Key Stage 4 Curriculum

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At Key Stage 4 students study a common core of subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Religious Education and Citizenship.

At Key Stage 4 students study a common core of subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Religious Education and Citizenship. Students are supported through appropriate information, advice and guidance to follow the Learning Pathway of their choice. This enables students to choose from a wide range of subjects and select the examination courses they wish to study alongside the core subjects.

The curriculum is differentiated and tailored to meet the needs of individual students.

It caters for all students covering both vocational and traditional GCSE subjects.

All subjects lead to GCSE or Vocational qualifications. A work-related learning programme includes work experience and careers guidance for all students.

In years 10 and 11, there are often other additional classes running beyond the normal academy hours and there is an expectation that students will stay for this extra tuition and support.

Students achieve very highly at Key Stage 4 with results that are well above the national averages. Our success is based on high quality teaching, excellent resources, a secure grounding in Key Stage 3 and high aspirations of the teachers, students and parents/carers.

Subjects taught at KS4 

English Mathematics Science

Art and Design Business Studies Computer Science 

Creative Digital Media DanceDrama 

Geography GraphicsHealth & Social Care

History Languages: French, Latin & SpanishMusicPhysical Education

Religious Education

Further information on subject content is available on the Academy website in the Curriculum information section under the Year 9 Options page.

Physical Education

All students receive Physical Education lessons each week.

The students follow a broad and balanced curriculum which involves the use of the sports hall, gymnasiums, fitness centre, astro-turf pitch and playing fields.

Students with SEN

Teaching Assistants provide support to SEN students across the curriculum and where possible, students with SEN are integrated into mainstream lessons with the support of Teaching Assistants.

Where appropriate SEN students are given additional time and
support with English and Maths and access to curriculum that has been designed to develop life skills.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Overview

In Years 10 and 11 our students will study and be examined in a broad range of qualifications, comprised of GCSEs and BTECs dependent on students’ own choice as we provide a broad and balanced curriculum at Hamstead Hall Academy. In addition to the core subjects of English (Language and Literature), Mathematics, and Science (Combined Trilogy or the separate sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics), we support academic ambition through encouraging and allowing all students to study the English Baccalaureate pathway and study a language and Geography and/ or History. We ensure the breadth of curriculum is maintained as students select from a wide variety of subjects on offer which may be vocational, practical or creative in nature, including:

• Creative subjects such as Art and Design, Computing, Music, and Graphics
• Practical subjects such as PE, Dance, Drama
• Vocational subjects such as Health and Social Care, Creative Digital Media
• Humanities subjects such as Business, Geography, History and RE
• Language subjects such as French, Spanish and Latin, with a further option to study Panjabi or other community language qualifications at GCSE

In addition to their examined curriculum, students will have two hours of high-quality PE per week in Year 10 and 11 which includes an extended afternoon once a week where the lesson will finish at 4pm. Students will also benefit from one lesson of citizenship and RE per fortnight.

Further details about the Options process can be found on the Academy website.

Year 10 and 11 Curriculum Plan

Our Year 10 students study the following subjects over a two-week timetable comprising of 40 periods: 

The specifications for our KS4 subjects can be found on exam board websites. See the ‘Pupils’ section of our website for the latest information onYr9 options and KS4 exams.