Curriculum
At William Howard School, our curriculum prepares our students for an ever-changing world; providing excellent opportunities and progression through a foundation of academic study, enriched by wider educational experiences. Through this exciting, challenging and engaging curriculum we develop academic excellence, character and our core values of respect, responsibility and resilience.
The philosophy and design of the curriculum is outlined below, with respective curriculum diagrams for each year group. The detail of each subject area’s curriculum, its design and progression are available by clicking on the individual ‘Subject Areas’ links – each subject’s programme being at least as ambitious as the National Curriculum, many with local adaptations and enhancements.
If you would like further information on the curriculum at WHS, please contact Kath Pigdon, Deputy Headteacher, or a Curriculum Leader if the query is more specific to a subject. It is possible to do this via the ‘Contact Us’ page where you will find a directory for contacting the relevant member of staff. Alternatively, you can telephone on 016977 45700.
Subject Areas
Art / Design Technology DT / Drama / English / Geography / Health & Social Care / History / Computer Science & IT / Languages / Maths / Media / Music / Personal Development (PD) / Physical Education (PE) / Religious Education (RE) / Science / Social Science
Years 7 and 8 Curriculum
Students who require more support in their literacy and numeracy are supported by a specialist transition curriculum. The curriculum is delivered by specialist transition teachers with the aim of accelerating progress in these two key areas. It is designed to follow the Year 7 mainstream curriculum but tailored to the additional needs of the students. Students are assessed and monitored throughout the year for progress to meet age-related expectations. In Year 7, the transition class will follow the curriculum outlined below.
| Year 7 & 8 Curriculum | ||
| Code | Description | Number of Hours a Week |
| Ar | Art | 1 |
| Bi | Biology | 1 |
| Ch | Chemistry | 1 |
| Co | Computing | 1 |
| Dr | Drama | 1 |
| Dt | Design & Tech | 2 |
| En | English | 3 |
| Fr/Sn | French or Spanish | 2 |
| Gg | Geography | 2 |
| Hi | History | 2 |
| Ma | Mathematics | 3 |
| Mu | Music | 1 |
| Pd | Personal Development | 1 |
| Pe | Physical Ed | 2 |
| Ph | Physics | 1 |
| Re | Religious Ed | 1 |
Year 7 Transition Curriculum
Students who require more support in their literacy and numeracy are supported by a specialist transition curriculum. The curriculum is delivered by specialist transition teachers with the aim of accelerating progress in these two key areas. In Year 7 there are two transition classes following the same transition curriculum. In Year 8, students are split into two classes with varying levels of support based on the individual needs of the group.
| Year 7 Transition Curriculum | ||
| Code | Description | Number of Hours per Week |
| Ar | Art | 1 |
| Bi | Biology | 1 |
| Ch | Chemistry | 1 |
| Co | Computing | 1 |
| Dr | Drama | 1 |
| Dt | Design & Tech | 2 |
| En | English | 5 |
| Hu | Humanities | 3 |
| Ma | Mathematics | 5 |
| Mu | Music | 1 |
| Pd | Personal Development | 1 |
| Pe | Physical Ed | 2 |
| Ph | Physics | 1 |
Year 8 Transition Curriculum
Students who still require further support in English and Maths will receive additional Maths and English lessons in Year 8. This is a continuance of the Year 7 transition curriculum. Our transition teachers continue to teach this cohort of students for English and Maths.
| Year 8 Transition Curriculum | ||
| Code | Description | Number of Hours per Week |
| Ar | Art | 1 |
| Bi | Biology | 1 |
| Ch | Chemistry | 1 |
| Co | Computing | 1 |
| Dt | Design & Tech | 2 |
| En | English | 5 |
| Fr | French | 1 |
| Gg | Geography | 2 |
| Hi | History | 2 |
| Ma | Mathematics | 4 |
| Mu | Music / Drama | 1 |
| Pd | Personal Development | 1 |
| Pe | Physical Ed | 2 |
| Ph | Physics | 1 |
| Re | Religious Ed | 1 |
Year 9 Curriculum
Students will continue to study a core academic curriculum but have greater choice over their creative subjects. A creative curriculum is implemented whereby students choose 3 subjects they would like to study for an hour a week. The sole aim is to engender a love for a subject, not to assess it or indeed measure student progress in some way. In the year where important GCSE options are chosen, we feel this curriculum enables students to experience subjects that they may like to choose in the future, in a semi-informal manner. The aim is to inspire students, build character and develop a real love for their chosen subjects.
Students will continue to have additional support with their literacy skills with two additional hours of literacy intervention per week.
| Year 9 Curriculum | ||
| Code | Description | Number of Hours per Week |
| Bi | Biology | 1 |
| Ch | Chemistry | 1 |
| Co | Computing | 1 |
| En | English | 4 |
| Fr / Sn | French or Spanish | 3 |
| Gg | Geography | 2 |
| Hi | History | 2 |
| Ma | Mathematics | 3 |
| Pd | Personal Development | 1 |
| Pe | Physical Ed | 2 |
| Ph | Physics | 1 |
| Re | Religious Ed | 1 |
| Cc | Creative Curriculum Option 1 | 1 |
| Cc | Creative Curriculum Option 2 | 1 |
| Cc | Creative Curriculum Option 3 | 1 |
Download the Year 9 Creative Curriculum Options for 2021-22
Years 10 and 11 Curriculum
We are currently transitioning our KS4 curriculum and therefore the curriculum allocation is slightly different at this point in time between Year 10 and 11. At KS4 we believe it is imperative to provide a curriculum that ensures a seamless transition to KS5, further education or training. Students benefit from a wide range of option choices and a strong core academic curriculum. It is through this wide range of choice we foster the love and enthusiasm for learning at KS4 and beyond. The option subject offer at KS4 is a variety of GCSE and vocational qualifications. We strongly recommend all students study a suite of English Baccalaureate subjects.
To cater for the varying needs within the different student cohort and matching local job market needs, we also offer a variety of work-based placements to a small chosen cohort of students, such as hair and beauty, agriculture, childcare and motor vehicle. Students spend a day a week focusing on their chosen work-based learning, which has often resulted in an apprenticeship at the end of their studies. Students continue to study 8 GCSE qualifications alongside their work- based placement.
Year 10 Curriculum
In Year 10, there are higher and a foundation curriculum pathways. Students on the higher pathway will study a core curriculum of Maths, English Language and English Literature, Triple Science, PE, PD/RE and a core language of either French or Spanish. Three additional option choices enable students to study a wider range of subjects.
Students on the foundation pathway will study a core curriculum of Maths, English Language and English Literature, Combined Science, PE, PD/RE and three additional option subjects.
Please see KS4 option pages for course information.
| Year 10 Curriculum | |||
| Code | Description | Higher Pathway Hours per week |
Foundation Pathway Hours per week |
| Ma | Maths | 3 | 4 |
| En | English | 4 | 4 |
| Cs | Combined Science | N/A | 5 |
| Ts | Triple Science | 6 | N/A |
| La | French or Spanish Compulsory Language | 2 | Can choose as an option |
| Pe | Physical Ed | 1 | 2 |
| Pd/RE | Personal Development & RE | (Tutor time and drop-down days) | 1 |
| Options | 3 Option Choices | 9 | 9 |
| Year 11 Curriculum | ||
| Code | Description | Number of Hours per Week |
| Ma | Maths | 4 (3 if Triple Science) |
| En | English | 4 |
| Cs | Combined Science | 4 |
| Ts | Triple Science | 6 |
| Pe | Physical Ed | 2 |
| Pd | Personal Development | 1 |
| Options | 3 Option Choices | 9 |
Years 12 and 13 Curriculum
Students entering the Sixth Form have a wide choice of subjects to study. In Year 12, all students have the opportunity to participate in sport and receive a comprehensive personal development programme. The Extended Project Qualification has grown in popularity and is now an established part of the Sixth Form curriculum for those students looking to widen their study options. Please see the KS5 section for greater detail on the curriculum.