Key stage three

Students follow a broad curriculum at Highlands School. During years 7 and 8 of key stage 3, all subjects are compulsory and follow the National Curriculum. From year 9, students are able to make some option choices to personalise their curriculum.

The key stage three curriculum is composed of the following subject areas:

Subject	Y7	Y8	Y9
	Lessons per fortnight (65 mins)
Citizenship / RS	4	4	KS4
Computer science	2	2	2
Drama / Art / Music	6	5	3
English	6	6	7
Geography	3	3	2
History	3	3	2
Maths	6	6	6
MFL: Spanish or French	4	4	4
PE	3	3	3
Science	6	7	7
Technology*	3	3	KS4

*Technology (resistant materials, graphics, food technology, textiles) is taught on a ‘carousel’.

Key stage four

The emphasis on students experiencing a broad curriculum is continued at key stage four where the school expects the majority of students to complete the English Baccalaureate. Consequently, the majority of students study English literature, maths and the sciences, alongside five optional subjects. 

Most students will study one modern foregin language, RS or citizenship, and either history or geography. Students begin to study the first two of their five optional subjects in year 9. One of these will be either RS or citizenship. Students begin to study their three additional subjects in year 10.

Subject	Y9	Y10	Y11
	Lessons per fortnight (65 mins)
Citizenship / RS	4	3	-
English	KS3	7	7
Maths	KS3	6	7
MFL: Spanish or French	KS3	5	7
PE - core	KS3	2	2
Science	KS3	7	9
Geography / History	KS3	5	7
Option subjects	6	5	7

Options subjects are studied for two years from year 9 to year 10, or from year 10 to year 11.