Curriculum

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.

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.

KS3 Curriculum Overview

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

*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.

KS4 Curriculum Overview

At Key Stage 4 students are guided to follow one of 5 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.

Key Stage 4 Compulsory Curriculum

English
English Literature
Maths
Two Sciences
PE/Sport
PSHE/Financial Capability

Key Stage 4 option subjects include

GCSE Art & Design
GCSE Art Photography
GCSE Biology
GCSE Business Studies
GCSE Chemistry
GCSE Computer Science
BTEC Dance
GCSE Drama
BTEC Engineering
GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition
GCSE French/Spanish/Urdu
GCSE Geography
GCSE History
BTEC iMedia
GCSE Music
GCSE PE
GCSE Psychology
GCSE Physics
GCSE Product Design
GCSE RE

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

Link to The national curriculum