CURRICULUM

In EVERY subject at The Stonehenge School, ALL students are entitled to:​

1. A Curriculum That Challenges: Lessons that are ambitious, progressively difficult, and designed to push thinking — not limited by assumptions about ability or prior learning.​
2. Clear Learning Journeys: Consistent use of Topic Road Maps to help students ‘Think Big’ and understand what they are learning, why they are learning it, and how knowledge builds over time.​
3. Relevant Study Journal: Access to and frequent use of a Study Journal containing Knowledge Organisers for every subject that outlines core knowledge, vocabulary, and key concepts for revision and retrieval.​
4. Purposeful Feedback: Regular, actionable feedback that is detailed and helps drives their progress forward. ​
5. Reteach Opportunities:  Re-teach weeks that help them revisit misconceptions and improve their learning.​
6. Subject-Specific Reading: Exposure to disciplinary texts in all subjects to build vocabulary, deepen understanding, and strengthen literacy across thecurriculum.​
7. High Expectations and Adaptive Teaching: Lessons adapted to meet student needs without reducing challenge — ensuring equity and access and challengefor all learners, including those with SEND.​
8. Meaningful Assessment: Frequent checks for understanding and Milestone Assessments that inform future teaching and allow students track their progressand know their next steps.​
9. Real-World and Cultural Connections (Opportunities to ‘Think Big’): Learning that connects to real-life contexts, builds cultural capital, and reflects a diverse range of voices, experiences, and global perspectives.

At KS3 the curriculum is designed to cover the National curriculum content.  Student mastery in the National Curriculum Content is carefully tracked using ‘I can’ statements to ensure that pupils have covered all areas of non-statutory KS4 subjects by the end of Year 8. The curriculum ensures coverage of English, Maths, Science, art, technology, catering, textiles, Computer Science, RE, PSHE, Music, 3 languages (German, French and Spanish), Geography, History, PE, and drama. Where necessary at KS3, specialist Key Stage 2 teachers support students who are weaker in terms of literacy and numeracy, providing them with the skills they need to access the full curriculum.

The Key Stage 3 experience is further enhanced through a range of cultural capital opportunities which offer a breadth of life experiences outside of the classroom. Annual events include visits to; the Houses of Parliament, Stonehenge, Winchester Science museum, Bletchley Park, Normandy a Charity Walk around Woodford Valley, and a residential visit to Pencelli to name a few. Alongside this there are a plethora of extra-curricular clubs, including sport, crafts, gaming and our new addition, The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, which students can commence when they start Year 9.

Literacy is promoted in all subjects across both Key Stages. At KS3 (and often into KS4) this is achieved through the use of silent reading at the start of every lesson. Subjects are encouraged to choose relevant texts that link to their curriculum, and this also allows teachers to model by reading out loud to the class. Reading for enjoyment is a further feature of Key Stage 3 lessons, with daily reading time built in to the timetable, and vocabulary boosting homework set to equip students with the tools for the next stage of their education. The library is also an integral part of the school.

In Year 8, pupils choose 3 subjects to study in depth in Year 9 in addition to the core Maths, English, Science, PE, Culture and Issues and PSHE. Students study the Key Stage 3 curriculum during Year 9 and subject leaders use assessment and professional judgement to decide at what point during Year 9 students are ready to progress onto content which will enable the transition to KS4 to be smoother.  This can be at different times in different subjects, allowing us to ensure a broad curriculum.

All students are offered the full Ebacc, and the importance of taking a humanity and a language is discussed with parents as part of the options process. A variety of vocational courses are also offered to allow for development towards particular careers, or the pursuit of individual interests- this is in keeping with our intent to unlock potential by offering diverse and challenging pathways.  Ultimately, this means our students have free choice in which subjects they will do their gateway courses in.  Students study the curriculum that they choose, whatever their ability, allowing them to fully realise their future aspirations.

The study of GCSE starts in Years 10 in earnest. Pupils continue to have equal access to all subjects; they are not placed in any sort of pathway.  The options are designed unlock potential with diverse opportunities and to stretch and challenge pupils in order to create a passion for lifelong learning and to meet the demands of the local labour market.

Pupils are offered a mixture of practical and academic subjects from all areas of the curriculum. This model also maintains the widest possible choice for progression routes Post 16 as every pupil will have a greater range of subjects on which to choose future opportunities for education and training. ​Subjects that can be studied at KS4 include: