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Curriculum Overview Year 7 – 13

At Haileybury Turnford our curriculum is created around four areas: Academic Excellence; Cultural Capital; Character Education and Community. It is based on the principles of knowledge acquisition, underpinning the application of skills and leading to a curriculum which is ambitious, broad and balanced. We want all students to approach learning with confidence and independence, gaining deep knowledge of a broad range of subjects and the skills needed for lifelong learning. Our students will receive a world-class education, which prepares them to be fully rounded 21st century, local, national and global citizens. Our intention is that students will develop a positive attitude towards life and learning. It encourages them to become responsible and respectful to have integrity and to be safe and healthy in all they do.  Students will become independent and self-motivated, able to solve problems, have the resilience to adapt and the ability to work with others. they will respect others and understand the value of diversity and the need for equality.

Our curriculum will:

• Be rich in knowledge and skills
• Be well-sequenced and build skills, knowledge and undertanding logically
• Be inclusive and meet the needs of every students
• Develop curiosity and make learning exciting and inspirational
• Discover new talents
• Raise aspirations and widen horizons
• Be relevant and contextual
• Prepare students for an ever-changing world and future
• Ensure students leave school with confidence and the ability to make a positive impact on the world

Our students develop the knowledge, skills, and cultural capital that enable them to move successfully into training, apprenticeships, employment and higher education.  Our aim is that students leave Haileybury Turnford as successful, confident and considerate young adults.

KS4 Options for students 

The school reviewed its curriculum during 2019-20.

As part of this review, we considered the length of Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and when students choose their Options to study to the end of Year 11.

Previously, Year 8 students chose their Key Stage 4 Options in the Spring Term each year. The guiding principles of our curriculum are to ensure that we provide a broad and balanced, yet ambitious curriculum for all students, which provides opportunities for them to achieve their full potential, alongside developing their character and ensuring their physical, and emotional wellbeing.

The decision has been made to move to a three-year Key Stage 3 and a two-year Key Stage 4. This curriculum intent has been approved by the governing body.

The Key Stage 4 Options Process for our current Year 9 students will therefore take place in March 2021.  Now is the right time for this curriculum change for the following reasons.

1. A three-year KS3 ensures all students have access to a broad and balanced curriculum where they can deepen their knowledge and skills across a wide range of subjects, complemented by programmes for development of character, cultural capital and their physical and emotional wellbeing.

2. Our current curriculum provision has meant a reduction in the number and range of subjects that students are exposed to and they are forced to make choices early, when they do not always have the maturity or knowledge of what such restrictions may mean for later study.

3. We see Key Stage 3 as the building block for students to develop the foundations of their knowledge, skills and understanding and to prepare them for the rigours of Key Stage 4. By having a three-year Key Stage 3, students have the time to embed and practice skills, develop a broader cultural knowledge and vocabulary and be best prepared for informed decision making. Students will gain exposure to a knowledge rich curriculum which is coherently and sequentially planned and which supports memory and cognition retrieval in preparation for Key Stage 4.

The Sixth Form application process and forms can be found under the Sixth Form Applications area.

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