determination, resourcefulness and resilience – and not just within the walls of our classrooms and formal curriculum. SHS provides an extensive range of extracurricular activities in order to promote cultural diversity; emotional resilience; social confidence; spiritual well-being; personal development; creative flair; physical health and good mental health via a range of clubs.

Education

We want our pupils to have the English and maths skills and knowledge which are the gateways to all learning. We aim to develop their skills in literacy and numeracy, clearly demonstrating how these skills are relevant to their lives at school, at work and in their relationships. Most importantly we believe that our students should leave us with the capacity for and a love of learning across a wide range of subjects and that their knowledge and skills allows them to step into their future with confidence.

CARE

We want our pupils to know they are safe and cared for.

The beating heart of our thriving community, SHS has a strong sense of family & belonging which is at the core of the outstanding pastoral provision for every child in our care. We know that children feel safe at SHS and that they and their families value the education, support and guidance we offer. We benefit from and celebrate the diversity of our culturally rich community and the cultural capital on our doorstep, which is reflected in all that we do.

At Stretford High School we pride ourselves on providing our students with a broad and balanced curriculum which is relevant and in the best interests for all our learners.

The curriculum we offer is in line with the National Curriculum, however it is flexible enough to allow individuals to pick from a number of different pathways so that they can achieve the best possible outcome when they leave us.

We have also built a co-curriculum called ‘8 Ways to be Great’ that runs alongside our main curriculum. Each year group has been set 8 challenges to complete before the end of each academic year and these challenges ensure our students are building their knowledge about future career pathways and developing a skill set that enriches their CV. For more information click on the link at the bottom of this page.

We also ensured that an array of extra-curricular activities are on offer to enrich and supplement the main curriculum.

 

To find out more about the curriculum please email Mrs Rowena Kidd, Deputy Headteacher: [email protected]

 

Timings of the school day

The Stretford High School curriculum is organised into a one week timetable of 34, forty five lessons, many of which are timetabled as doubles. This structure allows us to offer a broad and balanced curriculum at both Key Stages and gives students the opportunity to achieve their full potential, and make as much progress as possible.

The School Day

KS3 Curriculum Overview

The following subjects are taught across each year of the key stage 3:

SubjectTotal hours over yearStretford actual time per weekStretford % allocation
(these are all in line or above national recommended allocation)
English1083 3/4 hours15%
Mathematics1083 3/4 hours15%
Science1083 3/4 hours15%
ICT/computing
361 1/2 hours 6%
D&T541 1/2 hours 6%
History453 hours15%
Geography45
RE45
Modern Languages722 1/4 hours 9%
Art & Design363 hours12%
Music36
Drama
PE541 1/2 hours6%
Citizenship271 1/2 hours6%

*MFL – This includes French, Spanish and Urdu, with students continuing in the same language throughout KS3

*Technology – includes Food, Resistant Materials and Product Design (Year 9 students select 2 options from the above)

Students are initially placed in mixed ability form groups, they are given base-line tests and set according to ability in Science & Maths. In English students are set based on their end-of-year target. As students move through the school, setting becomes the norm enabling them to be set challenging and extending work; in line with their academic potential.

*PSHE is taught through our ‘Everything Else’ curriculum

For more information on assessment and reporting at KS3, see our ‘KS3 Life After Levels’ page.

Term 2 KS3 Curriculum Booklets here:-

2022-23 Curriculum Booklet – Year 7 Term 2

2022-23 Curriculum Booklet – Year 8 Term 2

2022-23 Curriculum Booklet – Year 9 Term 2

KS4 Curriculum Overview

At Key Stage 4 students are guided to follow one of 4 curriculum pathways, enabling students of all abilities, aptitudes and interests to achieve and be highly successful.

For each pathway, Students will follow both a core compulsory curriculum, as well as selecting 3 or 4 options from a wide range of subjects (depending on their chosen pathway).

Green Pathway Ebacc
An academic GCSE route leading to the English Baccalaureate.
Purple pathway
An academic GCSE route where the English Baccalaureate is optional.
Orange pathway
Combines academic GCSE’s with a limited number of vocational courses.
Red pathway Science Ebacc
An academic GCSE route where triple science is one of the options and can lead to the English Baccalaureate.
Blue pathway Aspire 
An academic GCSE route leading to the English Baccalaureate and an extra GCSE in History is taken.

All pathways are designed to enable students to achieve 9 or more A* – C (9-4 under the new grading system) GCSE passes or equivalent.

Students have the opportunity to select courses directly suited to their interests and aspirations which, in turn, promotes high standards of achievement.

Term 2 KS4 Curriculum Booklets here:-

2022-23 Curriculum Booklet – Year 10 Term 2

2022-23 Curriculum Booklet – Year 11 Term 2

Key Stage 4 – Options Booklet

For compulsory subjects and option choices, please view here: Key Stage 4 – Options Booklet 2024 – 2026

Subject Timetable – Allocations

The curriculum at Stretford High School is designed to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum. The school timetable is structured around 34 periods per week.

Subject Timetable - Allocations - Year 10

SubjectStretford actual time per weekStretford % allocation
English3 3/4 hours15%
Mathematics3 3/4 hours15%
Science4 1/2 hours18%
PE1 1/26%
Citizenship/EE1 1/26%
Option AD3 hours9%
Option B3 hours9%
Option C3 hours9%
Eng/Math/Sci1 1/2 hours6%
Form time Focus1 & 40 mins1%

Subject Timetable - Allocations - Year 11

SubjectStretford actual time per weekStretford % allocation
English4 1/2 hours18%
Mathematics3 3/4 hours15%
Science3 3/4 hours15%
PE1 1/26%
Citizenship/EE1 1/26%
Option AD3 hours9%
Option B3 hours9%
Option C3 hours9%
Eng/Math/Sci1 1/2 hours6%
Form time Focus1 & 40 mins1%

Links: