Curriculum
“The curriculum is everything: the whole experience; what it is to be a part of the community at The Hemel Hempstead School.
It is our intent that our curriculum provides the broadest, richest experiences which lead to meaningful learning, of knowledge and of skills.
Our curriculum should sculpt young people who, because they have a love of learning in all its forms, are resilient, confident, articulate and successful members of society, who aspire and achieve. To gain this love of learning, and experience the success, they must know how to learn and make connections between school and the real world.
It is the intent of our curriculum that it allows students to learn ‘to be, not just seem to be’ ‘Esse Quam Videri’”
Leadership Team, December 2018
Our curriculum combines rich, knowledge-based, rigorous academic study with our ASPIRE and PACE programmes.
ASPIRE seeks to develop critical key skills in students that they will need for the world of work and further study, PACE seeks to ensure that they are safe, compassionate and engaged citizens.
The curriculum is supported by a broad extra-curricular and careers programme, each of which can be explored using the hyperlinks to the left or the bottom of this page.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and provide parents with information and progress reports on a regular basis. Where appropriate, students are placed into sets according to their ability. This enables us to deliver the most appropriate education for each individual and place support where it is most needed.
AT KEY STAGE THREE (Years 7, 8 and 9)
Students follow the National Curriculum with additional subjects at Key Stage 3. During Year 7 we assess students to set in mathematics from the outset. Most students study two foreign languages from Year 7.
Subjects have the following number of lessons per fortnight:
| Yr 7 | Yr 8 | Yr 9 | Yr 7 | Yr 8 | Yr 9 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art | 2 | 2 | 2 | History | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Computing | 2 | 1 | 2 | Mathematics | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Design, technology and food | 4 | 4 | 4 | Music | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dance | 1 | 1 | 1 | PACE | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Drama | 2 | 2 | 2 | Physical education | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| English | 7 | 7 | 7 | Religious education | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| French/German | 5 | 6 | 5 | Science | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Geography | 3 | 3 | 3 |
AT KEY STAGE FOUR (Year 10 and 11)
Towards the end of Year 9 students take their options. In Key Stage 4 they then follow six mandatory and four chosen subjects:
| Year 10 | Year 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE English and GCSE English literature | 8 | 8 |
| GCSE Mathematics | 8 | 8 |
| GCSE Combined science or GCSE Physics, Chemistry and Biology | 9 | 9 |
| Games | 4 | 4 |
| PACE | 1 | 1 |
| Four option subjects | 20 (4 x 5) | 20 (4 x 5) |
The options are chosen from the following blocks:
| Languages | Technologies | Creative Arts | Humanities |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCSE French | GCSE Computing | GCSE Art | GCSE Geography |
| GCSE German | GCSE Food and nutrition | GCSE Dance | GCSE History |
| GCSE Product design | GCSE Drama | GCSE Religious studies | |
| GCSE Graphic communication | GCSE Music | GCSE Physical education | |
| GCSE Resistant materials | BTEC Sport | ||
| GCSE Textiles | BTEC Business |
AT KEY STAGE FIVE (Years 12 and 13)
We have a thriving Sixth Form offering a wide range of subjects and excellent teaching.
The Sixth Form enjoy substantial privileges and opportunities to participate in extra-curricular and social activities. We work in the West Hemel Sixth Form Partnership with John F. Kennedy Catholic School and Cavendish School. The partnership allows us to provide increased opportunities for all of our students.
The Sixth Form has its own dedicated pages here.
The named person responsible for the curriculum is Mr Neil Hassell, the Headteacher. If you require further information about our curriculum please contact the PA to the Headteacher, Mrs Cooper, on 01442 390 100 or via admin@hhs.herts.sch.uk
